Madison Christmas parade 2026: Dec. 12, new route

Last checked Nov. 6, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Source: the City of Madison Special Events page and calendar.

The Madison Christmas Parade is at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, on a new route through downtown. The Polar Express Christmas on Main tree lighting comes first, at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, on Main Street.

Updated Nov. 6: the city posted both 2026 dates and a new parade route. The parade now starts on Life Way and ends at Madison City Stadium, with festivities at Home Place Park.

Christmas in downtown Madison 2026 at a glance

• Tree lighting: 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, Main Street, free
• Trees on display: Dec. 4 to Jan. 1, 2027
• Christmas parade: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, free
• After the parade: holiday festivities at Home Place Park
• Float entries close: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25
• Questions: City of Madison special events, 256-772-9300, SpecialEvents@madisonal.gov

The Christmas parade: Rooted in Christmas

The city calls this year’s evening Rooted in Christmas: A Madison Holiday Celebration. It is run by City of Madison Parks and Recreation, according to its Special Events page.

• When: 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12
• Route: begins on Life Way, travels north on Garner Street to Shorter Street, east to Celtic Drive and south to the Madison City Stadium parking lot
• Afterward: holiday festivities at Home Place Park
• Cost: free to watch

The route is new for 2026. In 2025 the parade ran north on Hughes Road from Portal Lane to Plaza Boulevard. The city had not published a road closure list or a theme as of Nov. 6; this page will add them when they are posted.

Entering a float

Businesses, organizations, groups and residents can enter. The city says spots are limited.

• Deadline: 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. No late registrations are accepted.
• Form: the registration form is linked on the Special Events page.
• Return it: by email to SpecialEvents@madisonal.gov, by mail to Madison Christmas Parade, 1329 Browns Ferry Road, Madison, AL 35758, by fax to 256-772-9377 or in person at the Madison Community Center, 1329 Browns Ferry Road.
• Mandatory meeting: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Madison Community Center. Entries with no representative there are removed from the parade.

Polar Express Christmas on Main

The 13th annual tree trail is put on by the City of Madison and the Madison Station Historic Preservation Society. Decorated trees line Main Street in historic downtown Madison from Friday, Dec. 4, through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027. The official lighting is at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, with, according to the city:

• Ornament decorating (Madison Arts Alliance)
• Christmas carols (Madison City Community Orchestra)
• Letters to Santa and a glow-stick parade (Madison Chamber of Commerce)
• A reading of The Polar Express (Madison Public Library)
• Hot chocolate, cookies and DJ Todd (Madison Rotary Club)
• Gingerbread houses (Madison Street Festival)
• Snowflake Lane in the pedestrian walkway (Madison Visionary Partners)
• A visit with Santa (City of Madison)

Decorate a tree: entry is $200 for for-profit organizations and $100 for nonprofits. Trees can be decorated from Monday, Nov. 23, and must be finished by close of business Thursday, Dec. 3. Trees are limited, and the city says dates depend on tree availability. Forms go to Debbie.Overcash@gmail.com; checks, payable to the City of Madison, go to Madison City Hall, 100 Hughes Road, Attention: City Clerk Lisa Thomas. Call 256-772-0307 for details. Awards are presented at the 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, City Council meeting.

Wassail Fest and other downtown events

In 2025 Main Street Madison’s Wassail Fest followed the tree lighting on the same Friday night, with shops on Main, Church and Martin streets serving their own wassail. The 2026 date had not been posted as of Nov. 6. Watch Main Street Madison’s Wassail Fest page; we will add it when it is confirmed.

Parking and getting there

Downtown parking is limited. Main Street Madison publishes a downtown parking map. On parade night, expect Garner Street, Shorter Street and Celtic Drive to be closed while the parade passes; Madison police handle traffic control at special events. See our road construction and closures page and getting around Madison for parking and roads.

What this means for you

• Float entries close at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25, with no exceptions.
• Want a tree on Main Street? Decorating starts Monday, Nov. 23.
• The parade no longer uses Hughes Road. Plan to watch along Garner Street, Shorter Street or Celtic Drive.
• City offices close Dec. 24 and 25 for Christmas, according to the city calendar.

More guides: holiday lights and Christmas events, things to do this month and history and landmarks.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Madison Christmas parade in 2026?

The parade is at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, as part of Rooted in Christmas: A Madison Holiday Celebration, with holiday festivities at Home Place Park afterward, according to the City of Madison’s Special Events page.

What is the 2026 Madison Christmas parade route?

The parade begins on Life Way, travels north on Garner Street to Shorter Street, east to Celtic Drive and south to the Madison City Stadium parking lot, the city said. It no longer runs up Hughes Road as it did in 2025.

When is the Christmas tree lighting in downtown Madison?

The 13th annual Polar Express Christmas on Main lighting is at 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, on Main Street, with Santa, a glow-stick parade, a reading of The Polar Express, carols, hot chocolate and cookies. The trees stay up through Friday, Jan. 1, 2027.

How do I enter a float in the Madison Christmas parade?

Register with the city’s form by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 25. No late entries are accepted, and a representative must attend the mandatory meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 8, at the Madison Community Center. Email SpecialEvents@madisonal.gov or call 256-772-9300.