Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade

Please note: This itinerary is subject to change based on city and state health regulations. A final, more detailed itinerary will be emailed to all registered attendees closer to the event date. 

There is limited capacity for this event. Registration will be taken on a first come, first served basis. Deposits must be paid in order to be confirmed. 

TUESDAY NOVEMBER 21: Arrive in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania*

• Arrivals and check in: Rooms are not guaranteed to be ready until 4:00 pm. The hotel can store your luggage if needed.
• “Welcome to Philadelphia” dinner
• Parade rehearsal for the All-Americans
  — Chaperones & parents will have an Orientation Meeting that will provide details on the week!

*Travel arrangements to and from Philadelphia are NOT INCLUDED in the cost of the trip. All-Americans will need to provide their own transportation from the airport to the hotel.  This is not included in the price of the trip.

WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 22: Rehearsal and Sightseeing

• Buffet breakfast at the hotel
• Depart the hotel for the main parade rehearsal at the Philadelphia Art Museum
• Return to the hotel and enjoy some free time!
• Join in on an optional walking tour of Historic Philadelphia! Guides in colonial dress will take you to see such famous landmarks as Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
• Board the boat for a Dinner Cruise along the Delaware River complete with DJ and dancing!

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 23: Happy Thanksgiving & Parade Day! 

• Rise and Shine for an early breakfast buffet at the hotel
• Depart the hotel for the 103rd Annual Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade!
• Perform and cheer to the crowds along the streets of Philadelphia! At the end of the parade route, perform for a live TV show and participate in the finale of the parade.
• Return to the hotel following the parade for a traditional, Thanksgiving Lunch.
• Enjoy free time in the afternoon
• Celebrate Thanksgiving this evening with a DJ Dance party and pizza.

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24: Return home

• Breakfast buffet at the Hilton Penns Landing Hotel
• Check out and depart for home!

CLICK HERE to view the 2023 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade Pricing Guide

TOUR COST, RESERVATIONS & PAYMENTS: The total number accepted for the tour is limited. Completed reservation application and $200.00 (non-refundable) per person deposit MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE VARSITY SPIRIT LLC OFFICE on or before the dates listed below: (This deposit is credited towards your total cost.) 

HOW DOES PRICING WORK?
Pricing is per person based on the total number of people in the room regardless if they are a participant or a spectator. For example, 3 participants and one spectator would be the quad rate per person. The participants would each pay the participant quad rate and the spectator would be the quad spectator price. All prices listed are per person.

PAYMENT DEADLINES: $200 per person deposit due by the following dates below.*

• If you attended camp in June, your deposit is due on July 13, 2023.
• If you attended camp in July, your deposit is due on August 17, 2023.
• If you attended camp in August, your deposit is due on September 14, 2023. 

FINAL PAYMENT IS DUE IN THE VARSITY SPIRIT LLC OFFICE ON OR BEFORE OCTOBER 12, 2023 UNIFORMS WILL NOT BE SHIPPED UNTIL THE BALANCE OF PAYMENT IS MADE. 

*Trips may sell out prior to deadlines. Registrations are taken on a first come, first served basis with deposits. After September 14, please call the Varsity Spirit LLC office for availability at 800-238-0286 (option 2) for availability. 

Cancellations on or before October 12, 2023 will receive a full refund except for the $200 deposit. For cancellations between  October 13, 2023 and October 21, 2023 an additional $100 per person penalty will apply. After October 22, 2023, there will be no refunds. 

Extra Meal Prices:

If you have friends or family not on the travel package, they can join you for the Welcome Dinner Tuesday night, Thanksgiving Lunch or dinner Thursday night.  There are no additional ticket for the Dinner Boat cruise on Wednesday night.  The prices can be found below for additional meal tickets and must be purchased prior to arrival.

• Tuesday Dinner: $40
  Thanksgiving Lunch: $50
  Thursday Dinner: $30

EXTRA NIGHTS: A limited number of rooms are available for an extra fee per room per night of $200. Please indicate if you wish to purchase an extra night. (Extra night fees are for room only.) 

CONFIRMATION: After completed reservation application and deposit are received,  a registration confirmation will be sent to you via email.  Information  regarding the  performance and confirmed rooming list will be sent to you in October. A link with your routine and your uniform will be sent to you approximately two weeks prior to the event. 

CHAPERONES: Each All-American must have  at  least  one  adult chaperone. One adult can chaperone up to 3  All-Americans. Adults must be 21 years or older. Varsity Spirit is not responsible for supervising the All-Americans. 

FINAL PAYMENT:  If final payment is not received by October 12, 2023, and  special written arrangements are  not made and approved with Varsity Spirit PRIOR to the deadline, you will automatically be removed from the tour, which will result in a complete forfeiture of all monies paid. 

