Welcome to the City of Waxahachie

City of Waxahachie Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Thank you for your interest in the City of Waxahachie's annual Christmas Parade. The Waxahachie Christmas Parade is held each year on the Tuesday evening following Thanksgiving. The parade starts at 6:30pm at Getzendaner Park.

New in 2025: Due to the incredible interest in our Christmas Parade, applications will go before a selection committee. While applying does not guarantee a spot, we’re excited to showcase entries that truly light up the season! The committee will be looking at past participation as well as the creativity, decorations, and festive lighting described in your application. Our goal is to highlight those who go above and beyond to bring holiday magic to the streets of Waxahachie.

Applications are due by Sunday, November 2, 2025, and those selected will be announced by Friday, November 7, 2025.

PARADE ENTRY RULES & REQUIREMENTS

Floats must be lighted (for nighttime viewing “OVER LIGHTED IS BETTER”). Entries will be limited and a WOW FACTOR IS EXPECTED. If your entry is not decorated for Christmas, you will not be allowed to participate. Floats must remain lit throughout the entire parade.
SANTA CLAUS will be provided by the City – No other live Santas shall be allowed. Violators will be asked to withdraw from the parade before it begins and not allowed back in future years.
People riding in the parade must remain in the vehicles at all times once the parade has started.
Walking members must be 12 years of age or older to walk in the parade. Younger members will be required to ride on or in a vehicle or float. Walkers must be able to keep up with the floats or risk being left behind. Please keep up with the entry in front of you—NO GAPS. Nobody will be allowed to stop and perform during the parade.
NO EQUINE ENTRIES ALLOWED (effective beginning in 2024 per Emergency Management)
NO SEMIS OR 18 WHEELERS ALLOWED
NOTHING can be thrown from any float. If caught, you will be removed from the parade and will not be allowed to participate in future Christmas parades.
All decorations & participants are to arrive with the entry. If you have multiple vehicles in your entry - everyone MUST arrive together at the same time (or you will not be able to line up together). Participants will NOT be allowed to drive their vehicles into the park unless you are the actual entry. All participants of your entry to meet outside the park area and come into the park with you.

Yes
No

Single Vehicle (Automobile, Golf Cart, Bicycle, etc.)
Multiple Vehicles (Jeep Club, Motorcycle Group, etc.)
Walking Group (Band, Dancers, etc.)
Vehicle pulling Trailer
Animals (excluding service animals or pets riding in vehicles)
Other

1-10
11-25
26-50
50+

New in 2025: Due to the incredible interest in our Christmas Parade, applications will go before a selection committee. While applying does not guarantee a spot, we’re excited to showcase entries that truly light up the season! The committee will be looking at past participation as well as the creativity, decorations, and festive lighting described in your application. Our goal is to highlight those who go above and beyond to bring holiday magic to the streets of Waxahachie. Applications are due by Sunday, November 2, 2025, and those selected will be announced by Friday, November 7, 2025.

PARADE ENTRY INFORMATION

Floats must be lined up by 5:30 pm to be judged. Line-up will be first come first in line. JEEPS will be staged on Commodore Street. Please enter by Jerry’s Tires.
Parade begins at 6:30 pm at Getzendaner Park. (We will line up around the perimeter of the park.) The parade will proceed north on Grand, right (east) on Main Street (U.S. Hwy. 287 Bus.), right on Rogers Street, and end at the historic train depot. You will not be allowed to stop on Rogers Street to let participants off your floats.
Nobody will be allowed to drop off on Rogers Street. A map will be emailed to you closer to the parade with different exit strategies and alternate routes.

2025 Waxahachie Christmas Parade Application

City of Waxahachie Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting

Tuesday, December 2, 2025