1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York
#1 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The 91st annual Thanksgiving Day parade draws more than 3.5 million spectators to Manhattan, and more than 50 million viewers nationwide. This year featured 17 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers included 98 Degrees, Andra Day and Common, the Goo Goo Dolls, Flo Rida, and the casts of Broadway musicals Spongebob Squarepants and Once on This Island. Next: November 22, 2018
#1 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The 91st annual Thanksgiving Day parade draws more than 3.5 million spectators to Manhattan, and more than 50 million viewers nationwide. This year featured 17 giant character balloons, 26 floats, 1,100 cheerleaders and dancers, more than 1,000 clowns, 12 marching bands, and six performance groups. Performers included 98 Degrees, Andra Day and Common, the Goo Goo Dolls, Flo Rida, and the casts of Broadway musicals Spongebob Squarepants and Once on This Island. Next: November 22, 2018
Photo: Carol Seitz
2. New Year’s Eve in Times Square
New York
#2 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The massive New Year’s Eve event draws one million people to New York’s Times Square to see the ball drop, with the countdown broadcast on programs including “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC. The 46th annual broadcast, which has been hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the past 12 years, included performances by Nick Jonas, Sugarland, Camila Cabello, and Mariah Carey, whose performance redeemed her disastrous 2016 effort. For CNN’s broadcast, Andy Cohen replaced Kathy Griffin as co-host after the comedian was fired for a controversial photo shoot depicting a beheaded Donald Trump. Next: December 31, 2018
#2 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The massive New Year’s Eve event draws one million people to New York’s Times Square to see the ball drop, with the countdown broadcast on programs including “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC. The 46th annual broadcast, which has been hosted by Ryan Seacrest for the past 12 years, included performances by Nick Jonas, Sugarland, Camila Cabello, and Mariah Carey, whose performance redeemed her disastrous 2016 effort. For CNN’s broadcast, Andy Cohen replaced Kathy Griffin as co-host after the comedian was fired for a controversial photo shoot depicting a beheaded Donald Trump. Next: December 31, 2018
Photo: Courtesy of Countdown Entertainment
3. Mardi Gras
New Orleans
#3 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The massive New Orleans carnival celebrated the city’s tricentennial this year and generates more than $840 million for the local economy annually. The main event on Fat Tuesday draws an estimated 1.4 million spectators to see people donning purple, green, and gold at parades, picnics, and more celebrations. Next: March 5, 2019
#3 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The massive New Orleans carnival celebrated the city’s tricentennial this year and generates more than $840 million for the local economy annually. The main event on Fat Tuesday draws an estimated 1.4 million spectators to see people donning purple, green, and gold at parades, picnics, and more celebrations. Next: March 5, 2019
Photo: Paul Broussard
4. Tournament of Roses
Los Angeles
#4 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The theme of the 2018 New Year’s Day Rose Parade presented by Honda was “Making A Difference,” and celebrated the power of kindness and people making a positive difference in their communities. Earth, Wind & Fire made a surprise appearance on the Forum float at the parade, which drew 700,000 spectators. The Rose Bowl Game was attended by 92,844 football fans. Next: January 1, 2019
#4 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The theme of the 2018 New Year’s Day Rose Parade presented by Honda was “Making A Difference,” and celebrated the power of kindness and people making a positive difference in their communities. Earth, Wind & Fire made a surprise appearance on the Forum float at the parade, which drew 700,000 spectators. The Rose Bowl Game was attended by 92,844 football fans. Next: January 1, 2019
Photo: Lionel Hahn
5. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Houston
#5 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The 2018 edition of the nation’s largest rodeo show debuted a new, 48-foot star-shape stage, which held performances for musicians including Garth Brooks, who returned to perform at the event for the first time in 25 years. Total attendance reached 2,408,550 with paid rodeo and concert attendance reaching 1,346,388. The event, which committed $2.17 million to its contestants this year, used an aerial NavCam in the stadium for the first time to capture new angles and perspectives; the technology is similar to what’s used in the N.F.L. Next: February 25-March 17, 2019
#5 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
