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Many major events can be viewed on television or online

Updated November 18, 2023

The holiday season is one of the most active travel periods for marching bands, with performance opportunities at holiday parades and events held in conjunction with college football bowl games.

If you're not lucky enough to be going on a band trip this year, or you didn't get prime tickets for the Rose Parade, you can at least catch some of the parades on television or online. Marching.com has compiled this guide to major 2023/2024 parade events along with television broadcast schedules.

Click highlighted event names to view the roster of participating marching bands.
America's Hometown Thanksgiving Celebration Parade
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, 10:00 AM (Eastern)
Television: Live coverage on WCVB NewsCenter 5 Boston and online at wcvb.com plus through the Very Local app. Look for marching units including high school and military bands plus all-age drum & bugle corps.
Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Parade
Chicago, Illinois
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, 5:30 PM (Central)
Television: Airs on ABC7 Chicago at 6:00 PM on Sunday, Nov. 19; 4:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 3; and 11:00 PM on Sunday, Dec. 10. The parade is also rebroadcast across the country throughout the holiday season. Look for marching bands from Alabama, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio.
Novant Health Thanksgiving Eve Parade
Charlotte, North Carolina
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023, 6:00 PM (Eastern)
Television: Live coverage on WCCB Charlotte. Look for 12 marching units including seven high school bands competing for public votes in the battle of the bands and the prestigious U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps.
Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, 8:15 AM (Eastern)
Television: Live local coverage at 8:30 AM on 6ABC, online at 6abc.com, and the free 6abc app for Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku and Google TV. Streaming live on Hulu 9:00 AM-12:00 PM and available on Hulu through January 1. Regional coverage on various stations. Features eight marching bands from six states plus giant balloons and celebrities.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York City
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, 8:30 AM (Eastern)
Television: National telecast airs on NBC from 8:30 AM to Noon in all time zones and streams live on Peacock. Look for 12 marching bands, including the Band Directors Marching Band featuring more than 400 music educators from across the nation.
Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parade
Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, 8:00 AM (Central)
Television: Broadcast live in Chicagoland on CW26 and live streamed on Pluto TV. Features 13 marching bands from nine states including Tennessee State University and Minnesota State University-Mankato along with helium balloons and colorful performances.
H-E-B Thanksgiving Day Parade
Houston, Texas
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, 9:00 AM (Central)
Television: Airs live on KHOU11 and KHOU11+ with replays at 10 AM and 11 AM. Look for high school, university and military bands plus giant balloons.
Sun Bowl Parade
El Paso, Texas
Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, 10:00 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live coverage on local NBC affiliate KTSM Channel 9 and online at ktsm.com. Look for marching bands plus floats, dance troupes and equestrian units.
Waikiki Holiday Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, Nov. 24, 2023, 7:00 PM (Hawaii)
No television coverage. Bands from the mainland join local bands from the islands for the oceanfront procession along torch-lit Kalakaua Avenue.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood, California
Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023, 6:00 PM (Pacific)
Television: Check listings for air dates throughout December on The CW network, Hallmark Channel and other local stations nationwide. Look for marching bands, dance groups plus numerous celebrities.
Philadelphia Holiday Parade
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 5:00 PM (Eastern)
Television: Streamed live on 6abc.com and on streaming apps including Google TV. Colorful parade celebrates Hanukkah, Kwanza, Chinese New Year and Christmas.
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade
Palm Springs, California
Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023, 5:45 PM (Pacific)
Television: Airs live on NBC affiliate KMIR in Palm Springs. Features lighted floats, balloons, celebrities and marching bands.
Fiesta Bowl Parade
Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023, 10:00 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live local coverage on 3TV and a webcast at azfamily.com. Look for marching bands plus colorful floats and giant balloons.
Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade
San Diego, California
Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023, 10:00 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live coverage on Fox Sports San Diego. Billed as America's largest balloon parade, look for more than 20 balloons along with marching bands and drill teams.
Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl Game Day Parade
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023, 8:00 AM (Eastern)
No television coverage. Look for high school and university marching bands plus cheerleaders, mascots and classic cars.
ReliaQuest Bowl New Year's Eve Parade
Tampa Bay, Florida
Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, 5:30 PM (Eastern)
No television coverage. Look for high school and university marching bands plus cheerleaders, mascots and classic cars.
Tournament of Roses Parade
Pasadena, California
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024, 8:00 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live coverage on multiple networks including ABC, NBC, KTLA, RFD-TV and Univision. Features 21 marching bands including bands from Costa Rica, Japan and Sweden. Don't miss the elaborate performance from the West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band featuring floral elements integrated within the band. Bands also perform in the Tournament of Roses Bandfest December 29-30.



Photos by Marching.com.

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