The 6ABC/Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, the oldest Thanksgiving parade in the United States, runs Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. The marching begins at 20th and JFK, continuing to 16th Street before heading up the Parkway.
Here’s a rundown of the top performers, special guests and floats, new and old, to watch:
The new guests
Billy Gilman
Runner-up on “The Voice” in 2016 who actually had a top 40 hit in 2000.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkJrShaOaz0″ /]
Lara Spencer
As a graduate of Penn State, this “Good Morning America” host has Pennsylvania ties.
Ruben Studdard
He’s on the parade circuit every year, having recently performed in Detroit. And yes he somehow did beat Clay Aiken on “American Idol.”
The mainstays
CAPA students
These dancers have been at the Thanksgiving parade since 1988. They’ve performed “High School Musical” and “Dreamgirls” in the past.
Jerry Blavat
Philly’s prolific DJ/performer, the Geator With the Heater, never misses a public celebration in Philadelphia.
Justin Guarini
It may sound weird to call the runner-up to Kelly Clarkson — and co-star of “From Justin To Kelly” — a mainstay, but he’s Philadelphia’s. The proof is in the parade. Guarini, who grew up in Bucks County, has been participating in the Thanksgiving Day parade since at least 2008. This is him singing “Love Train.”
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEOx_wo_zg0″ /]
Julia Rae
She was Miss Philadelphia 2015, and this is her ninth parade.
Other performers
Beat Addikts United
Nearly 200 young people from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland who perform hip-hop dances.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqtpXeYiSlE” /]
Billy Flanigan
He’s been in Aquafresh commercials, “Finding Nemo The Musical” and “Kenan & Kel.”
Iron Man and Spiderman
They might be joined by others from the Marvel universe, too.
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Khare Hawkins
A gospel singer who’s performed with Kirk Franklin.
Pennsylvania Ballet
For those who want a sneak peek of this year’s performance of The Nutcracker.
[youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn4c5ylWmes” /]
Davonda Simmons
You might’ve heard her backup vocals for Gloria Estefan, Vanessa Williams or Jermaine Jackson.
The character floats

- Buddy The Dinosaur
- Bugs Bunny
- Clifford the Big Red Dog
- Fraggle Rock
- Penguins from “Madagascar 2”
- Strawberry Shortcake
- Thing 1 and Thing 2
The holiday floats

- All Wrapped Up
- Bountiful Harvest
- Celebrate Thanksgiving
- Christmas Morning
- Fiddlesticks the Holiday Mouse
- Mrs. Claus’ Kitchen
- Season of Giving
- Santa’s Holiday Express
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