The 2018 edition of the nation’s largest rodeo show debuted a new, 48-foot star-shape stage, which held performances for musicians including Garth Brooks, who returned to perform at the event for the first time in 25 years. Total attendance reached 2,408,550 with paid rodeo and concert attendance reaching 1,346,388. The event, which committed $2.17 million to its contestants this year, used an aerial NavCam in the stadium for the first time to capture new angles and perspectives; the technology is similar to what’s used in the N.F.L. Next: February 25-March 17, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
6. Essence Festival
New Orleans
#6 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event (up from #8)
The 24th annual consumer conference and music festival geared toward black women was famously featured in last year’s comedy Girls Trip, and saw its highest attendance ever this year at more than 510,000 people. More than 100 influencers, leaders, creators, and celebrities participated in the festival’s daytime experience, which was rebranded as Conference & Expos. The daytime event featured programming across nine tracks such as beauty and style, entertainment, food, and personal finance. Music headliners included Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, and the Roots. Next: July 4-7, 2019
#6 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event (up from #8)
The 24th annual consumer conference and music festival geared toward black women was famously featured in last year’s comedy Girls Trip, and saw its highest attendance ever this year at more than 510,000 people. More than 100 influencers, leaders, creators, and celebrities participated in the festival’s daytime experience, which was rebranded as Conference & Expos. The daytime event featured programming across nine tracks such as beauty and style, entertainment, food, and personal finance. Music headliners included Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Fantasia, and the Roots. Next: July 4-7, 2019
Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Essence
7. National Cherry Blossom Festival
Washington, D.C.
#7 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
This year’s festival, which typically draws 1.5 million people to the nation’s capital, celebrated the 106th anniversary of Tokyo gifting cherry blossom trees to the city. Festival events included the annual opening Pink Tie Party fund-raiser, the Embassy of Japan’s opening ceremony at the Warner Theatre, a parade that featured grand marshal Carla Hall, and an Instagram-friendly pop-up bar created by Drink Company. Next: March 20-April 13, 2019
#7 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
This year’s festival, which typically draws 1.5 million people to the nation’s capital, celebrated the 106th anniversary of Tokyo gifting cherry blossom trees to the city. Festival events included the annual opening Pink Tie Party fund-raiser, the Embassy of Japan’s opening ceremony at the Warner Theatre, a parade that featured grand marshal Carla Hall, and an Instagram-friendly pop-up bar created by Drink Company. Next: March 20-April 13, 2019
Photo: Chris Ferenzi Photography
8. San Francisco Pride Celebration and Parade
San Francisco
#8 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
One of the largest L.G.B.T.Q. events in the country, the 48th annual parade featured more than 270 contingents and 50,000 marchers along Market Street, with an estimated 100,000 spectators. Brands including Twitter, Equinox, and Postmates displayed eye-popping floats. The pride celebration and rally at Civic Center Plaza was headlined by Kehlani, and speakers included Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Dr. Cynthia Gomez of Planned Parenthood. Next: June 29-30, 2019
#8 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
One of the largest L.G.B.T.Q. events in the country, the 48th annual parade featured more than 270 contingents and 50,000 marchers along Market Street, with an estimated 100,000 spectators. Brands including Twitter, Equinox, and Postmates displayed eye-popping floats. The pride celebration and rally at Civic Center Plaza was headlined by Kehlani, and speakers included Kate Kendell of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Dr. Cynthia Gomez of Planned Parenthood. Next: June 29-30, 2019
Photo: Courtesy of Equinox
9. Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque
#9 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Presented by Canon, the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons saw attendance increase to 887,798 festivalgoers for its 46th year in 2017. The picturesque event, which had the theme “Inflate your Imagination,” featured balloons from 23 countries, with Scotland participating for the first time. This year’s festival, “Get Carried Away,” will host more than 550 hot air balloons, including 10 new special-shape balloons. Sponsors include Krispy Kreme, Coca-Cola, and 7-Eleven. Next: October 6-14, 2018
#9 Festival, Parade & Holiday Event
Presented by Canon, the world’s largest gathering of hot air balloons saw attendance increase to 887,798 festivalgoers for its 46th year in 2017. The picturesque event, which had the theme “Inflate your Imagination,” featured balloons from 23 countries, with Scotland participating for the first time. This year’s festival, “Get Carried Away,” will host more than 550 hot air balloons, including 10 new special-shape balloons. Sponsors include Krispy Kreme, Coca-Cola, and 7-Eleven. Next: October 6-14, 2018
Photo: Bennie Bos
