Light Your Way Christmas Parade

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC), in partnership with Miracle on 7th Street, invites groups, organizations and businesses to participate in the eighth annual “Light Your Way” Christmas Parade. Entries are now being accepted for the parade, scheduled for 6 p.m. on December 7 in downtown Terre Haute.

Creative and unique entries aligned with the parade’s Christmas theme are being accepted from the community. Entries must be family-friendly, contain lights and portray a Christmas story or theme. Up to 80 entries will be accepted, and three awards will be given at the event: best overall, most creative and most lights.

“This will be SMWC’s eighth year sponsoring the parade. It’s a wonderful opportunity to come downtown and kick-off the holiday season,” said BJ Riley, associate vice president of strategic marketing and community relations.  

This year, the parade will be the conclusion of the Miracle on 7th Street, where vendors will be located in Hulman Center starting Friday, December 6. The 2024 parade route will begin at 5th Street and Wabash Avenue and will continue east on Wabash until 9th Street, then turn north and proceed down 9th Street until Cherry Street.  

Since 2016, the Light Your Way Christmas Parade has been the start of the holiday season. Crowds at the parade have grown through the years to more than 12,000 people in attendance in 2023. It has grown to accommodate up to 80 entries featuring marching bands, decorated floats, dancers, honored guests and, of course, Santa Claus.

Registrations for the parade are now open and will be accepted until November 29, 2024. This will allow time for the approval of themes. For more information about the Light Your Way Christmas Parade, how to participate and more, visit smwc.edu/community/event-services/light-your-way-christmas-parade.

The event is FREE and OPEN to the public.