Imagine seeing people dress in masks, costumes and animal and nature-themed puppets and floats. In Olympia, Washington, Procession of the Species is the world’s largest Earth Day parade and celebrates the splendour of the natural world. 

A parade featuring puppets and children? The puppets in the Giant Puppet Parade Project are created by children and paraded around Siem Reap, Cambodia. Artists and children work together to create a vibrant parade for disadvantaged young people to take part in.  

Parades are a special procession where people come together to celebrate a special day or event. They are full of fun and festivities. Here are some special parades celebrated around the world. What other parades can you name?

A parade with demons and monsters? This annual Ngrupuk Parade is held in Bali, Indonesia and celebrated by the entire island on the eve of Nyepi day, which is the Balinese New Year. The parade features ogoh-ogoh which are giant puppets of monsters and demons from Hindu mythology. After the parade, the ogoh-ogoh are burned as a symbol of humans getting rid of evil and purification. Children and young people participate in this parade annually!  

Fancy seeing dancing lions, flying dragons, stilt walkers and performers from all over the world come together? You don’t need to hop onto a plane because the Chingay Parade happens right here in Singapore, after the Lunar New Year celebrations. The parade celebrates Singapore’s multi-cultural and ethnic history. 

Every 2 Dec, in celebration of the Thai King's birthday, the King’s Guard of the Royal Thai Armed Forces carries out a military parade to pledge their loyalty to the king and the crown. The Thai Royal Guards Parade also goes by the name, Trooping the Colour.