Gainesville’s holiday tradition, Christmas on Green Street, returns this year but with a few changes.
For instance, organizers are moving the “festivities” associated with the parade itself to before the beginning of the parade. In addition, they are “tightening up” requirements for floats and parade entries “to ensure they are all festive and safe.”
The parade will still begin at 5:00 at the civic center and proceed down Green Street. As usual the traditional lighting of the Rotary Tree will immediately follow the conclusion of the parade. With the parade ending the festivities this year, it will be a little darker, and participants are being encouraged include Christmas lights on their entries.
Organizers also emphasize that all entries must be holiday-themed, for safety reasons candy is not allowed to be thrown, paper and any other handouts of any kind will not be permitted, and anyone dressed as Santa will not be allowed since Santa is the grand finale of the parade.
There are also new rules for animals this year and the rules for floats are stricter. Click for details on those two items and for other information: 2023 Christmas on Green Street Parade Entry Form (cognitoforms.com)
Tentative timeline:
1pm: streets close
2pm: Floats / Cars begin lining up for parade.
2-6pm: Food Trucks Open / Christmas at the Civic Center.
2:30-4:30pm: Activities and Performances at the Historic Homes on Green Street.
4:30pm: Walking Groups Stage at Civic Center, Floats / Cars get ready, Roads clear of pedestrians
5pm: Christmas Parade Begins, immediately followed by Rotary Tree Lighting to end the event.
7pm: Roads re-open
It’s all planned for Dec. 3.