Looking for a way to officially christen the holiday season in St. Louis? The annual Thanksgiving Day Parade may just be your ticket! The downtown St. Louis tradition, recognized as one of the top Thanksgiving Day parades in the nation, delights and entertains with marching bands, floats, giant balloons and more.
This year’s parade will commemorate the November rededication of the Soldiers Memorial, with Missouri Historical Society president and CEO Frances Levine serving as honorary grand marshal. A float depicting the ship’s bell from the USS St. Louis, which is on display at the memorial, will carry retired military veterans for the parade.
The parade begins at 8:40 a.m., but organizers strongly advise getting there as early as 7 o’clock.
“C’mon down to the parade by no later than 8 o’clock,” parade grand marshal David Plufka suggested. “In the area of Market, between Jefferson and 20th, and along Chestnut and Pine in those same blocks, you can see the Wells Fargo stagecoach getting ready, marching bands practicing, floats arriving, and even balloons being inflated just west of Maggie O’Brien’s.”
If you’d rather view the parade near KMOV TV’s broadcast area, park near Kiener Plaza, and enjoy the Festival of Lights Christmas tree or spend some time ice-skating at Winterfest nearby, Plufka added.
The Turkey Trot STL 5K, also held on Thanksgiving Day, runs along the parade route and begins with registration at 6 a.m. The race is family-, pet- and stroller-friendly, and features a free, ½-mile Youth Race for children 12 and younger. Other plusses include a free pancake breakfast, and the opportunity to scope out prime parade-viewing spots along Market Street.
The parade is just one of several events presented by Christmas in St. Louis and the Christmas in St. Louis Foundation, two complementary, volunteer-based nonprofits that work to coordinate holiday displays throughout the community and support local charities during the season.
The Ameren Missouri Festival of Lights, from 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 17, takes place at Kiener Plaza. Live entertainment, a Christmas Village, the lighting of the Salvation Army Tree of Lights, free ice-skating, and a fireworks finale are among the highlights.
2018 AMEREN THANKSGIVING DAY PARADE
Downtown St. Louis
8:40 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 22
christmasinstlouis.com
The parade, which kicks off at Union Station, will feature more than 130 floats, displays, giant balloons, novelty cars and marching bands from all across the region. Of course, no holiday parade would be complete without an appearance from Santa Claus—just make sure you’ve been nice this year!
NEAR/ALONG THE PARADE ROUTE
The Gateway Arch
While the museum, trams and Old Courthouse are closed on Thanksgiving Day, the arch grounds will be open. And if you haven’t been since the grand unveiling of our own new-and-improved national park, do yourself a favor and stroll through the grounds—how can you beat that view? Of particular interest: the enhanced landscaping and newly installed walkway lighting, which was adapted from a design by Eero Saarinen, the man behind the Gateway Arch.
gatewayarch.com
Citygarden
Located within walking distance of the Arch—between 8th and 10th, and Market and Chestnut streets—this open and accessible oasis in the middle of downtown is sure to make you smile. Two dozen sculptures, from the abstract to the whimsical, dot the spaces of this 3-acre park, along with vibrant landscaping and water features. Walk along rows of ginkgo trees, or sit back and watch the water and light show at Spray Plaza. Citygarden also has a smartphone app featuring the likes of famous St. Louisans like Jenna Fischer, Ozzie Smith, Christine Brewer and more.
citygarden.org
