About
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland are proud to host the 41st annual Lakeland Christmas Parade! The parade will take place in Downtown Lakeland Thursday, December 1, 2022. A fireworks display over Lake Mirror at 7 PM will start the festivities!
The parade will leave the RP Funding Center at 7 PM and make 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.
The Christmas Parade will kick off at the RP Funding center, winding its way through Downtown Lakeland, around Lake Mirror and down Lemon Street.
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.).
Restrooms
The blue rectangles on the map are the locations of portalets.
No Chairs Until the Day of the Event
The Lakeland Christmas Parade is a time-honored tradition, enjoyed by the community for generations. The parade takes place on Thursday, December 1. The parade starts with a firework display over Lake Mirror at 7 p.m. As the first firework is launched, the parade officially begins. Leaving the RP Funding Center, the parade travels down Lemon Street toward downtown. The parade then turns at Main Street to Cedar Street and winds around Lake Mirror, going up Orange Street and ending at the RP Funding Center.
This year’s parade has 88 participants, including floats, marching bands and decorated trailers. The parade ends with everyone’s favorite, Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The theme for this year is Christmas Past, Present and Future. with each float incorporating the theme into their design. Recognized as one of Lakeland’s largest annual events, participants step off from the RP Funding Center to begin the 1.25-mile parade route that travels downtown and back.
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 Reuben Garcia 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 Garcia say, “Please, no chairs on the parade route before Thursday, December 1.” 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.
Placement
On December 1, 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.
Theft & Lost Chairs
The City of Lakeland is not responsible for any lost, misplaced, or stolen chairs.
The Lakeland Christmas Parade Logo
