BRONZEVILLE — The Bud Billiken Parade ushered in the back-to-school season — and highlighted Chicago’s Black culture — with its 96th edition Saturday.

Cheerleaders, drill teams, dance company and local high schoolers didn’t disappoint despite the summer heat, which reached neared 100 degrees in the sun.

For many Black Chicagoans, the Bud Billiken Parade means more than an annual gathering of people, says Carlette Bracey, who has been coming to each parade since she was a little girl more than 50 years ago. 

“This is like a Black holiday,” she said. “This parade is known all over the world. It shows unity and the pride of Chicago. A Black pride of Chicago.” 

The Bud Billiken Parade touts itself as the largest Black parade in the United States, according to the Bud Billiken website. Started in 1929, the parade references the “Bud Billiken” character created by the Chicago Defender newspaper and was organized to celebrate Black history and accomplishments. Held annually in August, is has since come to symbolize the return of the school year.

The parade was held along Martin Luther King Jr. Drive from 39th Street to 55th Place at Washington Park. Families could enjoy a day of activities at the parade. Services at the parade included free hairstyling, haircuts and health screenings.

See more photos from this year’s parade:

Cheerleaders preform during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Members of The Royal Court of The Bud Billiken Parade, Chicago Defender Charities Inc., wave to the crowd during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade–the largest Black parade in the country. Sunday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Young Chicagoans observer the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Martin Luther King Jr., Drive. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

A women parades on top of a car during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Members of the MCM Dance Company, dressed as characters on “The Simpsons,” prepare to march during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Members of the Englewood Stem High School marching band prepare to preform during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Young Chicagoans play with bubble machines the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Martin Luther King Jr., Drive. Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

A member of the Bud Billiken preforming art league dances during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Bud preforms dance in sync during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Chicagoans pose for a photograph on the Martin Luther King Jr., Drive during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

The 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

A performer rests from the heat during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Members of the Black Fire Brigade pose for a photograph during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade, the largest Black parade in the country, on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Dreadhead Cowboy during the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

Andre “Superman” Williams makes his way to the 96th edition of the Bud Billiken Parade on a makeshift hoverboard on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. Credit: Sebastián Hidalgo for Block Club Chicago

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