Holiday Extravaganza Parade and Winter FUN Festival
The festival offers a variety of indoor and outdoor activities for families. Attendees can enjoy horse-drawn wagon rides, ice carving demonstrations, face painting, holiday crafts, and s'mores. Guests can also meet characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as the Grinch and Whoville friends.
Sat, Dec 5, 2026 All ages Free.
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Plan Your Visit
Hours
9:00 am to 2:00 pm, except during the parade.
Neighborhood
Downtown Pontiac
Food & Drink
S’mores are offered.
Location
Tips & Advice
- Register kids for the Santa Kids Run with the code kidsrunfree so they run free and finish with a medal, a Scholastic book and a sweet treat.
- Head to the Flagstar Strand Theatre right after the parade to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus before the free magic show and lunch.
- Plan your festival time around the parade, since the Winter FUN Festival on Saginaw Street pauses while the parade goes by.
- Dress warmly for outdoor activities like the horse-drawn wagon rides, ice carving demonstrations and s'mores on Saginaw Street.
- Stay for The Grinch movie at the Flagstar Strand Theatre, which comes with a free lunch to round out the day.
Special Events & Promotions
- 45th Holiday Extravaganza Parade through downtown Pontiac; the festival pauses while it passes.
- Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus inside the Flagstar Strand Theatre right after the parade.
- Free magic show and lunch at the Flagstar Strand Theatre.
- Free screening of The Grinch with a free lunch at the Flagstar Strand Theatre.
- Run ELF Run timed race and the non-timed Santa Kids Run before the parade; kids run free with code kidsrunfree.
Links & Contact
Run by The Greater Pontiac Host Committee
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 there for kids to do?
Kids can meet the Grinch and his Whoville friends, take horse-drawn wagon rides and watch ice carving demonstrations. There's also face painting, holiday crafts and s'mores, with activities both indoors and outdoors.
Where can we see Santa and Mrs. Claus?
Santa and Mrs. Claus are inside the Flagstar Strand Theatre right after the parade.
Does the festival keep going during the parade?
No. The Winter FUN Festival pauses while the Holiday Extravaganza Parade goes by.
Is there food?
S'mores are part of the festival. The Flagstar Strand Theatre also hosts a free magic show and lunch, plus a free lunch with The Grinch movie.
Can kids join a run?
Yes. The Santa Kids Run is a non-timed quarter-mile run/walk for parents and children. Kids run free with the code kidsrunfree, and every registered child who finishes gets a medal, a Scholastic book and a sweet treat.
Browse Christmas in Pontiac
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.