Be Part of Something Big!

Be Part of the Magic! 2026 Volunteer Applications Are OPEN! 🎟️✨

Ever wonder what it takes to put on one of the biggest holiday celebrations in the country? Stop wondering and start doing! We are building our elite, 600-person crew to put on a show for MILLIONS across the nation—and we want YOU on the team.

Whether you are a student crushing those community service hours, a family starting a new tradition, or a group of friends looking for an unforgettable experience, there is a spot for you on State Street.

Ready to Join the Crew? Here is the “Fine Print”:

Age Requirement: You must be 12 years of age (or older) on November 26, 2026 to be a volunteer.

Teens (12-17): You will need a parent or guardian to “e-sign” your application.

One Person, One Email: Critical! Every volunteer needs their own unique email address. Our system will reject any application submitted with an email used for another person!

Don’t just watch the parade—make it happen. Apply Today!

2026 Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteer Applications due September 30, 2026.

Click the + by each position name to learn more.

BANNER CARRIER

Ready for Your Close-Up? 📸✨ Lead the way and be the face of the parade! As a Banner Carrier, you’ll be front and center, smiling and waving to the cheering crowds—and you might just make your big television debut! It’s a breezy 1 to 2-mile walk down the route, so bring your comfortable shoes, your highest energy, and a pair of khaki pants to complete the look. Strut your stuff and set the pace for the whole show!

Maintain the Pulse of the Procession. Block Marshals are the keepers of the parade’s operational timeline. Stationed at strategic intervals along State Street, you will monitor the speed and spacing of each unit. This role requires active coordination with the Step-Off team, the Television Zone, and unit leaders to execute a seamless, gap-free performance that adheres strictly to the broadcast schedule.

Master the Logistics of the Finale. The Disband Team plays a critical role in the operational success of the event. We are seeking decisive, quick-thinking volunteers who thrive in high-pressure environments to manage the end of the parade route. In this position, you will be responsible for directing units to their designated dispersal points and maintaining a continuous flow to ensure the live television broadcast zone remains uncongested.

Join the team responsible for delivering exceptional service to our VIP guests. As a Hospitality Host, you will ensure a seamless and enjoyable event for ticket holders in the broadcast zone. Duties include welcoming guests, scanning tickets, supporting food service operations, and general venue upkeep. This role offers the unique benefit of viewing the parade from the VIP section while working. Requirement: Must be 18 years of age (or older) on November 26, 2026.

Serve as a frontline representative for the Parade, ensuring a positive and safe experience for the hundreds of thousands of spectators along the route. In this role, you will assist with crowd management protocols while serving as an information resource for guest inquiries. Additionally, Ambassadors play a key role in sponsor activation by distributing product samples and promotional materials directly to the crowd throughout the event.

📸 Love taking photos? Want a front-row seat to one of Chicago’s biggest holiday traditions? Join the Chicago Thanksgiving Parade Photography Committee! You don’t need to be a pro—just bring your experience, enthusiasm, and an eye for great moments. As part of the team, you’ll capture the energy, color, and magic of the parade while having a ton of fun along the way. 🎉 It’s a unique chance to build your portfolio, meet amazing people, and help showcase an iconic Chicago event. Ready to be part of the excitement? 🙌

Ready for the #1 Job Handling #2? 💩 Sponsored by the legends of clean at DUDE Wipes, the Poo Crew is looking for brave souls to keep the streets fresh! You and your squad will trail the horses, armed with shovels and a sense of humor, ensuring the route stays sparkling for the marching bands behind you. Believe it or not, this crew gets the LOUDEST cheers of the day. It’s a dirty job, but the fame is totally worth it. Let’s scoop to conquer!

Bring Order to the Excitement! 📢⚡ The parade doesn’t start until you say so! We need bold, assertive leaders to take charge of the Starting Line. You are the very first face our participants see, and the voice that gets them into gear.

This isn’t a job for the shy—you’ll be checking in units, managing the morning hustle, and giving firm direction to get everyone to their staging spots. When it’s “Go Time,” you’ll be the one commanding the flow, ushering massive floats and bands into the Integration Area, and ensuring they hit the street in the perfect order. If you can take control of a crowd and keep a cool head, we want you on the front lines!

Build the Magic from the Ground Up! 🏗️📋 Do you have the muscle to move equipment and the mindset to manage a crew? We need assertive leaders to serve as the backbone of our Tech Crew. You won’t just be lifting boxes; you’ll be managing vendors and overseeing the construction of the entire parade footprint—from the VIP bleachers and dasher walls to the iconic Street Painting.

This role is for the movers and shakers who aren’t afraid to take charge. You need to be physically fit, ready to work rain or shine, and prepared to tell a vendor exactly where that barricade needs to go. The Schedule (Strict):

Setup Day: Wednesday, November 25 @ 7:00 a.m.

Parade Morning: Thursday, November 26 @ 4:30 a.m. (Coffee is your best friend!)

Coffee, Bagels, and Good Vibes! 🍩🙌 Join the elite “4:00 AM Club” and help us wake up Chicago! As a Check-In Volunteer, you have the most fulfilling job of the morning: making sure every volunteer feels welcome and ready to rock. You’ll manage the check-in tablets, hand out credentials, and keep the breakfast line moving.

It takes a special kind of person to be this cheerful before dawn—if that’s you, come help us feed the fleet and organize the chaos! Start Time: 4:00 a.m. (Bring your best morning energy!)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Click the + by each question to see the answer.

WHAT TIME WILL I HAVE TO SHOW UP?

Check-in time for Volunteers can be as early as 4:00 a.m. on parade morning, with most Volunteers checking in around 6:00 a.m.

Most Volunteers are finished around 11:30 a.m., with some positions requiring Volunteers to be onsite until around 1:00 p.m.

On the application, you will be asked if you are volunteering with a Group. Check the ‘Yes’ box, then enter your Group Name. It can be something fun like ‘The Banana Bunch’ or something simple like ‘Jones Family’. The important thing is that every person who submits a Volunteer Application that wants to be part of the same group uses the same group name on their individual application. It’s that simple!

If you are at least 12 years of age, you can still volunteer.  Your parent or guardian will be prompted to “e-sign” when filling out the application.

Have a question that we haven’t answered? Ask it at:

Have a question that we haven’t answered? Ask it at: