2023 Theme: (TBD)
The City of Waukesha's 60th Annual Christmas Parade will be held on
Sunday, December 3, 2023
4:00pm Start
Sunday, December 3, 2023
4:00pm Start
Proceeds
A portion of proceeds from the parade will be donated to local community organizations
Parade Safety
The Waukesha City Council has approved the purchase of vehicle barriers which will be used to block off roads along the parade route. The Modular Vehicle Barriers (MVB) are designed to help protect crowds from traffic, but can be easily moved out of the way if needed in an emergency.
The Chamber is working closely with the City of Waukesha, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Department of Public Works to enhance the safety of parade participants and attendees. Extra measures are being taken by all involved parties to have a safe and successful event. For those who are uncomfortable attending in person, TMJ4 will be broadcasting the parade live.
The Chamber is working closely with the City of Waukesha, the Police Department, the Fire Department, and the Department of Public Works to enhance the safety of parade participants and attendees. Extra measures are being taken by all involved parties to have a safe and successful event. For those who are uncomfortable attending in person, TMJ4 will be broadcasting the parade live.
Support
Healing Hearts of Wisconsin will have a tent set up at Cutler Park on the day of the parade to provide support and resources for members of the community. They will also have personnel along the parade route to offer assistance as desired.
Volunteers
A big thank you to the numerous volunteers who have signed up to help make this a successful event. We couldn't do it without the community's support.
Letters to Santa
The US Post Office will be marching in the parade and their letter carriers will be collecting letters to Santa that children bring to the parade.
Parking and Road Closures
For the Christmas Parade, no parking signs will be posted on impacted streets on Saturday evening, December 3. No vehicles may be parked along roads inside the parade route perimeter starting at 11am Sunday, December 4 (please view parade map). If vehicles are parked on roads inside the secure parade perimeter they will start to be towed beginning at 11am on Sunday, December 4. The South St. Parking Garage and other City parking lots will be open until the roads close at 2pm, then vehicles in those areas will be unable to leave until the police reopen the roads after the parade ends.
Streets around the Library will be closed beginning at 2:00pm. Additional roads will be closed starting at 3:15pm on Sunday, December 4. After 3:15 pm, no traffic will be able to enter or exit the parade perimeter until the conclusion of the parade which is expected to be around 6pm (please view parade map).
For spectators coming to the parade, you will need to park using street parking outside the parade perimeter or City parking lots (please view parade map) and walk to your viewing location.
Streets around the Library will be closed beginning at 2:00pm. Additional roads will be closed starting at 3:15pm on Sunday, December 4. After 3:15 pm, no traffic will be able to enter or exit the parade perimeter until the conclusion of the parade which is expected to be around 6pm (please view parade map).
For spectators coming to the parade, you will need to park using street parking outside the parade perimeter or City parking lots (please view parade map) and walk to your viewing location.
Thank You to Our 2022 SPONSORS:
Community Sponsors:
Cousins Subs
Generac The Freeman Carroll University Infinity Exteriors |
Waukesha State Bank
Edward Jones Home Federal Savings Bank Paul Davis Restoration NAMI / United for Waukesha Resiliency Center |
Parade Patron:
Milestone Pediatrics
Volunteer and Participant Refreshment Sponsors:
Home Federal Savings Bank
Summit Woods / Capri Communities
Summit Woods / Capri Communities
Registration is now FULL for registering your group to march in the Christmas Parade. We apologize for any inconvenience. NO EXCEPTIONS ARE BEING MADE.
Be aware that the following are prohibited:
Parade Rules
JUDGING All entries will be judged for having the Most Outstanding Float Design and Most Outstanding Display of Showmanship and Entertainment. Float judging will take place before the start of the parade in the line-up area. You must be in place by 2:30 pm to be judged. Performance acts will be judged during the parade. ENTRY GUIDELINES 1. A description of the unit is required when filing the application. 2. All units must be decorated and have working lights on the float to be considered for entry into the Waukesha Christmas Parade 3. All units must in some way reflect either the theme of the parade or the holiday season. 4. Absolutely no Santa costumed characters allowed in the parade. 5. All parade entries must be pre-registered. 6. Units that delay the parade are subject to removal. 7. No political campaign signs will be allowed. 8. The parade committee reserves the right to limit or determine participation in the parade. 9. Units with animals must provide proof of insurance. Units must clean up after the animals. Dogs are only permitted in the parade under special circumstances, such as if the dog pertains directly to the identity of the entrant (i.e. Pet Therapy Dog Business). *Per a City of Waukesha ordinance, dogs are not permitted in City Parks. 10. Units must maintain no more than 25 feet between each other and must keep moving. For everyone's safety, no units may stop to perform. 11. Units must adhere to their assigned entry number. 12. Community group entries may not contain any business advertising, signage, etc. This includes vehicles towing floats or providing music, etc. UNIT POSITION-- WILL NOT BE DETERMINED UNTIL LATE NOVEMBER -Your unit's position number in the parade is listed on https://www.waukeshaworks.com/2022-christmas-parade.html. -On parade day, your position may change slightly. ROUTE FOR 2022 -The parade will begin and end on Wisconsin Avenue at Cutler Park heading west, then turn North on West Ave to continue onto Main street. Once arriving at Barstow, the route will head South until Wisconsin Ave before heading west back to Cutler Park. -The total route is approximately one mile in length. |
Parade Rules (Continued)
STAGING AREA -The parade staging area will be on Maple Ave and Grand Ave. -Surrounding Roads will start closing at 2:00pm - if you arrive before 2:00pm, you might not be able to park in your exact staging location depending on traffic -A check-in station will be at the corner of N Grand Ave and Arlington St - you must check in to get your lineup number. Approach the check-in location from the south. -You will then be assisted to your spot in line. -Line-up numbers will be posted on stakes on the side of the street. -All units must be in place in the staging area by 3:00 p.m. -If you are entering a float for judging, you must be in place by 2:30 p.m. -We expect 80+ units this year-- so please be on time. PARKING -If your vehicle won't be a part of your entity for the parade, you will need to find parking and walk to the staging area. The South St Parking Garage and other City parking lots will be open until the roads close down by 2pm, then vehicles in those areas will be unable to leave until the police re-open the roads after the parade ends. RESTROOMS -The bathrooms at the Les Paul Performance Center in Cutler Park will be open from Noon-7pm -The employee side entrance at the library will be open from 2:30-4:30pm for bathroom use and to warm up or change into costumes, if needed. FLOAT JUDGING / PERFORMANCE JUDGING -Float judging will take place in the line-up area. -If you are entering a float for judging, you must be in place by 2:30 p.m. -Performance groups will be judged along the route, and winners will be notified after the parade. -The local papers will be notified of all winners following the parade. -All units that wish to be judged must be pre-registered. All entries will be judged in the following categories: -Most outstanding float design and dramatic impact -Most outstanding display of showmanship and entertainment PARADE GUIDELINES NO OTHER SANTAS IN THE PARADE. -For the safety of spectators, please DO NOT throw anything from your unit. -Units may not delay the parade or march backward. -These restrictions are being enforced to avoid any mishaps with children and to keep the parade running in a safe and orderly fashion. Thank you for your assistance. -Parade officials and radio operators will be located along the route wearing reflective vests &/or official t-shirts -Please follow requests made by the parade officials. -ALL units involving a motor vehicle MUST have holiday-appropriate lighting. |