Lexington's Holiday Parade steps off at 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, down Main Street, then the tree and menorah lighting in Triangle Park about 6 p.m.

Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the Downtown Lexington Partnership’s Luminate Lexington page and its 2026 parade application (PDF). Questions: Downtown Lexington Partnership, 859-407-2227.

Lexington’s holiday season downtown opens on Sunday, Dec. 6, with two events back to back. The Downtown Lexington Holiday Parade steps off at 5 p.m. on Main Street, and right after it the Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting in Triangle Park begins at about 6 p.m. This year the Downtown Lexington Partnership is holding the parade and the lighting festival on the same evening, under its Luminate Lexington banner. Both are on the street and in the park, with no ticket listed.

What this means for you

  • Get downtown well before 5 p.m.; the parade runs west on Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street.
  • The parade goes ahead in rain or cold. Organizers say it will not be canceled for weather.
  • Expect Main Street to be closed for the parade; plan your parking (see getting around).

The parade

From the 2026 parade application:

  • When: 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
  • Route: starts at the intersection of Main Street and Midland Avenue and heads west on Main Street, ending at Mill Street.
  • Review stand: on Main Street across from Tandy Park, where dance, baton and cheer groups may perform short routines.
  • Staging: parade units line up on Midland Avenue between Main Street and Winchester Road, and only parade vehicles are allowed on Midland Avenue.
  • Santa: Santa Claus rides in the parade. The rules bar any other entry from including a Santa, “as we all know there is only one Santa.”
  • Candy: nothing may be thrown from floats. Walkers hand candy to the crowd, so keep children on the curb.

The parade is presented by Commonwealth Credit Union, and Luminate Lexington by Kentucky Utilities.

The tree and menorah lighting

After the parade, the celebration moves to Triangle Park downtown for the Holiday Tree and Menorah Lighting. The lighting program starts at about 6 p.m., and Lexington’s Christmas tree and Hanukkah menorah are lit with community performances, according to the Luminate Lexington page. The partnership says its schedule of events is “coming soon”; we will add it here when it is published.

The tree itself is donated each year by a Lexington home or business owner. On Oct. 19, Lexington Parks & Recreation asked for a 30- to 40-foot blue or Norway spruce for 2026; details are in our story on the Triangle Park tree donation.

Entering the parade

Groups can still apply. Completed entry forms, fees and signed waivers are due by Wednesday, Dec. 2, with no exceptions and no day-of entries, according to the application. Applications go by email to the parade coordinator listed in the packet. Nonprofits with proof of 501(c)(3) status, bands, equestrian groups and veterans groups enter free; the application lists fees for other groups. Organizers do not cancel for weather.

More holiday events

The city calendar lists holiday programs through December, such as a holiday nature ornaments program on Saturday, Dec. 5. Holiday light displays and the rest of the season’s events are in our holiday guides as they are published, and the month’s full list will be in things to do this month on Dec. 1.

City trash collection runs early around Christmas: Thursday and Friday routes are collected Wednesday, Dec. 23. See trash and recycling.

Frequently asked questions

When is the parade? 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026.

What is the route? West on Main Street from Midland Avenue to Mill Street.

When is the tree lighting? About 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in Triangle Park, right after the parade.