The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular returns this holiday season on Sunday, November 23 at noon! In its 32nd year, the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular is one of the largest of its kind in the country.
Parade Highlights
The parade will include 15 giant balloons including favorites Bumble the Abominable Snowman, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Mistletoe the Snowman, Mr. Potato Head, Oscar the Grouch, Peppa Pig, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Shrek, Super Grover, and more to be announced.
In addition to the procession’s signature balloons, the streets will be filled with music from the NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, Fairfield County Pipes & Drums and high school marching bands from Westhill, Brentwood, Uniondale and Wyandanch. New to the parade this year are the Pride of Port Chester High School Marching Band, Ballet Folklórico de las Américas (BFAmericas) and the Ballet School of Stamford. Additional groups include Center Stage Dance Studio, City Center Dance Performing Company, Dance on the DL, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford and The Pulse Performing Arts Studio’s nova jazz, fabulous Floats, the Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard, Santa and more! Colin Cosell, Public Address Announcer for the New York Mets and New York Riptide, will return as the parade’s Master of Ceremonies.
Parade Route
The parade is scheduled to begin at noon on Sunday, November 23 at the intersection of Summer Street and Hoyt Street and conclude on Atlantic Street and Federal Street, just a short block from the Stamford Transportation Center served by Metro-North Railroad, Amtrak, and CTtransit.
TIP: Choose a spot on the parade route away from traffic lights! Balloon handlers have to lower the balloons to make it under them which can be disappointing to the kids who are keeping an eye out for their favorite characters!
Family Friendly Restaurants
Bari 167
Bar Rosso
Bedford Hall
Capriccio Kitchen & Bar
Columbus Park Trattoria
Fairfield Pizza
Fiesta on Main
Fresh & Co.
Garden Catering
Love Meat Korean BBQ
Lucky’s Classic Burger & Malt Shop
Mecha Noodle Bar
Nan Xiang Soup Dumplings
Puerto Vallarta Stamford
Remo’s Brick Oven Pizza Company
Sally’s Apizza
Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse
Tutti Pazzi
Zaza Italian Gastrobar
Coffee Shops
Barnes & Noble Café
Cafe Ooh Lala
Canard Café Bar
Coco Café
Honey Joe’s Family Coffeehouse
Lorca Coffee Bar
Starbucks at Target
Winfield Street Coffee
Where to Find Treats
16 Handles Stamford
Black Pearl Bubble Tea
Dairy Queen Stamford
Milk N Cookies
Penny Cha (Bubble Tea)
Whaletea
Click here for more restaurant options!
Where to Play
Angel Land, Level 4 at Stamford Town Center
Roller Land, Level 5 at Stamford Town Center
Holiday Wish Express, Level 5 at Stamford Town Center
Volta Soccer Training Center, Level 7 at Stamford Town Center
Honey Joe’s Family Coffeehouse, 5 Broad Street, Unit 2B
Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party
On the eve of the parade, the Point72 Giant Balloon Inflation Party will be held on Saturday, November 22 from 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. at the intersection of Hoyt Street and Summer Street. This pre-parade event has been hosted by Stamford-based Point72 Asset Management since 2014 and allows spectators a behind-the-scenes look at the balloons as they come to life. Music, parade talent, cartoon characters, and Santa will greet and delight spectators.
The party will offer music, clowns and cartoon characters, and a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Spectators will be treated to a special performance by Flippenout Extreme Trampoline, who will provide thrilling tricks that they have planned for Sunday’s parade. In addition, Locust Performing Arts Center of Stamford will entertain the gathered crowd. The event is a perfect sampling of parade talent and is sure to delight spectators of all ages.