A Few Questions About The Parade

The Parade starts at 8300 South Western Ave. (83rd & Western). The bike staging area is a Chicago Forest Preserve called The Dan Ryan Woods. The Woods open at 6:00AM CST. You will be given directions of where to go when you arrive. The Parade leaves The Dan Ryan Woods at 9:30am CST.

The first riders leave at 9:30 AM, and usually arrive in about 1-1/2 hours. However, due to weather conditions and the number of participants, times can vary. Riders are encouraged to ride at a leisurely pace, to enjoy the ​event and surrounding atmosphere.

The weather in Chicago can be a challenge, but The Parade will always take place on the first Sunday in December, rain or shine or snow.  We suggest that all riders stay aware of the weather, and dress and ride accordingly. If you are a biker, you are resourceful. Be prepared for anything!

The Parade welcomes ALL MOTORCYCLISTS, provided they bring at least one toy to donate, and arrive on a street-legal motorcycle. We encourage all riders to join us, and we frequently see bikes from Alaska and Hawaii. Even non-riders can participate by bringing toys to The Dan Ryan Woods or the DeVry/LaneTech campus to donate.

If a single group of 20,000 motorcyclists were to travel through the center of Chicago, traffic and bus routes would be severely hampered. Therefore, The Parade is divided into 4 or 5 groups, called tiers. The Parade begins with Tier 1, which usually contains approximately 2,000 riders. When Tier 1 leaves the woods, there will be an interval of approximately 15-20 minutes before Tier 2 is released. This allows traffic and pedestrians to cross Western Avenue for approximately 15 minutes between each tier. 

 No!  All riders who enter the woods, will have to park their bikes until The Parade begins. The Toys For Tots volunteers will direct the incoming riders, but will not permit any riding through the woods.  We welcome all riding groups, clubs, gangs, families, tribes, etc., but if you want to ride The Parade in a group, you must arrive at the woods, in a group. We suggest that groups assemble somewhere in the vicinity of 83rd Street and Western Avenue, at a nearby restaurant, school, parking lot or tavern, before coming to the woods.

The Parade is organized by volunteers from the Chicago area who care about unfortunate children, promoting motorcycles, and having fun. 

Absolutely not! We need photographers, writers, promoters, organizers, stationary blockers, security, sellers, toy collector and distributors, 

Trailer parking is located in Forest Preserve property at 87th Street and Western Avenue, east of Western and north on 87th Street.