Dallas Holiday Parade

The Dallas Holiday Parade returns to downtown on Saturday, December 5, with the step-off at 8:30 AM. It's the city's largest one-day outdoor event, a holiday tradition that brings more than 450,000 people to the streets. The route starts at Commerce and Houston streets and winds through downtown, passing the city skyline along the way.

The parade doesn't just move through the streets; it passes by Main Street Garden, where the CultureMap City Rink turns the garden into a winter wonderland from November 20 through January 5. The morning is padded with pre- and post-parade entertainment, food trucks, and vendors, with holiday activities at both Main Street Garden and Civic Gardens. The whole thing is supported by corporate and individual sponsors, with customized packages available and a Parks Partner level that funds activities at either Belo Garden or Main Street Garden.

If you're planning to be there, it's free to watch from the sidewalk, though bleacher-seat tickets are available for purchase if you'd rather have a guaranteed spot. The parade is part of a wider holiday season downtown: the CultureMap City Rink runs from November 20 to January 5, and the Merry Mile—a holiday spin on the Margarita Mile—runs from November 11 to January 10. The parade itself steps off at 8:30 AM on Saturday, December 5.