Saturday, December 5th, 2026
Celebrate the season at the 36th Annual Very Merrill Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 5, 2026! Bring the family to enjoy a festive evening of lighted floats, Christmas cheer and community spirit as local businesses, clubs, schools, churches and organizations come together to brighten Merrill. New this year, the fun continues after the parade! Following the courthouse tree lighting, Santa will head to Johnson’s to hear children’s Christmas wishes, with hot chocolate available and a photo opportunity with Santa for a small donation. Participating floats will gather in the parking lot at the end of River Street, where businesses and organizations are encouraged to share candy, cookies and promotional giveaways from their parked entries. There will also be a float competition, with rules and classes to be announced. Gather your team, decorate an entry and help make Christmas memories with the community! Parade registrations are due November 25, 2026, and completed forms can be emailed to marketing@merrillchamber.org.
Deadline to register is Wednesday, November 26th
Rules:
1. All parade units will be fully motorized, no walking is allowed.
2. All units will “light-up”.
3. There will only be one live Santa (the Chamber’s), so we do not confuse the young ones.
4. ABSOLUTELY NO candy or any other items can be thrown from moving entries along the route because of liability issues.
5. Entries with horses must provide a copy of liability insurance to the Chamber.
6. Parade entrants may identify their unit with their business name, but are asked not to commercialize them with sales, specials or discount signs.
To enter the parade, complete the form below by: Wednesday, November 27.
Line-up is first come, first served. Please be aware that if snow is on the ground, S. Genesee Street gets narrow. **We will need at least 20 floats to hold it**.
Schedule:
Saturday, December 5, 2026. Parade participant line-up is 4:00–4:45 p.m., with the parade beginning at 5:00 p.m. The parade is expected to conclude between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., followed by the tree lighting on the courthouse lawn. 2025 Registration Form Santa will head to Johnson’s after the tree lighting. The float gathering, giveaways and competition will take place after the parade, with float judging ending at 7:30 p.m.
The parade begins at South Genesee Street and West Main Street and ends at the Lincoln County Courthouse, with the tree lighting held on the courthouse lawn. Parade participants will line up on South Genesee Street, south of West Main Street. 2025 Registration Form After the tree lighting, Santa visits, hot chocolate and photo opportunities will take place at Johnson’s. The post-parade float gathering, giveaways and float competition will be held in the parking lot at the end of River Street.
2025 Parade
