Merrimack Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Spectators can watch decorated community floats, marching band music, and Santa's sleigh travel along the parade route. Festivities continue at the park with live musical performances, holiday dance numbers, and a countdown led by Santa to light the bandstand. Families can listen to storytime with Mrs. Claus, visit activity tables, play games, and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Sun, Dec 6, 2026 All ages
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Plan Your Visit
Hours
Parade step-off: 3:00 p.m.; tree-lighting ceremony: approximately 3:45 p.m., immediately after Santa arrives; parade-float check-in: 1:45–2:45 p.m.
Food & Drink
A Girl Scout troop will offer free cookies, and Triangle Credit Union will give out candy canes.
Parking
The parade concludes in the Town Hall parking lot. The page does not provide visitor parking instructions.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Bundle up for the outdoor parade and tree-lighting celebration, as the event invites visitors to do so.
- Choose a viewing spot along the approximately one-mile parade route, which ends at the Town Hall parking lot.
- Head to Abbie Griffin Park for the tree lighting, performances, activities and meet-and-greet after the parade.
- If entering a float, submit the entry by December 2 and check in at the Commons Shopping Plaza staging area.
- For float check-in, use the Parks & Recreation Table in front of Tractor Supply and line up along Front Street, not in the parking lot.
Special Events & Promotions
- This year’s parade theme is “Deck The Halls: A Festival of Holiday Lights.”
- A prize is awarded for the best-decorated float related to the parade theme.
- Children can join storytime with Mrs. Claus on December 6.
- Santa arrives at Abbie Griffin Park and meets visitors with Mrs. Claus on December 6.
- DJ Darren Roy, Merrimack High School Marching Band, Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center, and Miss Portsmouth Veronika Sokol perform during the December 6 tree-lighting ceremony.
Links & Contact
Run by Merrimack Parks & Recreation Department
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
Who is the parade and tree-lighting celebration for?
Families and friends are invited, and children are welcome at storytime with Mrs. Claus.
What happens during the celebration?
The parade features decorated floats and marching-band music, followed by performances, a tree-lighting countdown led by Santa, storytime, activity tables, games and a Santa and Mrs. Claus meet-and-greet.
Where can I watch the parade and join the tree-lighting activities?
The parade starts at The Commons Shopping Plaza, follows Daniel Webster Highway, Baboosic Lake Road and McElwain Street, and concludes at the Town Hall parking lot. The tree-lighting activities are at Abbie Griffin Park behind Town Hall.
Can I enter a float in the parade?
Yes. Float entries must be submitted by December 2. Floats should check in at the staging area at The Commons Shopping Plaza, by the Parks & Recreation Table in front of Tractor Supply, and line up along Front Street.
What activities are available for children at the tree lighting?
Children can gather for Mrs. Claus’s reading, visit activity tables and games, write a letter to Santa, and meet Santa and Mrs. Claus for photos.
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