Lighted Christmas Parade

Please join us for the Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade on Friday, December 4, 2026.

The parade begins at 6:00 p.m. (The Parade route map is at the bottom of the page.) You must register to participate in the parade.

The deadline to enter is Monday, November 16, 2026. Entries after this date will not be judged.

NOTE: The parade route will begin at Partin Park on W Gordon Ave., turn right onto S Victory Dr. in front of Thriftway, and turn right onto Hwy. 280, continue along our usual route and end on N Lanier St. (See Parade Map). The Quiet Zone will be at the Lyons Train Depot parking lot.

Your application and release form must be submitted online, and you will receive instructions after submitting this application.

*Overall judging considerations include (where applicable):

First Impression and Overall Appearance
Consistency with the Parade Theme and Christmas Spirit
Originality and Uniqueness
Quality of Workmanship, Construction, Uniforms, or Costumes
Choreography and Enthusiasm

*Award Categories: Don't forget the lights!
Best of Parade – Overall Entry that best Impressively displays the Parade Theme.
Best Marching/Dancing/Cheering/Twirling Group – Groups of any size that primarily march, dance, cheer, and/or twirl. May include special characters or unique costumes.
Best Walking Group - Groups of any size that primarily are walking. May include special characters or other unique costumes.
Best Small Float or Vehicle – Entries which are primarily vehicles the size of a full-size P/U truck or smaller and may include a trailer no longer than 15 ft. All vehicles and trailers in the entry should be decorated. May include some people walking.
Best Large Float or Vehicle – Entries that are primarily vehicles larger than a full-size P/U truck or include a trailer longer than 15 ft. All vehicles and trailers in the entry should be decorated. May include some people walking.

The Award Category Names and the Judging Criteria are subject to minor changes based on the actual parade entries received.

Winners in each category will receive a monetary award and a certificate of recognition!

Parade Meeting

IMPORTANT! There will be a parade meeting on November 16, 2026, at Lyons Main Street Office( 124 NW Broad St) at 6:00 p.m. Please send a representative for your entry. The parade route, drop-off, and pick-up instructions, and your parade number will be given at that time. All questions will be addressed at this meeting. We can not guarantee your position in the parade if you do not attend.

Judging

Judging of Parade Entries: Parade Judges will be located at on teh lawn of Vidalia Federal Lawn. The parade route will pass this location as you proceed down Victory Dr. This is your opportunity to showcase your creativity by bringing together the patriotic spirit of America’s 250th Anniversary and the magic of Christmas in one festive parade entry to be judged so please make sure that all participants on your entry are aware of the judging location. Make sure your parade number is on the drivers sider and is visual to the judges. if not you will not be judged.

Quiet Zone

The area of the parade when you trun onto HWY 280 in front of thr Lyons Train Depot as a “Quiet Zone” for anyone to view the parade who may need a less noisy parade experience. All parade units should plan to refrain from turning on sirens, blowing horns, playing loud music, or making loud noises. We want everyone to enjoy the Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade and appreciate your cooperation.

Where to Go

On the day of the parade, your entry should first report to S Washington St (entrance to Partin Park) at the Lyons Fire Department tent to allow the Parade Committee an opportunity to inspect your entry and answer any questions you may have. All parade line-up numbers should be placed under the wiper blade on the passenger-side windshield. Only line-up numbers should be displayed on the windshield. All windshields should remain clear (except for the line-up number issued by the Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade Committee) and doors should remain closed while moving in the parade line. Walking groups must either pin their number to their banner or on the first person in the group.
If your line-up number is not displayed where judges can see it, your entry may not be judged.
Parade Line-Up and inspection will begin at 4:00 PM on the day of the parade. All entries must be in line no later than 5:15 p.m. Any parade entry that is not inspected and in its assigned line-up location by 5:15 PM may be placed at the end of the parade line-up and risk not being judged for awards.

Parade Route and Pick-Up

Please review this information carefully to determine the parade route as well as routes to follow when dropping off people who will be participating in the parade/picking up people who participated in the parade.
The area of the parade route located when you turn onto HWY 280 and in front of the Lyons Train Depot is designated as a “Quiet Zone” for anyone to view the parade who may need a less noisy parade experience. All parade units should plan to refrain from turning on sirens, blowing horns, playing loud music, or making loud noises. We want everyone to enjoy the Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade and appreciate your cooperation.

General Information

The Lyons Lighted Christmas Parade will continue if it rains. Please plan accordingly. In the event of the possibility of significant weather (Lightning, etc.), please check the Lyons Mainstreet Facebook page for updates. However, our goal is to continue with the parade rain or shine.
All participants must comply with the parade guidelines and cooperate with parade volunteers. Parade Committee Members will wear safety vests on the day of the parade. Parade Marshals will wear safety vests while assisting with the parade. Please look for these volunteers if you need assistance on the day of the parade.
All floats and vehicles must be decorated. This includes the vehicle pulling your entry. Please keep in mind the theme of the parade and show your Christmas magic. Military and Marching Bands are exempt from this rule. However, we encourage you to incorporate the parade theme when possible. Lights! Lights! Lights!
There is only one live Santa Claus. He will magically appear at the end of the parade. No additional Santa is allowed in the parade.
For the safety and security of our children, all chaperones need to be in shirts that are easily identified as being with the group that they are walking/riding with during the parade.
NO ALCOHOL is allowed in the parade. No cups or glassware are allowed in the parade. Bottled water or canned soft drinks are allowed.
The parade committee will inspect all units prior to and during the parade.
The driver of each vehicle in the parade must be a qualified, licensed driver of 21 years of age or older. Each vehicle must have valid license plates and maintain a safe distance from the preceding unit. Drivers must always remain in their vehicles.
If you are playing music, it MUST be child-friendly. Christmas music is preferred!
The parade committee reserves the right to exclude from parade participation any entry that is considered to be advocating or promoting a particular purpose, principle, agenda, or message inconsistent with or contrary to the Christmas parade.
No distribution of printed advertising material is permitted during the parade.
Under no circumstances can donations be solicited or taken from vehicles.
There will be no parade registration during the night of the parade. Unregistered individuals/groups will not be permitted to participate in the parade.
Walkers & Characters: All walkers and costumed characters must remain with their assigned float or parade entry and keep pace with the parade. DO NOT STOP OR DELAY THE PARADE to allow walkers or characters to catch up. It is the responsibility of each parade entry to ensure their group stays together and maintains continuous forward movement.