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 in 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 29, 11 a.m. (this is the time the parade was held last year)
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. (usual time, usual date, pending 2024 confirmation)
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: Monday, September 2 (Labor Day) at 11 a.m.
WHERE: This parade resides in downtown Champaign now.
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

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Rodeo Parade

Forest Preserve Park, Time: 10:00 am
Don't miss the Annual Rodeo Parade Saturday, June 22nd 10 am Parade starts at 10 am at Forest Preserve Park. Parade route will go up State St around the town square and then return down State St back to the park. Every one is welcome to be in the parade golf…

Friday, June 28, 2024

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Tolono Fun Days holds a Golf Cart Parade on Friday evening and parade and fireworks on Saturday.

Golf Cart Parade

Downtown Tolono, Time: 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tolono Fun Days are kicking off with a Golf Cart Parade starting at 8 PM. Follow along with all Tolono Fun Days updates on their Facebook page right here.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Tolono Fun Days will be held Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29 Friday Food Vendors & Beer Pavillion 5-9pm - Xtreme Air, Zipline & Rock Climbing Wall ($10 Each) 7-11pm - Band "Bad Medicine" Camping East Side Park Outdoor Family Movie starts at 9pm Saturday -Breakfast Masonic Lodge (7:30-10:30)…

Gifford Community Celebration

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

Arthur Freedom Celebration

Jurgens Park, Time: 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Parade at 2 p.m. in Downtown Arthur; one of the most impressive fireworks displays in the area at dusk.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

St. Joseph 4th of July Parade

St Joseph Middle School, Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
4th of July Parade on July 3rdLocation: St Joseph, ILDate: July 3rd, 2024Start: St Joseph Middle SchoolTime: 6:30PM (Line up 6PM)End: St Joseph Sports Complex NOTE: Date and Time change from years past. "This years parade will be dedicated to Bruce Voges. He and his family are the reason we…

Thursday, July 4, 2024

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

Homer Freedom & Music Festival

Homer Village Hall, Time: 9:30 am - 10:00 pm
Head to Homer for the 3rd Annual Homer Freedom & Music Festival kicking off July 3rd with the party masters Rock Posse and X-Krush, a fully stocked beer tent, and tasty food trucks! The July 4th festivities will launch with a community parade at 9:30am and then go all day…

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!

Oakwood Fourth of July Celebration - Parade, Fireworks, Fun

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

West Washington Street Annual 4th of July Parade

Lynn and Washington, Time: 10:00 am
For little kids, big kids, babies, pets and grownups. Decorate your bikes, big wheels, wagons, strollers, skates and scooters. Wear a costume or dress up in red, white and blue. Parade starts at 10:00am at Lynn and Washington, goes 2 blocks to New St. and will be followed by a…

Tuscola Parade - CANCELED due to weather

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

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Rantoul Freedom Celebration- Parade - RESCHEDULED

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

Friday, July 26, 2024

Sidney Fun Daze

Sidney, Time: 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
The 2024 Sidney Fun Daze will be held July 26 and 27, 2024 Music, Vendors, 2.96 Savannah Walk/Run, Car Show, Breakfast, Bags, Petting Zoo Friday July 26 3-7pm - Lego Derby building & practice (community building) 5pm - Beer Tent/Vendors Open 5-8pm - Owen Knap (Local Musician) 5:30pm -…

17th Annual Working Class Truck Show

RANTOUL AVIATION CENTER, Time: 9:00 pm - 10:00 pm
17th Annual Working Class Truck Show The 17th Annual TopGun Large Car Shootout will go on. Head to Rantoul for some fun on: July 26th, 27th, and 28th, 2024. Bring your family and friends. All are welcome. Free admission. Friday 9pm-Midnight Parade of Lights at dusk Saturday 9am-Midnight Kiddie Pedal…

Saturday, August 3, 2024

Villa Grove Ag Days

Villa Grove Richman Park, Time: All Day
2024 Villa Grove Ag Days will be held August 2-3, 2024. Check out the Facebook event page for the most up-to-date information. Schedule Friday, August 2 5pm - National Anthem 5-6pm - Dance Performances @ VGSB Main Stage 5-10pm - Carnival 5-10pm - Haulin Axe 5pm - Rodeo Gates Open…

Royal Days

Downtown Royal, Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
2024 Royal Days will be held August 1-4, 2024. Thursday, August 1 6pm - Men's Softball Tournament Friday, August 2 6pm - Bags invitational tournament -Must pre-register, Contact Ty Johnson 217-714-1426 -Limited entries Food Trucks, Brien's Bistro & Burrito King Live Music - Owen Knap Saturday, August 3 8am -…

Saturday, August 10, 2024

St. Joseph Community 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.

2024 DeLand Homecoming Celebration

Deland, Time: 9:30 am - 10:00 pm
This will be the 66th Homecoming held in DeLand. The day kicks off with the Parade at 10:30am and music bands will play throughout the day on Saturday.

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 16, 2024

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 16 and 17.

Saturday, August 17, 2024

Apple Dumpling Festival

Atwood, Illinois, Time: All Day
Atwood's Apple Dumpling Festival honoring 150 years of Atwood will be held August 16 and 17. 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. Saturday will include the…

Mansfield Homecoming

Downtown Mansfield, Time: All Day
The 2024 Mansfield Homecoming will be held August 16-18, 2024. Visit Mansfield Homecoming on Facebook for up-to-date information on this event.

Saturday, August 24, 2024

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 begins following the parade and the vendors and carnival open up,…

Saturday, August 31, 2024

Family Fun Day in Tuscola

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Head to Tuscola for Family Fun Day!! All of their downtown businesses will be open and have specials going on!! Golf Cart Parade Inflatables Facepainting Balloons Live Music Mural Painting Photo Ops Kids Crafts and Activities lots of good food and drinks, and more! 11am - 11pm

Monday, September 2, 2024

Westville Labor Day Celebration

Zamberletti Park, Time: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
The 113th Westville Labor Day Celebration is jam-packed with excitement for the entire family. A giant carnival with rides and games for all ages. They will once again bring you many vendors and great food options as well as their gigantic fireworks display in the park on Sunday evening. Head…

Champaign County Labor Day Parade & Celebration

Downtown Champaign, Time: 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Labor Day Parade and Celebration 2024 Monday, September 2, 2024, 11:00 a.m. parade start. Champaign AFL-CIO/ Central Labor Council Come out and have a great time at the Labor Day Parade happening in Downtown Champaign! Line-up begins at 10:00 a.m. Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of N.…

Saturday, September 7, 2024

Arcola Broomcorn Festival

Arcola, Time: All Day
5K/10K in the morning, rides open at 10 a.m. and the HUGE parade is at 3 p.m.

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.…