Holiday parades combine the best of the season– holiday lights, Santa Claus and, often, are capped off with a tree lighting. Mark your calendar for these festive parades.
November 15
Santa’s Debut at Holiday Dreamland
American Dream, East Rutherford
Mr. Claus will kick off the holiday season with his festive Santa Spectacular, including a celebratory parade led by St. Nick to his new home at Holiday Dreamland, located in the Coca-Cola Bubble of Court A.
November 28
Holiday Parade
Boulevard, between LaSalle and The Circle, Hasbrouck Heights
There will be festive floats, marching bands, classic cars, community organizations and a very special guest from the North Pole. The parade is followed by the boro’s tree lighting ceremony at The Circle. After the ceremony, kids can go to TD Bank to meet Santa in person.
Red Bank TownLighting Pre-Show
Edmund Wilson Plaza, Red Bank
There will be holiday music, dance performances, and selfie-ops with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Santa and Mrs. Claus will board a Red Bank fire engine and lead a parade with the Pipe and Drums of the Atlantic Watch up Monmouth Street to the Holiday Express performance site on Broad Street.
Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Parade
Haddonfield
Kicking off on Tanner Street with free hot cocoa, Santa and Mrs. Claus will lead the parade to Kings Court after the Library Point tree is lit for the season.
November 29
Margate’s Spectacular Shop Small Extravaganza
Margate
Aside from great sales and discounts for shoppers from November 28 to 30, the parade through town will be led by American Sign Language (ASL) Santa on Saturday.
Christmas Parade on THE AVE
Landis Avenue, Vineland
Hundreds of bands, floats, Mummers and walkers entertain the crowd until Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in their sleigh float. Santa will use his magic wand to illuminate all of the string lights that line The Ave.
Pennsauken Holiday Parade
Westfield Avenue, Pennsauken
Fire engines, floats, costumed characters and live performers will walk and roll from Bethel Avenue to 44th Street.
Boonton Fire Department Christmas Parade
Main Street, Boonton
March in the parade, sponsor a float or watch from the sidelines during the 30th annual parade.
Woodbridge Twp. Winterfest & Light Parade
Main Street, Woodbridge
In the afternoon, Winterfest includes rides for kids, holiday vendors, horse-and-carriage rides, s’mores and roasted peanuts, kids’ crafts, a visit from Santa Claus, Christmas carols, ice sculpting and a live DJ. In the evening, the Light Parade kicks off along Main Street.
Holiday Parade
West Paterson, Totowa, Little Falls, Woodland Park
The parade route goes from Passaic Valley High School in Little Falls, through Woodland Park, ending at Crews Street and Union Boulevard in Totowa. There will be firetrucks, emergency service vehicles, ambulances, floats and business vehicles traveling the route.
Collingswood Holiday Parade
Haddon Avenue, Collingswood
The parade features lively seasonal entertainment, including marching bands, dancers, holiday characters, giants on stilts, floats, mummers, sports mascots and live music.
Tractor Parade With Santa & Friends
Coombs Barnyard, Elmer
The winter tractor parade will include a special visit from Santa Claus. Stay at the farm and enjoy snacks and crafts for kids and adults.
Island Holiday Christmas Parade
Stone Harbor
The parade on Saturday is one part of the Island Holiday Weekend (Saturday and Sunday), which includes a holiday market, carousel, scavenger hunt, Festival of Trees, magician tricks, pet parade, tree lighting, Downtown Holiday Dash, winter crafts, and a holiday cookie stroll.
Santa’s Classic Car Parade
Universal Technical Institute, Bloomfield
Santa, along with his pals at the Bloomfield Cruisers, will lead an 18-mile parade of 30 cars throughout the streets of Bloomfield.
November 30
Metuchen Winter Festival and Parade
Main Street, Downtown Metuchen
The parade steps off from Wernik Place, and continues to The Plaza where the tree will be lit. There will be snacks, music and pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
December 3
Christmas Tree Lighting and Car Parade
Veteran’s Park, Monroe Twp.
