The 92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Parade steps off at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, an hour earlier than in past years, so the CBS Chicago broadcast can run from 8 to 10 a.m. before the network’s noon coverage of the Bears and Lions. The free parade runs north on State Street from Ida B. Wells Drive to Randolph Street.

Key Takeaways

• The parade stepped off at 8:45 a.m. in recent years, and organizers describe the 7:45 a.m. start as a first in the parade’s 92-year history.
• Former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, who played 12 seasons with the team, is this year’s grand marshal.
• More than 80 entries are expected, including seven marching bands from across the country.
• New to the lineup are a Cookie Monster balloon and a new sleigh for Santa Claus.
• CBS Chicago carries the parade live from 8 to 10 a.m., ahead of its noon Bears–Lions game coverage.

The Parade Moved Up an Hour to Fit Thanksgiving Football on TV

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade has spent decades as the city’s Thanksgiving morning tradition, and in recent years it stepped off around 8:45 a.m. For 2026, organizers moved the start to 7:45 a.m. The reason is the television schedule: CBS Chicago carries the parade live from 8 to 10 a.m., and the network’s coverage of the Chicago Bears’ Thanksgiving Day game against the Detroit Lions begins at noon.

For families, that means the procession now wraps around 10 a.m. instead of late morning. Anyone hoping to see the parade and get home for kickoff has more breathing room. The trade-off is an earlier alarm on a holiday morning when many households are already starting to cook.

Planning Around a 7:45 a.m. Step-Off on State Street

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade begins at Ida B. Wells Drive and State Street and marches north through the Loop to Randolph Street, passing the Chicago Theatre marquee along the way. Watching from the curb is free. Because the lead units step off at 7:45 a.m., spectators near the south end will see the parade first, while those farther north toward Randolph will have a little more time to arrive.

Late November mornings on State Street can run cold and windy, so families with young children may want to plan for a shorter stay at one spot rather than walking the route. The north end of the route sits a short walk from Daley Plaza, where the 30th season of Christkindlmarket on Daley Plaza runs through the holiday, making it an easy next stop for visitors who want to stay downtown.

Getting Downtown on a Holiday Morning

The CTA typically runs a Sunday/holiday schedule on Thanksgiving Day, which means less frequent trains and buses than a normal weekday. Parade-goers heading downtown before 7:45 a.m. should check schedules the night before. The Clark/Lake station, served by the Brown, Green, Orange, Blue and Pink lines, is among the stops near the route.

Expect street closures around State Street from early morning and CTA bus reroutes in the Loop until the route clears. The city typically publishes specific closure times in the days before the parade. Drivers who remember the downtown street closures during this fall’s marathon will recognize the pattern, though the parade footprint is far smaller.

What’s New in the 92nd Parade Lineup

Organizers expect more than 80 entries, including seven marching bands from across the country, floats, performance groups and more than a dozen giant helium balloons. New this year are a Cookie Monster balloon and a new sleigh for Santa Claus, who traditionally closes the procession. Teddy the Turkey, the parade’s mascot, returns, and actor Jake Connelly, an Arlington Heights native, joins as an honored guest.

The parade lands near the end of a busy stretch of downtown holiday openings that includes the 35th Magnificent Mile Lights Festival the Saturday before. Together, the two events bookend Thanksgiving week for many Chicago families.

Peanut Tillman Leads the Parade as Grand Marshal

Charles “Peanut” Tillman, the former Bears cornerback who played 12 seasons with the team, serves as grand marshal of the 92nd Chicago Thanksgiving Parade. Tillman’s role adds a football thread to a morning that now runs straight into one of the Bears’ biggest regular-season showcases. For fans planning to watch the noon game, the parade offers a chance to see a familiar Bears figure on State Street first.

Families who prefer to stay warm can watch the parade live on CBS Chicago from 8 to 10 a.m. The broadcast window covers nearly the entire procession, from the first units leaving Ida B. Wells Drive to Santa’s arrival near Randolph Street.

 

FAQs

What time does the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade start in 2026?

The parade steps off at 7:45 a.m. on Thursday, November 26, 2026, at Ida B. Wells Drive and State Street. It runs until about 10 a.m.

Why is the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade earlier this year?

The earlier start lets CBS Chicago air the parade from 8 to 10 a.m. before its noon coverage of the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions game.

Who is the 2026 grand marshal?

Former Chicago Bears cornerback Charles “Peanut” Tillman, who played 12 seasons with the team, is the grand marshal.

Is the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade free?

Yes. Watching from State Street between Ida B. Wells Drive and Randolph Street is free.