USA TODAY 10Best
Philadelphia Mummers Parade selected as Best Holiday Parade!
Best Holiday Parade (2021)
Holiday parades bring holiday cheer in the form of festive floats, dancing elves, Santa and his sleigh, and millions of twinkling lights.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Holiday Parade are as follows:
Photo courtesy of Visit Calistoga
No. 10: Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade - Calistoga, Calif.
Calistoga's Lighted Tractor Parade is a quintessential small town celebration of the holiday season, inspired by the community's agricultural heritage. During the annual event, vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks and construction equipment decked in twinkling lights parade down Calistoga's main street to usher in the holiday season.
Photo courtesy of Davis Harrison Dion Photo Courtesy of Magnificent Mile Lights Fest
No. 9: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - Chicago
Chicago’s Magnificent Mile Lights Festival features two days of holiday events leading up to the grand finale, a tree-lighting parade down Michigan Avenue to kick off the holiday season. The parade will feature marching bands from around the country, helium-filled balloons, decorated floats and an appearance by Mickey and Minnie Mouse.
Photo courtesy of San Antonio River Walk
No. 8: Ford Holiday River Parade - San Antonio
Viewers of this nighttime event watch as floats covered in holiday trappings and twinkling lights float by, as costumed riders perform to seasonal tunes. Some 50,000 spectators turn out for the event, which is also televised.
Photo courtesy of iStock / Manu1174
No. 7: Gatlinburg Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade - Gatlinburg, Tenn.
The Fantasy of Lights Christmas Parade rolls through Downtown Gatlinburg in celebration of the holiday season. The lineup includes balloons, floats from local businesses, 11 marching bands, equestrian units and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Photo courtesy of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
No. 6: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade - New York
Each Thanksgiving morning, 50 million people across the country tune in to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, while 3.5 million watch live from New York. This traditional holiday season opener since 1924 is famous for its giant inflatable balloons, depicting popular characters like Charlie Brown, Hello Kitty and Elf of the Shelf. Live performances along the parade route highlight pop icons and the Rockettes.
Photo courtesy of Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade
No. 5: Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade - Fort Myers, Fla.
The Annual Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade in Florida is set to feature more than 30 boats illuminated with festive lights and decorations. The parade begins at Salty Sam’s Marina, passing the restaurants of the back bay. Visitors can vote online for their favorite decorated boat.
Photo courtesy of Christmas Ships, Inc.
No. 4: Christmas Ships Parade - Portland, Ore.
The annual Christmas Ships Parade in Portland features five dozen ships of all sizes bedecked with sparkling holiday lights. Each night for two weeks, boat owners proudly cruise the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, providing holiday cheer to shoreside onlookers. Spectators can see the Christmas Ships up close, meet the captains, take pictures and chat with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Photo courtesy of Lesnick Photo
No. 3: Reston Holiday Parade - Reston, Va.
The Reston Holiday Parade has been a holiday tradition on the day after Thanksgiving since the first parade marched in 1991. Now in its 29th year, the parade through Reston Town Center features antique cars, musicians, dancers and floats carrying special guests and local dignitaries.
Photo courtesy of The Parade Company
No. 2: America's Thanksgiving Parade - Detroit
Detroit has been hosting America’s Thanksgiving Parade (presented by Gardner-White) since 1924. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest and most popular parades in the country, complete with marching bands, helium balloons and colorful, larger-than-life floats making their way down historic Woodward Avenue each Thanksgiving morning.
Photo courtesy of J. Fusco for VISIT PHILADELPHIA®
No. 1: Philadelphia Mummers Parade - Philadelphia
The Mummers Parade, one of the longest running traditions in the nation, has roots dating back to the 1800s as a celebration of the New Year in Philly. The colorful procession along Broad Street features performances by comics, string bands and fancy brigades in their spectacular costumes.
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning parades!
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Allison Taylor
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations... Read More
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations U.S is somewhat of a compulsive researcher when it comes to family vacations. Allison has 2 boys ages 10 and 12 whose antics keep her very busy, and being married to a firefighter adds a whole other element to the chaos! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Allison Taylor
The owner and content creator of Family Vacations U.S is somewhat of a compulsive researcher when it comes to family vacations. Allison has 2 boys ages 10 and 12 whose antics keep her very busy, and being married to a firefighter adds a whole other element to the chaos! You can find her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home... Read More
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Jacky Runice
Born in Bucktown when bulletproof was a home safety choice and not a coffee order, Jacky Runice has been knocking around Chicago as a professional print, online and broadcast journalist and editor specializing in separating the riff from the raff in culture, entertainment, food, travel and pure unadulterated fun. Jacky is a member of the International Food, Wine & Travel Writers Association (IFWTWA).
In her best Chicagoese, Jacky asks, "Who has the time or money to blow on hotels, attractions, restaurants, exhibits and activities that blow?"
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.