2026 Downtown Aiken Christmas Parade

$50 - Commercial Entry

$25 - Non-Commercial Entry

• Elected Official
• Group (please select one)
  • Dance Team
  • Band-School Team/Club/Band
  • Civic/Service Club
  • Veteran Service Organization or ROTC
  • Church
  • Other Nonprofit

$25 - Motorized Vehicle Club and Animal Groups

Standard entry includes 5 cars and/or animals and $10 for each thereafter.

APPLICATIONS AND PAYMENTS ARE DUE BY FRIDAY, November 20th. ALL APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED AFTER MIDNIGHT ON THE 20th WILL BE SUBJECT TO A $10 LATE FEE. NO APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER MONDAY, November 23rd.

*If you selected Debit/Credit Card as your payment method, ADDA will send you an email with the invoice attached.

*If you selected Check, please mail to P.O. Box 1264, Aiken, SC 29802.

RULES for all entrants and participants in the Downtown Aiken Christmas Parade are as follows. Please sign at the bottom acknowledging you have read and agree to each item.

1. All entries must display name, organization, or school on entry. All entries are permitted to display 2 (two) signs, one per side of said entry.

2. All entries must be decorated to represent the theme of the parade.

3. All entries must register. Unregistered entries will not be permitted.

4. Per Aiken City Ordinance, items, including candy or literature cannot be thrown, passed out, or sold along the parade route. You will be removed if you are found in violation.

5. For the safety of parade participants and spectators, any persons jumping off or on an entry once moving will be removed from the parade.

6. Alcoholic beverages and illegal substances are forbidden on any float, in any vehicle, or on the person of any participant. Failure to abide by this rule will result in immediate removal from the parade and any participation in the future.

7. A space of 20 feet between each entry will be enforced. All entries are required to close the gap between entries when instructed by parade officials. Failure to do so may warrant inability to participate in the future.

8. All animals in the parade must have someone to clean up any messes along the parade route PLEASE DO NOT STOP FOR SPECTATORS TO PET YOUR ANIMALS THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD

9. Music in the parade must be Christmas music.

10. Discharging of firearms or any semblance thereof is not permitted. Failure to comply will result in banning from future parades.

11. Political campaigning is not permitted.

12. A change in date would require many groups to reorganize and possibly conflict with other local community parades and events. As a result, there is no rain-date.

13. If the parade is canceled due to weather a 50% refund will be issued if requested.

14. Entry fees are nonrefundable if a registered participant withdraws or is unable to participate for any reason.

15. No Santa's, Santa blow ups or any types of Santa on your entry allowed! The ADDA will have an Official Santa riding at the end of the parade. NO OTHER SANTA IN ANY FORM IS PERMITTED.

By signing and dating the entry form, entrants acknowledge they have read all rules (provided above), notified all partnering participants of the rules, and will ensure rules will be followed. Entrants understand failure to follow rules may result in being removed from the parade and jeopardizes future involvement. It is understood that parade entry and its participants may be shown on television, on the internet and/or in print media. Participation in the event is at your own risk; I/We certify that the Aiken Downtown Development Association (ADDA), their employees, and any/all volunteers involved in the event are not liable for any injuries or losses that may occur as a direct or indirect result of participation in this event. All entries are subject to approval by the ADDA. Please sign below to agree to these terms:

Once application and payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email from the ADDA confirming that your application has been accepted. No applications will be accepted until payment is received in full. If you have any further questions please email us at the address above or call us at (803)649-2221. Thank you!