Grand Ledge Chamber of Commerce
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST
Location: Downtown Grand Ledge, Grand Ledge, MI 48837
Registration ends on 11/25/2026
The Annual Night Lights Christmas Parade is a spectacular night time parade packed full of lots of lights and music! It starts at the Grand Ledge Fire Department at 500 North Clinton Street and then makes its way straight down Bridge Street to Scott Street. Santa always makes his appearance at the end of the parade, trading in his red sleigh for a red fire truck.
Parade Entry Lighting Requirements
To help us create a magical, glowing Christmas experience for our community, every parade entry must be illuminated from top to bottom. This is a nighttime parade, and visibility is essential for both safety and spectacle. Please plan your entry with abundant, high-impact lighting - think bright, colorful, and creative.
What We Expect
- Lots and lots of lights. A few strands are not enough. Your entry should be fully lit and easily visible from a distance.
- Consistent lighting on all sides. Make sure the front, back, and both sides of your entry shine.
- Creative holiday lighting themes encouraged. LED strands, rope lights, battery-powered décor, illuminated props, glowing costumes - go big.
- Safety first. All lighting must be securely attached and powered safely.
Why It Matters
Our nighttime Christmas parade is designed to be a dazzling holiday tradition. The magic only happens when every entry contributes to the glow. Well-lit floats help create a cohesive, festive experience for spectators and ensure your group is clearly seen along the route.
Final Reminder
Entries that arrive without sufficient lighting may not be allowed to participate. Please take time now to plan your lighting, so your group shines - literally - on parade night.
Also, everyone in attendance is required to follow current public safety and city guidelines.
Registration
- The Chamber welcomes the participation of all people regardless of age, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, or religion affiliation and prohibits parade participants from engaging in any type of discriminatory or inflammatory action or behavior.
- Organizations/groups must register in advance, and registrations will be reviewed and approved. The Chamber reserves the right to deny any registration from parade participation.
- Additionally, and this is very important - there is only ONE Santa we have in this parade and he is at the end on the Grand Ledge Fire Truck. So, in the interest of not confusing children, please do NOT have anyone dressed as Santa on your floats. We appreciate your understanding.
Lineup/Staging Area (ENTER THE LINEUP ON ORCHARD STREET, one block north of Halbert Street):
- Lineup assignments will be communicated on Monday, November 30.
- Lineup begins at 5:30 PM.
- There will be volunteers in green safety vests with flashlights to direct you to find your assigned cone.
- Please ENTER THE STAGING AREA from the corner of CLINTON STREET AND ORCHARD STREET (between Aaron's Plumbing and Breakthrough Fitness and across from Lyle's Party Store) and then proceed to your designated cone number. This will position your group in the right direction to enter the parade.
- Lineup cone #1 will be at the corner of Clinton Street and Halbert Street. The cone numbers will continue east down Halbert Street toward the cemetery, north on Morley Street and west on Orchard Street to the last cone where you initially entered.
- It is very important that you lineup at the cone number you are assigned, so the parade emcees can properly announce your parade entry as you pass by the stage in front of Bridge Street Plaza.
Safety
- Two designated chaperones MUST walk alongside all floats and large vehicles to ensure a kid-free safety zone throughout the parade route.
- Participants shall follow all direction and guidance provided by police/fire personnel and parade coordinators.
- All drivers must have a current and applicable driver’s license, vehicle registration, and vehicle insurance.
- No alcoholic beverages or illegal substances may be on or in any parade entry.
- Vehicles and float unit length may not exceed State of Michigan requirements for truck and trailer or tractor-trailer units.
- It is recommended all vehicles and/or floats have a working ABC Fire Extinguisher.
Candy & Item Distribution
- Safety for spectators and parade participants is critical. Therefore, ALL ITEMS MUST BE HANDED to spectators along the parade route. No throwing of candy or similar items will be allowed and parade participants must be alert for children at all times. Organizations/groups may distribute candy, small toy items, literature, brochures…etc.
- Offensive and sexually explicit materials are strictly prohibited.
Parade Entry Fees
- Chamber Members: Free, login required
- Non-Members: $5
- Elected Office Position: $100
- Important Registration Policy: The Chamber recognizes that unexpected circumstances may arise. While registration fees are non-refundable, registrations may be transferred to another registrant with prior notification to the Chamber. This flexibility allows us to allocate event resources efficiently. By completing registration, you acknowledge and agree to this policy.
The Chamber is not responsible for individuals or businesses who sign up for the parade and don’t act responsible nor are they responsible for parade attendees and their actions.
