PHILADELPHIA – Today, the City of Philadelphia released details for the 2021 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade, scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 25, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (Noon).

Event Activities & Information

The oldest Thanksgiving Day Parade in the nation returns to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway on Thursday, November 25. The event is free and open to the public, featuring performances and activities for the entire family. The parade will be broadcasted live on 6abc, beginning at 8:30 a.m., with the parade stepping off at 9 a.m. More details about event activities, performers, and floats are available online.

COVID-19 Safety Information

Ticketed Guests

All ticketed guests, including children over 5, must show proof of full vaccination (as defined by the CDC) or a proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 48 hours of the event to be admitted. Acceptable tests include PCR tests within 48 hours of the parade or rapid antigen tests within 24 hours of the parade. Guests can upload their vaccine status using this form.

To ensure easy entry, please bring your documentation, copies of your documentation or photos of your documentation to the parade, even though you will have uploaded it prior to the event.

All documents will be confirmed on entry.

All guests over 2 years of age must wear masks inside the ticketed area except when eating or drinking. Full details for the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade COVID-19 guidelines can be found online.

Public Areas

City of Philadelphia regulations regarding events the size of the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade require all parade goers along the parade route to wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.

Parade Route

  • Starts at 20th Street and John F. Kennedy Boulevard
  • Eastbound on John F. Kennedy Boulevard to 16th Street
  • Northbound on 16th Street to Benjamin Franklin Parkway
  • Westbound on Benjamin Franklin Parkway (Inner Lanes) to Eakins Oval
  • Around Eakins Oval to Kelly Drive
  • Parade disperses via Kelly Drive and Spring Garden Extension
Road Closures
Tuesday, November 23, 2021:
  • 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. – Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive closed for street rehearsals.

Wednesday, November 24, 2021:

  • 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Eakins Oval between Kelly Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive closed for street rehearsals.
  • 6:30 p.m. – Eakins Oval closed for rehearsals and site build until conclusion of parade on Thursday, November 25.
  • 7 p.m. – Inbound lanes of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from 20th Street to Schuylkill Avenue, will be closed to vehicular traffic until conclusion of parade on Thursday, November 25.
  • 9 p.m. – Outbound lanes of John F. Kennedy Boulevard, from 20th Street to Schuylkill Avenue, will be closed to vehicular traffic until conclusion of parade on Thursday, November 25.

Thursday, November 25, 2021:

  • 2 a.m. – Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 19th Street to 20th Street until conclusion of parade.
  • 6 a.m. – Market Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from 19th Street to 22nd Street until conclusion of parade.
  • 7:30 a.m. – Parade route closed to vehicular traffic.

Roads will be opened as they are serviced and cleaned. All event-related road closures will be lifted no later than 3 p.m. on Thursday, November 25.

Traffic delays can be expected during the event. Motorists are advised to avoid the area by using alternate routes and allow for extra driving time in areas near the event.

Parking Restrictions

Temporary no parking signs will be posted in connection with the closures listed above beginning on Tuesday, November 23, with parking prohibited in posted areas. Motorists should obey instructions on posted signs and follow directions from Philadelphia Police and parade officials. Vehicles parked in posted areas will be relocated.

Public Transportation

SEPTA will be operating on a Sunday Schedule throughout Thanksgiving Day. Bus detour information and updates or changes to service will be published on SEPTA’s System Status page. Customers can also use TransitView on the SEPTA app. Riders should check System Status regularly or follow @SEPTA and @SEPTA_BUS on Twitter for updates. Detour times are subject to change.

Below is a summary of SEPTA detours (from the SEPTA website) that will be in effect during the 6abc Dunkin’ Thanksgiving Day Parade. Check the SEPTA website for additional information.

Detours: Wednesday, November 24

Detours on the Routes listed below are scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Wednesday, November 24 until 3 a.m. Thursday, November 25. Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status regularly for updates to routing throughout the day.

Routes 31-47

  • 31, 33, 38, 44

Routes 47M-125

  • 49, 124/125, MFO

Detours: Thursday, November 25

Detours on the Routes listed below are scheduled to begin at 3 a.m. Thursday, November 25. Service is subject to change. Customers should refer to System Status regularly for updates to routing throughout the day.

Routes K-12

  • 2, 7

Routes 16-31

  • 17, 27, 31

Routes 32-47

  • 32, 33, 38, 43, 44

Routes 47M-125

  • 48, 49, 124/125, MFO

Stay Informed

Stay connected to weather and other information from the City for this event, and information year-round, by signing up for the City’s mass notification system, ReadyPhiladelphia. Text READYPHILA to 888-777 or visit www.phila.gov/ready to customize your free text and email alerts.

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