THE FIRST VISIT PHILADELPHIA® HOLIDAY PARADE

   VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade: The all-new VISIT PHILADELPHIA® Holiday Parade is the city’s first parade celebrating all of winter’s holidays, including Hannukah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Chinese New Year. On Saturday, December 4, the parade will kick-off at 5:00 p.m. at 2^nd & Market Streets and will proceed up Market, ending at City Hall.

Featuring cold air balloons, marching bands, floats, dance groups, and more, the parade is a must-see event for residents and visitors to get in the holiday spirit. The parade will also feature diverse and multicultural groups, including Project Capoeira, Philadelphia Jazz Legacy Project, 5 Shorts Project of CultureTrust Greater Philadelphia, The American Swedish Historical Museum, and many more.

Parade goers are encouraged to enjoy the parade all along Market Street – there’s not a bad viewing spot along the route, so bring the whole family out to take part in the holiday cheer!

Special parade viewing areas:

· Start your parade with Wawa – Wawa will be helping guests cheer on the parade with free hot chocolate and coffee giveaways along Market Street between 2^nd & 3^rd Street. 

·  Primark: The Primark store on Market Street is an official watch zone for the Visit Philadelphia Holiday Parade on December 4 with an in-store live DJ, giveaways and more. And look for the Primark double decker bus in the parade! From 2-4pm, Primark will have a pop-up giveaway station at the entrance of Christmas Village next to the Holiday Tree with free prizes and giveaways.

·  Independence Visitor Center – Terrace on Tap presented by VISIT PHILADELPHIA® is the perfect viewing spot for the parade. Located on the second-floor Liberty View Terrace at Independence Visitor Center, Terrace on Tap features local brews from Workhorse Brewing Co. and Wissahickon Brewing Co., with appetizers, finger foods, light bites, and specialty cocktails by Brûlée Catering. This family-friendly, all-ages venue is an outdoor experience with access to indoor facilities and convenient parking.

Parade Elements:

Illuminated Floats:

· Ship 166 Veterans Float

· Home for the Holidays Float featuring The Philly Pops Saxophone Quartet

· Kwanzaa Float featuring the Holiday Mass Choir

· Chinese New Year Float featuring the CCAC Folk Dance Troupe

· Hannukah Float

· Unity of Families Float sponsored by Boston Market

· Santa Float sponsored by VISIT PHILADELPHIA®

Marching bands:

· 78^th Army Marching Band, NJ

· Downingtown High School Marching Band, PA (attending tournament of Roses this year)

·  Connetquot High School Marching Band, NY

·  Acaraje Drum Ensemble, PA

· Easton High School Marching Band, PA

· Unionville High School Marching Band, PA

· Falun Dafa Divine Marching Band and Waist Drum Dancers, NY

·  Philadelphia Freedom Band, PA

·  Enon Trinity Drum Line and Drill Team, PA

Special Units:

· Fundacion Socio Cultural Diablada Boliviana

· Primark Wrapped Double Decker Bus

·  1949 Willy Jeepster Car

·  Miss Philadelphia

·  Miss Philadelphia Teen

·  Eagles Drumline and Cheerleaders

·  SEPTA Holiday Buses

·  Betsy Daily Dancers

·  Wawa Milk Truck

·  Philly PHLASH

·  Jane Baron Dance Academy Candy Cane Dancers

· Dance 4 Life Dancers

· Off the Road Holiday Jeeps

·  National Park Service

·  Philadelphia Fire Department

· Philadelphia Police Department