Looking for a family-fun activity to get you in the holiday spirit? The Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade – the only parade for Thanksgiving in Washington DC metro area – has everything you could want in a parade – marching bands, giant characters and balloons, candy thrown to the kids, and an appearance by Father Christmas himself.
Parade Details
- Date: November 16
- Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Parade Route: Starts at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and goes south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue.
- Admission: FREE
Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade Logistics
Officially called the Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade, the only Thanksgiving parade around the metro DC area takes place in downtown Silver Spring, MD, a suburb just outside of DC with a fun and functional city center. There are also many things to do in Silver Spring MD, including exploring the local shops, restaurants, and attractions in the area. The exciting parade traditionally heralds the beginning of the holiday season in the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District. The parade starts at 10 a.m. and typically lasts for about 2 hours on the Saturday before Thanksgiving every year.
The parade begins at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and then heads south on Georgia Avenue, ending at downtown Silver Spring Avenue.
It’s a great alternative to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York, offering a more intimate and local experience.
Before you go to the Thanksgiving Parade
Be prepared to bundle up! We’ve had years where we’ve needed hats and gloves, extra blankets, and over-heavy coats, and then there are some years when we’ve been fine with just a sweatshirt.
You never know what the weather will be like in downtown Silver Spring, Maryland.
But if it is cold, sitting still (and potentially in the shade of a building) can get pretty chilly.
On that chilly note, you might also want to bring a blanket for the kids to sit on or some folding chairs to set up along the parade route. Those sidewalks get chilly, and kids love to sit on the curb to see all of the action.
We always bring a bag or pail to hold the candy the kids collect. They usually get a pretty good haul!
Plan on arriving about half an hour early to stake out a good spot; even earlier if you want to grab a coffee and a front-row seat before the start of the Thanksgiving parade.
Getting to Silver Spring
Downtown Silver Spring (DTSS as the locals calls it) is incredibly accessible. If you take the DC Metro (red line toward Glenmont), you’ll want to head north on Colesville from the metro station and then turn right onto Georgia where you’ll intercept the route of this Thanksgiving parade.
If you’re driving, several large public parking garages in the area offer free parking on weekends, along with plenty of street parking. To avoid parade route traffic, consider these convenient options:
- Bonifant-Dixon Garage (Garage 5/55): 1101 Bonifant Street
- Cameron Street Garage (Garage 7): 8530 Cameron Street
- Fenton Street Village Garage (Garage 4): 8110 Fenton Street
- Kennett Street Garage (Garage 9): 8040 Kennett Street
- NOAA Building Garage (Garage 58): 1315 East-West Hwy
- Spring Cameron Garage (Garage 2): 8700 Cameron Street
At the Silver Spring Thanksgiving parade
The route for this one and only Thanksgiving parade in metro DC offers lots of options for where to sit, but we recommend heading to the Fountain Plaza on Ellsworth Drive for several reasons:
- It’s pretty close to the beginning of the parade route, so all of the dancers and the bands are fresh (and there’s still plenty of candy to be thrown).
- The Fountain Plaza (which sports a giant Christmas tree art installation at the time of the Thanksgiving parade) is a contained, car-free area for kids to run around in if they get bored with sections of the parade.
- There are several food and bathroom options close by if you need coffee or a restroom break.
Starbucks is a few doors down on Ellsworth, and Panera is on the corner of Colesville and Georgia Avenue. The Downtown Silver Spring Mall is also easily accessible from Ellsworth Drive, and there are large, clean bathrooms (and a small kids’ play area) on the bottom floor of the mall.
How Long is the Silver Spring Thanksgiving Parade?
It’s a long Thanksgiving parade – most years we leave before it’s over. But if you make it to the end, you get to see Santa Claus, which is pretty magical. It may not be the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, but it’s a pretty darn fun way to ring in the holiday season. And much more achievable.
additional reporting by Ellen Peltz
Need a hotel in Silver Spring, MD?
- Courtyard Silver Spring Downtown: self-parking is available and walkable to everything downtown
- Doubletree by Hilton Washington DC Silver Spring: Pet-friendly with a pool and walking distance to the parade.
- Holiday Inn Express Washington DC N-Silver Spring: Breakfast included + suites and accessible rooms
- Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center: Pet-friendly with updated rooms and suites northwest of downtown Silver Spring.