TOUR ORGANIZER: This tour  is  being  organized  for  select  All- Americans  of Universal Cheerleaders Association,  Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance and Urban Cheerleading Experience divisions of Varsity Spirit LLC. 

Varsity Spirit LLC: 711 N Front St. Memphis, TN 38107
Telephone 888-243-3782  or  800-326-2383;  Fax  901-387-4357. 

All cancellations must be in writing to Varsity Spirit via email to Nicole Blohm at nblohm@varsity.com. We will not accept cancellations by phone. 

Included with Cost of Trip	NOT Included with Cost of Trip
Accommodations at the Hilton Penns Landing Hotel	Transportation from your hometown to Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday Evening Dinner	Any meals not specified as included
Breakfast on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Morning*	Independent sightseeing
Bus Transportation to and from Rehearsal and Parade Day	Transportation to and from the Philadelphia International Airport
Grandstand Seats for each Travel Package Spectator	Optional travel purchases
Dinner Boat Cruise
Tour of Historic Philadelphia
Thanksgiving Day Lunch
Thanksgiving Night DJ/Pizza Party
All-American Uniform
Souvenir T-Shirt for athlete and spectators

CLICK HERE to register for the 2023 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade!

Registration Specialist: Nicole Blohm – nblohm@varsity.com

*Please do not email credit card information. After your registration has been received, you will receive a confirmation email with more information on how to submit your event deposit.

Registration will not be complete until payment is received. 

Adult Participant Waiver

Minor Participant Waiver

Airfare from your hometown to Philadelphia is not included in the cost of the trip and will be the responsibility of the attendee.

Check out our travel partners and airline discounts that are available to all Varsity Spirit event attendees below:

Airline and Rental Car Discounts: 

Delta Airlines

• Delta Airlines is a preferred partner of Varsity Spirit. Reservations and ticketing is available via Delta Meetings or by calling our Delta Meeting Network Reservations at 800-328-1111. When booking online select ‘Book Your Flight’ and enter our Meeting Code: NM2NZ.  This meeting code cannot be used by travel agencies and is only valid for certain fare types.

Southwest Airlines – COMING SOON!

AVIS Car Rentals

CLICK HERE to view the event uniform guide.

TOUR ORGANIZER: This tour is being organized for selected All Americans of the Universal Cheerleaders Association, Universal Dance Association, National Cheerleaders Association, National Dance Alliance divisions and Urban Cheerleading Experience of Varsity Spirit LLC.

• Varsity Spirit LLC: 711 N Front St. Memphis, TN 38107; Telephone 888-243-3782 or 800-326-2383; Fax 901-387-4357.

Cancellations on or before October 14, 2023 will receive a full refund except for the $200 deposit. For cancellations between  October 15, 2023 and October 21, 2023 an additional $100 per person penalty will apply. After October 22, 2023, there will be no refunds.

All cancellations must be in writing to Varsity Spirit via email to Nicole Blohm at nblohm@varsity.com. We will not accept cancellations by phone.

CONFIRMATION: After completed reservation application and deposit are received, a reservation confirmation will be sent to you via email. Information regarding the performance and confirmed rooming list will be sent to you in late September. A link with your routine and your uniform will be sent to you two weeks prior to the event.

RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE: VARSITY SPIRIT LLC, D.B.A. UNIVERSAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION, UNIVERSAL DANCE ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION, NATIONAL DANCE ALLIANCE AND URBAN CHEERLEADING EXPERIENCE, divisions of VARSITY SPIRIT LLC, act only as an agent in connection with the tour offered herein and its liability is limited. The travel services including air transportation, carriage by land, hotel accommodations, restaurants, and related services are provided by independent third parties not under the control of VARSITY SPIRIT LLC. VARSITY SPIRIT LLC shall NOT bear any liability to the passenger or any third party for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason or any defect, through the acts of defaults of any company or person engaged in conveying the passengers or in carrying out the arrangements of the tour and/or performance events, venues, etc. as a direct or indirect result of acts of God, dangers incident to fire, breakdown in machinery or equipment, acts of governments or other authorities, acts of terrorism, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, theft, unhealthy conditions, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical, or customs regulations, or from any other causes beyond the control of VARSITY SPIRIT LLC. VARSITY SPIRIT LLC shall not be liable for any losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in schedule or any other causes. The right is reserved to decline, to accept, or to retain any tour passenger should such person’s health or general deportment impede the operation of the tour to the detriment of other passengers. No refunds for tour portions or unused services can be made unless agreed prior to the scheduled deadlines. Your retention of tickets, reservations, or bookings after issuance shall constitute a consent to the above and agreement on your part to convey the contents herein to your traveling companions. Payment of any deposit of final payment shall be deemed to constitute consent be each passenger to these terms. Baggage is carried at the owner’s risk and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. It is also recommended that each participant in this tour have his or her own attorney review this RESPONSIBILITY DISCLOSURE NOTICE before indicated his or her consent by signing the reservation form.

