Parade vs. Cavalcade: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 20, 2024
A parade is a public procession celebrating an event with music and performances, while a cavalcade is a formal, often ceremonial, procession of people on horseback or in vehicles.
Key Differences
A parade is typically a festive public procession celebrating a specific event, such as a holiday, sports victory, or cultural festival. It involves participants marching along a designated route, often accompanied by music, floats, and performers to entertain spectators. A cavalcade, on the other hand, is a more formal procession, usually associated with ceremonial or commemorative events. It often includes participants on horseback or in vehicles, symbolizing an important occasion or historical reenactment, and tends to have a more solemn or dignified tone.
Parades are generally designed to engage and entertain the public, encouraging community participation and celebration. Cavalcades, whereas, focus on the ceremonial aspect, often involving dignitaries or special guests. They emphasize tradition and formality, showcasing a sequence of riders or vehicles in a structured and orderly manner.
In terms of scale, parades can be large public events attracting thousands of spectators and participants. They are often broadcasted on television and have significant local or national importance. Cavalcades are usually smaller in scale but highly organized, reflecting a specific purpose or honor. They might mark the arrival of a dignitary, celebrate a historical milestone, or serve as part of a formal ceremony.
Comparison Chart
Purpose
Celebration of events
Ceremonial or commemorative
Participants
Marchers, floats, performers
Riders on horseback or vehicles
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Tone
Festive and entertaining
Formal and dignified
Public Engagement
High, with community participation
Lower, more focused on ceremony
Scale
Large, often televised
Smaller, highly organized
Parade and Cavalcade Definitions
Parade
A public procession celebrating an event.
The annual Thanksgiving Day parade attracts huge crowds.
Cavalcade
A moving line of participants in a structured manner.
The wedding cavalcade included decorated cars following the bride and groom.
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Parade
An exhibition of public celebration.
The city organized a parade for the New Year's festivities.
Cavalcade
An organized parade with a dignified tone.
The cavalcade of vintage cars was a highlight of the heritage festival.
Parade
A festive procession involving community participation.
The Mardi Gras parade is famous for its vibrant floats and costumes.
Cavalcade
A series of vehicles or horse riders in a ceremonial procession.
The historical reenactment featured a cavalcade of knights.
Parade
An organized public procession on a festive or ceremonial occasion.
Cavalcade
A procession for commemorative purposes.
The centennial celebration included a cavalcade honoring local heroes.
Parade
The participants in such a procession.
Cavalcade
A procession of riders or horse-drawn carriages.
Parade
A regular place of assembly for reviews of troops. Also called parade ground.
Cavalcade
A ceremonial procession or display.
Parade
A formal review of marching military troops.
Cavalcade
A succession or series
Starred in a cavalcade of Broadway hits.
Parade
The troops taking part in such a review.
Cavalcade
(collective) A procession of riders, vehicles, ships, etc.
Parade
A line or extended group of moving persons or things
A parade of strollers on the mall.
Cavalcade
A ceremonial parade.
Parade
An extended, usually showy succession
A parade of fads and styles.
Cavalcade
A trail ride, usually more than one day long.
Parade
An ostentatious show; an exhibition
Make a parade of one's talents.
Cavalcade
(by extension) An often dramatic series or chain of events or things.
As soon as I visited this website, a cavalcade of dialog boxes started to appear on my screen; that's when I realized my computer was infected with a virus.
Parade
A public square or promenade.
Cavalcade
To move as part of a series or group, such as marchers in a parade or snow in an avalanche, especially in large numbers or in a chaotic or dangerous fashion
Parade
To take part in a parade; march in a public procession
The circus performers and animals paraded down Main Street.
Cavalcade
A procession of persons on horseback; a formal, pompous march of horsemen by way of parade.
He brought back war-worn cavalcade to the city.
Parade
To assemble for a ceremonial military review or other exercise.
Cavalcade
A procession of people traveling on horseback
Parade
To stroll in public, especially so as to be seen; promenade.
Cavalcade
A formal procession of riders or vehicles.
The royal cavalcade proceeded through the streets with much pomp.
Parade
To behave so as to attract attention; show off.
Parade
To cause to take part in a parade
Paraded the floats past city hall.
Parade
To assemble (troops) for a ceremonial review.
Parade
To march or walk through or around
Parade the campus.
Parade
To exhibit ostentatiously; flaunt
Paraded their wealth.
Parade
An organized display of a group of people, particularly
Parade
(military) military parade: A show of troops, an assembly of troops as a show of force, to receive orders, or especially for inspection at set times.
Parade
A public procession, especially one commemorating a holiday or special event or (dated) in protest.
Thanksgiving Day parade
Ticker-tape parade
Parade
Synonym of gaggle: A group of geese when on the move, particularly a line of goslings shepherded by one or more adults.
Parade
Synonym of herd: A group of elephants when on the move.
Parade
A place reserved for such displays, particularly
Parade
Synonym of parade ground: A place specially designated for such displays or for practicing close-order drills.
Parade
(dated) promenade: A route, street, or square frequented by pedestrians or formerly used for military parades.
Parade
(uncommon) road, used in place names.
His shop is located in Chester Pde.
