Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026 | 6:30 pm

WEATHERFORD LIGHTS THE NIGHT PARADE

THEME: Gingerbread Christmas

Registration Fee: $30 

The Weatherford Chamber of Commerce appreciates your interest in participating in the award-winning Weatherford Lights the Night Parade!

This spectacular evening event features a dazzling procession of illuminated floats, wagons, trailers, the Weatherford Marching Band, Blue Belles, and a variety of community groups, all coming together to celebrate the holiday season with creativity, community spirit, and plenty of Christmas magic. It’s a magical night that captivates the hearts of everyone who attends!

The parade will follow the extended route, beginning at the Ninth Grade Center and traveling down Palo Pinto Street, around the beautiful and historic downtown square, continuing onto Waco Street, and returning to the Ninth Grade Center.

Line-up begins at 4:30 PM.

Closer to the event date, you will receive an email with your assigned staging location and additional parade instructions.

Before completing your registration, please take a moment to review all entry requirements and parade rules and complete the required waiver.

We look forward to celebrating the holiday season with you at the Weatherford Lights the Night Parade!

Entry Requirements & Guidelines

 Entry Requirements

• A liability waiver must be signed and submitted with payment.
• All parade entries must showcase a holiday theme and align with this year's theme: "Gingerbread Christmas."
• Lights are required on all entries.
• Proof of insurance is required for any vehicle or towing unit.
• Entries must be family-friendly and appropriate for all ages.
• No political, controversial, or non-family-friendly messages are allowed.
• Music is encouraged to accompany your entry.
• NO Santa or Mrs. Claus costumes permitted.The Weatherford Chamber will provide the official Santa. Other holiday-themed costumes are welcome.
• Each entry is subject to approval by Parade Committee.
• Parade participants must comply with the rules and requirements outlined below.

Application Requirements

• Application Deadline: November 20, 2026.
• Application must be completed and signed to indicate agreement with all rules.
• Staging instructions will be emailed approximately two weeks prior to the event.

Cancellation & Removal Policy

• This is a rain-or-shine event.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations or for removal due to rule violations.
• Only a significant act of nature will cancel the parade, with notice sent to all participants.
• Parade organizers reserve the right to remove any unit without prior notice for any safety or conduct violation.

Safety Guidelines

• No sirens, horns, or loud noises permitted.
• Throwing or distributing items, including candy, flyers, or promotional materials, from vehicles, floats, or by walkers is strictly prohibited.
• All entries must maintain forward motion. Stopping is not allowed.
• Children under 10 years old may not walk in the parade. They may ride on floats with adult supervision. 
• No strollers or wagons will be allowed in the parade route.
• Individual equestrian riders are not permitted. Horse-drawn units or organized equestrian groups are allowed; however, trick riding or stunts of any kind are strictly prohibited for the safety of participants and spectators. 
• All materials must be fire-retardant.
• Fire extinguishers are mandatory if generators are used; recommended for all entries.
• At no time shall anyone on the float attempt to step off the float while the float is in motion.

Vehicles & Support Units

• All drivers must be at least 18 years old with a valid driver's license and vehicle insurance. 
• Vehicles must be illuminated; this is a lighted parade.
• Support vehicles are not permitted for motorized entries. The float and towing vehicle are considered one parade unit.
• Marching and walking units may have one decorated and illuminated support vehicle, if pre-approved in the application.

Lighting Requirements

• Each parade entry must be illuminated and meet the minimum lighting requirements listed below. Lights may include light strands, LED lights, flashlights, illuminated decorations, or other approved lighting sources.

Entry Type	Length	Minimum Lights
Floats (pulled trailers)	5 ft.	800
	10 ft.	1,300
	15 ft.	2,000
	20 ft.	2,500
Cars, Golf Carts, Mini cars		750-1,000
Motorcycles, Bicycles		750-1,000
Carriages, Wagons		1,500
Trucks (small & large)		2,500

Lighting Requirements cont.

• Walking units must be illuminated, with a minimum of 50 lights per person.
• Participants must be in holiday-themed costumes or attire.

Marching & Musical Units

• Musical groups are asked to perform along the entire route.
• Members must have lights on their uniforms or costumes.

 Political Participation

• The Weatherford Chamber of Commerce is a non-political organization.
• Under IRS Section 501c3, we prohibit political campaigning or messaging.
• Only current officeholders may participate and must submit an application.

Identification Signs

• Identification banners must be illuminated.
• Signs may only be used for identification purposes, not advertising or political statements.

Music

• Music is not required but strongly encouraged to enhance the festive atmosphere. 

Santa Claus Policy

The Weatherford Chamber Santa will be featured on the final float.

No other Santa or Mrs. Claus representations are permitted.

Reindeer, sleighs, elves, and other holiday icons are welcome.

Final Reminders

• Entries must be ready at line-up time. Late or unprepared entries will not be allowed to participate. 
• All parade decisions and approvals are at the sole discretion of the Parade Committee.
• Throwing or distributing items—including candy, flyers, or promotional materials—from vehicles, floats, or by walkers is strictly prohibited

LIABILITY WAIVER

THE UNDERSIGNED HEREBY ELECTS TO AND DOES RELEASE THE WCOC AND ITS RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, AGENTS, EMPLOYEES FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, DEMANDS, RIGHTS OR CAUSES OF ACTIONS OF WHATSOEVER KIND OF NATURE WHICH THE UNDERSIGNED HAS EVER HAD OR MAY NOW HAVE OR MAY HEREAFTER HAVE, WHERE NOW KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, FORESEEN OR UNFORESEEN, ARISING FROM OR BY REASON OF ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH ANY INJURIES, LOSSES, DAMAGES, PROPERTY DAMAGE OR LOSS, OR THE RESULTS THEREOF, WHERE HERETOFORE HAS EVER OR HEREAFTER MAY BE SUSTAINED BY THE UNDERSIGNED AS A RESULT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR ARISING OUT OF THE UNDERSIGNED'S PARTICIPATION IN THE WEATHERFORD LIGHTS THE NIGHT PARADE.