The public is cordially invited to attend the annual Mayor’s Holiday Tree Lighting at Haymarket Square each year on the Friday before Thanksgiving. Food and gift vendors will be available starting at 4 p.m. The Holiday Parade will begin at approximately 5:30 p.m., and the official Tree Lighting will be held immediately following the parade.
Parade - Registration Information
Limit of 25 entries. Theme is "Holidays". Deadline to register is noon on the Wednesday before the parade. All guidelines for the entry are listed on the registration site, which will be available Fall 2024.
The staging area is at 5th and Seneca. Staging will begin at 4 p.m. and end at 5 p.m. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.
The parade route will begin at 5th and Seneca, move south to Delaware then west on Delaware to 7th Street, then south on 7th Street to Cherokee, then east on Cherokee to Haymarket Square.
Market
The holiday market begins at 4 p.m. To become a vendor for the holiday market, see contact information area to the right.
Light Display
Each year, lights are put up at Haymarket Square and set to music on a specified radio station. The display stays up until the Monday after New Year's Day for all citizens to enjoy. Just pull into Haymarket Square and tune your radio to the station showing on the signs.
General information: parksandrec@firstcity.org