Everyone loves a parade, and fortunately for visitors, they happen pretty frequently on Cape Cod. Depending on when you visit, there’s a chance you’ll encounter a parade during your vacation, allowing you to experience some local culture and get out and experience the community.
Most parades on the Cape occur near certain holidays. As a result, you’re more likely to encounter one when visiting around Independence Day or another festive season.
These parades take place all over the Cape, so there could be one close to your vacation rental, too. Here’s a look at some of the best annual parades on Cape Cod.
Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Parade
The annual Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Parade in South Yarmouth is one of the region’s most highly-anticipated events. This parade runs for about two miles along the village’s Route 28 and features floats, local celebrities, veterans, pipers, and bands, and typically takes place the weekend before St. Patrick’s Day.
The Cape Cod St. Patrick’s Day Parade always draws a crowd, with an estimated 50,000 people attending in 2023, but there’s plenty of space for everyone to spread out and enjoy the show. Local pubs tend to fill up after the parade, as well, creating a festive atmosphere that lasts the entire day.
Orleans 4th of July Parade
The Orleans 4th of July Parade isn’t necessarily the region’s largest, but it still attracts a crowd to downtown Orleans. This event kicks off at 10:00 AM on July 4th, starting on Eldredge Park Way before turning right onto Route 6A, right onto Main Street, and right onto Route 28 and finishing in the parking lot of Nauset Regional Middle School.
The Orleans Independence Day Parade features floats, boats, decorated vehicles, veterans, and first responders, and there will be music throughout the celebration, as well. This parade creates numerous road closures, so you’ll want to depart your vacation rental early to ensure you can get into downtown Orleans, Massachusetts.
Chatham 4th of July Parade
The Chatham Independence Day Parade is one of the oldest in the entire country and typically attracts about 20,000 people to watch. It runs down Main Street through the historic buildings in downtown Chatham, MA, starting at 9:30 AM on July 4th, and that setting is one reason for its immense popularity.
The parade has music, floats, veterans, dancers, and animals, and even features actors wearing costumes and depicting historical figures from the country’s past. If your idea of the perfect 4th of July parade includes George Washington and Massachusetts Minutemen, this Chatham event is something you won’t want to miss. https://chathamparade.com/
Cotuit 4th of July Parade
The Cotuit 4th of July Parade starts at 11:00 AM in front of the Post Office on School Street before heading north on Main Street. The event ends in the field behind the old elementary school, less than a mile away.
This parade isn’t the Cape’s longest, but it remains a memorable event for locals and visitors because of the decorated cars, floats, and bikes that participate. Visitors can even join the end of the parade themselves by showing up at the Post Office before it begins.
Provincetown Carnival Parade
Ptown’s Carnival always draws a crowd in the summer and also features one of Cape Cod’s best parades. The 2023 parade will be the 45th edition and features a unique theme: Land of Toys. Everything starts at 3:00 PM on August 17, and the party lasts well into the evening.
The Provincetown Carnival Parade will attract more than 150,000 people, many of whom will be wearing costumes, winding its way down Commercial Street between the Harbor Hotel on the town’s east side to the Coast Guard Station in the west. This parade is well worth checking out because it celebrates inclusion and diversity in Provincetown and throughout the Cape.
Falmouth Christmas Parade
If you’re on the Cape around Christmastime, you won’t want to miss the Falmouth Christmas Parade. This event is Southeast New England’s largest small-town Christmas parade and attracts about 10,000 people each year.
The parade will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2023 and features decorated floats, marching bands, animals, and, of course, an appearance by Santa Claus. This event usually takes place on the first Sunday in December as part of the Holidays by the Sea Weekend and starts on Dillingham Avenue before running down Main Street to Village Green in downtown Falmouth.
Check Out a Parade on Your Vacation
Parades are a great way to experience local culture and meet some Cape Cod residents during your travels. They also get you in the festive spirit and show you what living in this scenic part of the country is like.
Don’t forget to attend one of these memorable Cape Cod events if you’re lucky enough to be here when a parade occurs.
