Walt Disney World; Select dates in November and December
Part of "Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party," this one-of-a-kind-Disney production of a parade, set in Disney's Magic Kingdom, will feature 170 costumed performers (including Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, and more of the Disney gang, along with marching "toy soldiers" and, of course, Santa), 15 floats, and more unexpected extras, such as a half-dozen ponies (to pull around Cinderella's coach, naturally).
Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade
Calistoga, California; December 7
Trade in elaborate big city parade hoopla for quirky small town charm at Calistoga’s 18th Annual Lighted Tractor Parade. Tucked into the heart of Napa Valley, this Christmas parade celebrates the area's agricultural heritage with a procession of decorated and illuminated tractors, antique trucks, and other assorted farm equipment, down Calistoga's main street.
Krampus and Perchten Procession
Graz, Austria; December 1
If Santa was to have a nemesis, he might just find one in Graz, Austria, where a traditional parade unites the Christian figure of Saint Nicholas (who rewards good children) with his pagan demon/beast antithesis "Krampus" (who instead punishes bad ones). The unusual yet spectacular parade features some 400 costumed participants, including St. Nicholas, Perchten (a pagan goddess), and Krampus figures—the latter, donning grotesque-looking demonic masks.
Winterfest Boat Parade
Fort Lauderdale; December 14
Swap out floats for boats, and sweaters for bikini weather at the 42nd annual Seminole Hard Rock Winterfest Boat Parade. Drawing more than a million spectators, the festive parade of some hundred decorated and illuminated boats and yachts follows a 12-mile-long route along Florida's Intracoastal Waterway; plus, it features a light show right on the water.
Pase del Niño
Cuenca, Ecuador; December 24
On Christmas Eve, hordes of religious pilgrims and festive revelers descend upon Cuenca, Ecuador, for one of South America's most colorful Christmas celebrations. The full-day procession, uniting Christian and indigenous traditions, comes marked by musicians and street performers, wildly embellished floats, and elaborately costumed children and biblical characters, who all parade through colonial Cuenca to venerate a statue of the infant Jesus.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood; December 1
Perhaps the only Christmas parade where Santa isn't necessarily the biggest star, Hollywood's annual version features a blockbuster lineup of parade participants this year. Expect special guest appearances by Stevie Wonder, LeAnn Rimes, William Shatner, and more, to be intermingled with marching bands, equestrian groups, and giant balloons—plus, a special parade grand marshal: legendary astronaut Buzz Aldrin.
Farmers Santa Parade
Auckland, New Zealand; November 24
For 80 years, Auckland's Farmers Santa Parade has marked the start of the season's special joy for Kiwi children, heralding the onset of Christmastime with an appearance by jolly old St. Nick himself. Expect plenty of marching bands, balloons, floats, and some 4,000 participants to spread out the pageantry over nearly a mile-and-a-half of parade route.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach, California; December 18–22
Now in its 105th year, the coastal California enclave of Newport Beach has long dazzled holiday season crowds with its lighted boat parade, bringing a twinkle into Newport Harbor, where waterfront homes likewise come lavishly decorated. Spanning five nights, the boat parade features more than 100 vessels decked out with lights and decorations, animated displays, live dancers, and more.
From: CondenastTraveler/ Posted by Mags
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