Updated October 12, 2026
Annville is lighting up the holiday season with the inaugural Annville Holiday Parade of Lights on Saturday, November 21, 2026, from approximately 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Spectator admission is FREE. The parade starts at Weaber Street and Maple Street, travels down Maple Street, and ends at College Avenue.
This detailed guide covers the date, time, route, best viewing area, food and beverage trucks, participation, registration, donations, parking, family tips, contact information, and frequently asked questions.
Annville Parade of Lights 2026 at a glance
| Date | Saturday, November 21, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Time | Approximately 6:00–7:00 p.m. |
| Admission | FREE for spectators |
| Start | Intersection of Weaber Street and Maple Street |
| Route | Down Maple Street |
| End | Maple Street at College Avenue |
| Where to watch | Anywhere along Maple Street from Weaber Street to College Avenue |
| Food and drinks | Food and beverage trucks on Moyer Street |
| Organizers | Celebrate! Annville and Michael and Stephanie Sechman |
| Contact | annvilleparade@gmail.com |
What is the Annville Holiday Parade of Lights?
The Parade of Lights is a community celebration designed to bring neighbors, families, organizations, schools, first responders, and local businesses together for a festive evening in Annville. Organizers are looking for approximately 30–40 entries or groups and expect about 500 spectators.
Participants can include marching bands, emergency services, churches, nonprofits, scout troops, youth groups, community organizations, local businesses, decorated floats and vehicles, holiday walking groups, performers, and Santa-themed entries. Lights are the heart of the event, giving every group a chance to create something cheerful and memorable after dark.
2026 Annville Parade of Lights route
The route is simple and spectator-friendly: the parade starts at Weaber Street and Maple Street, proceeds down Maple Street, and ends at College Avenue. Spectators should stay on sidewalks or other lawful public viewing areas and follow directions from event volunteers and public-safety personnel.
- Start: Weaber Street and Maple Street.
- Parade corridor: Maple Street.
- End: College Avenue.
Where to watch
You can watch the parade anywhere along Maple Street from Weaber Street to College Avenue. Choose a place with a safe setback from the roadway and good visibility. Keep intersections, driveways, crosswalks, and emergency-access areas open, respect private property, and do not step into the route while parade units are moving.
Spectator tips
- Arrive early enough to park and walk to Maple Street.
- Dress in warm layers and bring a small flashlight or reflective item for the walk home.
- Keep children close and away from moving vehicles and floats.
- Use sidewalks and cross only where directed.
- Bring a portable chair if needed, but keep the public walkway clear.
- Take all trash and belongings with you.
Food and beverage trucks
Food and beverage trucks will be stationed on Moyer Street. Stop by before or during the parade for refreshments, and allow extra time because lines may be busiest close to the 6:00 p.m. start.
Parking and getting around
Plan to park legally away from the Maple Street parade corridor and walk to your viewing location. Never block driveways, intersections, fire lanes, crosswalks, or emergency access. Follow temporary signs and instructions from police, fire police, volunteers, and event staff. Do not assume private or institutional lots are open for parade parking unless the property owner specifically authorizes it.
Planning for families
Late-November evenings in Central Pennsylvania can be cold and dark. Dress in layers and consider gloves, hats, a weather-resistant outer layer, hand warmers, a blanket, and a small portable seat. Reflective clothing, glow sticks, or a flashlight can make pedestrians easier to see.
For young children, choose a family meeting point and keep a parent or guardian’s phone number in a secure pocket. Keep strollers and wagons out of the street and positioned so they do not block the sidewalk.
Register, participate, and support the parade
Celebrate! Annville’s official page provides parade instructions, registration materials, the Clever Claus Challenge form, and a donation form:
- Celebrate! Annville official page
- Parade information, rules, and registration
- Clever Claus Challenge registration
- Celebrate! Annville donation form
- Official Parade of Lights FAQ
Questions can be emailed to annvilleparade@gmail.com. Parade costs are sponsored by Team Sechman to help raise money for future Celebrate! Annville events.
Weather and last-minute updates
For weather decisions, schedule changes, and last-minute announcements, check the Celebrate! Annville page and the Celebrate! Annville Facebook group before leaving home.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Annville Parade of Lights?
