Summer Parades in the Champaign-Urbana Area

Parades at festivals, parades on the Fourth of July, parades with candy, parades with bands — there is so much to love about Champaign-Urbana area parades during the summer

Parades happen in Champaign-Urbana (and neighboring towns) practically all the time — really! The only “dry spell” is between the final Christmas parades and the summer parades. Still, more than half the year you can find a parade near you.

This article will focus on summer parades, in other words, parades between Memorial Day and Labor Day. We will do another article about fall parades and winter-holiday parades later this year.

Here are three of our favorites, listed in chronological order. Below that is a listing of all summer parades on our calendar (and we keep adding more, so check in again.)

Tolono Fun Days Parade
DATE: June 24, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Tolono (about 15 minutes south of Champaign, if you’re not familiar. Take Route 45 South.)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Tolono Fun Days parade is the first of the Fourth of July parades. We love it because it always involves a lot of kids on floats, tons of fire trucks, and loads of candy. It’s authentic to its community, and that’s always the hallmark of a great parade.

Seymour 4th of July Parade
DATE: July 4, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Seymour (about 10 minutes south of Mahomet. Take I-72 west toward Monticello and get off at the Mahomet exit and head south, not north toward Mahomet.)
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: If you’re looking for a nostalgic small-town parade near Champaign-Urbana, this one is a winning option. This year the parade returns to the morning of July 4. Tons of tractors and fire engines in this parade, along with local marching bands and more.

Labor Day Parade (a.k.a. The Candy Parade)
TIME OF YEAR: Labor Day. No really, this is actually ON Labor Day. Typically in the morning. (Editor’s Note: this is usually confirmed much later in the summer)
WHERE: In 2022 the (formerly) Urbana parade moved to Champaign. We are still waiting to confirm this year’s location.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: This is called the Candy Parade for a reason: because your child will get tons of candy. Typically this parade gets really hot weather, so much so that people enjoy the floats with the kid supersoakers.

All Area Parades Coming Up This Summer

Friday, June 23, 2023

Golf Cart Parade

Downtown Tolono, Time: 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Tolono Fun Days are kicking off with a Golf Cart Parade starting at 7:30 PM. Follow along with all Tolono Fun Days updates on their Facebook page right here.

Saturday, June 24, 2023

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Tolono Fun Days will be held Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24 Check their Facebook page for updates! Friday June 23rd 4:00pm - Friday Fun Day Midway opens at West Side Park 5:00pm - Flea Market Vendors at West Side Park 5:00pm - 12:00am - Beer Pavillion at West…read more…

Rodeo Parade

Monticello High School Football Field, Time: 10:00 am
Don't miss the Annual Rodeo Parade Saturday, June 24th 10 am Everyone is welcome to participate in the parade or just watch and enjoy!! Rodeo parade route is changing this year due to road construction on State St. This years parade route will be the same as the Christmas parade.…read more…

Saturday, July 1, 2023

Gifford Community Celebration

Werner Roessler Park, Time: 7:00 am - 9:30 pm
Downtown Gifford features a parade, food trucks, yard games and fireworks!

Oakwood Fourth of July Celebration - Parade, Fireworks, Fun!

Oakwood Park, Time: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade at 11 a.m.

Sunday, July 2, 2023

Arthur Fireworks (Rescheduled From July 1)

Jurgens Park, Time: 9:30 pm
Parade at 2 p.m. in Downtown Arthur; one of the most impressive fireworks displays in the area at dusk.

Tuesday, July 4, 2023

Champaign County Freedom Celebration

Memorial Stadium, Time: All Day
Youth run and 5K first thing in the morning with parade beginning at 11:05 a.m. Watch the parade along Kirby/Florida or Lincoln Avenue. Fireworks at dusk.

Sibley Area 4th of July

Lake Park, Time: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade at 11:30 a.m. The day wraps up with fireworks over Lake Sibley.

Rantoul Freedom Celebration- Parade

Parade ends at Wabash Park, Time: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
The Rantoul Freedom Celebration Parade kicks off at 9:30am.

Bement Fourth of July

Bement City Park, Time: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade at 2 p.m.

Cherry Hills July 4th Parade & Neighborhood Celebration

Millage Park, Time: 10:00 am - 10:45 am
A small neighborhood parade led by a fire truck!

Homer Freedom & Music Festival

Homer Village Hall, Time: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
Near Village Hall. Food trucks, live music and family-friendly fun. Parade at 10 a.m., fireworks at dusk.

