MARCHING.COM: 2011/2012 Bowl game parade and holiday parade schedule

Many major events can be viewed on television or online

In 2010 the McQueen H.S. Band (Nevada) won the class champion award at the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix.

In 2010 the McQueen H.S. Band (Nevada) won the class champion award at the Fiesta Bowl Parade in Phoenix.

The holiday season is one of the most active travel periods for marching bands, with performance opportunities at holiday parades and events held in conjunction with college football bowl games.

If you're not lucky enough to be going on a band trip this year, or you didn't get prime tickets for the Rose Parade, you can at least catch some of the parades on television or online. Marching.com has compiled this guide to major 2011/2012 parade and field events along with television broadcast schedules.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
New York City
Thursday, November 24, 2011, 9 AM (Eastern)
Television: Live national coverage on NBC.
Look for 11 marching bands, including Macy's Great American Marching Band with members from across the U.S.

McDonald's Thanksgiving Parade
Chicago, Illinois
Thursday, November 24, 2011, 8:00 AM (Central)
Television: Live national coverage on WGN America. Live local coverage on WGN9 and local rebroadcast on CLTV.
Features 18 marching bands plus giant helium balloons.

6ABC Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Thursday, November 24, 2011, 8:15 AM (Eastern)
Television: Live local coverage on 6 ABC, plus regional coverage on various stations. Live online coverage at www.6abc.com.
Features 15 marching bands plus giant balloons and celebrities.

Sun Bowl Parade
El Paso, Texas
Thursday, November 24, 2011, 10 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live regional coverage on NBC affiliate KTSM.
Fifteen marching bands from the U.S. and Mexico, plus 25 floats.

Waikiki Holiday Parade
Honolulu, Hawaii
Friday, November 25, 2011, 7 PM (Hawaii)
No television coverage.
Bands from the mainland join local bands from the islands for the oceanfront procession along torch-lit Kalakaua Avenue.

Hollywood Christmas Parade
Hollywood, California
Sunday, November 27, 2011, 6 PM (Pacific)
Television: Airs throughout December on local stations nationwide.
Look for 15 marching bands plus numerous celebrities including grand marshal Marie Osmond.

Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade
San Diego, California
Wednesday, December 28, 2011, 10 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live local coverage on Channel 4.
Held in conjunction with the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl. Look for 20 marching bands and more than 20 balloons.

Liberty Bowl Parade
Memphis, Tennessee
Friday, December 30, 2011, 3 PM (Central)
No television coverage.
Approximately 20 high school bands plus bands representing the two college teams.

Orlando Citrus Parade
Orlando, Florida
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 11 AM (Eastern)
Television: Shown in more than 100 cities. Check local listings for broadcast times.
Features unique citrus floats, a dozen high school bands and the university bands representing the Capital One Bowl teams.

Fiesta Bowl Parade
Phoenix, Arizona
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 11 AM (Mountain)
Television: Live local coverage on ABC15 and a live webcast at www.abc15.com.
Eight high school bands plus two college bands are participating. The Fiesta Bowl Band Championship on December 30 features bands in field competition.

Chick-fil-A Bowl Parade
Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 12:30 PM (Eastern)
No television coverage.
Look for approximately 10 high school marching bands plus the two university bands.

Winn-Dixie Hometown Gator Bowl Parade
Jacksonville, Florida
Saturday, December 31, 2011, 3 PM (Eastern)
Television: Live regional coverage on Comcast channels 14 and 99.
Approximately 10 high school bands and two university bands.

Tournament of Roses Parade
Pasadena, California
Monday, January 2, 2011, 8 AM (Pacific)
Television: Live coverage on eight networks including HGTV, ABC, NBC and Univision.
Features 21 bands including bands from Puerto Rico, Canada, Sweden and Japan. The Tournament of Roses Bandfest is available as a live webcast December 30-31.

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'Tis the Season: Marching bands travel to bowl game parades and holiday parades