U.S. Festivals, Parades & Holiday Events 2019

Up from #2
New York
Hundreds of thousands of revelers crowd the streets of Times Square to ring in the new year each December 31. As the world waited for the iconic Waterford Crystal ball to drop at midnight, performers like Christina Aguilera, Robin Thicke, Sting, and Snoop Dogg appeared on live telecasts and webcasts viewed by more than one billion people around the world. Next: December 31, 2019

New York
The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade signals the unofficial start of the holiday season, with more than 1,000 clowns, 1,200 cheerleaders and dancers, dozens of balloons, and 26 festive parade floats. Last year, more than 3.5 spectators gathered along the 2.5-mile parade route stretching from 77th Street to Herald Square, and 50 million people tuned in to watch the action from across the country. John Legend, Bad Bunny, and Kelly Clarkson were among the entertainers, along with the casts of Broadway hits like Mean Girls and My Fair Lady. Next: November 28, 2019

New Orleans
Mardi Gras in New Orleans means multiple weekends of parties, parades, and costume-clad celebrations across the city. The festivities begin on Twelfth Night and run through Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent begins. Krewes march through the streets, playing music, riding on colorful floats, and throwing toys, trinkets, and beaded necklaces into the crowd. The action heats up the weekend before Fat Tuesday, when two of the season’s biggest parades, Bacchus and Endymion, roll through town. Roughly one million people attend and participate each year. Next: January 6-February 25, 2020

Los Angeles
More than 800,000 people from around the world came to Pasadena to experience the Tournament of Roses on New Year’s Day, and millions more watched the action on TV. The morning started with the celebrated Rose Parade, which celebrated the universal language of music through floats, marching bands, and equestrian units. Then, more than 91,000 college football fans attended the Rose Bowl game to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes defeat the Washington Huskies 28-23. Next: January 1, 2020

Houston
Total attendance at the 2019 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo topped out at more than 2.5 million guests, who enjoyed events including the rodeo, concerts, a carnival, and the World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. The George Strait concert on March 17 set an all-time attendance record for any event in NRG Stadium, with 80,108 people showing up to watch the country music legend’s 30th performance in his 22 years at the rodeo. In 2019 alone, the rodeo committed more than $27 million to scholarships and educational grants. Next: March 3-22, 2020

New Orleans
The Essence Festival, a celebration of black culture presented by Coca-Cola, marked its 25th anniversary in 2019. The event expanded to include a bigger footprint at more New Orleans venues than ever before and attracted more than 500,000 guests over July Fourth weekend. Highlights included a first-ever appearance by Michelle Obama at the Superdome, a Presidential Spotlight with seven 2020 candidates; electric performances from Missy Elliott, Patti LaBelle, Ginuwine, and Pharrell; the new Essence After Dark Party Series; a fashion-based component, and a beauty and wellness platform. Next: July 3-5, 2020

Washington
Ushering in the spring season, this festival in Washington is a four-week event that encompasses art, culture, nature, and community. Commemorating the mayor of Tokyo’s gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city in 1912, the celebration drew 1.6 million attendees this year to multiple venues across the nation’s capital. Guests enjoyed a mix of free and paid events, including the ever-popular parade, the Pink Tie Party, the Blossom Kite Festival, and a Blossoms and Baseball event at a Washington Nationals game. Next: March 20-April 12, 2020
See more: In Bloom: 19 Highlights From the National Cherry Blossom Festival and Other Events

San Francisco
Several cities host memorable Pride celebrations, but San Francisco’s festival, which celebrates its 50th anniversary next year, is the oldest of its kind in the country. For two days, San Francisco becomes a sea of rainbow flags with events like live music, comedy, and the high-energy parade. In 2019, nearly one million people attended San Francisco Pride, which followed the theme “Generations of Resistance.” On the other side of the country, the United States hosted WoldPride for the first time ever, which was held in conjunction with New York Pride. Next: June 27-28, 2020
See more: Pride 2019: 28 Thoughtful and Colorful Ways Brands Supported the L.G.B.T.Q. Community

New to the list
St. Paul
Famous for down-home fun in the form of everything from butter sculptures and carnival rides to pie-baking contests and live entertainment, the Minnesota State Fair takes over the Minnesota State Fairgrounds for twelve days leading up to Labor Day each year. In 2019, more than 2.1 million guests attended, a record number in a long history that dates back to 1859. This year the fair added a new destination neighborhood, the North End, which included a 12,000-square-foot exhibit hall, art displays, and new food vendors. Next: August 27-September 7, 2020

Albuquerque
The sky’s the limit at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, the largest gathering of hot air balloons and balloonists in the world. Themed “Picture Perfect,” the 2019 festival will launch more than 580 hot air balloons, including more than 100 registered special shape balloons, over the course of the nine-day festival. Accompanying the airborne entertainment, attendees can enjoy live performances across multiple stages. For fans that can’t make it to New Mexico in person, organizers live stream the festivities on Facebook and YouTube with commentary from experienced pilots and veterans of the industry. Next: October 5-13, 2019

New to the list
San Antonio
The country’s second-largest float parade drew more than 2.5 million people in 2019 who came out to enjoy live music, multicultural cuisine, four parades, a carnival, and other engaging entertainment. Started in 1891 as a parade to honor the heroes of the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, the event has evolved into an 11-day celebration with an economic impact of roughly $340 million each year. One hundred nonprofit organizations hosted unique events like the Therapy Animals of San Antonio’s Fiesta Pooch Parade dog costume parade, the San Antonio Alzheimer’s Association’s Fiesta Run to Remember, and the Southwest School of Art’s Fiesta Arts Fair. Next: April 16-26, 2020