Saturday, December 13, 2025
| Arlington TX |
Parade begins at 6:00 p.m.
The 2025 Arlington Holiday Lights Parade will brighten the streets Saturday, December 13!
Bring your friends and family to enjoy the Annual Holiday Lights Parade. Thousands of people will gather for the pageantry which is followed by the lighting of the Christmas tree. Don’t forget to bring your camera and take a picture with Santa before the parade at the Library at 100 S Center Street or after the tree lighting at the Founders Plaza at 100 W Abram Street.
Parade will continue as planned rain, snow, or shine… but not ice, lightning, or other safety concerns!
Note that all times are approximate and subject to change at any time. Please visit our web site on the day of the event and follow us on Social Media sites for the latest and most up-to-date information!
Want to join the parade?
All parade entries must complete an entry application and description of entry form. Entry applications and description of entry forms must be received or postmarked by application deadline of October 15.
2025 Schedule
The celebrations start at 2 p.m. at the Library with inside Reindeer Games! Before the parade, bring your camera and take a picture with Santa at the Library. Crafts, games, face painters, and balloon artists are part of the indoor Reindeer Games this year.
The outdoor Reindeer Games begin at 2 p.m. on the First Baptist Church of Arlington North Lawn with bounce houses and crafts coordinated by More Church and at 4 p.m. with entertainment coordinated by Levitt Pavilion!
- Reindeer Games | 2 – 5 p.m.
- Pictures with Santa | 2 – 5 p.m.
- Entertainment at Levitt | 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Holiday Lights Parade | 6 p.m.
- Tree Lighting | following the parade
- Pictures with Santa | following the tree lighting until 9 p.m.
At the conclusion of the parade, Mayor Ross has flip-the-switch honors, along with Santa Claus, to the Christmas Tree, a spectacular 65-foot tree designed especially for Arlington.
Following the Tree Lighting, bring your camera and take a picture with Santa at Levitt. A special appearance will be made by Mrs. Claus. Santa will head back to the North Pole at 9 p.m.
Note that all times are approximate and subject to change at any time. Please visit our web site on the day of the event and follow us on Social Media sites for the latest and most up-to-date information!
2025 Arlington Holiday Lights Route
The most recently approved route is here! Check out the route for this year’s parade and scope out the perfect spot to see and have fun!
Handicap parking is available in the First Baptist of Arlington lot using the entrance off of UTA Blvd after the street closures are completed.
- Because Santa will be on a special float in the parade, all entries are restricted from having a live Santa.
- All parade entries are limited to 13 feet in height.
- All floats, vehicles, persons walking and animals must have a display of lights. Entries must have a minimum of 100 lights total.
- Fire proof or fire-resistant materials should be used whenever possible.
- A fire extinguisher, Type ABC, must be on every float and in every car.
- Vehicles participating in the parade must be in good running order and be able to idle for periods of time without overheating.
- Vehicles are strongly urged to show up with a full tank of gas or have a gas tank in the vehicle for refueling.
- Absolutely no candy or any other enticements will be thrown or distributed from any entry. Anyone violating this rule will be removed from the parade immediately!
- Each float must be escorted down the entire parade route by two entry marshals (walkers) one on each side of the float.
- Any unit with children under the age of 12 must have two adults on the unit and one adult walking on each side.
- Vehicles not in the parade will not be allowed in the staging area due to limited space.
- Due to safety concerns, the parade committee suggests that children under 8 years of age not walk in the parade. They may ride on floats, vehicles or bikes under adult supervision.
- Holiday attire is encouraged.
- Following the parade, the pictures with Santa location will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony. We invite the public to bring their cameras.
- Signage for parade entries and/or parade vehicles is the responsibility of the parade entry.
- Vehicles need to turn off vehicle headlights while on parade route in order to showcase the Holiday lights on the parade entry.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited.
- We have the right to refuse an inappropriate entry.
- Parade application fees are nonrefundable.
- If the weather, public health, or other conditions prevent the parade from happening, the parade will not be rescheduled.