Chicago's Columbus Day Parade is in its 74th year, and the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans has named three grand marshals for 2026: Foreigner's original singer Lou Gramm, actor Tony Danza, and Cristiana Dell'Anna, star of the film Cabrini. Campania is the Region of Honor. The parade also marks 80 years since Mother Cabrini became the first American saint.
What to expect
Floats, bands and community groups heading south on Dearborn Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street. The route moved from State Street this year because of road construction. An opening ceremony at Dearborn and Wacker comes first, and the parade runs 12:30 to 2:30 PM.
Good to know
- The 2026 route is Dearborn Street, not State Street, because of road construction.
- The opening ceremony is at the corner of Dearborn Street and Wacker Drive, before the parade steps off.
- The JCCIA sells round-trip bus seats to the parade from Casa Italia; reserve at jccia.org/bus.
- A Columbus Day Mass at Our Lady of Pompeii starts the day at 9 AM, and a Rush Street reception follows the parade.
- Monday is also Indigenous Peoples' Day in Chicago.
Going? Keep it.
Also in Downtown, the Loop & West Loop
More festivals that weekend
Common questions
Where does the parade run?
South on Dearborn Street from Wacker Drive to Van Buren Street, per the JCCIA.
What time is it?
The organizer's schedule lists the parade from 12:30 to 2:30 PM on Monday, October 12, 2026.