APPLETON — The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Midwest. The parade begins at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, and the route moves east on College Avenue from State Street to Drew Street. The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade annually draws 80,000 spectators to College Avenue. Additionally, a television audience of over 100,000 view the parade live and during rebroadcasts on WFRV-TV Local 5 (CBS).
Reserving a spot: Parade Policy as set by the Appleton Common Council: No person or object may be used to reserve a location along the College Ave. parade route at any time prior to NOON on the day of the Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade. Persons may place items along the route after NOON of the day of the parade only if they remain with those items.
Parking is free and open until 4 p.m.
- College Avenue from Richmond St. to Drew St.
- College Avenue cross streets between Richmond and Drew St. – several meters north and south of College Avenue.
- State St. from Johnston St. to Lawrence St. and 300 block south (by St. Mary’s/Catholic Central)
- Lawrence St. from Memorial Dr. to Appleton St.
4:30 p.m. – State Street is closed from College Avenue to Sixth St. Staging area is closed to all traffic except parade units and local residents/businesses. The staging area is the area between Franklin and Sixth on the north and south, and Walnut and Memorial on the east and west.
5:40 p.m. – East/westbound traffic on College Ave. between Richmond St. and Lawe St. is shut down. North/southbound remains open at Richmond, Drew St., Appleton St., Morrison St., and Durkee Street.
6:00 p.m. – Cross traffic at College/Drew Street is shut down. North/southbound remains open at College/Morrison, College/Durkee, and College/Appleton.
6:30 p.m. – All cross traffic along College Avenue is shut down. North/southbound remain open at Richmond St. and Lawe St.
6:40 p.m. – Santa Scamper begins!
6:45 p.m. – Pre-parade and food drive begin! Lawrence University is collecting your canned goods and non-perishable food for the St. Joseph Food Program. Help feed the hungry this holiday season!
6:50 p.m. – Lawrence St. is closed between Memorial Drive and State Street for additional parade staging.
7:00 p.m. – 2024 Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade begins! Check out the official lineup!
College Avenue will reopen at approximately 10:00 p.m.
Can’t make it to College Avenue? Watch the 53rd Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade on WFRV Local 5.
- 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26 LIVE
- 9:00 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 28 THANKSGIVING
- 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 30
- 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 25 CHRISTMAS
- The parade can also be streamed live at WeAreGreenBay.com.