The parade ends at the Community Center, where the tree lighting ceremony and other festivities take place – like cookie decorating, photos with Icy the Snowman, rides, snacks and hot chocolate, face painting, and a s’mores station. Prizes will be awarded by Monroe Twp. Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1 for the best decorated vehicles.
December 5
Greater Wildwood Jaycees Annual Christmas Parade
Central Avenue, Wildwood
After the parade, winners will be announced for best decorated floats, and the most festive business lighting contest.
Christmas Parade
Downtown Cape May Court House
Line the streets in Middle Twp. to see your favorite Christmas characters walk and roll by during the parade; then stay for the festival and tree lighting ceremony.
Clinton Christmas Parade
Clinton
The Guild of Clinton hosts its 39th annual parade.
Holiday on Haddon + Parade of Lights
Haddon Twp.
Santa Claus is coming to town, along with decorated fire trucks, bands, floats and holiday characters, before the tree lighting ceremony.
Christmas Parade
Asbury Avenue, Ocean City
Lights, garland, wreaths and bows adorn “The Avenue” as the parade’s bands, floats and other entries come down the street. Look out for characters like The Grinch, and Martin and Mollie Mollusk. Santa Claus provides the finale to the parade, greeting boys and girls from a horse-drawn carriage.
December 6
Ship Bottom Annual Christmas Parade
Borough of Ship Bottom
This beach town on LBI will celebrate 100 years of Christmas as the parade travels from 5th to 25th streets along the boulevard.
Holiday Light Parade & Festivities
Main Street, Evesham Twp.
Before the parade begins, bring your family for pictures with Santa Claus, free hot chocolate stations along Main Street, festive music, games, holiday videos and a ride on the holiday train. After the Holiday Light Parade, the event finishes with the Holiday Tree Lighting.
Ventnor City Twilight Holiday Parade
Ventnor Avenue, Ventnor
There will marching bands, fire trucks, floats, classic cars, Santa and Mrs. Claus in the parade.
Salem City’s Magic of Christmas Parade
Route 49 and Broadway, from 4th to Johnson streets, Salem
For more than 40 years, high school bands, pageant contestants, floats, walkers, marchers, entertainers, local groups, dance groups, veterans, antique vehicles and first responders march down the streets with holiday magic.
Holiday Lights Parade
Somerville
More than 70 emergency vehicles, decorated by volunteer first responders from across New Jersey, will be led by Santa Claus as they travel through town.
Westwood Home for the Holidays
Westwood
This year’s theme is based on everyone’s favorite holiday movies. There will be activities, entertainment, a DJ, performances, the parade, a tree lighting, a jazz band concert, shopping and dining deals, and a sale of Santa hats.
Hunterdon Holiday Parade
Main Street, Flemington
Sign up to add your float to this festive parade along Main Street.
Somers Point Christmas & Holiday Parade
Somers Point
The parade begins at Dawes Avenue School and continues down Shore Road to City Hall, with groups of bands, floats, decorated trucks and boats, and of course Santa along the way.
December 6-7
Holly Jolly Weekend
Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, PA
A Santa parade starts at 1:30 pm on both days. The weekend includes live entertainment and performances, activities, holiday food and drink specials, and the gingerbread display.
December 7
Woodbridge Twp. Holiday Parade
Woodbridge
The parade route travels from Woodbridge High School and ends at Woodbridge Town Hall.
December 13
Hammonton Fire Department Christmas Parade
Bellevue Avenue, Hammonton
After the holiday characters pass by, visit the charming shops in the downtown district. This year will have an ’80s theme.
Atlantic City Holiday Parade & Village
Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City
The avenue will be lit up with music, magic and holiday tree as the parade marches by. After, head to the market for some holiday shopping.
Bridgeton’s Annual Holiday Parade
Bridgeton
One of the area’s ongoing traditions is the holiday parade, which makes it way through the heart of the city.
December 20-21
Characters of the Dream Parade
American Dream, East Rutherford
Watch your favorite American Dream characters parade throughout the center, and take pictures alongside your favorite friends.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Attractions in NJ, NY and PA
The Ultimate Guide to Holiday Lights in New Jersey
Christmas Markets In and Around New Jersey to Visit This Season
