Winter Garden Christmas Parade 2023 – December 2

Winter Garden Christmas Parade 2023

Saturday, December 2

Parade Kickoff: 10:00 am

Free

Event Date: Saturday, December 2
Parade Kickoff: 10:00 AM (Parade length: approximately just over one hour)
Event Location: South Dillard Street & West Plant Street, Historic Downtown
Free

Bring a lawn chair or blanket and head to your favorite spot for this annual holiday event. A long-standing Winter Garden holiday tradition will delight spectators and bring in holiday cheer! Do not forget to look for the Big Guy himself at the end of the parade!

The Winter Garden Christmas Parade kicks off at 10:00 am on Dillard Street at the Palmetto Street intersection (by Wells Fargo) proceeds north on Dillard Street, then heads west/left on Plant Street through historic downtown and concludes at Park Avenue.

Hosted by the City of Winter Garden, the Winter Garden Christmas Parade is a free community event.

FOR PARADE ENTRY PARTICIPANTS:

Due to limited space, preregistration is required for all parade entries.

Complete and submit a Parade Registration Entry Application. Deadline: Friday, November 17, 2023

Please note: Parade Entry Applications will not be accepted after FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2023.

All applicants will receive an email notification whether approved or not approved.

Instructions concerning check-in time, items not permitted, staging location, etc. can be found on the application.

Entry Fee

For Parade Participants, the Entry Fee is a donation of toys, check, or cash (commensurate with the size of the entry) to the Winter Garden Police Department's HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR KIDS Program and will be collected at parade check-in.

Please, no wrapped toys, no toy guns, and no toy weapons.

All checks should be made payable to WINTER GARDEN POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE, INC.

Parade Prize Categories:

All Parade entries are eligible for prizes in the following categories:

The Mayor's Trophy
The Grand Marshal’s Award

First and Second place trophies will be awarded in the following categories:

Best Youth or Children's Group
Best Commercial or Business Entry Float
Best Band, Vocal or Performance Group
Best Church or Fraternal Group
Best Antique Vehicle

ROAD CLOSURES

Please note that select roads will be CLOSED in the historic downtown area for this event and other events, December 1 - 2:

West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets through historic downtown, will be closed from Friday, December 1, at 2:00 pm, through Saturday, December 2, at approximately 11:00 pm. In addition, on Saturday, December 2, 9:45 am - 11:00 am, there will be an intermittent closure of Dillard Street from Highway 50 to Plant Street, for the Winter Garden Christmas Parade.

The road closures are due to the following free, community holiday events: Light Up Winter Garden (December 1, 6:00-9:00 pm), Winter Garden Christmas Parade (December 2, 10:00 am) ,outdoor Holiday Market (December 2, 1:00-4:00 pm), and Winter Garden Christmas Golf Cart Parade (December 2, 6:00 pm).

PARKING - Always FREE!

Parking is always free downtown, including at the public three-level parking garage (160 S. Boyd St.), 117-space parking lot (37 N. Boyd St.), Sam Williams Little League Complex (415 S. Park Ave.), and a little further up the road at Veterans Memorial Park (420 S. Park Ave.).

Parking along West Plant Street from Dillard Street to Park Avenue, and a portion of the adjoining side streets, will not be available for parking due to the road closures.

WINTER GARDEN FARMERS MARKET, 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

The Winter Garden Farmers Market will be open as usual from 8:00 am – 1:00 pm on Parade day. Located steps away from the parade route on Plant Street, be sure to visit for fresh produce, baked items, artisan crafts, and more!

8:00 am – 1:00 pm
Downtown Pavilion, 104 S. Lakeview Avenue

Stay After Parade for the Downtown HOLIDAY MARKET, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

The holiday fun continues after the Parade with a DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY MARKET. Following the parade, stop by a local restaurant and grab some unique eats while you watch downtown transform into an open-air Holiday Market. From 1:00 – 4:00 pm, the outdoor Holiday Market will take place at various locations throughout downtown, and be sure to take a picture at one of the Gingerbread- themed photo stops!

The streets will remain closed after the Parade for the Holiday Market, providing a safe and convenient way to shop for items on your gift list. Join your neighbors for another fun Downtown Winter Garden experience, and do not forget to pick up those holiday sweets and treats!

For questions or a hard copy of the Parade application, please contact:
Winter Garden Parks and Recreation Department
Jessie Brock Community Center, 310 North Dillard Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787
Phone: 407.656.4155; Fax: 407.656-6504
Email: recinfo@cwgdn.com