Know Before You Go: Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular

The Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular kicks off in Stamford Downtown on Sunday, November 24 at noon. The annual holiday balloon parade has become one of the largest events of its kind in the country featuring 14 giant helium balloons and with more than 200,000 spectators! Things kick off on Saturday with the Giant Balloon Inflation Party. Check out the details, here!

The parade features giant balloon characters, award winning marching bands and fabulous floats. It starts by heading down Summer Street and then to Broad and Atlantic Streets. This year’s planned parade highlights, in addition to performances by Bello and Annaliese Nock, are the 14 giant balloons such as new balloon Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and returning favorites Bob the Builder, Clifford the Big Red Dog, Elmo, Kung Fu Panda and The Very Hungry Caterpillar. In addition to the procession’s signature balloons, the streets will also be filled with fabulous floats and dance groups, and marching bands including the University of New Haven Chargers Marching Band, the Butler Golden Tornado Marching Band, NYPD Emerald Society Pipe & Drum Band, the Fairfield County Police Pipes and Drums, the Saints Brigade Drum & Bugle Corps and high school groups from Stamford, Westhill, Roosevelt, Uniondale, Brentwood and Harrison. Television personality and Stamford resident Alan Kalter will once again grace the grandstand, acting as the parade’s Master of Ceremonies for his 16th year.

Route & Parking Map

Available Parking

Bedford Street Garage at 17 Forrest Street
Rich Forum Parking Lot at 307 Atlantic Street (Parking located on Tresser Boulevard)
Landmark Square Garage at 101 Broad Street
Stamford Town Center Parking Garages at 100 Greyrock Place
Summer Place Garage at 100 Summer Place
Bell Street Garage at 28 Bell Street
Government Center Garage at 102 Tresser Boulevard
Cloonan Middle School at 11 West North Street
Stamford High School at 55 Strawberry Hill Avenue

Street Closings

Hoyt Street
(Bedford St. to Washington Blvd.)
8:00 a.m. to end of parade

Broad Street Westbound
(Greyrock Pl. to Washington Blvd.)
9:30 a.m. Access to the Bedford St. & Landmark Sq. Garages will be available for parking only.

Broad Street Eastbound
(Franklin St. to Greyrock Pl.)
9:30 a.m. to end of parade

Summer Street
(Bridge St. to Broad St.)
All lanes close at 8:00 a.m. to end of parade

Summer Street
(Broad St. to Main St.)
Lower Summer St. closed at Broad. Bi-directional traffic from Main St. only 9:00 a.m. to end of parade

Atlantic Street North & Southbound
(Broad St. to Bell St.)
9:30 a.m. to end of parade

Atlantic Street Southbound
(Bell St. to North State St.)
7:00 a.m. to end of parade

Atlantic Street Northbound
(North State St. to Bell St.)
7:00 a.m. to end of parade

Tresser Boulevard Westbound
(Greyrock Pl. to Washington Blvd.)
7:00 a.m. — Except for Stamford Town Center & 300 Atlantic St. Parking -Westbound Only.

Tresser Boulevard, Eastbound
(Washington Blvd. to Greyrock Pl.)
7:00 a.m. to end of parade

Federal Street
5 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Where to Watch!

The Ferguson Library at the corner of Broad & Bedford
Old Town Hall at the corner of Atlantic & Main
Corner of Broad & Atlantic
300 Block of Atlantic Street
Corner of Atlantic & Tresser
Dairy Queen on Summer Street

Family Friendly Food Options

A list of nearby family friendly restaurants for parade day is available here! If you want to get away from the crowds to grab a bite before or after the parade, check out the Stamford Moms guide to family friendly restaurants here!

To eat while you watch, grab take out! Here are some options along & near the parade route:

California Tortilla at 300 Atlantic Street
Fairfield Pizza, 87 Atlantic Street
McDonalds at 25 Bedford Street
Tomatillo at 114 Broad Street
Atlantic Pizza
Lorca at 125 Bedford Street
Starbucks at Stamford Town Center & Target
Dunkin Donuts at 450 Main Street & 33 West Broad Street
Roasted at 148 Bedford Street
Winfield Street Coffee at 96 Broad Street
Garden Catering at 235 Main Street