Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Parade is the oldest in the country and held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This remarkable parade began in 1920 and was produced by Gimbel Brothers Department Store to signify the arrival of Santa Clause. The parade is currently produced by 6abc and sponsored by Dunkin Donuts.

Can Your Students Perform?

Absolutely!! Three performance categories are offered: choir students, tap dance students, and marching bands.

Mass Youth Choir

Elementary, middle school, and high school choirs may apply for the incredible opportunity to participate in the mass youth choir that performs for the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade musical production. Approximately 1k singers stand in special formation and perform on the steps of the Museum of Art. The entire cast of about 2k performers also sing in the grand finale telecast.

All Star Tap Team

Tappers of all ages can apply to be part of the All Star Tap Team with more than 600 tap dancers from across the nation! The team performs a fantastic parade telecast presentation and also participates in the parade opening and grand finale.

Marching Bands

The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is considered to be one of the most band-friendly parades in the country! The parade has 19 spots each year for high school, university, and specialty marching bands.Each band must have 90 or more members and are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year. Bands march down Benjamin Franklin Parkway along with spectacular floats and gigantic balloons to delight families and the viewing audience. Many local performers and recording artists ride on the floats.

Televised

The televised section of the parade occurs near the end of the 1.4 mile route, directly in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The parade is free except for the grandstand seats which are reserved for sponsors and VIP’s. It is syndicated to stations in markets east of the Mississippi and can also be viewed on a live webcast on 6abc out of Philadelphia.

Future Parade Dates

Thursday, 23 November, 2017

Thursday, 24 November, 2018

Educational Sites

Student travel groups love the City of Brotherly Love and Sisterly Affection. Experience sites of great historical significance in the city where our founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence. Philadelphia is the home of Independence Hall, Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia Museum of Art, Rittenhouse Square, and the Franklin Institute Science Museum.

The Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade is a wonderful way to begin the holiday season celebrations! Don’t miss this exciting opportunity that you and your students will never forget.

Kaleidoscope Adventures has been traveling across the country every year since 1993 with thousands of students. They can create customized itineraries that include transportation, overnight accommodations, meals, and amazing educational and performance opportunities.

Kaleidoscope Adventures is synonymous with student group travel and take the time to plan every element of your exciting adventure! 1-800-774-7337.