Annual Lakeland Christmas Parade, Fireworks Set For December 2

LAKELAND, FLA — Lakeland’s annual Christmas parade has been a long-standing holiday tradition for years, but this year’s edition will start with a bang. Literally.

City officials announced on Monday that this year’s parade will take place on Dec. 2, when a fireworks display over Lake Mirror will mark the start of the holiday celebration. The fireworks will start at 7 p.m., organizers said, which will kick off a parade that has 88 participants, including floats, marching band and other Christmas-themed trailers.

Organizers announced that The theme for this year is Season of Joy with each float incorporating the theme into its design. Participants step off from the RP Funding Center to begin the 1.25-mile parade route that travels downtown and back.

Once started, the route will travel down Lemon Street toward downtown Lakeland, officials said. The parade will make a turn at Main Street to Cedar Street and wind around Lake Mirror, going up Orange Street and ending at the RP Funding Center.

City officials are requesting that no chairs be placed on the parade route until the day of the parade. Officials said that each year, many residents hoping to lock down a reviewing location try to reserve a spot early by placing chairs at their desired location. That practice will not be allowed this year, according to local officials.

We understand people want a good vantage point to watch the parade,” Lakeland Fire Chief Doug Riley said in a news release. Unfortunately, we have chairs blocking sidewalks and crosswalks days before the parade.”

Police Chief Reuben Garcia added, “This causes a major hazard, especially for those in our community that use wheelchairs and walkers to get around.”

Organizers said that city crews will remove or relocate chairs that are totally blocking sidewalks, in the way of crosswalks and hindering the use of disabled parking spaces. Chairs, tape, blankets and other materials used to save viewing spaces will be removed if placed in public right-of-way before the day of the parade, organizers said.

The parade kicks off a festive schedule of events in Lakeland that also includes First Friday on December 3, Snowfest December 4, Santa’s Calling on December 7, the Holly Jog Jingle Bell Jog and Selfies with Santa on December 11 and the Canned Tuna Concert in Munn Park on December 17.