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The 41st Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade

"Christmas Past, Present and Future."


 


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


  • Parade Map & Restroom Locations

    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.



     

  • Parking & Street Closures

     

    Street Closures

    Incremental road closures will begin as early as 3:30 PM on 12/1 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.

    Please allow extra time to arrive early or 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.


    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


    ADA/Accessible Parking

    Accessible parking will be available in the Rose St. parking lot 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 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.

     

  • ADA Accessibility

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


    Wheelchair Accessible Viewing Areas

    Two wheelchair accessible viewing areas will be located at the intersection of Rose Street and Main Street, next to the Fire Station off S Lake Avenue and across the street, in front of the Rose Street parking lot.

    See Map


    ADA Parking

    Accessible parking will be available in the Rose Street parking lot for vehicles with a disabled parking permit. 

    Interactive Downtown Lakeland Parking Map


    ADA Restrooms

    Two accessible porta-toilets will be available, one on each side of Main Street at the Rose Street/Main Street intersection.


    Availability

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


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

  • Food

    2022 Parade info will be updated as the parade date gets closer. Please check back!


    Food vendors will be stationed throughout Downtown Lakeland. Here are their locations:


    Munn Park (SE corner)


    Parking Lot M
    Corner Massachusetts Ave. & Cedar/Lake Mirror


    Vacant lot just East of the Joinery building on Lake Mirror Drive


    Small Pavers Area
    Corner of Lake Mirror Drive and Lake Avenue - west side, adjacent to the Lakeland Fire Department


    Lake Mirror Center Parking Lot
    Lake Avenue

  • Watch from Home

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

  • Floats

    As is custom, the parade lineup (which is top secret!) is not revealed to the public.

    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 - Now Closed
    Applications are now closed!
    This cherished annual parade is celebrating 41 years this year with a tribute to Christmas Past, Present and Future.
    The 41st Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2022, at 7:00pm
    Questions about the Christmas Parade? Email parade@jlgl.org.

     

The Lakeland Christmas Parade Logo

The Lakeland Christmas Parade Logo