New York
#1 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
Staffed by Macy’s employees who volunteer to steer tall-as-buildings character floats through Manhattan, the iconic parade is seen by about 3 million bundled-up spectators on the sidelines, while another 44 million watch the spectacle live on NBC. Live entertainment is provided by Broadway stars, television actors and actresses, and marching bands from around the nation. Next: November 23, 2017
New York
#2 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
Despite frigid temperatures, an estimated 1 million revelers gather at the crossroads of the world to say goodbye to the past year and ring in the new one. On television, the now infamously poor live performance of Mariah Carey on ABC’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, and a snafu concerning the broadcasting of a live performance from Atlantic City, may have prompted a 9 percent dip in ratings. But the Ryan Seacrest-hosted broadcast still beat out the other networks, as it does every year. Next: December 31, 2017
New Orleans
#3 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
The festive spirit of New Orleans comes alive during the festival and the weekend leading up to the main event, when visitors can see parades and celebrations throughout the city. On Fat Tuesday itself—the day before Lent begins—an estimated 1.4 million residents and viewers citywide will be wearing costumes in purple, green, and gold while taking in more parades, floats, and picnics. Next: February 13, 2018
Pasadena
#4 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
A 128-year tradition that brings 700,000 people to Pasadena, California, the precursor to the Rose Bowl football game included its parade, featuring a theme of “Echoes of Success,” where floats celebrating people who help others succeed were on display. Among them was a float created by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in honor of the victims of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando. Bumped this year to Monday, January 2, because of a “never on a Sunday rule,” the parade included large marching bands and 20 equestrian units such as the Anheuser Busch Budweiser Clydesdales and the Valley Hunt Club. Several television networks show coverage of the events, and game airs on ESPN. Next: January 1, 2018
Houston
#5 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
The nation’s largest show of its kind shattered attendance records for all activities on the grounds in 2017, with nearly 3 million people taking in the event. First Responders Day was added to the list of special days for the rodeo. Public servants and their families received free admission and other discounts across NRG Park, on opening day. Also this year, four-year undergraduate scholarships were increased from $18,000 to $20,000. Next: February 27-March 18, 2018
Washington
#6 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
One of the prettiest times to be in the nation’s capital, the flower celebration takes place in the spring to honor the 1912 gift of Japanese cherry trees from Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo to Washington. The Pink Tie Party, presented by ANA and hosted by Trade Center Management Associates at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, kicked-off the festivities. An opening party was held at the Warner Theater a few days later, followed by a parade down Constitution Avenue with floats, celebrity entertainment, and giant helium balloons. Next: March 20-April 15, 2018
San Francisco
#7 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
During the nation’s most well-known L.G.B.T.Q. event, 37 awards were given in eight categories to parade participants such as Best Overall, Absolutely Fabulous Contingents, Absolutely Outrageous Contingents, and more. The parade began with hundreds of riders in the Dykes on Bikes contingent, followed by thousands of marchers in the board-led Resistance contingent. Overall, there were 271 contingents in the 47th Annual Parade and an estimated 50,000 people marched. Next: June 22-June 25, 2018
New Orleans
#8 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event (up from #9)
More than 470,000 attendees came to town to hear some 200 performing artists and speakers, including first-time appearances by Halle Berry, Diana Ross, Chance the Rapper, and others. New to the event were a “Ladies Night,” curated by Grammy award-winner Mary J. Blige that featured an all-female lineup of performers across five stages, as well as a celebrity basketball game to raise money for local youth scholarships in partnership with Master P. and his foundation, Team Hope NOLA. Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Coca-Cola was the event’s presenting sponsor. Next: July 5-8, 2018
Needham, Massachusetts
#10 Festivals, Parades & Holiday Event
The bike-a-thon, which collects money solely for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, had more than 6,200 entrants this year and a goal of raising $48 million for research and patient care, an amount that would bring the total given to the institute to over $595 million. Hosted by the Boston Red Sox Foundation and New Balance, the race draws cyclists from 41 states and eight countries who have two route options to travel throughout Massachusetts. The longer course spans 192 miles, and all riders pledge to donate between $500 and $7,800. Next: August 4-5, 2018