Saturday, November 21, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The parade is expected to last approximately one hour.
Is spectator admission free?
Yes. Spectator admission is FREE.
What is the parade route?
The parade begins at Weaber Street and Maple Street and travels straight along Maple Street to College Avenue, where the route ends.
Where should spectators watch?
Spectators are welcome to watch anywhere along Maple Street from Weaber Street to College Avenue.
Where can spectators park?
Parking will be available at the Church of the Brethren on Maple Street, the Annville Township-owned parking lot on Long Street beside the Annville Youth League fields, the train station, and available cross-street parking. Parking is first come, first served.
When will cross streets close?
Cross streets will close between 5:15 and 5:30 p.m. and remain closed until the parade concludes.
How do I register to participate?
Completed registration materials, required documentation, and payment must be received by Monday, November 2, 2026. Forms may be emailed to annvilleparade@gmail.com or mailed to Celebrate! Annville, P.O. Box 99, Annville, PA 17003.
What does it cost to participate?
School bands, Fire, Police, EMS, and color guards are free. Nonprofit organizations, churches, youth organizations, and individual or family entries are $25. Business and commercial entries are $75.
Does my parade entry need lights?
Yes. Entries must use prominent, visible, intentional decorative lighting on floats, vehicles, costumes, signs, props, or other parts of the entry. Ordinary utility or safety lights do not satisfy this requirement. Alternative illumination may be permitted when it is an intentional part of the theme and approved in advance.
Does my entry have to arrive completely assembled?
Not necessarily. Participants may complete necessary last-minute assembly after arriving, but every entry must be fully assembled, decorated, lighted, and parade-ready by 5:15 p.m.
Can participants throw or hand out candy?
No. Participants may not throw, toss, hand out, or otherwise distribute candy, food, promotional items, flyers, or other materials along the parade route.
Can an entry have music?
Yes. Music must be holiday-themed or clearly holiday-adjacent, appropriate for a family-friendly community event, and kept at a reasonable volume that does not interfere with safety instructions, emergency communications, or other entries.
Can animals participate?
Yes, with advance approval. Animals must be safely secured or contained on or in an approved vehicle, float, trailer, carrier, or other conveyance and may not walk the route. Trained service animals are exempt. Dogs and cats require a current rabies vaccination certificate with registration.
Are motorized vehicles allowed?
Yes. Motorized entries must maintain a steady parade pace and may not exceed 5 mph. Vehicles must be insured and carry a working, readily accessible fire extinguisher. Motorcycles, ATVs, golf carts, bicycles, and similar entries are not allowed.
Can people ride on floats or in vehicles?
Yes, when the entry is designed to carry riders safely. Standing in an open pickup-truck bed is prohibited. Children under age 6 must be securely seated and directly supervised, and no one may board or exit while the vehicle or float is moving.
Will parade entries be judged?
Yes. Planned categories include Best Illuminated Float or Vehicle, Best Illuminated Walking Group, and Best Overall Entry. Results will be announced at the Celebrate! Annville Tree Lighting on Saturday, December 5, 2026.
What is the Clever Claus Challenge?
It is a separate $25-per-person contest for creative interpretations of Santa or Mrs. Claus. Traditional Santa and Mrs. Claus costumes are not permitted. Contestants use a separate registration form and walk together in a designated parade group.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The parade will proceed unless conditions make it unsafe. If it must be canceled, information about a possible rescheduled date will be announced once determined; a rescheduled date is not guaranteed. Updates will be posted by Celebrate! Annville on Facebook, and registered participants will receive participant-specific updates.
What if I register and later need to cancel?
Registered participants may withdraw and receive a registration-fee refund through Monday, November 9, 2026. After that date, fees are nonrefundable. Submit cancellations in writing to annvilleparade@gmail.com.
Who organizes the parade and answers questions?
Celebrate! Annville and Michael and Stephanie Sechman organize the parade. Email annvilleparade@gmail.com.
Who sponsors the parade costs?
Team Sechman sponsors the parade costs to help raise money for future Celebrate! Annville events.
Explore more of Annville
Learn more in our Living in Annville guide and use the Explore Annville interactive map.