A parade is fun anytime of year, but it’s something special at Christmastime. There’s the excitement of seeing Santa, of course, and the thrill of being bundled up in the cold as marching bands, colorful floats, and decked out denizens glide past, too. Since most of us likely won’t be able to enjoy parades the same way this year thanks to the pandemic, take a look at what some of the biggest Christmas and holiday parades in the country have looked like since the 1930s.
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1936
If the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City marks the beginning of the Christmas season, the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California, marks it’s end on Jan. 1. The Rose Parade has been held annually since 1890, with the exception of 1942, 1943, 1945, and 2021.
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1938
In Los Angeles, it isn’t Christmas without the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade, which began in 1928 as a marketing promotion for merchants along Hollywood Boulevard. The parade, known as the Santa Claus Lane Parade, quickly grew in popularity and became an annual spectacle packed with stars of the day like the Marx Brothers, who appeared sans makeup in 1938.
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1941
Santa’s helpers get him back into the air during the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. The parade, which was first held in 1924, marks the unofficial start of the Christmas holiday season.
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1948
Baltimore businessman Harry Heim purchased a mill in Savage, Maryland, and converted it into a Christmas ornament factory in a bid to turn it and the town into a year-round holiday-themed tourist attraction. In 1948, the town celebrated its newfound status with a parade and Santa. (Heim couldn’t make it a success and sold out in 1951.)
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1951
If there’s one truism about Christmas parades, it’s this: Kids will get excited and at least one brave youngster will attempt to make a break for Santa. This youngster at the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade almost succeeded.
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1956
Santa puts in an appearance with two lucky youngsters aboard the Santa Monica City College float at the Santa Monica, California, Christmas Parade. Just a guess, but we bet those youngsters asked Santa for a lot of Superman toys.
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1962
It’s not a Christmas parade, per se, but no holiday stroll through Manhattan is complete without a visit to see the lights at Rockefeller Center. Think of it as a parade of lights.
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1969
If you’re planning to participate in a Christmas parade in New York City as these women are doing, a red convertible and Santa Claus suits are always a safe bet.
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1974
The residents of Manhattan’s Lower East Side take in the spectacle of the Little Italy Christmas Parade as it makes its way through the narrow downtown streets. The huge pile of candy-filled stockings aboard the float tempts youngsters in the crowd.
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1977
It may just be the camera angle or the fact that this photo was shot in black and white instead of color, but there’s something just slightly creepy about this picture of Big Boy, snapped during the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.
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1986
Every year, it seems like the parade floats in the Tournament of Roses parade become more elaborate. And the floats aren’t just sponsored by big-name companies. This big dragon, dubbed “Time for Tea,” was created by the Bakery, Confectionery & Tobacco Workers Union.
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1992
Remember when comedian Roseanne Barr was married to actor Tom Arnold? (Yeah, neither do we.) Back in 1992, the couple were a hot item, they were among the invited guests appearing in the annual Hollywood Christmas Parade.
1994
At a Christmas Parade down tony Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, Santa ditched the sleigh and reindeer for a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
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2011
In Philadelphia, the holiday season concludes with the annual New Year’s Day Mummers Parade. An annual event since 1901, the tradition of raucous costumed and musical public displays has its roots in colonial-era America.
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2018
In Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the water is where it’s at. More than 100 watercraft decked out in lights and holiday decor took part in the 47th annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade along the Intercoastal Waterway.
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2020
Santa and his helpers had to take extra precautions at this year’s Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade thanks to the ongoing pandemic, but he still brought a colorful and merry beginning to the annual Christmas season kickoff.
