2024 holiday parade of lights around the Capital Region, Hudson Valley
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)-- Every year, around or after Thanksgiving, local communities begin to ring in the holiday season. From the North Country to the lower Hudson Valley, celebrating with parades is a way of bringing everyone together.
Parade of Lights celebrations gather businesses, law enforcement, school groups and non-profits together showcasing Christmas lights and themed designs. Here is a list of holiday parade of lights happening in the Capital Region and the Hudson Valley.
Capital Region:
Light Up Jeep Parade, Nov. 9 at 6:30 p.m., Glens Falls
The Jeep parade will begin at the East Washington Street parking garage and will go down Glen Street, ending at Crandall Park. Funds raised from parade signups will go towards Operation Adopt a Soldier. Spectators are asked to join along the parade route to see Santa and receive goodies from each jeep participant.
Schenectady County Holiday Parade, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m., Schenectady
Enjoy the northeast's largest night-time holiday parade and experience the magic of the holidays with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and Santa Claus. New this year, the holiday parade will be sensory friendly with projecting the parade onto a screen with the volume and the lights turned down within the GE Theater at Proctors.
Greenwich Lighted Tractor Parade, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m., Greenwich
The 2024 parade will start at Capital Tractor, travel through downtown, and end at Argyle Brewing Company. Attendees can watch live performances, buy limited-edition 2024 Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade apparel, and eat from food trucks before the parade begins.
Granville Lighted Tractor Parade, Dec. 14 at 5:30 p.m., Granville
The seventh Annual Lighted Tractor Parade kicks off at Telescope Furniture Company and will travel along Church Street, onto side roads, before returning back on Church Street and ending back at the Telescope Furniture Company. Excess funds from registration will benefit Haynes House of Hope in Granville and the parade officials will donate cleaning and medical supplies, among other items, to hospice residents.
Ballston Spa Holiday Parade, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m., Ballston Spa
The parade will begin at 6:30 p.m., moving from the north side of Milton Avenue to West High Street. After the parade, Santa and Mrs. Claus will light the holiday tree in Wiswall Park, arriving in true holiday spirit atop an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company truck. The BSBPA is also partnering with the Toys for Tots campaign for this event. Volunteers from these groups will collect new, unwrapped toy donations along the parade route and at the tree lighting, helping brighten the season for children in need.
Broadalbin Christmas Parade, Dec. 2 at 5 p.m., Broadalbin
The parade will run the same route as every year from the high school down Bridge Street to North Main Street and end the intersection of School Street and First Avenue. There will be hot cocoa, snacks and pictures with Santa at the Village Office after the parade.
Johnstown Christmas Parade, Dec. 6 at 6:30 p.m., Johnstown
The Johnstown Christmas Parade will travel along downtown Johnstown. Santa will be in the park after the parade to light the Christmas tree.
Gloversville Christmas Parade, Dec. 7 at 5 p.m., Gloversville
The parade route will begin at the intersection of North Main and 8th Avenue and will end on South Main Street at Forest and Vine Streets. Spectators can walk over to Wandel Park on Spring Street and Elm Street immediately after the parade for cookies, cocoa, music and a visit from Santa himself as he lights the Christmas tree.
Hudson Valley:
Catskill Parade of Lights, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m., Catskill
Starting at the Greene County building and traveling down Main Street, spectators from all over Greene County line the streets in excitement to see Santa at the end of the parade. Businesses along Main Street will be open for shopping and the parade will end with a tree lighting ceremony.
Cairo Parade of Lights, Nov. 30 at 6 p.m., Cairo
Starting at the Acra Supply Building traveling through Main Street, the parade will feature decorated fire trucks and sparkling floats. Fireworks and photos with Santa will follow the parade.
Coxsackie Parade of Lights, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m., Coxsackie
The Coxsackie Parade of Lights will start on Kings Road, up Mansion Street and end on Reed Street. Spectators can line up along the route for goodies offered by each float.
2024 Miracle on Main Street Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., Phoenicia
The evening starts with a Parade of Lights followed by a tree lighting ceremony. Afterwards a gathering at the Parish Hall will feature face painting, crafts and cupcake decorating and food and drinks.
Christmas Parade of Lights, Dec. 14 at 6 p.m., Red Hook
The Parade will kick off at the Red Hook Firehouse and will continue to the outside of Red Hook Estates, Route 9 through the village, and finish off in College Park. Food Trucks will be serving food in the village hall municipal parking lot.
Festival of Lights, Dec. 7 at 6:45 p.m., Pleasant Valley
This Festival of Lights will celebrate the Holiday season with decorated cars and will feature the fourth annual float competition. Spectators and parade participants can visit Santa after the parade at the Town Hall Upper Parking lot.
However, these parades aren't the only way to celebrate the holiday season.
The Canadian Pacific Holiday Trail (CPKC) will make stops in Fort Edward, Saratoga Springs, Mechanicville and Menands, while the Adirondack Animal Land will host their drive-thru holiday light display. Palace Theatre is also offering free holiday movies throughout December.