Woodstock, Georgia, Christmas parade 2026: Sunday, Dec. 6, at 5:30 p.m. down Main Street, then Santa and the 30-foot tree lighting. Route, parking, floats.
Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. Updated each year. The date comes from the City of Woodstock’s special events calendar; details of the evening come from the calendar and the city’s 2025 parade announcement. In 2025 the city posted the full plan, with road closures, on Dec. 1. Questions: Woodstock Parks and Recreation, 770-517-6788.
Woodstock’s Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m. It is an evening parade of lighted floats down Main Street, followed by Santa, the lighting of the city’s 30-foot Christmas tree and a free festival in The Park at City Center. The city calls it a tradition of nearly three decades; 2025’s was the 29th.
Who to call
- Woodstock Parks and Recreation: 770-517-6788
- Police, not an emergency (traffic, parking): Cherokee County dispatch, 678-493-4080
- Event page: City special events
The parade
| Date | Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026 |
| Start | 5:30 p.m. |
| Route | From Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road, down Main Street, to Sam’s Club at Highway 92 |
| Cost | Free |
In 2025 the city closed roads at 5:15 p.m. for the parade and said it would run rain or shine unless the weather turned dangerous. The 2026 closure time has not been posted yet; plan for detours around Main Street. Floats compete for awards: in 2025 the categories were Best Holiday, Most Original, Most Spirited and People’s Choice.
Woodstock Christmas parade 2026: plan your evening
| Time, Sunday, Dec. 6 | What |
|---|---|
| About 5:15 p.m. | Roads close along the route (2025 timing; the 2026 time is not yet posted) |
| 5:30 p.m. | Parade of Lights steps off at Woodstock Elementary School |
| After the parade | Santa, the tree lighting and the festival at The Park at City Center |
- Watch from: Main Street, anywhere along the route. The festival is at The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, just off Main Street downtown.
- Floats and entries: the city judges floats and names six Best Parade Float winners at the festival. The 2026 entry form was not posted on Oct. 16; ask Special Events Coordinator Marybeth Stockdale, 770-592-6000, ext. 1952, mstockdale@woodstockga.gov.
- Vendors: the festival has holiday vendors; vendor questions go to the same contact.
- Not this Woodstock? This page covers Woodstock, Georgia, in Cherokee County.
Tree lighting and festival
After the parade, the celebration moves to The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road. The city’s calendar lists:
- Santa, with time to share wish lists
- The lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree by the mayor and Santa
- Announcement of the six best parade floats
- Music from Ronnie the DJ
- Free cupcake decorating, crafts, hot cocoa and apple cider
- Winter carnival games, a snow machine and inflatables
- Holiday vendors and food
Santa’s Mailbox
From Nov. 26 to Dec. 13, children can drop letters to Santa in the North Pole Express Mailbox in the gazebo at The Park at City Center. Include a return address, and Santa writes back before Christmas. The city asks for no classroom projects.
More holiday dates in Woodstock
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Wednesday, Nov. 11, 6 p.m. | Veterans Day celebration with coffee, hot chocolate and cookies, from the city’s events calendar |
| Saturday, Dec. 5, 2 to 6 p.m. | Cozy Crawl, Visit Woodstock GA’s downtown restaurant crawl |
| December | History Cherokee’s Holiday Tour of Homes; see historycherokee.org |
| Dec. 26 to Jan. 17 | Christmas Tree Chip & Dip: drop off your tree at Olde Rope Mill Park, 690 Olde Rope Mill Road, for chipping |
Parking
The City Center East parking deck downtown has more than 600 free spaces, and the city says 85% of downtown parking is free. Paid zones are enforced until 8 p.m. See the downtown parking page and our getting around guide.
What this means for you
- Sunday, Dec. 6: parade at 5:30 p.m., then Santa and the tree lighting in the park.
- Main Street closes for the parade; park in the City Center East deck.
- Letters to Santa go in the gazebo mailbox by Dec. 13.
Related: holiday lights and Christmas events, road construction and closures and things to do this month.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Woodstock, Georgia, Christmas parade in 2026?
The Christmas Jubilee & Parade of Lights is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., according to the city’s special events calendar.
What is the Woodstock Christmas parade route?
The parade starts at Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road and travels down Main Street to Sam’s Club at Highway 92.
When is the Woodstock Christmas tree lighting?
Right after the parade on Dec. 6, at The Park at City Center, where the mayor and Santa light the city’s 30-foot Christmas tree.
How do I enter a float in the Woodstock Christmas parade?
The city had not posted the 2026 parade entry form as of Oct. 16. Contact Marybeth Stockdale, the city’s special events coordinator, at 770-592-6000, ext. 1952, or mstockdale@woodstockga.gov.
Where should I watch the Woodstock Christmas parade?
Anywhere along Main Street between Woodstock Elementary School on Rope Mill Road and Highway 92. The tree lighting follows at The Park at City Center, 101 Arnold Mill Road, just off Main Street downtown.
Where can kids see Santa in Woodstock?
At the festival after the parade on Dec. 6, in The Park at City Center. Children can also drop letters in Santa’s Mailbox at the park’s gazebo from Nov. 26 to Dec. 13 and get a personal reply.
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