Nothing ushers in the official holiday season like a Christmas parade. As the temperatures get colder and the snow starts to fly, cities celebrate the holiday and bring Santa to town in a fun and family-oriented way. Most cities have their own parades, but if you’ve never been to the Downtown Christmas Parade in Appleton, you’re missing out. This nighttime parade features floats that are all lit up. With more than 80 units, this parade draws more than 80,000 spectators live and more than 100,000 more for the TV broadcast. The largest nighttime holiday parade in the Midwest, this sparkling, lighted parade is the perfect way to kick off the holidays for you and your family.
The Appleton Christmas Parade is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere. This nighttime parade lights up the night with bedecked and bedazzled floats that glow and light the night.
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The 48th Annual Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade will be Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2018. This year’s theme is “Home for the Holidays.” The Parade will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the corner of State Street and College Avenue. It will head east on College Avenue to Drew Street.
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There’s something so magical about this parade that is the focus of the area the night it happens. The biggest parade of its kind anywhere in the Midwest, Appleton’s parade draws nearly 100,000 people to enjoy its colorful spectacle.
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Of course Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to help usher in the Christmas season.
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One of the highlights is the flatbed full of hot air ballonists. These hobbyists leave the balloons at home and use their baskets and heating mechanisms to create a line of fire that wows spectators.
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The cold may have settled in, but bundle up in your winter best and let the holiday cheer of this charming, exciting and sensory-filled parade warm you up. Of course, you can also find hot cocoa, hot cider and other vendor offerings to warm you up, as well!
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This city prevents people from reserving seats, meaning even late-arrivers have a shot at a great seat. Stretching so far down College Avenue, there’s really no bad place to line up for the parade
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There will be more than 80 entries in this parade, from bands to floats.
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If you’re up for it, there’s a “Santa Scamper” run that kicks off the parade you can take part in. If the cold is too much for you and yours, the parade is also broadcast live in the Appleton area. It’ll be on WFRV-TV from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Busy on November 20th or want to watch the parade again? Local Channel 5 will also rebroadcast the parade on Saturday, November 24th from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and on Christmas Day, Tuesday, December 25 from 5 – 6:30 a.m.
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For more information about the parade, including a route map, check out the city of Appleton page. For the most up to date info, head to their Facebook page.
Have you been to this beautiful, sparkling, nighttime Christmas parade? Let us know about it in the comments! Know of other great holiday parades? Let us know about those, as well!
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