Q: Can family/friends come eat any other meals with us?

• A: YES! We do have a limited number of additional meal tickets for the Welcome Dinner Tuesday night, Thanksgiving Lunch and the DJ Party on Thursday night. The Welcome Dinner is $40, the Thanksgiving Lunch is $60 and the DJ Party is $30. These are limited so please order asap. 

Q: I am the only All-American coming from my team. Will I be by myself?

• A: Absolutely not! You will meet several new friends throughout the week! The majority of the All-Americans that attend are the only ones from their team! By the first night, you will have many new friends! Get ready to make some new friends for LIFE! 

Q: What is the dress for the week?

• A:The dress for the week is very casual. Most wear jeans and sweaters. It all depends on the temperature. The only time that you would wear different is for the Dinner Boat Cruise. That dress is Sunday dress (no jeans). Everyone can wear nice pants and sweater, skirt and sweater, or dress. 

Q: What is the weather like?

• A: It changes every year! It has been cold, rainy, warm, snow…you name it, we’ve had it, so be prepared and check the weather before you leave! 

Q: I am a parent/chaperone going on the trip. Will get to do everything that my All-American does?

• A: YES! As a chaperone on the trip, you will travel with your All-American at all times. The only time you will be separate is on parade day. While the All-Americans are performing in the parade, the chaperones will watch the parade from the Grandstands. 

Q: What time can we check into our rooms?

• A: The Hilton Penn’s Landing does its very best to have the rooms ready when you arrive. However, if your room is not ready, they can hold your luggage if you would like to visit Philly until your room is ready! 

Q: What do the All-Americans wear to rehearsal?

• A: For rehearsal Tuesday night at the hotel, the All-Americans can just wear whatever practice clothes they are comfortable in. For the rehearsal at the Art Museum on Wednesday, we ask that they wear the Philly Souvenir t-shirt and any pants they would like.  (sweatpants, leggings or anything that they can move in that is warm). 

Q: What kind of shoes should the All-Americans wear?

• A: Any white cheer/dance shoe is fine, if your shoe has a colored Nike swoosh or the colored panels that is fine as well.  No colored shoes, thick soled Sketchers or dance slippers. 

Q: What kind of jewelry can the All-Americans wear?

• A:They can wear small stud earrings only. No hoop or dangly earrings.  Hair should be out of their faces and make up should be kept to a day makeup. No need for “performance” makeup. 

Q: What is the parade route?

• A: The parade winds through the streets of Philly. You will receive the parade route map when you check in to the hotel. However, the parade will end in front of the Art Museum. 

Q: Is the parade on TV?

• A: Yes, the parade is televised on the Philadelphia on the ABC station. There are select other stations that it will be broadcast on, however we have not received that information from the Parade. Check with your local ABC station to see if they will show it. 

Q:What if it rains?

• A: The parade happens rain or shine! We will provide some rain ponchos in case it rains, but we will keep our fingers crossed for sun! 

Q:Who gets Grandstand tickets?

• A; Only the non participants (spectators/chaperones) on the Travel package get Grandstand tickets. They are given to us by the Parade and we can only get one for each non participant on our package, no extras. These tickets cannot be purchased anywhere. The Parade gives these to the groups who perform in the Parade, bands, etc. These will be given out during Registration on Tuesday and must be signed for. If you want to sit in the Grandstands, you need to stay on our travel package.  

Q: If I do not have a Grandstand ticket, where is the best place to watch the parade?

• A: Anywhere along the street is a great place! The performance the All-Americans are doing is walking and stationary so we will be performing during the entire parade route! However, the most popular place to watch is along the Ben Franklin Parkway. 

Q: If we are watching from the Grandstands, what should be prepared for?

• A: It all depends on the weather! Check the weather before you leave, but you can bring: a blanket (not one from the hotel!), thermos for coffee, rain poncho and something to dry the bleachers off in case of rain,  stadium back chair, maybe some snacks (the parade is long!) and as much warm stuff as possible! It can also get windy. It just all depends on the weather! Let’s hope for sun! 

Q: Where are the Grandstands located?

• A: They are located directly in front of the Art Museum in the Parade television area. You will see the All-Americans from there! 

2023 Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade Press Release

CLICK HERE to view more information about Varsity Spirit’s fundraising partners!