The Gimbel’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, first held in 1920, was the oldest Thanksgiving parade in America, predating Macy’s by four years. Originating in Philadelphia, this festive event featured marching bands, elaborate floats, and Santa Claus’s arrival at the Gimbel’s department store. It set the stage for modern holiday parades, blending tradition with spectacle. Here’s a look back at some vintage photos that capture the charm and history of this iconic celebration.
Related: 15 Fun Facts About the Gimbel’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, America’s First Thanksgiving Parade
1. “Jumbo leads a line of balloon elephants in the Thanksgiving Day parade. 1962”
2. “Gimbels Thanksgiving Day parade, 1981”
3. “Dog Versus Dog, 1966”
4. “Firemen pull a wagon with children dressed as [Native Americans] and Pilgrims inside during Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1930.”
5. “Float salutes Navy’s 200th birthday in the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade, 1975.”
“Float salutes Navy’s 200th birthday in the Gimbels Thanksgiving Day Parade.”
6. “Gimbels Thanksgiving Day parade, 1968”
7. “Giant shoe houses ‘Shoemaker and Elves’, 1968”
8. “Chinese Dragon cavorts for spectators at Logan Circle.” The Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia can be seen in the background behind the balloon float. 1959.”
9. “Girl lies down to watch Thanksgiving day parade, 1978.”
10. “‘The Pig that Went to Market’ followed by: ‘Hickory, Dickory, Dock’, and ‘Panda the Bear.’, 1968”
11. “Mr. Frog at thanksgiving day parade, 1980”
12. “Astronauts ‘float’ along with their spacecraft during a Jet Lunar Flight in the 43rd annual Thanksgiving Day parade co-sponsored by Gimbels and the city. 1962.”
13. “Sleeping Beauty looks as though she is waiting for the parade to start. Her ‘Prince’ charming is on the right. 1963.”
14. “Two-headed cat not bothered by rain, 1967”
15. “General crowd shot on the Parkway at 21st St, 1976.”
16. “Baloo the Bear is guided by clowns along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 1969.”
17. “Jack Sprat and his wife move along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 1965.”
18. “Rare tooky bird moves along Benjamin Franklin Parkway, 1965.”
19. “Giant raccoon balloon is accompanied by 11-year-old Lynn Janke, of Lansdale, along Benjamin Franklin Parkway. 1970.”
20. “Crowds jammed Market St. to watch Thanksgiving day Parade, 1961.”
21. “Camel caravan moves eastward along the Parkway toward midcity, 1961.”
22. “Members of the color guard of the Bishop McDevitt High School band march, 1970”
23. “Worm’s eye view of ‘Dino’ — the dinosaur. 1965.”
24. “The Owl plays fiddle, 1969.”
25. “Patients from Children’s Hospital watch as a worker inflates a large balloon in the shape of a pirate, 1958.”
26. “Small fry get big bang out of Scottish Bagpiper and Zebra, 1964.”
27. “Ferocious Tiger and the Organ Grinder and Monkey are among the giant balloons accompanying Santa Claus in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade. 1960.”
28. “Marching to City Hall — Spectators line the Ben Franklin Parkway, 1976”
29. “Clowns guide a helium-filled hippopotamus down Kennedy blvd. toward City Hall. 1977.”
