The holiday season hits differently when you’re a mom. There’s something about bundling the kids up, grabbing hot cocoa, and watching a Christmas parade roll by — floats glowing, music playing, and every kid on the sidewalk waiting for the moment Santa waves in their direction. If you’re searching for the best Chattanooga Christmas Parades and Christmas parades in Cleveland, Tennessee, you’re in the right place.
Whether you’re planning a cozy hometown outing or you want to explore nearby communities for even more festive fun, this guide gathers every 2025 Christmas parade in the Chattanooga and Cleveland area — including dates, times, locations, and what to expect.
Grab your calendar, mama. December is about to fill up fast.
Detailed 2025 Chattanooga & Cleveland, TN Christmas Parades Info
🎄 East Ridge Christmas Parade
📍 East Ridge, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, November 22, 2025
⏰ 6:30 PM
Ready to kick off the season early? The East Ridge Christmas Parade rolls out before Thanksgiving, making it the perfect jumpstart to holiday festivities.
This beloved parade features lighted floats, community groups, holiday musicians, and a huge turnout from area families. The route generally follows Germantown Road to Ringgold Road, so pick your favorite corner and settle in.
⭐ Lighted Boat Parade
📍 Tennessee River – Downtown Chattanooga
📅 Friday, November 28, 2025
⏰ 4:00–8:00 PM
If your kids love anything that sparkles on the water, the Lighted Boat Parade is such a fun kickoff to the season. Beginning at sunset and stretching into the evening, dozens of boats cruise the Tennessee River decked out in thousands of lights. Families typically line up along Ross’s Landing and the riverfront to watch the decorated boats float by — and the reflections on the water make it feel extra magical.
There are usually food vendors, music, and activities happening nearby that make it easy to turn the outing into a full evening experience. Bundle up and bring blankets — it gets chilly once the sun goes down!
⭐ Fort Oglethorpe Christmas Parade (City Parade)
📍 Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
📅 Saturday, November 29, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
Fort Oglethorpe actually hosts two parades each year, and this November parade kicks off their holiday season. This one features local schools, community organizations, decorated emergency vehicles, and festive floats making their way through the heart of the city.
Families love this parade because it’s an easy, early-season outing — perfect if you’re eager to jump into holiday spirit before December officially arrives.
⭐ LaFayette Christmas Parade
📍 LaFayette, Georgia
📅 Friday, December 5, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
The LaFayette Christmas Parade is a small-town gem that always draws a big crowd. Expect glowing floats, marching bands, horses, local organizations, and plenty of classic community Christmas charm. The parade winds through downtown LaFayette, making it easy for families to grab dinner beforehand or enjoy the local shops after.
If you love the feel of a traditional, wholesome hometown parade — this one’s worth the drive.
⭐ Ringgold Christmas Parade
📍 Ringgold, Georgia
📅 Friday, December 5, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
The Ringgold Down-Home Christmas Parade is exactly what it sounds like — warm, welcoming, and full of small-town holiday charm. Families line historic downtown Ringgold as lighted floats, school bands, community groups, and local businesses make their way through the streets.
Shops often stay open later on parade night, which makes it easy to grab dinner or browse the downtown boutiques before or after the parade. If you love a classic Christmas feel with twinkling lights and a lively community spirit, Ringgold is a wonderful Friday-night pick to kick off your holiday weekend.
⭐ Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (LFO) Christmas Parade
📍 Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
The Lakeview–Fort Oglethorpe Christmas Parade is the second of Fort Oglethorpe’s holiday events and is typically the bigger, more well-known parade of the two. Decked with lights, music, community groups, school bands, and festive floats, this parade brings in families from both Tennessee and Georgia.
It’s lively, fun, and full of Christmas energy — a great option if you’re looking for a nighttime parade with lots of lights and excitement.
⭐ Kimball Christmas Parade
📍 Kimball, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 10 AM
The Kimball Christmas Parade is a sweet, small-town tradition that’s perfect for families with littles. With its morning start time and easygoing pace, it’s one of the most low-stress parades in the region. Expect festive fire trucks, local school groups, classic cars, and cheerful community floats.
It’s warm, simple, and kid-friendly — the kind of parade where you can show up with coffee in hand, enjoy the hometown charm, and still have the rest of your Saturday ahead of you.
🎅 MainStreet Cleveland Christmas Parade
📍 Downtown Cleveland, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
If you’re local to Cleveland, this is the parade of the season. The MainStreet Cleveland Christmas Parade is one of the largest community events of the year and brings thousands downtown to kick off the holidays. Expect lighted floats, local school bands, festive characters, and a whole lot of small-town holiday magic.
This parade typically follows a three-mile route beginning at Bradley Central High School and winds into the heart of downtown. Arrive early to snag a good spot — families line up fast, especially around the courthouse square.
👉 Event Link: https://msctn.org/
⭐ Lookout Valley Christmas Parade
📍 Lookout Valley, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 12:00 PM
The Lookout Valley Christmas Parade is a cozy, close-knit community parade that feels like stepping into a small-town Christmas movie. Families line the route to cheer on local businesses, churches, school groups, and decked-out utility trailers wrapped in lights and garland.
Because it falls at midday, it’s a great option for younger kids and a nice warm-up before the bigger evening parades. Expect friendly faces, plenty of Christmas spirit, and that classic hometown feel locals love.
