Santa Claus is comin’ to town and you and your family can catch his arrival in these central Indiana towns. Bundle up, break out the hot cocoa and cookies, and cozy up together to watch these beautiful, festive displays while Jack Frost nips at your nose.
Holiday Parades in Indianapolis
Broad Ripple “Lights Up” Parade
CANCELED THIS YEAR DUE TO CONSTRUCTION
Due to continuing construction, this year’s Lights Up parade has been canceled. However, the traditional festival will still take place and the parade will return next year.
Holiday Parades on Indy’s North Side
Noblesville “Home for the Holidays” Parade
Noblesville Square
December 3, 2:00 pm
The traditional parade route missed in recent years by many residents will return this year as part of the “Home for the Holidays” tour. Mayor Chris Jensen remarked, “As our community grows, we want to honor our past traditions as well as create new ones for the nearly 70,000 residents who call Noblesville home.”
Noblesville “Home for the Holidays” Touring Parade
Various Times and Locations
December 3-4
Noblesville will continue the COVID-created tradition of the “Home for the Holidays Tour.” The tour will cover three routes on Dec. 3 and 4. The Dec. 3 tour route will begin at 9 am and includes the downtown parade at 2 pm. Routes west of the White River will be on Dec. 4. Final routes are still being designed and will be announced soon.
Holiday Parades on Indy’s South Side
Beech Grove’s Christmas Parade
Main Street between 2nd and 8th Streets
November 27, 2:00 pm
Santa comes to town in this relatively new parade. Only in its second year, this small-town event is sure to become a family tradition. Don’t forget to grab FREE hot cocoa for the kids.
Franklin’s Lighted Holiday Parade
Franklin’s Courthouse Square
December 3, 5:30 pm
This parade is part of a larger celebration with all-day festivities, including a winter market from 2-8 pm on N. Main St. The parade begins at 5:30 pm and runs along Jefferson Street, and is followed by the lighting of the courthouse at 7:00 pm.
Columbus’s “Festival of Lights” Parade
CANCELLED THIS YEAR DUE TO CHANGE IN MANAGING COMMITTEE
After 30 years, the Festival of Lights Parade committee has retired, stating:“…Increasing vendor costs and liability costs, coupled with a lack of parade day volunteers and people to do the year-round work of the committee has led us to this decision. We feel we could no longer provide the community with a safe and quality event. We hope you understand.” However, a new group has taken up this tradition and it will be back better than ever next year.
Martinsville’s WCBK Christmas Parade
Martinsville’s Courthouse Square
November 26, 5:30 pm
This brand-new parade hosted by WCBK will feature all the seasonal favorites. Watch elves, gingerbread people, and lighted floats, and of course, catch candy for the kids! Santa will make an appearance and end the parade with the Annual Christmas Lighting Ceremony. The parade begins downtown at the Martinsville Courthouse Square. It travels to Jimmy Nash Park where the lighting ceremony will take place. In the park, a Winter Wonderland full of festive activities and treats will be waiting. Santa will be ready to hear Christmas wishes.
Holiday Parades on Indy’s East Side
Fortville Winterfest Parade
Downtown Fortville
December 3, 1:30 pm
As part of Fortville’s Winterfest, this parade takes place downtown beginning at 1:30 pm. There are many other seasonal activities such as ice skating, bonfires, a kid’s craft station with free popcorn and hot cocoa, and a tree lighting at 6:00 pm. Kids can get excited about visits from Santa, Jack Frost, and the snowflake princess.
Greenfield Christmas Parade
American Legion Place and The Depot Park
December 3, 6:30 pm
A holiday staple, this parade starts at 6:30 pm at the American Legion and ends at The Depot Park, which will be all decked out for the season.
Lawrence Christmas Parade
Massachusetts Street
December 3, 11:00 am
If you’ve never seen this unique and spectacular parade, you won’t want to miss out this year! For 29 years, the Lawrence Christmas Parade has featured horse-drawn carriages beautifully adorned with garlands and bells strutting down Massachusetts Street. Dozens of beautiful horses show off their holiday spirit in a festive display not found anywhere else in central Indiana.
Holiday Parades on Indy’s West Side
Zionsville’s “Christmas in the Village” Parade
Zionsville Eagle Elementary to Old National Bank
November 26, 5:00 pm
The Zionsville High School Marching Band leads this festive parade, complete with reindeer and of course, Santa. Beginning at 5:00 pm at Eagle Elementary, this hour-long parade ends at Old National Bank and Santa lighting the tree for the Christmas season on the corner of Pine and Main St. This year, there will be a professional photographer available to take Santa photos. Sessions are $20 and must be booked in advance through the Chamber of Commerce website.
Lebanon Parks & Recreation Parade
Circling from Memorial Park through Downtown
December 3, 6:00 pm
The full route of this lengthy parade can be found on the Lebanon Parks & Recreation website. Due to its length and safety concerns, no walkers are allowed in this parade. The parade will begin with a loop of Memorial Park before traveling downtown for Santa to light the Christmas Tree. The parade will then make its way back to Memorial Park.
Brownsburg’s “Christmas Under the Stars” Parade
Main Street
December 3, 6:00 pm
One of many activities included in Brownsburg’s “Christmas Under the Stars,” the Holiday Parade begins on Main Street at 6:00 pm and meanders its way to Brownsburg Town Hall. After the parade, your family can enjoy live music, Santa’s Workshop, photos with Santa, a winter vendor market, and the tree lighting.
Plainfield’s “Perry Crossing Jeep” Holiday Parade
Perry Town Square
November 19, 7:00 pm
This unique parade features decorated Jeeps leading Santa from the Shops at Perry Crossing’s Marketplace Mile to the Town Square. Festivities are available before the parade at the Shops at Perry Crossing, and the parade ends with the annual tree lighting ceremony on the town square.
Nothing puts a twinkle in the eyes of “kids from one to ninety-two” like lights on the move and candy canes sailing through the air. Gather up your loved ones and enjoy one of the season’s best traditions. “Ho, Ho, Ho Happy Holidays!”
