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 28, 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 2025 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. 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 1 (Labor Day) at 11 a.m. (pending confirmation)
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

Thursday, June 19, 2025

Juneteenth Parade

Salt & Light Urbana, Time: 1:00 pm
Head to Urbana on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM to celebrate freedom, unity, and Black excellence! Parade Route Starts at Philo and Colorad0, moves north on Philo Road towards Florida Ave, south to Anderson St, east on Colorado Ave and ends at the Salt & Light Parking lot.…

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Rodeo Parade

Forest Preserve Park, Time: 10:00 am
Don't miss the Annual Rodeo Parade Saturday, June 21st 10 am Parade starts at 10 am at Forest Preserve Park. Every one is welcome to be in the parade golf carts, trucks, horses floats etc, or just watch and enjoy!

Saturday, June 28, 2025

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: All Day
Tolono Fun Days will be held Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28 Check their Facebook page for updates!

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.

Friday, July 4, 2025

Paxton's July 4th Celebration

Pells Park, Time: All Day
Enjoy all the fun in Pells Park with fireworks to end the celebration!

Sibley Area 4th of July

Lake Park, Time: 8:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade at 12pm. The day wraps up with fireworks over Lake Sibley.

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!

Rantoul Freedom Celebration- Parade

Parade ends at Wabash Park, Time: 10:00 am - 11:00 am
The Rantoul Freedom Celebration Parade kicks 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.

Washington Street Neighborhood 4th of July Parade

Washington Street, Time: 10:00 am - 11:30 am
The Annual Washington St Neighborhood Parade starts at 10:00 am. Afterwards games, a potluck (neighbors only please) and chalking the sidewalk and visiting encouraged! See more details below. The parade starts at Washington and Lynn Streets and runs west to New Street. Be in the Parade: Decorate yourself and/or your…

Homer Freedom & Music Festival

Homer Village Hall, Time: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Head to Homer for the 4th Annual Homer Freedom & Music Festival kicking off July 3rd with Kolton Taylor & The Truck Toppers along with X-Crush, a fully stocked beer tent, and tasty food trucks! The July 4th festivities will launch with a community parade at 11 a.m. and then…

Oakwood Fourth of July Celebration - Parade, Fireworks, Fun

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

Tuscola 4th of July Parade

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

Bement Fourth of July

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

Champaign County Freedom Celebration

Memorial Stadium, Time: 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Parade beginning at 4:30pm. New parade route this year. Free concert at 6pm and fireworks at dusk.

Saturday, July 19, 2025

Philo Sesquicentennial Celebration

Hale Park, Time: All Day
Philo, The Center of the Universe, will be celebrating 150 years July 17-20. Schedule highlights include: Thursday July 17: Philo's Got Talent show, 6pm at Hale Park Friday, July 18: Ag/Farm Day including tractor display and kiddy tractor pull; inflatables. Saturday, July 19: Kids/Family Day with 5K Run/1K Walk/Kid Fun…

Gifford Sesquicentennial Celebration Day 2

Werner Roessler Park, Time: 7:00 am - 11:00 pm
Downtown Gifford features a parade, food trucks, yard games and fireworks!

Friday, July 25, 2025

Sidney Fun Daze

Sidney, Time: 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
The 2025 Sidney Fun Daze will be held July 25 and 26, 2025

Saturday, August 9, 2025

St. Joseph Community Festival

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: All Day
Fun small-town festival including a daily fish fry, carnival, and kids' games. Parade is at 3 p.m., fireworks at dusk.

Villa Grove Ag Days

Villa Grove Richman Park, Time: All Day
2025 Villa Grove Ag Days will be held August 8-9, 2025. Check out the Facebook event page for the most up-to-date information.

Friday, August 15, 2025

Apple Dumpling Festival

Downtown Atwood, Time: All Day
The 2025 Apple Dumpling Festival will be held August 15-16, 2025 Visit the Apple Dumpling Festival Facebook page for more info.

Saturday, August 16, 2025

Apple Dumpling Festival

Atwood, Illinois, Time: All Day
The 2025 Apple Dumpling Festival will be held August 15-16, 2025 Visit the Apple Dumpling Festival Facebook page for more info. Cutest Apple in the Orchard2025 Apple Dumpling Baby PageantRegistration 9:00-9:45 in front of Main Stage Cost $10 per entryCategories Boys & Girls:0-12 months1 year old2 year old3/4 year old…

Mansfield Homecoming

Downtown Mansfield, Time: All Day
The 2025 Mansfield Homecoming will be held August 15-17, 2025. Visit Mansfield Homecoming on Facebook for up-to-date information on this event.

Saturday, August 23, 2025

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, September 6, 2025

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.