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Summer Parades in the Champaign-Urbana Area

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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 โ€” really! The only โ€œdry spellโ€ is between the final Christmas parades and the summer parades. Still, more than half the year you can find a parade near you.

Summer Parades Around Champaign-Urbana

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 27, 11 a.m.
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 Parade

Seymour 4th of July Parade

DATE: July 4, 10 a.m. (usual time, usual date, pending 2026 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:ย 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, Sept. 7 (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 children get tons of candy. Typically this parade gets really hot weather, so much so that people enjoy the floats with the kid supersoakers.

Fourth of July parade bus

All Area Parades Coming Up This Summer

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Raggedy Parade

Downtown Arcola, Time: 1:00 pm
๐ŸŽ‰ Join us in downtown Arcola for the first-ever Raggedy Parade! ๐ŸŽ‰ Enjoy a fun-filled afternoon as colorful characters, community groups, and decorated vehicles make their way through downtown Arcola in celebration of our Raggedy heritage. ๐Ÿ“ Saturday, June 13 ๐Ÿ• Parade begins at 1:00 p.m. The parade will start…

Friday, June 19, 2026

Juneteenth Parade & Liberation Celebration

Sunnycrest Center, Time: 1:00 pm
Join in for the Juneteenth Parade & Liberation Celebration on Friday, June 19, 2026 in Urbana, IL! This is a community moment of freedom, culture, unity, joy, and legacy โ€” and we want YOU to be part of it. Parade Route: Colorado Ave, north on Philo to Florida Ave, east…

Saturday, June 27, 2026

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Head to Tolono for Fun Days! Saturday has a Parade, Kiddie Tractor Pull, Live Music, Fireworks at dusk and so much more!

Rodeo Parade

Forest Preserve Park, Time: 10:00 am
Don't miss the Annual Rodeo Parade Saturday, June 27th 10am 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!  

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.

Villa Grove Freedom Celebration including Fireworks

Villa Grove Richman Park, Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Fun for the entire family!ย  Fireworks at dusk.

Sunday, June 28, 2026

Saybrook Stars & Stripes Festival

Saybrook Celebration, Time: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
This day-long fest features a parade at noon, fun activities all afternoon and concludes with fireworks at dusk.

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.

Friday, July 3, 2026

July 3rd Parade

St. Joseph Middle School, Time: 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Celebrate our community, our country and support a great cause! Bring mac and cheese, bagged/boxed cereal or monetary donations for the food pantry at the United Methodist Church. Line up at 6 p.m. at St. Joseph Middle School, parade begins at 4:30 p.m. and lasts about 45 minutes. No registration…

Saturday, July 4, 2026

Paxton's July 4th Celebration

Pells Park, Time: 8:00 am - 9:30 pm
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.

Champaign County Freedom Celebration

Memorial Stadium, Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
America Celebrates 250 Years! Youth run, 5K run/walk, Parade at 11:05 a.m., evening entertainment and fireworks at dusk.

Rantoul Freedom Celebration- Parade

Parade ends at Wabash Park, Time: 9:30 am - 11:30 am
The Rantoul Freedom Celebration Parade kicks off at 10 a.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!

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…

Tuscola 4th of July Parade

Downtown Tuscola, Time: 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Parade kicks off a celebration for the Fourth of July.

America's 250th Birthday Celebration Parade

Downtown LeRoy, Time: 11:00 am
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ๐ŸŽ‰ Le Roy Celebrates: Americaโ€™s 250th Celebration Parade ๐ŸŽ‰๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Join in on July 4th as we celebrate America's 250th Birthday in true patriotic style! ๐Ÿ“… July 4th โฐ Parade Begins: 11:00 AM ๐Ÿ“Line Up: 10:15 AM (at the high school on Mill St) Decorate your golf carts, bikes, cars,…

Oakwood Fourth of July Celebration - Parade, Fireworks, Fun

Oakwood Park, Time: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade at 11 am, Live Music, Food & Drink Vendors, Kids Activities & Games

