The 45th Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade
Hosted by The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland, this annual holiday parade brings the community together to celebrate the season. Spectators can enjoy festive floats and community presentations centered around the year's holiday theme.
Thu, Dec 3, 2026 All ages
See more other Christmas activities near Lakeland
Plan Your Visit
Hours
7:00pm.
Neighborhood
Downtown Lakeland
Location
Tips & Advice
- Watch how each float and entry takes on this year's parade theme, "The Magic of Christmas."
- Groups that need a float can call Festive Floats of Central Florida in Fort Meade, a builder many organizations have used before.
- Dress for an evening outdoors, because the Lakeland Christmas Parade is held on a Thursday night in early December.
Special Events & Promotions
- 2026 parade theme: "The Magic of Christmas."
Links & Contact
Run by City of Lakeland and Junior League of Greater Lakeland
Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their contact page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this year's parade theme?
The 2026 theme is "The Magic of Christmas."
How can my organization enter the parade?
Fill out the 2026 Christmas Parade application and sign the waiver of liability. Applications closed October 2, 2026. Questions go to the parade chairs at christmasparade@jlgl.org.
Who puts on the parade?
The Junior League of Greater Lakeland and the City of Lakeland host it together.
Is there help with building a float?
Many groups have used Festive Floats of Central Florida in Fort Meade. Contact William or Wendy Attix.
Browse Christmas in Lakeland
Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.