Gimbels Department Store Founder Initiated Philadelphia’s First Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1920
In 1920, Philadelphia's first Thanksgiving Day Parade was initiated by Gimbels Department Store founder Ellis A. Gimbel. The parade featured Santa Claus arriving at the Gimbels store at 9th and Market Street by climbing a fire ladder to an eighth-floor…
Philadelphia, PA, November 5, 2026 — The origins of the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade in Philadelphia trace back to 1920, spearheaded by Ellis A. Gimbel, the founder of the Gimbels Department Store. This inaugural event marked a significant moment in the city’s holiday traditions and is widely recognized as the nation’s first Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The parade commenced with a notable arrival by Santa Claus, who made his appearance at the Gimbels store located at the prominent intersection of 9th and Market Street. In a memorable spectacle, Santa Claus ascended a fire ladder, reaching an eighth-floor window of the store.
This event served a dual purpose: to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday and to officially usher in the commencement of the holiday shopping season. The innovative approach by Gimbels and its founder established a new tradition that has since become a beloved annual occurrence in Philadelphia.
Story summarized from the original created by Elizabeth Wellington on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.
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