Homer Freedom & Music Festival

Homer Village Hall, Time: 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm
They're back for another year of family-friendly entertainment, live music, food, and Homer's well-loved fireworks finale! SPECIAL THIS YEAR: In honor of the country's 250th birthday, they will be celebrating THREE DAYS July 2-4th! ย Thursday evening will feature a special free to attend aerials show that the whole family will…

Bement Fourth of July

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

Monday, July 6, 2026

Fisher Sesquicentennial Lighted Parade

Downtown Fisher, Time: 7:30 pm
Fisher is excited to share their ๐‹๐ข๐ ๐ก๐ญ๐ž๐ ๐๐š๐ซ๐š๐๐ž, happening in conjunction with the 85th Fisher Community Fair! The parade will begin at the Quonset shed on the fairgrounds and make its way through town, lighting up Fisher for a summer evening to remember! The sky is the limit when it…

Thursday, July 9, 2026

Historic Farm Days in Penfield

I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Showgrounds, Time: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Activities include tractor parade, bingo, blacksmith shop, potato digging, extensive tractor/truck display, vendors and a flea market. Friday is Kids Day!

Friday, July 10, 2026

Historic Farm Days in Penfield

I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Showgrounds, Time: 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Activities include a blacksmith shop, bingo, potato digging, extensive tractor/truck display and vendors and a flea market. Saturday features a tractor pull in the evening.

Saturday, July 11, 2026

Historic Farm Days in Penfield

I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Showgrounds, Time: 7:00 am - 9:30 pm
Activities include blacksmith shop, bingo, potato digging, extensive tractor/truck display as all antique tractors or vehicles are welcome.

Sunday, July 12, 2026

Historic Farm Days in Penfield

I&I Antique Tractor & Gas Engine Club Showgrounds, Time: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
Activities include a blacksmith shop, corn crib filling and shelling, potato digging, extensive tractor/truck display as all antique tractors or vehicles are welcome.

Friday, July 24, 2026

Sidney Fun Daze

Sidney, Time: 2:00 pm - 11:30 pm
Lego Derby starts Friday. Live music, vendors, Breakfast, Kiddie Bike Parade, Parade, Car Show, Kiddie Tractor pull, Petting zoo, Bags tourney

Saturday, July 25, 2026

18th Annual Working Class Truck Show

RANTOUL AVIATION CENTER, Time: All Day
Head to Rantoul for some fun on: July 24th, 25th, and 26th, 2026. ย Bring your family and friends. All are welcome. ย Free admission. Friday Light Show On-Site Light Competition Tony Justice Performance - 9:30pm Saturday Judging of Classes Kiddie Pedal Car Competition Jake Brake Competition Sound Competition Light Parade Movie…

Saturday, August 1, 2026

Royal Days

Downtown Royal, Time: 8:00 am - 11:00 pm
2026 Royal Days will be held on July 31 & August 1, 2026. A fun-filled weekend of activities including a bags tournament, kids events, golf cart parade, raffle, live music, etc. Followย https://www.facebook.com/TheRoyalDay/ for more information  

Saturday, August 8, 2026

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.

Friday, August 21, 2026

Apple Dumpling Festival

Downtown Atwood, Time: 12:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Small town Fun! Head out for live music. food, car show and more!

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Apple Dumpling Festival

Atwood, Illinois, Time: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Small town Fun! Head out for live music. food, car show and more!

Mansfield Homecoming

Downtown Mansfield, Time: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
Kids entertainment, 5K, Parade, Car Show, BBQ Rib Cook-off and more!

Saturday, August 29, 2026

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,…

Monday, September 7, 2026

Westville Labor Day Celebration

Zamberletti Park, Time: All Day
The 115th Westville Labor Day Celebration will be happening September 5-7, 2026.

Saturday, September 12, 2026

Arcola Broomcorn Festival

Arcola, Time: All Day
The HUGE parade is on Saturday at 3pm-there will also be food & street vendors and don't miss the broom tent!

Get ready for summer in Champaign-Urbana:

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