The 43^rd Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade

"Christmas At Swan Lake"

About

The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland are proud to host the 43rd annual Lakeland Christmas Parade! The parade will take place in Downtown Lakeland Thursday, December 5, 2024. A fireworks display over Lake Mirror will kick off the festivities at 7 pm.

At the same time, the parade will leave the RP Funding Center, making its way down Lemon Street, twisting and turning through Downtown Lakeland.

Be sure to keep an eye out for our very special guests...Santa & Mrs. Claus!

The Christmas Parade is enjoyed by the whole community.  Please remember to keep sidewalks clear for individuals with wheelchairs, walkers and scooters.

More Info

Email ChristmasParade@jlgl.org or visit the Junior League of Greater Lakeland. 

• Parade Map & Restroom Locations

  The Christmas Parade will kick off at the RP Funding Center, winding its way through Downtown Lakeland, before returning to the RP Funding Center.

  Click the map for a larger view of the parade route.*  To request a PDF copy of the map, please email communications@lakelandgov.net.

  
  *Note: Map will not open in Internet Explorer. Please use an alternate browser (Chrome, Safari, etc.).

   

   

   

• Parking & Street Closures

   

  Street Closures

  Incremental road closures will begin as early as 3:30 pm due to enhanced safety measures. You should plan on all parade route affiliated roads being closed by 6 pm (see parade route). Officers will be staged at locations along the route to assist with traffic. Closures will be clearly marked and directional signage will be in place.

  Take alternate routes such as Bartow Highway (US 98) and Harden Boulevard if you are simply trying to get from one side of town to the other.

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  Public Parking

  Public Parking is available in Downtown Lakeland on open, non-parade-route streets, in public lots and parking garages.

  Interactive Downtown Lakeland Parking Map

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  ADA/Accessible Parking

  Accessible parking will be available in Lot V (161 E. Lime St.) for vehicles with a disabled parking permit. See the ADA Accessibility tab below for more info on the accessible parade experience.

• Chairs Along Parade Route

   No Chairs Until the Day of the Event

  The City asks that no chairs be placed on the parade route until the day of the parade.  Each year, many of those attending the parade start staking their claim earlier and earlier.  Fire Chief Doug Riley says, “We understand people want a good vantage point to watch the parade.  Unfortunately, we have chairs blocking sidewalks and crosswalks days before the parade.”  Police Chief Sammy Taylor adds, “This causes a major hazard, especially for those in our community that use wheelchairs and walkers to get around.”

  The City will remove/relocate chairs that are totally blocking sidewalks, in the way of crosswalks and hindering the use of disabled parking spaces.  We understand the excitement of this yearly event, but we also want to keep in mind the safety of all our citizens.  Riley and Taylor say, “Please, no chairs on the parade route before Thursday, December 5.”  Chairs, tape, blankets and other materials used to save viewing spaces will be removed if placed in public right-of-way before the day of the parade.

   

   

  

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  Placement

  On December 5, if you choose to place your chairs along the parade route, please do not block sidewalks, entrances, or ADA ramps or place chairs in "Wheelchair Accessible" seating areas. Chairs placed in these areas will be moved out of the way. Please be respectful and do not place excessive amounts of chairs along the route.

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  Theft & Lost Chairs

  The City of Lakeland is not responsible for any lost, misplaced, or stolen chairs.

   

• ADA Accessibility

  The Christmas Parade is enjoyed by the whole community.  Please remember to keep sidewalks clear for individuals with wheelchairs, walkers and scooters.

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  Wheelchair Accessible Viewing Areas

  A wheelchair accessible viewing area will be located in Lot V (161 E. Lime St.)

  See Map

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  ADA Parking

  Accessible parking will be available in Lot V (161 E. Lime St.) for vehicles with a disabled parking permit. 

  Interactive Downtown Lakeland Parking Map

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  ADA Restrooms

  Check back for updates.

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  Availability

  Just as with the rest of the parade route, the wheelchair accessible seating area and parking will be first-come, first-served.

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  See the Parade Map & Restroom Locations tab for more information.

• Food

  TBA

• Watch from Home

  Can't make it to the parade in person? Watch live online and on cable. You will find the parade broadcast:

  • LakelandGov TV
  • Facebook Live
  • Spectrum Channel 643
  • FiOS Channel 43
  • Comcast Channel 5 (PGTV)
• Floats

  The parade lineup is not revealed to the public. TOP SECRET!

  Please contact the Junior League of Greater Lakeland for more information.

• Duration

  The Lakeland Christmas Parade begins at 7 pm at the RP Funding Center and typically lasts 1.5 - 2 hours.  

• More Info/Questions

  Questions about the Christmas Parade?

  Email the Junior League of Greater Lakeland at christmasparade@jlgl.org or call 863.682.2112.

• Parade Applications
  Apply to participate in the Lakeland Christmas Parade at https://www.jlgl.org/christmas-parade/.

  This year's parade theme is Christmas At Swan Lake.

  The 42nd annual Lakeland Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, December 5, 2023, at 7:00 pm.

  Questions about the Christmas Parade? Email parade@jlgl.org.

   

The Lakeland Christmas Parade Logo