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 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 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: 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.

All Area Parades Coming Up This Summer

Saturday, June 13, 2026

Raggedy Parade

Downtown Arcola, Time: 1:00 pm
🎉 Join us in downtown Arcola for the first-ever Raggedy Parade! 🎉 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. 📍 Saturday, June 13 🕐 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 — and we want YOU to be part of it. Parade Route: Colorado Ave, north on Philo to Florida Ave, east…

Friday, June 26, 2026

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 27, 2026

Tolono Fun Days

West Side Park, Time: 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
The 2026 Tolono Fun Days will be held Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27 Friday June 26 4pm - Food vendors 4:30-8:30pm - Attractions from 25/8 Xtreme for a variety of ages including Zipline, Xtreme Bounce Pad, Giant Slide, Obstacle Course, Inflatable Ax Throwing, Rock Climbing Wall, Petting Zoo…

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! Fireworks at dusk.

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!

Champaign County Freedom Celebration

Memorial Stadium, Time: 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
Parade beginning at 11:05am. Free concert and children's activities at 6pm 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!

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…

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

Monday, July 6, 2026

Fisher Sesquicentennial Lighted Parade

Downtown Fisher, Time: 7:30 pm
Fisher is excited to share their 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞, 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…

Friday, July 24, 2026

Sidney Fun Daze

Sidney, Time: 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm
The 2026 Sidney Fun Daze will be held July 24 and 25, 2026. Check out their Facebook page for more details to be announced.

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,…

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!