November 23, 2016
Philadelphia hosts the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the country. As the annual parade gets closer to the 100-year mark, it also gets bigger and better. This family-friendly event has become a tradition for many, who either watch it on TV at 6ABC or head to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to view floats, giant balloons and special guest appearances.
• Thursday, Nov. 24
• Beginning at 8:30 a.m. at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard
• Majority of the parade takes place on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
• Ends at noon at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
• Follows a 1.4-mile parade route
• Free to attend
• 2016 marks the parade's 97th year
Look out for Geico's "Under the Sea" float, A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts' "The Enchanted Winterland" float, Five Below's "The Grinch" balloon, NRG Energy's "Pirate Ship" float, La-Z-Boy's "Daniel Tiger" balloon, Dunkin' Donuts' "Very Hungry Caterpillar" balloon and more characters and fantastical displays among the floats and giant balloons.
The Parade Zone is a festival at Eakins Oval. There will be selfie stations, free coffee samples, giveaways, a kids' activity area, live ice sculpting and other family-friendly activities.
Those looking for other spots to watch the parade should check out Visit Philly's interactive parade route map, which highlights the best places to cheer on the floats and balloons.
Philadelphia's Thanksgiving Day Parade boasts a large lineup of special guests each year. Attendees can expect to see musical guests, pageant winners, Disney characters and Santa every Thanksgiving.
This year, "Good Morning America's" Ginger Zee and Richard Curtis, the Bucks County man who won a chance to co-host "Live with Kelly," will also be at the parade.
Below are other special guests:
Characters
• Disney Princesses and Princes from Disney Parks: Elena of Avalor, Tiana and Naveen and Rapunzel and Flynn Rider• Disney on Ice's "Toy Story" characters
• The cast from Walnut Street Theatre's "The Wizard of Oz"
• The cast from Broadway Philadelphia's "Mamma Mia!"
• The cast from the Kimmel Center's "The King and I"
• The cast from the Kimmel Center's "Dirty Dancing"
Musical Guests
• Estelle
• DJ Kool
• Jerry Blavat
• Drew Lachey
Athletes
• Eagles Cheerleaders
• Philadelphia Soulmates
• Eddie Alvarez
• Danny Garcia
Holiday Guests
• Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus
• The Pennsylvania Ballet
Of course, there will also be marching bands, dancers, choirs and other performers to look out for on the parade route, too.
Metered street parking is free on Thanksgiving. However, no parking will be in effect (beginning Nov. 23) for the following areas along the parade route:
• JFK Boulevard from 19th Street to 30th Street
• 20th Street, from Market to the Parkway
• Arch Street, between 19th and 22nd streets
• Race Street, between 16th Street and 17th Street
• 17th Street, from Vine Street to Race Street
• Eastbound lanes of Vine Street, from 15th Street to 17th Street
The parade will be broadcast live on 6ABC from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Those watching the parade at home also have a chance to win prizes.
Thursday, Nov. 24
8:30 a.m. to noon | Free to attend
Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Begins at 20th Street and JFK Boulevard
Ends at the Philadelphia Museum of Art
