Philly had a Thanksgiving parade four years before New York’s Macy’s parade ever stepped off. Now in its 107th year, the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade returns Thursday, November 26, 2026, with the pre-show starting at 8:30 AM.
The harder part is the logistics: where to stand, when to claim a curb, how to get around road closures and how to stay warm for three hours until Santa arrives. This guide covers the route, the best viewing spots, SEPTA tips and the 2026 lineup, so all you have to do is show up early and enjoy the show.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade 2026 at a Glance
Here are the key details for this year’s parade in one place, including what time the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade starts.
A Philly Tradition Since 1920
The Philly Thanksgiving parade first stepped off in 1920, when the Gimbel Brothers department store organized it to kick off the holiday shopping season. That makes it four years older than the Macy’s parade in New York. Sponsors have changed over the decades, and today it runs as the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. The format hasn’t changed much: balloons, floats, music and one very important guest in a red suit at the very end…