Tis the season to be jolly! So let's go to a Christmas parade! Also, known as Christmas Pageants, there are hundreds if not thousands of Christmas parades around the United States and Canada. Wanna go to the biggest, oldest, or the most popular? Here are some of the top Christmas parades in North America. Ho, ho, ho!
- Toronto Santa Claus Parade - One of the best known Christmas parades is also the world's longest running Children's event. Begun in 1905, more than a half a million people come out today to watch the procession. The first parade had just one float. Today, there are more than 25 floats, 24 bands and over 1700 parade participants.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - Though celebrated on Thanksgiving, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is very much a Christmas Parade with Santa Clause as the Parade Guest of Honor. Inspired by the Toronto Santa Clause Parade, the Macy's Day Parade was created in 1920. The parade is famous for it's giant inflated balloon characters such as Superman, Garfield and Shrek to name just a few. More than 44 million people watch the Macy's Day Parade on television.
- Peoria Illinois Santa Claus Parade - The oldest Christmas parade in the United States began in 1887 in Peoria Illinois. The parade today consists of fireworks, live reindeer, circus wagons, and parade floats. Though certainly not the largest, it is fun small town/small city parade.
- Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade - The happiest place on earth gets into the holiday spirit with their own Christmas parade. Located at Walt Disney World since 1983, the parade occurs and is taped for television 1 month prior to Christmas Day. Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofey and other Disney characters parade down Main Street USA during this magical Disney Christmas Parade.
- A Christmas Fantasy Parade - Not to be outdone by their East coast park, Disneyland has their own parade with just as much magic.
- Hollywood Christmas Parade - Lights, camera, Christmas! It's Hollywood's Christmas parade version. Originally sponsored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce to boost Christmas sales, the Hollywood Christmas Parade has been going on for over 75 years. Though nearly ending last year to lack of financial support, the city of Los Angeles has just breathed new life into one of California's oldest parades.
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade - Who said parades had to be on land? For almost 100 years (99 to be exact), Newport Beach California has hosted an amazing assortment of "floats". From multimillion dollar floats, to tall masted schooners, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a Southern California tradition.
- Pathway of Peace - Though not a parade, people "parade" through this beautiful exhibit of Christmas trees representing the 50 states. The Pathway of Peace is part of the Peace Pageant in Washington DC on the National Mall. The centerpiece of the pageant is the National Christmas Tree.
