Chicago Thanksgiving Parade to Start an Hour Earlier for First Time in 92 Years

Those planning to attend the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade this year should prepare to arrive earlier than usual. Organizers have announced that the event will begin at 7:45 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, marking the first time in the parade’s 92-year history that it has moved to an earlier start time. This shift is designed to align the procession with a new television broadcast schedule, which is set to begin at 8 a.m. to lead into the Chicago Bears’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions.

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Details

The festivities will take place on Thursday, Nov. 26, moving along State Street. The route begins at Ida B. Wells Drive and travels north to Randolph Street. Attendance for the event is free for the public. By moving the start time forward, organizers have decided to eliminate the hour of stage performances that previously occurred before the procession entered the broadcast zone.

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade will begin at 7:45 a.m. for the first time in its 92-year history.

This year’s celebration features notable guests, including former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, who will serve as the grand marshal. Tillman, a 12-season veteran of the team, is a recipient of the 2013 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award and is widely recognized for popularizing the “Peanut Punch” defensive tactic. Joining him is 14-year-old actor Jake Connelly, an Arlington Heights native known for his role as Derek Turnbow in the final season of the Netflix series “Stranger Things.” Connelly has recently gained attention for his appearances on national television and his performance at Wrigley Field.

Why it matters

The change in the start time primarily impacts attendees and television viewers, as the event will now conclude its pre-procession stage performances to accommodate the broadcast schedule. This adjustment ensures that the parade concludes in time for the Chicago Bears’ pregame coverage, which is slated for 10 a.m.

While the event is a local tradition in Chicago, the shift highlights the increasing integration of public holiday celebrations with major televised sports programming. For those following the event from outside the region, the earlier start time reflects a strategic move to maximize viewership across the broadcast day.