This Santa Parade Has Been Dazzling Illinois Families for Over 130 Years

I was today years old when I learned that America's longest-running holiday parade actually happens in Illinois every year, not New York.

To be fair, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade may hold the crown for the biggest THANKSGIVING parade in the nation, but when it comes to Christmas, Peoria's Santa Claus Parade reigns supreme. 2021 may mark the 95th year for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it marks the 134th year of the Santa Claus Parade in Peoria, and I think we all need to take a road trip and check it out this month.

Everything You Need to Know About Peoria's Santa Claus Parade

The Santa Claus Parade will take place throughout the streets of Downtown Peoria on Friday, November 26, 2021, starting at 10:15 a.m. Billed as "the longest-running parade in the U.S.", the Santa Claus Parade will no doubt delight everyone in your family, despite their age. According to peoriaevents.com, the parade features;

 costumed characters, novelty walking units, decorated floats, marching bands, and of course Santa Claus.

The theme for the 2021 Santa Claus Parade is "A Candyland Christmas", so I'm assuming your kids will have the chance to collect a whole sack full of delicious treats along the parade route, which is always a big plus for them.

Last year Peoria's Santa Claus Parade was forced to do a reverse/virtual parade route thanks to COVID-19, so I'm willing to bet this year's parade will be bigger ad better than ever...don't miss it!