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. Parade will be followed by a picnic at Neil Street Plaza. There will be food, magic, bounce houses, music and more family friendly activities.

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 Oct. 25 at 1 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 2025 is a week of events leading up to Illinois vs. USC on Saturday, Sept. 27. The Homecoming parade is scheduled to step off on Friday, Sept. 26 and end at Grange Grove.
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 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, August 30, 2025

Family Fun Day in Tuscola

Flesor’s Candy Kitchen, Time: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Head to Tuscola for the 2nd Annual Family Fun Day!! All of their downtown businesses will be open and have specials going on!! Golf Cart Parade Vendors Inflatables Facepainting Balloons Live Music Photo Ops Contests and Prizes Kids Crafts and Activities Games lots of good food and drinks, and more!…

Monday, September 1, 2025

Westville Labor Day Celebration

Zamberletti Park, Time: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
The 114th Westville Labor Day Celebration will be happening August 20-September 1, 2025

Champaign County Labor Day Parade & Celebration

Downtown Champaign, Time: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Labor Day Parade and Celebration 2025 Monday, September 1, 2025, 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! Parade starts at 11:00 a.m. at the corner of N. Chestnut St. and E. Main…

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Arcola Broomcorn Festival

Arcola, Time: All Day
Celebrating their 54th year, they are packing it all into 3 full days! The HUGE parade is on Saturday at 3pm-there will also be food & street vendors and don't miss the broom tent!

Wednesday, September 17, 2025

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

Fisher Homecoming Parade

Downtown Fisher, Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
You're invited to a magical Disney-Themed Parade and Pep Rally in celebration of Homecoming 2025! Join in as Fisher High School transforms into the most enchanting place on Earth, filled with your favorite Disney movie characters, music, and spirit! The festivities kick off with a whimsical parade followed by a…

Friday, September 19, 2025

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.

Urbana High School Homecoming Parade

Race Street at Iowa, Time: 3:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Urbana High School Homecoming Parade The Urbana High School Homecoming Parade will take place along Race Street at 3:00pm on Friday, September 19, 2025. In past years, the route for the parade has been as follows: North on Race Street from Iowa Street to Washington Street East on Washington to Race…

Saturday, September 20, 2025

Broadlands Homecoming Festival

The Village of Broadlands, Time: 10:00 am - 10:30 pm
Lots of fun events for all ages are planned including food, a parade, live music, and family fun!

Friday, September 26, 2025

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…

Paxton- Buckley - Loda Homecoming Parade

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

University of Illinois Homecoming Parade

Memorial Stadium, Time: 6:00 pm
The 2025 Homecoming parade is set to happen on Friday, September 26, at 6pm. All Homecoming info here!

Friday, October 3, 2025

St. Joseph-Ogden Homecoming Parade

Downtown St. Joseph, Time: 4:00 pm
St. Joseph-Ogden is having its homecoming parade on Friday, October 3 at 4 p.m. on Main Street in St. Joseph. Come on out for some fun!

Sunday, October 26, 2025

Mayfair Park Halloween Parade

Mayfair Park, Time: 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Come out for the 11th 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.

Friday, October 31, 2025

Paxton Halloween Parade

Paxton Carnegie Library, Time: 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
No matter if you're cute, scary, ghostly, regal, or walking dead, all costumed kids are invited to Paxton's annual Halloween Parade! Meet at the corner of Market and Orleans and travel to the Paxton Firehouse. Everyone is then invited to trick-or-treat at all of the participating businesses.

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Veterans Day Parade

Tuscola Ervin Park, Time: 11:00 am
The Tuscola VFW will host their annual Veterans Day Parade.