The Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting is Friday, Dec. 5
Don’t miss Meridian’s most wondrous night as we usher in the holidays with the Christmas in Meridian Winter Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Celebration!
This beloved community tradition is filled with sparkle and spirit—featuring dazzling parade floats, free hot cocoa stands to warm your hands and hearts, and pre-parade entertainment to keep the excitement buzzing.
Gather your friends and family for watch parties along the route, wave to Santa, and countdown to the moment the Christmas tree lights up downtown.
Keep scrolling for hot tips for where to park, which roads are closed and who is handing out the free hot cocoa!
Be in the parade!
Parade Hosts!
Michelle Heart from 107.9 Lite FM will join Mayor Robert Simison on the Main Stage. These two will share details about the Winter Lights parade entries and help Santa light the tree. The stage is located Idaho & Main.
Be a volunteer.
Free Shuttle
Pick up the free shuttle anytime between 5:30 - 9:00 pm in the Albertson's parking lot on the corner of Fairview and Meridian roads. The shuttle ends at Carlton and Main Street.
Please note: The shuttle takes about 20 minutes round trip. Give yourself plenty of time to catch the shuttle and get to the parade route by 7:00 pm.
Ornament Drop and Seek
The Meridian Arts Commission invites you to experience the joy of discovery with a festive twist on their beloved annual Art Drop — presenting the Meridian Ornament Drop & Seek.
Celebrate the season through creativity: craft an ornament to share, or find one to cherish. This community-driven activity brings art to life in unexpected places throughout Downtown Meridian on Friday, December 5. Each ornament is a tiny treasure, waiting to spark delight for those who find it.
HOT TIP: This year, Meridian Parks & Recreation joins the celebration, sprinkling extra holiday magic on Friday afternoon with special ornaments hidden just in time for the Winter Lights Parade — a treat for both the young and the young at heart.
Discover more and download your participation form.
New: Watch Parties!
Look for these gathering places with special amenities and fun people.
Road Closures: Downtown Meridian
Expect traffic delays on I-84 exit onto Meridian Road heading north.
The affected areas will be from the Meridian Speedway, down Main Street, Carlton and 2nd streets.
The parade route and roads intersecting it will close at the following times:
- Access to N. Main Street from E. Idaho Avenue will be closed from 8:00 am – 11:00 pm to accommodate the stage.
Main Street will be closed from the split corridor to E. Carlton Avenue from 4:00 – 9:00 pm for the Parade Route.
Franklin Road will remain open until 6:30 pm, right before the parade starts. E. Franklin will be closed from Stratford to Meridian Road from 6:30 – 9:00 pm.
After the parade, N. Main Street closure will be reduced to E. Broadway to E. Pine Avenue until 11:00 pm - or all the pedestrians and equipment have cleared the street.
3rd Street will be closed from E. Broadway Avenue to E. Franklin Road from 7:00 – 9:00 pm for the return route back to the Meridian Speedway.
Lane restrictions will be in place from 4:00 – 9:00 pm on E. Fairview Avenue from N Meridian Road to N Main Street.
*Business access will also remain open on N. Main Street from Fairview – Washington.
HOT TIP!
Look for these business and organizations on the parade route who are cooking up cocoa and giving it away to warm hands and hearts.
1. Compass Bible Church
2. Light the World
3. Voodoo Brewing
4. Storyline Church
5. Riverside Community Church
6. Harvest Festival
7. Cloverdale Plumbing
8. Loose Screw Brewery
9. Cole Valley Christian School
10. Hidden Gem Events
11. unBound Library
City Hall Food Row
Vending in the City Hall parking lot from 5:30 - 8:30 pm
Big Juds
Bistro Babe
The World's Best Corndogs
.
Idaho Mini Donuts
Th Hood Culinary Kitchen
The Pastry Parlor
Look for Santa at the end of the parade!
Ho ho ho, Meridian kiddos!
Guess what? I’ve been wrapping presents at the North Pole, and I just had to pause to tell you how excited I am to be in this year’s parade! I’ve been practicing my biggest, jolliest wave so I can spot every bright smile along the parade route.
I can’t wait to see your happy faces and hear your cheerful “Merry Christmas!” It makes my heart glow brighter than the Christmas tree! See you soon, my merry friends!
Much Love,
Santa
Mayor Robert Simison and Santa on stage at the 2024 parade.
Location
33. E. Broadway Ave. #206
Meridian, Idaho 83642
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Emergency Contact
After-Hours Park Emergency Contact: (208) 409-6666