Fall Parades in Champaign-Urbana

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 commences 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 numerous 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: After many years in Urbana, the parade now is in downtown Champaign
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 live music on Taylor Street afterwards. All are welcome.

2. Arcola Broomcorn Festival Parade
TIME OF YEAR: September (typically the weekend following Labor Day), 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. 21 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 2024 is a week of events leading up to Illinois vs. Central Michigan on Saturday, Sept. 14. The Homecoming parade is scheduled to step off at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 13 and end at Grange Grove by 6:30 p.m. This is earlier than usual this year.
WHERE: Campustown
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 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.…

Friday, September 13, 2024

University of Illinois Homecoming Parade

Memorial Stadium, Time: 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
The 2024 Homecoming parade is set to happen on Friday, September 13 starting at 5:30 p.m. Parade route and more Homecoming here!

Wednesday, September 18, 2024

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 18 and proceeds through downtown. The parade typically starts at the high school and travels down State…

Saturday, September 21, 2024

Broadlands Homecoming Festival

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

Friday, September 27, 2024

Monticello Homecoming Parade

Downtown Monticello, Time: 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm
Parade lineup at the High School 11:30am. Parade steps off at 12pm. Alumni entering floats should contact the High School Office at 217-762-8511.

Friday, October 4, 2024

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…

Village of Camargo Woolly Worm Festival

Opal Thompson Park, Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Enjoy the Woolly Worm Festival again this fall! The Golf cart parade is Friday night and there is so much Family Fun planned for Saturday including inflatables, touch-a-truck, kids activities, food and craft vendors and more!

Sunday, November 24, 2024

Farmer City Christmas Parade

Downtown Farmer City, Time: 2:00 pm
One of the largest Christmas parades in central Illinois with marching bands, holiday floats, Shriners, antique cars and tractors, and much more!

Gibson City Christmas Parade

Gibson City, Time: 6:30 pm
Gibson City brings will again hold their annual lighted holiday parade this year, with a festive parade happening in downtown Gibson City. Retail and food vendor’s, downtown shopping, kid zone, lighted parade and a visit from Santa.