On Monday, October 12, the city of Chicago will host the 74th edition of its Columbus Day Parade. After more than seven decades of marching along State Street, construction work forces a temporary shift to Dearborn Street. The celebration opens with a 9 a.m. Mass at the freshly renovated Shrine of Our Lady of Pompeii, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony in Arrigo Park. From there, the festivities move to the downtown corridor where the procession begins at 12 p.m. at the intersection of Dearborn and Wacker.
New route and official timetable
The parade’s revised path runs south on Dearborn Street, ending at Van Buren Street. Staging begins at 9 a.m., with the street closed to regular traffic until roughly 2:30 p.m. The opening ceremonies kick off at 11:30 a.m., featuring a brief address from the parade chairman, Michael Tadin, and a salute to the 2026 Region of Honor Campania, which underscores the deep ties between Chicago’s Italian-American community and Italy. The procession itself is slated to last about two hours, after which a post-parade reception on Rush Street near Cedar Street extends the festivities.
Grand marshals and cultural significance
This year’s grand marshals are a trio of well-known figures: actor-turned-television personality Tony Danza original Foreigner frontman Lou Gramm and actress Cristiana Dell’Anna who starred in the biopic “Cabrini.” Dell’Anna’s participation coincides with the 80th anniversary of Mother Cabrini’s canonization, the first American saint, adding a spiritual layer to the celebration. According to Ron Onesti, president of the Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans, the parade is not merely a showcase of Italian heritage but a reminder that “everybody has a little Italian in them,” whether through cuisine, cars, fashion, or music.
Beyond the celebrity spotlight, the event serves as a public acknowledgment of the historic contributions of Italian immigrants in Chicago. Onesti notes that Italian families helped rebuild the city after the Great Fire of 1871, constructed the “L” tracks, and played key roles in the 1893 World’s Fair. By highlighting these achievements, the parade reinforces a broader narrative of multicultural influence on the city’s growth.
Traffic, parking and CTA adjustments
The shift to Dearborn Street triggers a series of traffic closures that affect both drivers and pedestrians. From 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Dearborn is blocked between Wacker and Jackson Boulevard. Full intersection shutdowns occur at Wacker & Dearborn and Washington & Dearborn starting at 11 a.m. Lane reductions on Wacker Drive cause additional delays as crews set up staging areas. Motorists are urged to use alternate routes and expect extended travel times throughout the Loop.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has issued a coordinated set of bus reroutes for the afternoon. Routes 29, 36, 37, 60, 62, 124, 126, 151, 156, 157, 20, and 56 will experience changes in boarding points or temporary detours between roughly 11:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Express services such as the 2 Hyde Park and 6 Jackson Park also face adjustments. Riders should consult the CTA’s online alerts before heading downtown.
Parking near the parade corridor will be scarce. Residents and visitors are advised to park in established garages outside the immediate Loop or use rideshare options to avoid congestion. The city’s schools, libraries, government offices, and the postal service will remain closed on Monday, aligning with the observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which coincides with Columbus Day.
Live coverage of the parade will be provided by ABC7 Chicago, broadcasting from noon to 2 p.m. and streaming on the station’s digital platforms. Anchors Ryan Chiaverini and Tanja Babich will be joined by Pasquale Gianni of the JCCIA’s young-professionals group, while meteorologist Greg Dutra reports from the street, interviewing dignitaries and spectators.
