Holiday Parade Participant Guide
Welcome to the 55th Annual Schenectady Holiday Parade presented by the City and County of Schenectady in partnership with our friends at MVP Healthcare. We can't wait to see what your creative energy and holiday spirit will bring to the parade.
All important information for the parade day, including arrival times, parade lineup, and entry restrictions, is available on this page. We kindly ask that you do not reach out to the Special Events Team with individual questions. With over 2,000 participants, 150 unique entries, and nearly 100 volunteers, we cannot answer individual questions effectively.
Did you miss an email? No worries! We've gathered all of them in one place for you—right here!
Make it a Party!
Tips From Your Favorite Holiday Experts!
Check-in starts at 2:00 pm—three hours before parade time—so let the festivities begin! Here are some top tips from our favorite holiday experts to help you throw a perfect parking lot party.
Clark Griswold: Deck Out Your Setup!
Make your float a holiday spectacle! String lights, add decorations, and most importantly, have the hap-hap-happiest time!
Buddy the Elf: Pack the Snacks!
No holiday gathering is complete without treats! Stick to the essentials: candy, candy canes, candy corn, and syrup.
Frosty the Snowman: Dress Warm!
Layer up with hats, gloves, and blankets. It's easier to take off a layer if you get too warm than to be chilly waiting for the parade.
Rudolf: Bring Games!
Pack reindeer games like holiday trivia, candy cane ring toss, and Christmas charades. Plus, making holiday cards for veterans at Stratton VA is a thoughtful touch!
Cindy Lou Who: Turn Up the Tunes!
No Who-ville party is complete without music. Bring a speaker and a holiday playlist to get everyone singing!
Mrs. Claus: Hot Drinks Are Essential!
Bring thermoses of hot cocoa or cider to keep cozy. Marshmallows and whipped cream make it extra festive!
The Grinch: Mind Your Noise & Clean Up
Keep noise reasonable and clean up after yourself. Have fun, but be kind to your neighbors!
Food & Hot Cocoa!
Don't march on an empty stomach! Check out the All Town Fresh Food Truck for pulled pork sandwiches, grilled hotdogs, water, soda, and delicious Hot Cocoa!
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Know Where To Go!
We are happy to have you as part of the Annual Holiday Parade, it's a great Schenectady County tradition. Load in can be tough, but if you know your division color, arrive on time, and follow our course marshals you will get to where you need to be.
Pro Tip: If you expect a large group of participants, meet offsite and carpool to the staging area together.
Division Check-In Times!
Arrive on time and check in at the Washington Avenue entrance to the SUNY Schenectady Parking Lot. Westbound: Use exit 5 Broadway on Interstate 890. Proceed to State Street and turn left. Continue and turn left to Washington Ave near SUNY Schenectady. Eastbound: Use the Erie Blvd. exit on 890. Proceed to State Street and turn left. Continue on State Street until you arrive at Washington Ave.
- White and Light Blue | 2:30 pm
- Purple and Yellow | 2:45pm
- Green and Navy Blue | 3:00 pm
- Orange and Pink | 3:15 pm
- Red, Burgundy, and Magenta | 3:30 pm
State Street and Washington Ave, including all connected streets, will close to ALL traffic at 4:00 pm! There will be NO exceptions.
Remember – STATE STREET WILL BE CLOSED AT 4 PM
You must be at the staging area before 4 PM
Before going to your assigned location, check in first. Volunteers will be on hand to direct you to your position. Parade participants and floats may ONLY enter the staging area from the Washington Ave entrance. If you are traveling westbound on I-890, do NOT use Exit 4C. Take Exit 5 for Broadway and access Washington Ave via State Street. For participants traveling from the west, use the Western Gateway Bridge.
- Once you enter the staging area, follow the signs and the course marshals assigned to your division.
- Parking is NOT available within the staging area. Participant parking is available at the end of the parade route in the Bechtel Parking Lot at 670 Liberty Street. Parents and caregivers of parade participants must drop off their children and find parking outside the staging area.
- Course Marshals will patrol the staging areas and along the route. Please comply with their directions. The Parade Committee has empowered them to enforce the regulations. Non-compliance could result in being removed from the parade line-up
- Portable toilets will be available
- There are two grandstands this year. The first stage is located at State St and Ferry Street. The main grandstand is located on State Street near Proctors.
- All performances will take place at the main grandstand near Proctor's. The stage is located on the right side of the parade route.
- Do NOT throw candy or any other items from your float. Throwing items causes confusion, draws children into the street, and can lead to injury.
- And please, NO SANTAS on your entry! There is only one Santa Claus at the end of the parade.
- If you are performing, you will have 45 seconds to perform in front of the stage in the MVP performance area. Due to the time limit, please note that this performance does not have to be a full routine, and can be a shortened version, or a fun, unique display for your group. All performances should be no longer than 45 seconds. Course Marshals will be present along the parade route, and will be strictly enforcing the performance time limit in this area. All performances will be recorded and broadcast.
- Remember to keep your energy HIGH, and most importantly, HAVE FUN! You are the show!
- Your entry should be decorated in keeping with the holiday.
- ROUTE: The parade starts at SUNY Schenectady County Community College and proceeds east on State Street to Lafayette. You will turn left onto Lafayette and proceed to Liberty Street.
VIEW ROUTE MAP
Parade Participant Pick Up
Parking for pick up of parade participants will be available at the Bechtel Parking Lot (670 Liberty St, Schenectady, NY 12305). Use the entrance on Nott Terrace between Union College Graduate School and the Double Tree. If you are dropping off parade participants and then wish to park your vehicle at the parade’s end, you will have to exit SCCC, take I-890 east one exit to Broadway. Take Broadway to Veeder Street. Upon crossing over State Street Veeder becomes Nott Terrace. Participant pick up parking lot is located off Nott Terrace just past the Double Tree.
- Please follow the directions of the safety officers who will be directing the parade breakdown.
Thank You to the Following Parade Sponsors & Partners
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