⭐ South Pittsburg Christmas Parade
📍 South Pittsburg, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, December 6, 2025
⏰ 10:00 AM
The South Pittsburg Christmas Parade is a beloved local tradition with tons of small-town charm. It’s a daytime parade, which makes it an easy, stroller-friendly option for families who prefer to avoid chilly evening events. Expect festive fire trucks, local school groups, community organizations, and cheerful Christmas floats moving through the heart of downtown.
It’s simple, welcoming, and full of hometown pride — the kind of parade where everyone waves, kids get excited over the sirens and candy, and you leave feeling like you just stepped into the best parts of the holiday season.
⭐ Soddy-Daisy Christmas Parade
📍 Soddy-Daisy, Tennessee
📅 Sunday, December 7, 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM
The Soddy-Daisy Christmas Parade is a cheerful, family-first event that brings the whole community out. This daytime parade is perfect for younger kids — no freezing temps and no late-night meltdowns. Expect marching bands, church groups, festive floats, local businesses, and plenty of holiday music drifting down the parade route.
It’s relaxed, friendly, and easy to navigate, making it one of the most kid-approved parades in the area. A great choice if you want a simple Sunday outing filled with small-town Christmas charm.
🎁 Red Bank Christmas Festival & Parade
📍 Red Bank, Tennessee (Chattanooga area)
📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
⏰ Festival 3:00–8:00 PM | Parade at 6:00 PM
Red Bank doesn’t just host a parade — it throws an entire festival. If you have kids who do better with activities before the main event, this is the one to choose.
The festival features local vendors, Christmas treats, entertainment, and a warm, community-centered holiday vibe. When the parade begins at 6 PM, expect glowing floats, school groups, and cheerful Christmas music echoing through town.
⭐ Chickamauga Christmas Parade
📍 Chickamauga, Georgia
📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
⏰ 7:00 PM
The Chickamauga Christmas Parade is a longtime favorite in the region, especially if you love a classic nighttime paradefilled with glowing lights. Historic downtown Chickamauga makes the perfect backdrop — think charming storefronts, twinkling lights, and families lining the sidewalks with blankets and hot cocoa.
You’ll see everything from lighted floats and festive tractors to school groups, dance teams, and holiday characters. It’s warm, nostalgic, and full of small-town magic — worth the short drive if you want that “storybook Christmas” feel.
⭐ Trenton Christmas Parade
📍 Trenton, Georgia
📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
⏰ 6:00 PM
The Trenton Christmas Parade is a sweet, small-town celebration that brings the whole community out each year. Families gather along the downtown streets to watch lighted floats, local organizations, school groups, and festive characters roll by.
This early-evening parade strikes the perfect balance — late enough for the lights to shine beautifully, but early enough that it’s still family-friendly for younger kids. If you love a simple, heartfelt parade with a strong hometown feel, Trenton is a great pick for your December calendar.
⭐ Jasper Christmas Parade
📍 Jasper, Tennessee
📅 Saturday, December 13, 2025
⏰ 2:00 PM CST
The Jasper Christmas Parade is a cheerful afternoon event that pairs perfectly with the Kimball parade earlier in the day — many families make it a fun double-parade Saturday. Jasper’s route is filled with festive fire trucks, school groups, community organizations, and classic Christmas floats rolling through the heart of town.
Because it’s a daytime parade, it’s easy for little ones and a great way to enjoy the holiday spirit without battling evening cold. Warm, friendly, and full of small-town charm, it’s a simple but joyful way to spend a December afternoon.
🎄 Collegedale Christmas Parade
📍 Collegedale, Tennessee
📅 Sunday, December 14, 2025
⏰ 3:00 PM
Collegedale’s Christmas Parade is a family favorite — bright, fun, and full of small-town charm. It draws huge crowds from Chattanooga, Ooltewah, and the surrounding communities.
Expect festive floats, local schools, vintage cars, community organizations, and Santa & Mrs. Claus arriving by fire truck. If you prefer a daytime parade (easier for littles!), this one is perfect.
🎄 Tips for Making the Most of Christmas Parades with Kids
Whether you’re going to a big parade in Chattanooga or sticking close to home in Cleveland, these tips will make your night a whole lot smoother:
✔ Arrive early
Sidewalk spots fill up fast — especially for evening parades.
✔ Pack snacks & warm drinks
Thermoses of hot cocoa? Yes, please. We personally bring a pizza box too. 😉
✔ Bring blankets & layers
December nights get chilly fast.
✔ Glow sticks for kids
Helps you see them and keeps things fun.
✔ Candy bag
Some parades’ floats hand out candy, so have a way to catch and store it!
✔ Prep your phone camera
Holiday lights can be tricky — and if you want brighter, warmer, more magical photos, Bright & Beautiful is your best friend.
✨ Want parade photos that actually look as magical as they feel?
My Bright & Beautiful: Holiday Photography Guide for Mamas walks you through the exact iPhone settings, lighting tricks, and quick edits that help your photos pop — even during nighttime events like Christmas parades. No fancy gear, no confusing tech talk. Just simple, mom-friendly steps you can use the moment you pull out your phone on the parade route.
If you want to capture the glow of those Christmas lights, the excitement on your kids’ faces, and the magic of the moment (without frustration), this guide will help you do it.
👉 www.alyssa-rachelle.com/brightandbeautiful
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