Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade

The Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting is Friday, Dec. 5

Don’t miss Meridian’s most wondrous night as we usher in the holidays with the Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration!

This beloved community tradition is filled with sparkle and spirit—featuring dazzling parade floats, free hot cocoa stands to warm your hands and hearts, and pre-parade entertainment to keep the excitement buzzing.

Gather your friends and family for watch parties along the route, wave to Santa, and countdown to the moment the Christmas tree lights up downtown.

Keep scrolling for hot tips for where to park, which roads are closed and who is handing out the free hot coco!

Kids taking photos of City Christmas Tree

Be in the parade!

Parade Application

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.

Be a volunteer.

Special Event Volunteers

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.

Christmas Tree ornament with snowman design.

Ornament Drop and Seek

The Meridian Arts Commission invites you to experience the joy of discovery with a festive twist on their beloved annual Art Drop — presenting the Meridian Ornament Drop & Seek.

Celebrate the season through creativity: craft an ornament to share, or find one to cherish. This community-driven activity brings art to life in unexpected places throughout Downtown Meridian on Friday, December 5, and Saturday, December 6. Each ornament is a tiny treasure, waiting to spark delight for those who find it.

HOT TIP: This year, Meridian Parks & Recreation joins the celebration, sprinkling extra holiday magic on Friday afternoon with special ornaments hidden just in time for the Winter Lights Parade — a treat for both the young and the young at heart.

Discover more and download your participation form.

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.