Fredericksburg Turns 2020 Christmas Parade Into Drive-Thru Event

FREDERICKSBURG, VA — The Fredericksburg Christmas Parade is returning to the city this year but in a new location. On Saturday, Dec. 5, the city's Central Park area will host Fredericksburg's annual Christmas parade.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, city staff have redesigned the traditional parade into a reverse parade format for the public’s health and safety. Floats will be parked in place and stationed along Gordon W. Shelton Boulevard.

The parade is free of charge. All people who wish to attend are required to drive by in vehicles, similar to a drive-thru light display. No pedestrians will be permitted.

The public is encouraged to arrive anytime between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Saturday. Driving at 5 mph, the route will take about 20 to 25 minutes and will conclude with Santa and his sleigh.

“This reverse parade format will allow for spacing between parade entries and no direct contact with the public,” Kim Herbert, supervisor of special events with Fredericksburg's Parks, Recreation and Events Department, said Monday in a statement. “We realize this is an unusual way to hold a parade, but the health and safety of our participants and the public takes top priority.

"This year’s event in 2020 is certainly a must-see, because next year we plan to bring it back to downtown for 2021 in the traditional format that we all know and love," Herbert added.

This year’s parade theme is “Light Up the Season!” Forty floats are expected to participate in the parade.

The sponsors of the 2020 Christmas parade are B101.5, WFVA, Shiflett’s Waste Services, and Paul’s Bakery.

Information on where to find the drive-thru and who is in this year’s parade lineup is available online at www.FredericksburgChristmasParade.com.