- Canopy by Hilton Washington DC Bethesda North: Pet-friendly with a spa in the heart of Pike & Rose shopping and residential complex
Find more Silver Spring MD hotels HERE.
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Washington, D.C. Travel Resources
Your Washington, D.C. vacation doesn’t have to be stressful. We’ve got the resources you need to plan your trip and make the most out of your time in the city and surrounding area. If this is your first time in the capital region, check out our Washington, D.C. trip planner and itineraries.
For transportation, check out our D.C. driving guide and our guide on how to ride the metro. For those flying in, you’ll want to read our guides to BWI, DCA and IAD airports.
Dive into our things to do in D.C., which is always being updated and evolving to make sure you have the latest and greatest activities to fill your checklist of things to do. Don’t forget about food, the real reason we all travel, right? Our Washington, D.C. restaurant guide will get you started and lead you into neighborhoods full of delicious treats.
For more resources, check out our pages on Baltimore, Frederick, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, Shenandoah National Park, and beyond.
Where to Stay in Washington, D.C.
Budget: When it comes to Washington, D.C. budget hotels, prices vary depending on the season. In the middle of October, a four-star hotel could be under $150, while in December it may be over $400. At any given time of year, though, Hotel Hive is a safe bet for value when it comes to resting your head. If you are looking for a hostel, Hi Washington D.C. Downtown is well-located for exploring all of the D.C. museums, restaurants, and bars at the fraction of the price of a hotel. Check rates and availability here.
Mid-range: Every USA hotel chain can be found in Washington, D.C., but stay at the St. Gregory Hotel when you want a local touch. The modern, light-filled rooms will welcome you to the city, whether you are in a studio or suite with a wraparound terrace. The hotel is within walking distance of Georgetown, the National Mall, Embassy Row, and is near some of the national parks in Washington DC, making it easy to explore without a rental car. Check rates and availability here.
Luxury: You are spoiled for choice when it comes to luxury hotels in Washington, D.C. We love cozying up at the Graham Georgetown, a sweet little boutique hotel in one of the hottest neighborhoods in the city. Check rates and availability here. Major hotel brands like The Fairmont, Mandarin Oriental, Ritz-Carlton, Four Seasons Hotel Washington D.C., and St. Regis Washington D.C. all have outposts here as well. If you want something a bit more historic, we recommend The Jefferson, Washington D.C. Ninety-nine rooms in this luxury boutique hotel bring together an attentive staff, a petite spa, and the Michelin-starred Plume restaurant with all of the history you could hope for when you are in the nation’s capital. Check rates and availability here.
Family-friendly: We always gravitate towards the Kimpton hotels whenever we are traveling with kids. Kimpton Hotel Monaco Washington D.C., once the General Post Office building, is located in the Penn Quarter neighborhood just four blocks off the National Mall near the National Gallery of Art. The price point is mid-range, depending on the time of year you visit. Parents will love the nightly wine events and evening nightcap perks as well as complimentary coffee and a tea bar each morning. Kids will love that they can borrow a fish friend for their stay, and that there is always a treat on hand that they can enjoy, and the robes are just their size. Kimpton also has adult and child-size bikes to borrow so you can cruise around town during your stay. It’s a great choice for families exploring Washington DC with teens. Check rates and availability here.
Looking for Washington DC Rentals? Check HERE for the best location, size, and rates.
Washington DC Rental Car
If you just flew in, you probably need a rental car. Although you can certainly take the Metro to most places, especially if you fly into DCA, you may want a rental car to get out and explore. Find the best price and availability HERE.
Planning a Trip to Washington, D.C.? Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
Whether you are traveling domestically or coming from an international destination, travel insurance is a must for anyone coming to Washington, D.C. You will be exploring both inside and outdoors; hiking may even happen if you get adventurous. You could find yourself on a Segway or bike tour. The city is highly populated and accidents and crime do happen. This is not to scare you but to prepare you for what could occur when you are checking out the free museums, exploring neighborhoods, finding the best food, and learning about the local street art. Should something happen, travel insurance has you covered.
We recommend and use Allianz Travel insurance. Our family is covered under a household plan, but their individual plans are just as robust if you are a solo traveler or a couple looking to get away. I’ve been a customer for more than five years and have always been in good hands with the Allianz team.
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This post was published by Keryn Means, a Washington DC travel expert, and the editor and publisher of DC Travel Magazine. Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking one of those links we will receive a small commission.
