MOCO's Thanksgiving Parade Returning Nov. 20, 2021 After A Year Away

SILVER SPRING, MD — The only Thanksgiving parade in the D.C. metro area returns Nov. 20, after taking a year off due to the pandemic.

The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade will have Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas floats, along with marching bands from Blake, Clarksburg, Kennedy, Einstein, and Blair high schools and Bowie State, Santa Claus, a Mrs. Claus debut and more.

"The Thanksgiving Parade in Silver Spring is a great way to start the holiday season with your family," said Jacob Newman, director of the Silver Spring Regional Center, in a statement. "This year we are encouraging everyone to mask up to protect your neighbors, but there is plenty of room to safely socially distance on Georgia Avenue."

Here's the information you need to know, from start times to the best places to park.

Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade

The Basics:

When: Nov. 20, 2021 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where: Veterans Plaza downtown Silver Spring
Tickets: No tickets needed. This event is free.

Where to go:

The parade organizers are asking parade-goers to spread out on Georgia Avenue between Ellsworth and Silver Spring Avenue.

How to get there:

The organizers are encouraging residents to take the metro to the Silver Spring stop.

If traveling by car, the Sligo Avenue Garage, Cameron Street Garage, and the Bonifant Street Garage next to Metro will be open for parking. Ellsworth Town Center garage and Wayne Avenue garage will be closed. Here are some roads that will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 20, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. that drivers should be aware of:

• North and Southbound Georgia Ave. between East-West Highway and Colesville Road
• Cedar Avenue between Colesville Road and Wayne Avenue
• Pershing Drive from Cedar Avenue to Veterans Place
• Veterans Place from Pershing to Ellsworth Drive
• Ellsworth Drive from Georgia to Cedar Avenues
• Roeder Road from Fenton Street to Cedar Avenue
• Fenton St. from Cameron St. to Wayne Avenue
• Wayne Avenue from Georgia Ave. to Fenton Street
• Bonifant St. from Georgia Ave. to Fenton Street
• Thayer Ave. from Georgia Ave. to Fenton Street
• Silver Spring Ave. from Georgia Ave. to Fenton Street

See more parking information here.

Weather:

The parade will run rain or shine, but if weather conditions are severe an announcement will be made to take cover in the parking garages. Montgomery County Public Information will announce if the parade is being canceled in advance.

Restrooms:

There will be port-a-johns on Veterans Place, behind the building.

Dining:

Restaurants will be open along the parade route.

COVID-19 Safety:

Parade goers are encouraged to distance along the parade route and wear masks. There will be sanitization stations at Veterans Plaza and at portable restrooms.