Chicago, IL – This Thanksgiving, Chicago invites you to a special morning ritual: the 89th Annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade, a stunning procession down the legendary State Street. The parade, ranked as the second-best in the country by TimeOut, will be broadcast live exclusively on CW26, Thursday, November 23, at 8 AM.
Spanning three hours, the parade will feature a dazzling array of floats, balloons, and performances. Notable helium balloon guests include beloved characters like the Cookie Monster, Garfield, the Lorax, and Rudolph, soaring above the crowd. The parade also showcases local talents such as the Bloom Township High School District Show Choir, the Jesse White Tumbling Team, and the rhythmic beats of the Crystal Lake Strikers Drumline.
Adding to the festive spirit, Santa Claus will be making a grand appearance, ringing in the holiday season in true Chicago style. This iconic parade, a cornerstone of Chicagoland’s Thanksgiving celebrations, promises to be a visual feast for viewers of all ages.
CW26 is available on WCIU, Channel 26.1, XFINITY channels 183/1026, Astound TV channel 6, Dish channel 26, DirecTV channel 26, Spectrum Charter channels 22/616, and U-Verse channels 10/1010. For online and mobile viewers, the parade will be accessible on Hulu + Live TV and via a search for CW26 on YouTube TV. This year’s parade is proudly sponsored by Gateway Foundation, Jet’s Pizza, Wintrust Bank, and Drury Lane, ensuring a memorable event for all. For more details, visit wciu.com.