Parade
The people who make up such a display, particularly
Parade
The body of soldiers thus assembled.
Parade
The body of promenaders thus assembled.
Parade
(figurative) show: any similarly orderly or ostentatious display, especially of a variety of people or a series of things paraded around.
The dinner was a parade of courses, each featuring foods more elaborate than the last.
Parade
A row of shops beside a street.
Parade
: a description of the programming schedule formerly announced on the radio and various television channels.
Parade
(uncommon) parry in both its literal and figurative senses.
Parade
(intransitive) To take part in a parade, particularly
Parade
To assemble for inspection, to receive orders, etc.
Parade
To march impressively or ostentatiously.
No one fights a war in close-order formations any more but officers still love to force their men to parade, coming up with various plausible excuses for their enjoyment of command.
Parade
(transitive) To march past.
After the field show, it is customary to parade the stands before exiting the field.
Parade
(transitive) To march through or along.
Parade
(figurative) promenade: to walk up and down, especially in public in order to show off and be seen by others.
Parade
To move slowly through or among.
Parade
To walk in a row led by one parent, often trailed by the other.
Parade
(transitive) To cause to take part in a parade, particularly
Parade
To assemble soldiers for inspection, to receive orders, etc.
Parade
(figurative) show off: to display or reveal prominently or ostentatiously, especially in a kind of procession.
They paraded dozens of fashions past the crowd.
Parade
To furnish with a parade or parades.
Parade
The ground where a military display is held, or where troops are drilled. Also called parade ground.
Parade
An assembly and orderly arrangement or display of troops, in full equipments, for inspection or evolutions before some superior officer; a review of troops. Parades are general, regimental, or private (troop, battery, or company), according to the force assembled.
Parade
Any imposing procession; the movement of any group of people marshaled in military order, especially a festive public procession, which may include a marching band, persons in varied costume, vehicles with elaborate displays, and other forms of entertainment, held in commemoration or celebration of an event or in honor of a person or persons; as, a parade of firemen; a Thanksgiving Day parade; a Memorial Day parade; a ticker-tape parade.
In state returned the grand parade.
Parade
A pompous show; a formal or ostentatious display or exhibition.
Be rich, but of your wealth make no parade.
Parade
Posture of defense; guard.
When they are not in parade, and upon their guard.
Parade
A public walk; a promenade.
Parade
To exhibit in a showy or ostentatious manner; to show off.
Parading all her sensibility.
Parade
To assemble and form; to marshal; to cause to maneuver or march ceremoniously; as, to parade troops.
Parade
To make an exhibition or spectacle of one's self, as by walking in a public place.
Parade
To assemble in military order for evolutions and inspection; to form or march, as in review or in a public celebratory parade{3}.
Parade
A ceremonial procession including people marching
Parade
An extended (often showy) succession of persons or things;
A parade of strollers on the mall
A parade of witnesses
Parade
A visible display;
She made a parade of her sorrows
Parade
Walk ostentatiously;
She parades her new husband around town
Parade
March in a procession;
The veterans paraded down the street
Parade
A ceremonial march with music and performers.
The school held a parade to celebrate their sports victory.
Parade
A display of groups in an organized procession.
The military parade showcased the nation's defense capabilities.
FAQs
What types of events typically have parades?
Holidays, sports victories, cultural festivals, and national celebrations.
Is a cavalcade always solemn?
Not necessarily, but it typically has a more formal tone compared to a parade.
Do parades require a large number of participants?
Often, parades are large events with many participants, including bands and performers.
What is the historical significance of cavalcades?
Cavalcades historically marked important events, dignitary visits, or military parades.
Can a cavalcade include modern vehicles?
Yes, a cavalcade can feature modern cars, especially in ceremonial contexts.
What is the main purpose of a parade?
A parade celebrates events with a festive public procession.
Can a parade include vehicles?
Yes, parades often feature floats, which are decorated vehicles.
Are cavalcades common in modern celebrations?
Less common than parades, but they are used for special ceremonial events.
What is the visual appeal of parades?
Parades are visually dynamic with colorful floats, costumes, and performances.
How does a cavalcade differ from a parade?
A cavalcade is a formal procession often involving riders or vehicles, whereas a parade is a more festive and public celebration.
How do cavalcades honor traditions?
Cavalcades often involve traditional attire, historical reenactments, or ceremonial presentations.
Can children participate in parades?
Yes, parades often include child participants, such as school bands or community groups.
What is a key feature of a parade?
Entertainment is a key feature, with music, dance, and performances.
What attire is typical in cavalcades?
Participants in cavalcades may wear formal or traditional attire relevant to the event.
Are cavalcades used in state functions?
Yes, cavalcades are often part of state ceremonies and official functions.
Is audience interaction common in parades?
Yes, parades encourage audience interaction and participation.
Do parades have a specific route?
Yes, parades follow a designated route through streets or public areas.
How are cavalcades organized?
Cavalcades are meticulously organized to ensure a dignified and orderly procession.
Do parades have themes?
Yes, parades often have specific themes that guide the decoration and performances.
Can a single event have both a parade and a cavalcade?
Yes, large events can feature both, with the parade for public celebration and the cavalcade for formal ceremonies.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
