The 55th Annual Schenectady County Holiday Parade
Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024
The Northeast's largest nighttime holiday parade!
A storied holiday tradition! Schenectady County welcomes the holiday season in Downtown Schenectady with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and a special visit from Santa Claus. It's fun for the whole family. Gather with friends, family, and neighbors along the parade route, take a stroll along State Street, grab a hot coccoa or a bite to eat at your favorite Downtown restaurant, and start your holiday shopping on Jay Street. Come early and enjoy live music in the streets of Schenectady!
Let's celebrate the best of what makes New York and Schenectady County a great place to live, work, and play. Sign up to march or register your float, and spread holiday cheer! Get ready and start planning. Applications for the 2023 parade are now open. REGISTER TODAY!
Announcing The Grand Marshals
We are thrilled that the City Mission's Downtown Ambassadors are this years Holiday Parade Grand Marshals! The dedicated group of individuals embodies the spirit of community and service, working tirelessly to create a welcoming and vibrant downtown for all. Their commitment to enhancing the downtown experience makes them the perfect choice to lead this year's parade.
What to Expect
For the second-time, a pre-parade Holiday block party will take place starting at 3pm on State Street and Jay. Thousands of people came out to watch live music be performed live on the parade mainstage. The parade will begin at 5pm starting at SUNY Schenectady Community College and will go up State Street past the MVP building. Be sure to bring a chair, blanket, hand warmers and festive attire.
New THIS Year!
A Second Grand Stand On Lower State Street
A second grandstand will be added to the parade route on Lower State Street near the corner of State and South Ferry Streets. Sponsored by National Grid, this new viewing area will feature emcees Stan and Shen from the Daily Gazette. Together, they will provide live commentary and insights to enrich your parade experience.
A Sensory-Friendly Space
Schenectady County is proud to partner with Crossroads Center for Children to make the event more inclusive, by launching a pilot program to create a sensory-friendly space families can access during the parade at GE Theatre inside Proctors. This pilot initiative will allow families with special needs to be part of the festivities while giving them a quieter, less stimulating space to decompress.
Where to Eat
Our food options range from classic Italian bistros, to Mediterranean, Asian Fusion and everything imaginable in between! Check out our website, for a list of restaurants in Schenectady County!
Where to Drink
Whether you are looking to enjoy a glass of wine, or a flight of craft beer at one of our five first-class breweries, there is no shortage of places to grab a drink in Schenectady County before or after the show. Visit our website for a list of places to grab a drink in Schenectady County!
Where to Stay
Our unique hotels offer options for everybody and every budget. Discover all that Schenectady has to offer for places to stay!
Schenectady County Holiday Events
The Schenectady County Holiday Parade is the official kick-off of everything holiday! Check out other holiday themed events like the Festival of Trees, Chanukah on Jay, Northeast Ballet's Annual the Nutcracker at Proctors, and much more!
Download Our Destination Guide!
From hot spots to hidden gems, our guide to everything you need to explore and enjoy Schenectady County! Download a copy of our Visitor Guide before your visit!
We can't wait to see you in Schenectady County! Plan your trip today! 👀
