The 53rd Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade is on Tuesday, November 26, 2024!

The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Midwest. The parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. and move east on College Avenue from State Street to Drew Street. The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade annually draws 80,000 spectators to Downtown Appleton. Additionally, a television and online audience of more than 100,000 view the parade live and during rebroadcasts on WFRV Local 5 (CBS affiliate).

All floats and walking units are encouraged to embrace this year's theme: “The Avenue of Christmas Spirits.”

The parade features about 80 units including colorful floats, decorated vehicles, walking units, animals, and other unique entries. More than twenty marching bands from Northeastern Wisconsin/Upper Michigan high schools and area communities perform all of our favorite holiday tunes. Please check the links below for more specific information.

One-half hour prior to the start of each year's parade is the Santa Scamper Run/Walk.

Parade Policy as set by the Appleton Common Council: No person or object may be used to reserve a location along the College Ave. parade route at any time prior to NOON on the day of the Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. Persons may place items along the route after NOON of the day of the parade only if they remain with those items.

For more information visit their website!