Light Up Woodstock & Christmas Parade Application

Light Up Woodstock
Friday, December 1, 2023

NEW:  In an effort to make this event safer for all involved, the Town of Woodstock, in partnership with the Shenandoah County Chamber of Commerce, have put in place parking and road closures as described below. 

•  No on-street parking on Main Street/Route 11 beginning at 3:30 pm. Cars may be towed if not moved by 4 pm.
• No traffic on Main Street/Route 11 after 6 pm until the parade ends.

Entertainment Schedule

• 5:30 pm - Children's Choirs on Circuit Court House stairs
• 5:30 pm - Free cookies from Emmanuel Episcopal Church and food for purchase at nearby restaurants and Hot Box Food Company food truck (located on West Court Street)
• 6:30 pm - Parade Begins*
• 6:45 pm - Tree Lighting with Mayor McCleary and
  special guest, 6th grader, Neda, and unveiling of the third and final community built mosaic mural public art piece. 

Shop local this holiday season!

*Parade Notes

New Line-Up in 2023 

 Parade Starts at Kingree Drive and ends at Spring St.

All parade entrants must enter the County Government parking lot (off of Water Street) to stage in that lot facing the bus garage. Line up begins at 5pm.

Parade entrants will be directed from the Government Center lot to Kingree Drive. 

Volunteers will be on hand to direct participants.

There will be no parade parking or set up in the Woodstock Shopping Center parking lot

Parade participants will receive an email confirmation about your participation in the parade.

2023 Holiday Parade Regulations

• 1.        We are pleased to sponsor this family event for our community.  Please be sure that your entry is in good taste and represents our theme of Holiday Classics.
• 2.       All entries must be decorated with a holiday theme and/or include lighting
• 3.        State law requires that nothing be thrown from any float or parade entry.  This includes promotional materials, candy, or any other item.  Materials may be handed out – hand-to-hand by a walker with your entry.  
• 4.       Participants are responsible for their own litter.  This includes animal droppings.  Participants after you will appreciate your efforts to “keep it clean.”
• 5.       Exhibitions of speed or reckless driving, (wheelies, peeling out, etc.) are not permitted.
• 6.       Open fires or flames are not permitted by order of the Fire Marshal.
• 7.       Please – no Santa’s  or Santa suits.  In order to not confuse the children, we ask that there be only ONE SANTA which has already been taken care of by Woodstock Enhancement.  Participants are welcome to wear Santa hats.
• 8.       An adult must be present with children on floats or walking units.
• 9.       Float riders may not hang their feet over the side of the float/carrier.
• 10.   Only up to 3 units per participating organization/business (Additional units will no longer be allowed)
• 11.   All units are required to maintain forward motion at all times.  No maneuvers are allowed that slows the movement of the parade.
• 12.   No alcohol- all normal laws must be followed.
• 13.   Licensed drivers only – all normal laws must be followed.
• 14.   Finally, accept our thanks for helping to entertain our community during this year’s parade.
• 15.    Failure to adhere to these rules will result in omission from participating in future years.
• 16.   Line up begins at 5:00 via Water Street into the Parking Lot of the County Government Building.  Parade order is on a first come, first march basis. End of parade will be at Spring St.