Traverse City Light Parade
Light the Night with Santa & Your Community
Saturday, November 22, 5:00-9:00pm
Presented by:
The Downtown Traverse City Association invites you to get ready for an unforgettable evening filled with holiday magic! Join us for the annual Traverse City Light Parade, all happening in the heart of downtown Traverse City!
This cherished community event is free and open to everyone, and we invite you to be part of the festive fun. The night kicks off with the tree lighting at Cass and Front Street, where Santa himself will join the mayor and special guests to illuminate our holiday tree. Once the lights are shining bright, the Light Parade will roll down Front Street from Franklin Street west to Union Street, showcasing creatively decked-out floats and vehicles, musical performances, the Big Guy himself, and hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights from local businesses and community partners.
Event Timeline
Front Street & Parade Staging Area:
3:00pm: Streets close (please move vehicles from the designated parade spaces)
Cass & Front Streets:
5:00-5:45pm: Treats & goody giveaways, games and contests, and holiday music
5:45pm: Special guests and Santa’s arrival
6:00pm: Tree Lighting with Santa
Front Street, from Franklin to Union Streets:
6:30pm: Light Parade (Keep kiddos safe – stay off of the road! Candy will not be handed out on the route.)
Cass & State Streets:
Post-parade until 9pm: Santa’s House visits
Back up date if rescheduled due to dangerous weather conditions: Tuesday, November 25
NEW for 2025 – Tree Lighting Treat Patrol
To keep all little ones safe during the parade, candy and giveaways will be offered beforehand at the Tree Lighting celebration at Cass & Front Streets. Starting around 5:00pm, while the crowd gathers to welcome Santa just before 6:00pm, Santa’s Street Team will be out sharing treats and goodies while engaging in fun games and contests. This way, everyone can enjoy the parade without children needing to step into the darkened street with large vehicles. Thank you for helping us keep this a fun and safe holiday tradition!
JUST ADDED: Parade Lineup, Map & More
Check out our event program for:
- Schedule
- Safety Guide
- Parade Route
- Parking & Transit
- Maps
- FAQ
- Parade Lineup
- Sponsor Support
Park, Bike or Ride
Driving down? Be patient with increased traffic. We recommend parking at the Old Town Parking Structure for easy in-and-out. Front Street from Franklin/Railroad to Pine will be closed for through traffic/parking after 3:00pm, reopening after about 9:00pm.
Avoid traffic and opt for a smooth cruise! The BATA Bayline shuttle provides free rides downtown. Buses run every 15 minutes with free parking at Park-n-Ride lots located at Meijer or Woodland Creek Furniture. Learn more here.
Downtown is always easily accessible by bike. Just follow the rules of the road and ensure you are visible as streets darken.
Accessible Seating Area
A seating area for individuals with disabilities will be located at Park and Front Streets, with marked stanchions and easy access.
Thank you to our generous sponsors:
Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsors
Silver & In-Kind Sponsors
Thank you to Santa’s House sponsors:
Volunteer Opportunities
To keep Downtown events going strong, we need volunteers. Help us “keep the lights on” – assist with staging the parade, keeping the route clear, and safely de-staging. Without our dedicated volunteers, we wouldn’t be able to bring you these community celebrations. Let’s connect! Apply here after you take a look at the roles we need to fill.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Want to play a BIG role in this holiday tradition? Sponsorships help us keep this incredible community event running strong, and there are several levels of benefits available – including social media promotion, logo placement, live mentions, and more. Plus, sponsors receive a free parade entry. To learn how your business can shine, contact Sara Klebba, Director of Events & Engagement for more details.
The Light Parade Is FULL
Within just days of opening entry applications, the 2025 Light Parade has reached capacity, as has the waitlist. We are thrilled at the eager response and thank everyone for their renewed support and interest in participation.
Email sara@downtowntc.com if you would like to be added to the 2026 event invitation email list.
Entrants: Please review the Parade Rules & Guidelines to ensure your entry meets all requirements. If you have important questions about the process, email sara@downtowntc.com.
