The Columbia Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, at 6 p.m. in downtown Columbia. This is the 40th year Columbia Main Street and the City of Columbia have put it on. It’s a lighted night parade, and it usually takes an hour to an hour and a half to pass.
Last year’s parade ran along West 7th Street to the courthouse square and finished on East 7th Street, with more than 140 entries. The 2026 route hasn’t been posted yet, so plan on the same streets and check back here before the 5th.
What time does the Columbia Christmas parade start?
It starts at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Floats line up on West 7th Street well before that, so the streets around the route close in the late afternoon. Get downtown by about 5:15 if you want a spot on the curb.
What’s the parade route?
The 2026 route hasn’t been announced. In recent years it has gone like this:
- Floats line up on West 7th Street, from around Columbia Academy east to the Trotwood Avenue split.
- The parade heads east on West 7th toward the courthouse square.
- It goes around the square and finishes on East 7th Street.
The best places to watch are along West 7th and around the square. The square fills up first.
Where do I park for the Christmas parade?
Parking for parade watchers hasn’t been announced. The free downtown lots Columbia Main Street lists for First Fridays, on 6th Street, Woodland Street and 8th Street, are your best bet. Plan to walk a few blocks and expect streets near West 7th to close before the parade.
Is the tree lighting the same night?
No. Columbia started holding them separately in 2024. This year’s tree lighting was Nov. 6 at First Fridays. Our tree lighting guide has the details.
What if it rains?
The 2026 rain plan hasn’t been posted. In past years, the city announced any weather cancellation on its website and Facebook page by 11 a.m. on parade day.
When is the Spring Hill Christmas parade?
Spring Hill’s lighted parade is the next weekend, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026, at 5 p.m. It runs north on Main Street from Spring Hill Elementary to Miles Johnson Parkway, rain or shine unless the weather turns dangerous.
Can my group be in the parade?
For Columbia, watch Columbia Main Street for this year’s entry form. Last year’s deadline was Nov. 30, and the 2022 entry form listed no fee. For Spring Hill, entries are $75 for most groups and free for nonprofits and government groups, with a late fee after noon on Nov. 20 and a final deadline of Dec. 1 at 5 p.m.
More holiday plans: every Christmas event in Columbia and where to see Christmas lights.
Sources: Columbia Main Street, Maury County Source, 2022 parade application, Visit Columbia, Columbia Main Street: First Fridays, City of Spring Hill.
Photo: Maury County Courthouse by Hmil6, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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