Thousands of people are expected to converge on downtown Lakeland on Thursday evening for the spectacle of the annual Christmas parade and fireworks.
What: 43rd Lakeland Christmas Parade
When: 7 p.m. Thursday, beginning with fireworks over Lake Mirror
Where: The parade starts on Lemon Street west of Florida Avenue, winds through downtown via Munn Park and Lake Mirror and takes Orange Street to the RP Funding Center. Check the route map above.
Who: More than 100 units, including floats and marching bands; as many as 50,000 spectators have attended in the past. Sponsor: Junior League of Greater Lakeland.
Theme: Christmas at Swan Lake
Weather: The forecast for Thursday evening calls for temperatures around 60 under mostly clear skies and no rain, according to The Weather Underground.
Watch it live: lakelandgov.net/TV, Facebook LiveSpectrum 643, FiOS 43, or Comcast Channel 5 (PGTV).
Last year: An estimated 50,000 attended. Check our photo gallery of last year’s parade, along with the city of Lakeland’s video of the full parade.
Chairs: Spectators are asked to refrain from placing chairs along the route until Thursday. The city of Lakeland warns that chairs or other materials used to save spaces will be removed before the day of the parade.
If placing chairs on Thursday morning or afternoon, do not block sidewalks, entrances or ADA ramps or place chairs in wheelchair accessible seating areas, or your chairs may be removed.
Streets/parking: Streets along the parade route will begin closing at 3:30 p.m. Public parking is available on open, non-parade-route streets, in public lots and parking garages (map). Tips from experienced parade-goers to avoid the inevitable traffic jams at the end of the parade:
- Avoid downtown garages.
- Seek parking spots several blocks from the parade.
- Remember that you cannot cross the parade route during the event, so plan your parking accordingly if you plan to leave early.
Accessibility: Parking will be available for vehicles with a disabled parking permit at the city’s Lot V at 161 E. Lime St., which is just east of Lake Morton Plaza. That location will also have a wheelchair-accessible parade-viewing area.
Food: Around a dozen food vendors are set up along the parade route. The list of 2024 vendors was not available as of Monday afternoon.
Length: From the time the floats get to your location, the parade typically lasts about an hour and a half.
Security: LPD typically has 150 officers on duty at the parade.
Awards are given in eight categories: most outstanding band, most original float, best professional float, best youth or educational float, best community float, best business float, best theme float and judge’s choice.
Traffic: Lots. Expect delays getting home.
ALSO: LakelandMom publishes an excellent family-friendly guide to the Christmas parade with lots of tips for parade-goers. See it here.
