Holiday parades for families to enjoy in Champaign-Urbana and beyond
Love parades? So do we! We have all the Christmas and holiday season parades that kids and families will love. Many have modifications for 2020 to make them safe and socially-distant family-friendly events.
If you’ve followed chambanamoms.com for any period of time you might know that we have a thing for parades. And the pandemic hasn’t put a damper on that love.
We’ve put together a list of all the Christmas holiday parades in Champaign-Urbana and beyond for your convenience, in case you love parades as much as we do.
This post covers traditional parades that will happen in 2020, a virtual parade, and lists some parades cancelled for 2020, too.
Editor’s Note: As your family makes plans to head out to an event this holiday season, we encourage you to check with event organizers to confirm details – and remember to pack your masks and bundle up when necessary.
This article will contain both virtual and in-person events.
chambanamoms.com thanks the Champaign Center Parade of Lights for presenting this guide to Champaign-Urbana Area Christmas Parades. We look forward to next year’s holiday season, when we will be back together in downtown Champaign.
The holiday season will look differently this year because the Parade of Lights will be VIRTUAL. This beloved community event will feature traditional lighted floats miniaturized to the size of a SHOEBOX, followed by three weeks of holiday festivities in Champaign’s Downtown, Midtown, and Campustown.
The shoebox parade will be recorded and released on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 28) so families can watch from home.
The following weekends will feature safe and fun activities in Champaign’s center neighborhoods like the small business scavenger hunt, holiday sales at local shops, window displays, and horse and carriage rides.
Now, let’s check out the lineup of all the parades near Champaign-Urbana!
The following parades can be found across Champaign, McLean, Ford, and Iroquois counties, so don’t fret if you miss one. Generally, they’re within an hour of Champaign-Urbana.
Please note that some parades may be cancelled or postponed in the event of inclement weather, so when in doubt check first. And as always, please remember it’s 2020. EVERYTHING is subject to change at any time.
Sunday, November 29, 2020
Milford Christmas Parade - CANCELLED
Location: Village of Milford, Milford
Time: 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Miflord is thrilled that the Village Board approved their request to hold their fifth annual parade! Plan to be a part of this exciting evening as they kick off the 2020 Christmas season.
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Arthur Country Lighted Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown Arthur, Arthur
Time: 5:30 pm - 6:00 pm
An evening Lighted Christmas parade brings Santa to Downtown Arthur at dusk.
Sunday, December 6, 2020
LeRoy Christmas Parade
Location: Downtown, LeRoy
Time: 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
This year's theme is Candy Cane Christmas.
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Village of Tilton First Annual Christmas Parade
Location: Tilton Community Center, Tilton
Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus as they arrive at the park for the tree lighting.
Not all parades had public information available at the publishing time of this post, so please send us information as it is released and we will update. You can add new events to our calendar here.
Looking for all kinds of info for the 2020 holiday season in Champaign-Urbana?
- Holiday Giving and Volunteering in Champaign-Urbana
- Holiday Food Favorites You Can Find Around Champaign-Urbana
- How to Cut Down Your Own Christmas Tree in the Shawnee National Forest – For $5 (or Less)
- What You Need to Know about Hanukkah
- Where to Find Santa in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- Where to Find Gingerbread Houses Around Champaign-Urbana
- Christmas Parades a Short Drive from Champaign-Urbana
- Where to Watch the Nutcracker Online Virtually – Even for FREE! – This Holiday Season
- Drive-Thru Holiday Events in the Champaign-Urbana Area
- All Aboard: Polar Express Fun for 2020 in Champaign-Urbana
- 8 Great Places to See Holiday Lights in Central Illinois
- Champaign-Urbana Area Holiday Events and Activities
- Holiday Shopping and Eating in Champaign-Urbana
- Thanksgiving Dinner To Go Options for Champaign-Urbana
