The 45th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade
Hosted by The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland, this annual holiday parade brings the community together to celebrate the season. Spectators can enjoy festive floats and community presentations centered around the year's holiday theme.
What to Expect
Celebrates the holiday season with the theme "The Magic of Christmas."
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Lakeland
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
City of Lakeland and Junior League of Greater Lakeland
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and community members
Vibe
Festive and communal
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: 7:00pm.
Tips & Advice
- Watch how each float and entry takes on this year's parade theme, "The Magic of Christmas."
- Groups that need a float can call Festive Floats of Central Florida in Fort Meade, a builder many organizations have used before.
- Dress for an evening outdoors, because the Lakeland Christmas Parade is held on a Thursday night in early December.
Special Events & Promotions
- 2026 parade theme: "The Magic of Christmas."
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this year's parade theme?
The 2026 theme is "The Magic of Christmas."
How can my organization enter the parade?
Fill out the 2026 Christmas Parade application and sign the waiver of liability. Applications closed October 2, 2026. Questions go to the parade chairs at christmasparade@jlgl.org.
Who puts on the parade?
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland host it together.
Is there help with building a float?
Many groups have used Festive Floats of Central Florida in Fort Meade. Contact William or Wendy Attix.
More Christmas Events Near Lakeland
More Christmas Events near Lakeland
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.