Illustration of a santa visit scene (The Little Rock Holiday Parade)
Other Christmas Activities

The Little Rock Holiday Parade

Downtown streets transform into Candy Cane Lane as the parade brings festive floats, joyful music, and live performances to Little Rock. Visitors can watch the procession and float competition as entries travel east along Markham toward the Interstate 30 area. Before the procession, families can meet Santa Claus at the Statehouse Convention Center.

What to Expect

Downtown holiday parade featuring festive floats, live performances, and Santa photos.

Event Details

Ages

All ages

Neighborhood

Downtown Little Rock

Timed Entry

No

Organizer

Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau

Local Insight & Ratings

Family Friendly

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 (5/5)

Best For

Families with young children

Vibe

Festive and lively

Energy Level

Moderate

Budget

Free

Photo Friendly

High

Weather Sensitivity

High

Location

Downtown Little Rock
485 W Markham St, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
Little Rock, AR

Know Before You Go

  • Hours: Parade kicks off at 3 p.m.

Tips & Advice

  • Arrive early to choose a viewing spot along the route, which begins at Broadway and West Markham and continues east toward I-30.
  • Visit the Statehouse Convention Center before the procession for Santa photos; family visits are scheduled from 2 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
  • Use the route details to choose where to watch, since the procession travels east along Markham toward the I-30 area.
  • Bring warm layers for watching outdoors in December, as the parade runs through downtown streets.
  • Stay afterward for the Capitol festivities, including the annual tree lighting and fireworks, rather than leaving when the parade ends.

Special Events & Promotions

  • New this year: a float competition
  • Candy Cane Lane theme this year
  • Meet Santa Claus and take a family photo at the Statehouse Convention Center before the parade

Quick Actions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kids meet Santa?

Yes. Before the parade, stop by the Statehouse Convention Center to meet Santa Claus and take a family photo.

What's the theme this year?

This year the parade turns downtown streets into Candy Cane Lane, with a peppermint theme.

What's new this year?

The parade now has a float competition.

What will I see?

Festive floats, live performances and holiday music.

What is there to do after the parade?

Head to the Arkansas State Capitol for the annual lighting ceremony, with the tree lighting and a fireworks show.

Tags

paradescommunity celebrationSanta visitstree lightingfamily friendlyholiday traditionfestive atmosphereholiday cheer

More Christmas Events Near Little Rock

More Christmas Events near Little Rock

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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.

Contributors & Updates

Last Updated: Oct 20, 2026
Original Submitter: Sep 17, 2025 The Christmas Events Near Me editorial team