Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade

The Ameren Thanks-For-Giving Parade returns to downtown St. Louis on Saturday, November 21, 2026, with the route running along Market Street in the 63101 zip code. It's presented by Celebrate St. Louis in partnership with the Gateway Arch Park Foundation, and the whole thing is meant to bring the community together and kick off the holiday season downtown. The organizers bill it as the city's real-life alternative to watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on television, and it's grown into a long-running St. Louis tradition that reaches its 42nd year in 2026.

The parade gathers units from across the St. Louis region, so you'll see a mix of local groups rather than just a few big names. Musical floats, dance groups, drumlines, and marching bands make up the bulk of the procession, and Santa Claus makes his traditional appearance at the end. It's a family-friendly afternoon, and the route stays on Market Street, which makes it easy to find a spot and watch the whole thing pass by.

If you're planning to head downtown, the parade starts at 2 PM. Since it's a Saturday and not Thanksgiving Day itself, it's a good way to get into the holiday spirit a few weeks early without the holiday traffic. The route is on Market Street in downtown St. Louis, MO 63101, and the whole thing kicks off at 2 PM.