One of the great things about Chicago is its parades. There is a parade for everyone in this town!
Here’s are some parades that this city has to offer:
2011
19 November: Magnificent Mile Lights Festival… I’m not sure how I feel about the first Christmas activity occurring before Thanksgiving, but for those of you who aren’t as picky about this issue can still enjoy it:) The parade starts at 6pm along North Michigan Avenue, from Wacker Drive to Oak Street.
24 November: McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade…This parade starts at— eep!— 8 am. It will run on State Street from Congress to Randolf.
4 December: Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade…This parade begins at Western Avenue and 83rd Street and heads north on
Western. I haven’t found any reference to the end location, so check their website closer to the date to find out.
2012
29 January: Chinese New Year Parade: Year of the Dragon. Not only does this parade celebrate the Lunar New Year, this year is also Chinatown’s centennial! Could be interesting. The parade starts at 1 PM. The location is unclear, but in 2011 it was located at Wentworth Avenue, from 24th Street to Cermak, so probably in that same area.
March:
St. Pat’s Day falls on a Saturday this year!
South Side Parade… If anyone hears about it being scheduled in 2012, let us know! Otherwise we should assume they aren’t planning one again.
Northwest Side Irish Parade–No info posted yet.
Downtown St. Pat’s Parade–No info posted yet.
[This is a total segue, but the first St. Pat's Day Parade I saw was in NY. I hadn't planned it as I was in NYC for a seminar. During our lunch break, we stepped outside and there it was! This was the event that made me decide that whoever invented the kilt was a genius...EVERY man looked good in kilt. It didn't matter his height, weight, age, or anything; they all looked good:) ]
April: Greek Independence Day Parade…Right now I’m just leaving a placeholder for this parade. This parade was held in 2011, but there was something very strange about the info I found that makes me wonder if this parade will occur. If anyone knows anything concrete, please share!
May:
Cinco de Mayo…The 2012 date hasn’t been announced yet, but I’d guess that since the 5th falls on a Saturday in 2012, it will actually be in cinco de Mayo! The parade route will likely be Cermak Rd. from Wood St. to Kedzie and start around noon.
Polish Constitution Day Parade….Another parade where 2012 info hasn’t been announced. Polish Constitution Day is 3 May– a Thursday– so at a guess, it could be on 5 May. If it follows the 2011 schedule, it will start at 11 am and be at Columbus and Balboa.
24 June: Pride Parade!…Everyone should experience this once. GET THERE EARLY…like an hour or two early. It is crazy an packed and goes on and on forever. I went this year and it was hot. It is an incredible people-watching event.
[Photo copyright of Northalstead.]
July: Okay, this is me hoping that someday Venetian Nights will again be sponsored. This was one of my favorite events as it was a good excuse to sit along the lakefront with friends and enjoy a show. Until that happens, consider this a placeholder. 
31 October: Northalstead Halloween Parade…This parade normally occurs on Halloween itself and starts around 7 pm. Head for Halstead and Belmont in the Lakeview/Boystown neighborhood.
I’ll post more parades as more info is available.
