This year, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday 28 November. Even if you haven’t got an all-American Thanksgiving dinner to attend, you can still celebrate the day by turning up to one of the country’s gargantuan parades. Here are three of the biggest and best:

1. Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York City
Synonymous with Thanksgiving Day and the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade pulls out all the stops to create an awe-inspiring carousel of flamboyant floats, marching bands, musical acts and suspended cartoon characters. You might have seen this parade featured on Christmas favourite, Miracle on 34th Street.

2. 6abc Dunkin’ Donuts Thanksgiving Day Parade, Philadelphia
Philadelphia hosts the oldest Thanksgiving Day parade in the country – it’s in its 94th year! Beginning on 20th Street and JFK Boulevard and rounding up at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, this parade features top celebrities, performances from local choirs, dance groups and the classic marching bands. As if all that wasn’t enough, Santa Claus also makes an appearance!

3. McDonald’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Chicago
You’ll see a riot of colour and an eclectic mix of characters marching, floating and dancing along Downtown Chicago’s State Street this Thanksgiving. The parade began during the time of America’s Great Depression and its purpose was to list the spirits of Chicago – something it’s been doing on an annual basis ever since. As well as an appearance from Santa to mark the beginning of the Christmas shopping season, parade sponsor Ronald McDonald also pops in.