Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade

🎅🎄 What to Expect at the Grand Rapids Santa Parade! 🎄🎅

The magic of the holiday season is coming to downtown Grand Rapids! The Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade returns on November 21, bringing festive fun and Christmas cheer to families from across West Michigan.

Santa is making the journey all the way from the North Pole to celebrate with us! He’ll arrive at Rosa Parks Circle around 6:30 p.m., just in time to join the City of Grand Rapids for the annual tree lighting ceremony at 6:45 p.m.

And that’s just the beginning!

This FREE community event will feature:

• More than 50 festive parade entries
• A special visit from Santa
• A children’s letter-writing station with free USPS delivery to the North Pole
• Family-friendly activities following the tree lighting
• Plenty of holiday magic throughout downtown

Bring the whole family, bundle up, and join us as Grand Rapids lights up for the holiday season! 🎄🎅

We're in discussion with Santa to choose the best route from the North Pole.  Stay tuned!!

Thank you for your interest in the 2025 Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Parade! We are excited to have you as a partner in this Grand Rapids tradition. The parade will take place Saturday, November 22nd, in the late afternoon and evening.

Please note the following rules and regulations related to the parade:

• ABSOLUTELY NO CANDY IS ALLOWED TO BE THROWN FROM PARADE ENTRIES.  Candy donations can be made at event line-up and all candy will be thrown at the end of the parade following Santa.  Entries may provide 1-2 volunteers to join the elves that will be throwing the candy.
• Applications will be accepted through November 1.
• No semi-trucks or similarly sized trailers.
• Lights are a mandatory addition to each entry.
• Accepted entries will be announced November 7 (payment in full is required for acceptance).
  • For-Profit Organizations: $300
  • Non-Profit Organizations: $75
  • A donation of $150 will be made to marching bands that are accepted into the parade
• Accepted entries will receive their parade packets (including line up, timing, staging and de-staging information) the week of 11/10.
• Expect to arrive for staging between 3:00 and 4:00 pm, depending on placement in the line-up; your parade packet will provide further details
• Parade will begin at 5pm
• Be in theme- Entries MUST be decorated with holiday or coordinated themed decoration/apparel.
• All entries should be properly identified with signs or banners for media and spectator recognition.
• No Santa's- Parade entrants/participants are asked to refrain from having a Santa Claus (person) included in their entry. This is due to the float that has the official event Santa displayed. This Santa can also be found taking photos with guest's post-parade. This does not forgo participants from wearing Santa hats and/or similar clothing. If you are questioning your costume, it is advised to share a photo with the Parade Committee prior to the event.
• The only vehicles permitted in the parade are those carrying dignitaries, towing a float or fully decorated as a parade entry.
• No political flags, banners or statements are allowed. The purpose of the parade is to celebrate the Grand Rapids community and the holiday season.
• No politics or political ‘hot topics’ permitted. Organizers reserve the right to ask any entry to leave or alter their entry to meet the goal of ‘no political statements’.
• No Campaigning Politicians.  We support no political candidate or party.
• No politician seeking office or reelection will be permitted in the parade.
• Any official who is already in office and is not actively campaigning for reelection is welcome to participate, keeping in mind restrictions against political messaging.
• Obey all City of Grand Rapids laws and regulations and promptly obey any requests or commands issued by law enforcement officers or first responders.
• Promptly obey any requests by a Parade worker/volunteer to aid with logistics and safety.