LeRoy Fourth of July Parade

American Legion Ruel Neal Post 79, Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Parade steps off at 10 a.m.

Seymour Parade

Seymour, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Fourth of July parade will march through Seymour on July 4 at 10 a.m. Fireworks will be that night at dusk.

Tuscola Parade

Downtown Tuscola, Time: 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Parade kicks off a celebration for the Fourth of July.

Saturday, July 22, 2023

Hammond, IL Sesquicentennial Celebration

Village of Hammond, Time: All Day
Head to Hammond, IL to enjoy their sesquicentennial celebration! Parade at noon, fireworks at 9:30pm, and more!

Mattoon Bagelfest

Peterson Park, Time: All Day
Parade at 10:30am, Run for the Bagel with the World's Biggest Bagel breakfast, concerts, carnival, and food vendors. Many free activities, with ticket purchase required for mainstage concerts.

Friday, July 28, 2023

16th Annual Working Class Truck Show

RANTOUL AVIATION CENTER, Time: 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
16th Annual Working Class Truck Show. Parade of Lights at dusk on Friday, July 28.

Saturday, July 29, 2023

Sidney Fun Daze

Sidney, Time: All Day
Sidney Fun Daze features a parade at 3 p.m., as well as a kiddie tractor pull, inflatables, and live music!

Friday, August 4, 2023

Villa Grove Ag Days

Villa Grove Richman Park, Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fun for kids of all ages, including vendors, local merchant give-a-ways and sidewalk sales, a parade and display of modern and vintage farm and garden tractors, garden tractor pulling and racing, corn hole tourney, 5K race, corn-eating contest, demo derby, live music, and more.

Saturday, August 12, 2023

St. Joseph Community Fall Festival

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: 6:30 am - 11:59 pm
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids' games. Parade is at 3 p.m., fireworks at dusk.

St. Joseph Community Festival Parade

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm
3 p.m - Community Festival Parade. Lineup at 2 p.m. Starts at Middle School, Ends at High School. ROUTE: Peters Dr. to Evergreen to Main St .to High School Get more info on the St. Joseph Community Festival here.

Friday, August 18, 2023

Apple Dumpling Festival

Downtown Atwood, Time: 3:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Atwood's Apple Dumpling Festival honoring 150 years of Atwood will be held August 18 and 19. Saturday will have a baby pageant, dog show, parade, evening outdoor concert and more!

Saturday, August 19, 2023

Apple Dumpling Festival

Atwood, Illinois, Time: All Day
Atwood's Apple Dumpling Festival honoring 150 years of Atwood will be held August 18 and 19. The street will be lined with vendors, and there will be entertainment going on throughout the day. Admission to the festival is free but certain activities will have a charge. Friday, August 18 3…read more…

Mansfield Homecoming

Downtown Mansfield, Time: All Day
Carnival, kids games, tractor pull, car/motorcycle show and more! Free entertainment! Saturday highlight includes a parade at 10am and kids activities all afternoon.

Saturday, August 26, 2023

Mahomet Music Festival Parade

Downtown Mahomet, Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 am
The Mahomet Music Festival Parade is one you don't want to miss! The parade kicks off at 9am, starting at Lincoln Trail School, heading south on Division, east on Union, north on Elm, and west on Franklin. FREE entertainment begin following the parade and the vendors and carnival open up,…read more…

2023 DeLand Homecoming Celebration

Deland, Time: 9:30 am - 10:00 pm
This will be the 65th Homecoming held in DeLand. The day kicks off with the Parade at 10:30am and music bands will play throughout the day on Saturday.

Saturday, September 2, 2023

Arthur Amish Country Cheese Festival

Downtown Arthur, Time: All Day
This Amish Country cheese festival is full of family fun with a parade, tractor pull, music, inflatables, pony rides, face-painting and more!

Monday, September 4, 2023

Champaign County Labor Day Parade & Picnic

Downtown Champaign, Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
The AFL-CIO of Champaign County is once again sponsoring the annual Labor Day Parade and Celebration on Monday, September 4, 2023. This is the parade known as the "candy parade" in Champaign-Urbana! Beginning at 10:00am, the Parade this year will take place in downtown Champaign. WHO: All are welcome &…read more…

Westville Labor Day Celebration

Zamberletti Park, Time: 11:30 am - 12:30 pm
The Westville Lions Club is excited to announce the entertainment for the 112th Westville Labor Day Celebration. Coming to Westville, Illinois on September 2, 2023, headlined by a country music artist who has sold over thirteen million albums and charted eighteen number one hits! Tracy Lawrence is coming to Westville,…read more…