Winter Lights Parade

Save the Date for 2025!

On Friday, December 5 at 7:00 pm we kick off our annual Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration.

It’s a time for the community to come together to enjoy brightly lit parade floats, visit Santa, and count down together for the grand moment when the Christmas tree lights come to life.

The main stage will be set at the corner of Main and Idaho streets, right across from Generations Plaza, where the Christmas tree will remain lit and on display all season long.

Enter now to participate in the festivities. Be in the parade, help serve hot cocoa or volunteer to help keep the parade route safe!

Joyfully Sponsored By:

Parade Hosts!

Michelle Heart from 107.9 Lite FM will join Mayor Robert Simison on the Main Stage. These two will share details about the Winter Lights parade entries and help Santa light the tree. The stage is located Idaho & Main.

Things to know:

Deadline: Friday, November 21 at 5:00 pm.

Tip: Before starting the application, write-up a short description about your organization that may be shared by the emcees during the parade. Keep it brief.

Also, the application requires a short description of your entry for selection purposes. Applications with lots of lights, festive costumes and music are our ideal entries.

Step 1

Submit your online application. Add a brief description of your float and your organization. Entries that are bright, decorated and crowd pleasures will be preferred.

The theme this year is "The Holiday Express." Entries can play on this or any other Christmas theme.

Tips:

Every person and vehicle must be brightly lit up for both safety, visibility and enjoyment.
Floats must have 2 or more spotters walking along side.
Music is encouraged but must be family friendly Christmas music.
No Santas are allowed. Don't worry, we've already contacted the real Santa and he is coming!

Be a volunteer.

Volunteer Opportunities

Ornament Drop and Seek

The Meridian Arts Commission is once again putting a festive twist on their popular annual Meridian Art Drop by hosting the Meridian Ornament Drop & Seek.

HOT TIP: Meridian Parks and Recreation partnering with Fusions Glass have 70 ornaments hidden along the parade route. Come early to seek and find. Bring an ornament to share.

For me information and the downloadable form click here.

Free Shuttle

Pick up the free shuttle anytime between 5:30 - 9:00 pm in the Albertson's parking lot on the corner of Fairview and Meridian roads. The shuttle ends at Carlton and Main Street.

Please note: The shuttle takes about 20 minutes round trip. Give yourself plenty of time to catch the shuttle and get to the parade route by 7:00 pm.

Parade Route & Layout Map

Look for Santa at the end of the parade!

Road Closures

Expect traffic delays on I-84 exit onto Meridian Road heading north. The affected areas will be from the Meridian Speedway, down Main Street to Fairview.

The parade route and roads intersecting it will close at the following times:

Access to N. Main Street from E. Idaho Avenue will be closed from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm to accommodate the main stage.

Main Street will be closed from the split corridor to E. Carlton Avenue from 4:00 – 9:00 pm for the Parade Route.

Franklin Road will remain open until 6:30 pm, right before the parade starts. E. Franklin will be closed from Stratford to Meridian Road from 6:30 – 9:00 pm.

After the parade, N. Main Street closure will be reduced to E. Broadway to E. Pine Avenue until 9:00 pm - or all the pedestrians have cleared the street.