Our Favorite Fall Parades in Champaign-Urbana

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 fall parades; in other words, parades beginning after school begins through mid-November, when winter holiday parades start. We will do another article about those holiday parades later this year; stay tuned.

Sure, summer is prime parade season, but with fall comes tons of homecoming parades, including the University of Illinois homecoming, festival parades, and so much more.

No matter how you look at it, there are plenty of parades to satisfy our appetites.

We’ve picked our favorite fall parades, which will be followed by a list of all parades we know of from now until holiday parades. As always, our calendar has more info, and we will keep adding to this list. Want to add your parade to this article? Submit it to our events calendar now.

Our favorite fall parade picks near Champaign-Urbana

1. Champaign County Labor Day Parade aka “The Candy Parade”
TIME OF YEAR: Annually on Labor Day
WHERE: The parade is in downtown Champaign for the second consecutive year
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Candy, need we say more? At least that’s all your kids need to hear to be interested in going. This is a great countywide celebration of our neighbors in labor and that is all the reason to come out to the parade. There will be a picnic at West Side Park at the conclusion with free food and games courtesy of event organizers. All are welcome.

2. Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade
TIME OF YEAR: September (typically the weekend following Labor Day weekend), on Saturday in the afternoon
WHERE: Arcola (about 30 minutes southwest of Champaign-Urbana). Take I-57 South. If you get to Mattoon, you’ve gone too far.
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Because this is truly a sight to see. It’s kind of hard to explain the famous Lawn Rangers, who march with old lawnmowers, unless you have seen it. This is a fairly lengthy parade, with lots of entries. Bring your bags! And don’t forget to stay for the festival.

broomcorn festival arcola — The famous Lawn Rangers at the Broomcorn Festival parade.

3. The Champaign-Urbana Pride Festival Parade
TIME OF YEAR: This year, it is scheduled for Sept. 30 at 2:30 p.m.
WHERE: Downtown Urbana
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Yes, everyone will be decked out in rainbow colors. Remember what this is all about: respecting others, celebrating love, and building a supportive community where all are welcome and more importantly — all are VALUED. And yes, it is family-friendly. This parade gets longer every year as more and more groups join in to show their support.

4. The University of Illinois Homecoming Parade
TIME OF YEAR: Homecoming 2023 is a week of events leading up to Illinois vs. Wisconsin on Saturday, Oct. 21. The Homecoming parade is scheduled to step off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20 and end at Grange Grove by 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Campustown; route TBA
WHY YOU SHOULD GO: Get into the spirit by wearing orange and blue. We love seeing the Marching Illini!

All Champaign-Urbana area parades this fall

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…

Saturday, September 9, 2023

Arcola Broomcorn Festival

Arcola, Time: All Day
Saturday features Pompeyo Family Dog Show performances, carnival opens at noon, HUGE broomcorn parade and live music to end the night.

Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade

Downtown Arcola, Time: 3:00 pm
A HUGE parade, this is truly a sight to see. It's kind of hard to explain the famous Lawn Rangers, who march with old lawnmowers, unless you have seen it. This is a fairly lengthy parade, with lots of entries. Bring your bags! And don't forget to stay for the festival.…read more…

Thursday, September 14, 2023

Paxton Homecoming Parade

Downtown Paxton, Time: 6:00 pm
Begins at 6 and goes from the high school to downtown Paxton and back.

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

Mahomet-Seymour Homecoming Parade

Downtown Mahomet, Time: 5:30 pm
Show your spirit for the Mahomet-Seymour Bulldogs or just come out to enjoy a good, old-fashioned parade! The homecoming parade departs from the high school parking lot at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20 and proceeds through downtown. The parade typically starts at the high school and travels down State…read more…

Fisher Homecoming Parade

Downtown Fisher, Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Homecoming is coming to Fisher! Local businesses and groups are invited to join the parade on Wednesday, September 20. Line up begins at 5:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 6:30 p.m. and goes through downtown Fisher.

Friday, September 22, 2023

Tuscola Homecoming Parade

Tuscola Ervin Park, Time: 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm
TCHS Homecoming Parade begins at 2:45 PM. In the past, the Parade Route will begin at Ervin Park, turning south on Main St and will turn left at Daggy St. It will continue to Prairie St where it will turn left and proceed to the south side of the High…read more…

Urbana High School Homecoming Parade

Race Street at Iowa, Time: 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm
Urbana High School Homecoming Parade The Urbana High School Homecoming Parade will take place along Race Street at 3:30pm on Friday, September 22, 2023.

Saturday, September 23, 2023

Broadlands Homecoming Festival

The Village of Broadlands, Time: 8:00 am
Lots of fun events for all ages are planned including a parade, bags tournament, live music, kids games and inflatables.

Friday, September 29, 2023

Monticello Homecoming Parade

Downtown Monticello, Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
The Monticello homecoming parade will go from the high school, down Buchanan street, around through downtown Monticello and the Courthouse square, and back to the high school. Wear purple and yellow if you go! MHS homecoming parade at noon, followed by Music on Main in downtown Monticello before and after…read more…

Saturday, September 30, 2023

CU Pride Parade

Downtown Urbana, Time: 2:30 pm
The Pride Fest Parade and Fair will take place on Sat, Sept. 30 in downtown Urbana. The Parade will step off at 2:30 p.m., with the Fair happening 1-5 p.m. If you are looking for more information as it is released, please check out the 2023 PrideFest website.

Friday, October 20, 2023

University of Illinois Homecoming Parade

Memorial Stadium, Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The 2023 Homecoming parade is set to happen on Friday, October 20 starting at 5:30 p.m., and will be followed by a Pep Rally in Grange Grove at 6:30 p.m. Check here for parade route and more Homecoming info as it becomes available!

Sunday, October 22, 2023

Mayfair Park Halloween Parade

Mayfair Park, Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Come out for the 9th Annual Mayfair Park Halloween Parade! Dress up and enjoy a perfectly spooktacular parade around the park for this small neighborhood parade! They’ll also have games, treats, and a frighteningly good time for ghosts and goblins of all ages.