1. Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
Up from #2
New York
A holiday-season staple, Macy’s 96th annual parade welcomed nearly 3 million spectators who lined the streets of the event’s signature 2.5-mile route. Sixteen giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 700-plus clowns, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, and much more all made their way from Central Park West to Columbus Circle. The three-hour NBC morning special, afternoon encore, digital viewership, as well as streaming on Peacock, brought in a total of 27.7 million viewers—topping last year’s broadcast and tallying the most viewers in five years. New this year, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade could be experienced in the metaverse, where the event’s fans could view virtual galleries from five NFT projects and then vote for their favorite. The design that received the highest number of votes will be turned into an actual balloon at the 2023 parade. Next: Nov. 23, 2023
New York
A holiday-season staple, Macy’s 96th annual parade welcomed nearly 3 million spectators who lined the streets of the event’s signature 2.5-mile route. Sixteen giant character balloons, 28 floats, 40 novelty and heritage inflatables, 700-plus clowns, 12 marching bands, 10 performance groups, and much more all made their way from Central Park West to Columbus Circle. The three-hour NBC morning special, afternoon encore, digital viewership, as well as streaming on Peacock, brought in a total of 27.7 million viewers—topping last year’s broadcast and tallying the most viewers in five years. New this year, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade could be experienced in the metaverse, where the event’s fans could view virtual galleries from five NFT projects and then vote for their favorite. The design that received the highest number of votes will be turned into an actual balloon at the 2023 parade. Next: Nov. 23, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Macy's
2. New Year’s Eve in Times Square
New York
A 118-year-old tradition, the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square garners a worldwide audience of more than 1 billion viewers annually, who watch with anticipation as the Times Square Ball (clad in Waterford Crystal and weighing nearly six tons) makes its descent to ring in a new year. Actor and TV personality Jonathan Bennett will once again host this year’s event at the end of the month. Expect live performances by KT Tunstall, Ja Rule, Ashanti, the USO Show Troupe, and Journey. Next: Dec. 31, 2023
A 118-year-old tradition, the annual New Year’s Eve celebration in Times Square garners a worldwide audience of more than 1 billion viewers annually, who watch with anticipation as the Times Square Ball (clad in Waterford Crystal and weighing nearly six tons) makes its descent to ring in a new year. Actor and TV personality Jonathan Bennett will once again host this year’s event at the end of the month. Expect live performances by KT Tunstall, Ja Rule, Ashanti, the USO Show Troupe, and Journey. Next: Dec. 31, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Countdown Entertainment
3. Pride Toronto
Toronto
Following last year’s “phygital” programming that featured a mix of virtual and online events, Pride Toronto’s 2022 iteration was back in person and in full force. Throughout June, nearly 2 million members and supporters of the 2SLGBTQ+ community put on their most colorful threads to attend the monthlong celebration’s signature events, including Trans March, Dyke March, Bi+ Pride Programming, Blockorama by Blackness Yes, Pride Parade, and StreetFair—not to mention the 300-plus artists that performed. Next: June 2023
Following last year’s “phygital” programming that featured a mix of virtual and online events, Pride Toronto’s 2022 iteration was back in person and in full force. Throughout June, nearly 2 million members and supporters of the 2SLGBTQ+ community put on their most colorful threads to attend the monthlong celebration’s signature events, including Trans March, Dyke March, Bi+ Pride Programming, Blockorama by Blackness Yes, Pride Parade, and StreetFair—not to mention the 300-plus artists that performed. Next: June 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Pride Toronto
4. Tournament of Roses
Pasadena, Calif.
Known for its extravagant floats, the Rose Parade made its grand return at the start of 2022, marking its 133rd edition. (The 2021 Rose Parade was canceled due to COVID-19.) More than 6,500 people participated in the parade, which stretched 5.5 miles and featured 43 floats, 20 marching bands, 18 equestrian units, and more. After wowing spectators, UPS took home the coveted Sweepstakes Award, which honors “the most beautiful entry.” The brand’s float (pictured)—built by Fiesta Parade Floats—came in at 55 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 35 feet tall, and weighed an impressive 48,000 pounds. Next: Jan. 1, 2023
Known for its extravagant floats, the Rose Parade made its grand return at the start of 2022, marking its 133rd edition. (The 2021 Rose Parade was canceled due to COVID-19.) More than 6,500 people participated in the parade, which stretched 5.5 miles and featured 43 floats, 20 marching bands, 18 equestrian units, and more. After wowing spectators, UPS took home the coveted Sweepstakes Award, which honors “the most beautiful entry.” The brand’s float (pictured)—built by Fiesta Parade Floats—came in at 55 feet long, 18 feet wide, and 35 feet tall, and weighed an impressive 48,000 pounds. Next: Jan. 1, 2023
Photo: Courtesy of Rose Parade/@rose_parade
5. Calgary Stampede
Up from #6
Calgary
Throughout 10 days in July, more than 1.2 million people filled Stampede Park, making this year’s iteration the fourth-most attended event in the Stampede’s more-than-100-year history. Programming included one of the world’s largest rodeos—complete with barrel racing, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, and bareback—chuckwagon races, parades, midway games and rides, stage shows, a concert series headlined by Blake Shelton, and exhibitions. Next: July 7-16, 2023
Calgary
Throughout 10 days in July, more than 1.2 million people filled Stampede Park, making this year’s iteration the fourth-most attended event in the Stampede’s more-than-100-year history. Programming included one of the world’s largest rodeos—complete with barrel racing, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, saddle bronc, and bareback—chuckwagon races, parades, midway games and rides, stage shows, a concert series headlined by Blake Shelton, and exhibitions. Next: July 7-16, 2023
Photo: Sydney Butters
6. Quebec Winter Carnival
Quebec City
The oldest and largest winter carnival in the world was back in action this year after a pared-down production in 2021, which included myriad ice sculptures placed throughout the neighborhood. Adhering to health safety precautions, organizers were forced to cancel music events for this year’s 10-day carnival, but they did introduce two new outdoor games—the Videotron Neighbourhood Hockey and Search and Find, presented in collaboration with Tourisme Jacques-Cartier—in addition to its usual family-friendly programming that includes a Slide Challenge (pictured), Sculpture Tour, and more. The event recently received more than $3 million in financial assistance from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions to enhance its 2023 programming. Next: Feb. 3-12, 2023
The oldest and largest winter carnival in the world was back in action this year after a pared-down production in 2021, which included myriad ice sculptures placed throughout the neighborhood. Adhering to health safety precautions, organizers were forced to cancel music events for this year’s 10-day carnival, but they did introduce two new outdoor games—the Videotron Neighbourhood Hockey and Search and Find, presented in collaboration with Tourisme Jacques-Cartier—in addition to its usual family-friendly programming that includes a Slide Challenge (pictured), Sculpture Tour, and more. The event recently received more than $3 million in financial assistance from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions to enhance its 2023 programming. Next: Feb. 3-12, 2023
Photo: Audet Photo for Quebec Winter Carnival
