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Chicago Thanksgiving Parade moves start time an hour earlier for TV broadcast

Chicago Thanksgiving Parade moves start time an hour earlier for TV broadcast

Rule Changes Chicago, IL local

The 92-year-old parade will step off at 7:45 a.m. to accommodate CBS Chicago's coverage before the Bears-Lions game.

Yesterday: Parade announced to start at 7:45 a.m., an hour earlier

Overview

Updated 48 minutes ago

The Chicago Thanksgiving Parade will start at 7:45 a.m. on Nov. 26, an hour earlier than in previous years. It is the first start-time change in the parade's 92-year history.

The earlier start lets CBS Chicago begin its live broadcast at 8 a.m., ahead of the Bears-Lions game at noon. The change also removes an hour of stage performances that used to precede the procession.

Why it matters

For Chicago families, the earlier start means adjusting Thanksgiving morning plans, and it shows how TV scheduling shapes a 92-year-old local tradition.

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Key Indicators

92
Years without a start-time change
The parade has started at the same time for 92 years.
1 hour
Earlier start
The parade steps off at 7:45 a.m. instead of 8:45 a.m.
80+
Parade entries
More than 80 entries are expected, including 14 giant balloons.
8 a.m.
TV broadcast start
CBS Chicago begins live coverage at 8 a.m.

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People Involved

CT
Charles "Peanut" Tillman
Former Chicago Bears cornerback, parade grand marshal
Grand marshal of the 2026 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
AB
Ashley Berry
Producer of the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade
First new producer in more than 20 years

Organizations Involved

Chicago Festival Association
Chicago Festival Association
Nonprofit event producer
Produces the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade

The Chicago Festival Association produces the annual Chicago Thanksgiving Parade.
CBS Chicago
CBS Chicago
Television station
Broadcaster of the parade

CBS Chicago (WBBM-TV) broadcasts the parade live from 8 to 10 a.m.
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
NFL team
Playing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving

The Bears play the Lions in Detroit at noon on Thanksgiving, following the parade broadcast.

Timeline

December 1934 November 2026

4 events Latest: Yesterday
Tap a bar to jump to that date

  1. Parade announced to start at 7:45 a.m., an hour earlier

    Latest Announcement

    The earlier start lets CBS Chicago begin its live broadcast at 8 a.m., ahead of the Bears-Lions game.

  2. WGN-TV begins national broadcast

    Broadcast

    WGN-TV started airing the parade live in high definition, making it available in 72 million homes nationally.

  3. Parade moves to Thanksgiving Day

    Change

    The parade shifted from a Christmas-season event to Thanksgiving morning, aligning with the holiday and TV schedules.

  4. First Chicago Christmas Parade held on State Street

    Origin

    The parade began as a Christmas-season event to boost spirits and the economy during the Great Depression.

Scenarios

1

Earlier start becomes permanent for 2027 parade

Possible Resolves by Nov 25, 2027

Discussed by: Parade organizers and local media

If the 7:45 a.m. start draws good ratings and attendance, organizers may keep it for future years. The change was made to fit the TV broadcast before the Bears game, and a repeat could depend on the NFL schedule.

2

Parade reverts to 8:45 a.m. start in 2027

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 25, 2027

Discussed by: Parade watchers and local media

If the earlier start hurts attendance or causes logistical problems, organizers could return to the traditional 8:45 a.m. start. The change is the first in 92 years, so a reversal would be notable.

3

TV broadcast window expands back to three hours

Unlikely Resolves by Nov 25, 2027

Discussed by: Broadcast analysts

The parade broadcast was cut from three hours to two to fit the earlier start. If CBS Chicago and organizers see value in more coverage, they could expand it again.

Historical Context

3 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

December 1934

First Chicago Christmas Parade (1934)

Chicago leaders created a Christmas parade on State Street to boost spirits and the economy during the Great Depression. The first parade featured Santa Claus and toys from local businesses.

Then

The parade drew large crowds and boosted holiday shopping.

Now

It became an annual tradition, eventually moving to Thanksgiving Day.

Why this matters now

The parade's origin shows it was designed to serve both civic morale and local commerce, a mix that still shapes decisions like start times.

1999

Parade moves to Thanksgiving Day (1999)

The parade shifted from a Christmas-season event to Thanksgiving morning, aligning with the holiday and TV schedules. Target became a title sponsor, and the parade returned to State Street.

Then

The parade found a new identity as a Thanksgiving tradition.

Now

It became one of the city's signature holiday events, broadcast locally and nationally.

Why this matters now

This shows the parade has changed its schedule before to fit broader holiday and media patterns.

2007

WGN-TV national broadcast (2007)

WGN-TV began broadcasting the parade live in high definition, making it available in 72 million homes nationally. It became one of three parades broadcast live nationally.

Then

The parade gained national exposure.

Now

TV coverage became a key factor in parade planning and scheduling.

Why this matters now

The 2026 time change is the latest example of TV considerations shaping the parade's format.

Sources

(2)
Chicago Sun-Times Wikipedia