Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 10:00am
From glittering floats and marching bands to 12-foot inflatable turkeys, and Santa Claus himself, this annual tradition promises a vibrant celebration for the whole family. The parade kicks off at 10 a.m. from Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street and travels south on Georgia Avenue, ending at Silver Spring Avenue. Rain or shine, it’s the perfect way to usher in the holiday season.
Eileen Whalen is a Silver Spring native and Brian van de Graaff has emceed the parade for over a decade!
With over 150 parade units showcasing live performances from groups like the Akhmedova Ballet Academy and Maryland Youth Ballet, there’s no shortage of entertainment. Plus, don’t miss unique floats, performing dogs, Hanukkah bears, and a massive T-Rec-reation inflatable!
Volunteering
The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade is always looking for volunteers to be elves and pilgrims on floats, reindeer and penguins in the parade. The parade needs volunteers, aged 13 and older, to dress up in costume, to serve as unit leaders, and to be inflatable and balloon handlers. The hours for volunteers are from 7:30am to 1:30pm (volunteers need to be present the entire six hours) on Saturday, November 16. Volunteers meet at the Silver Spring Civic Building at One Veterans Place at Ellsworth Drive and Fenton Street.
To Sign Up Ahead of Time to Volunteer, information will be available in September 2025.
Road & Parking Garage Closures
ATTENTION! The Northbound and Southbound lanes of Georgia Avenue, from East-West Highway to Colesville Road will close at 6 a.m. and re-open at the conclusion of the parade, about 1 p.m. Traffic should detour to East West Highway.
The following roads will be closed on Saturday, November 16, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m.:
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.
The Town Center public parking garage at Ellsworth Drive will close at 2 a.m. Saturday morning to accommodate the parade. The Wayne Avenue garage will also close beginning at 8am. Garages will re-open by 2pm.
Free parking will be available in the public garages including the Sligo Avenue Garage, the Cameron Street Garage, and the Bonifant Street Garage next to Metro. The Ellsworth Town Center garage and Wayne Avenue garage are CLOSED that day.
Parade goers are encouraged to take the Metro/Red Line to the Silver Spring station.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The Montgomery County Thanksgiving Parade continues rain or shine. If weather conditions become dangerous, an announcement will be made from the stage to take cover in the adjacent parking garages. If the dangerous weather causes the event to be canceled, an announcement will be made through Montgomery County Public Information Channels.
Restrooms are available at the port-a-johns located on Veterans Place (behind the building).
Family-friendly restaurants are located along the Parade route.
Please check out our many dining options in Silver Spring!
The turkey became a symbol of Thanksgiving primarily due to its abundance in North America and its association with early harvest celebrations. Although it wasn't served at the first Thanksgiving in 1621, by the 19th century, it was popularized as the centerpiece of the holiday meal, largely thanks to the efforts of writer Sarah Josepha Hale.
The Silver Spring turkey has swirls as feathers because the image represents the "springs" of Silver Spring. The motif is continued throughout the logos of Silver Spring.