Welcome to the 

2026 Center City Electric Light Parade!!

"Christmas On Route 66"

Center City of Amarillo kicks off the month of December with the Electric Light Parade on Friday, December 4, 2026. Sign up your business, family, club, non-profit, or school team to be a part of this long-standing tradition in downtown Amarillo! This event brings thousands of people downtown and what better way to showcase your holiday spirit than a float in our parade!

A new holiday tradition will start in Downtown Amarillo!!

Center City of Amarillo and The Amarillo Civic Center are working together to host an outdoor holiday market for the Amarillo community. 

The location of the market will be the Pavilion at the Santa Fe Depot. We hope for this market to begin a yearly tradition with a goal to bring families to experience the holiday season on the Historic Santa Fe Depot grounds in the heart of downtown Amarillo.

 15-20 floats will have the opportunity to park and leave their floats at the new Civic Amarillo Holiday Market! Floats can stay from Friday after the parade until Sunday at 5pm. See sign up below. Center City of Amarillo and the Civic Center of Amarillo are not responsible for lost or stolen items. While there is security for the market, they will not specifically be covering the parking lot for Electric Light Parade entries.

By entering the parade, you will have an opportunity to compete for our awards! Our judges are instructed to use the yearly theme to best make their winning choices.

This year's theme is "Chistmas on Rt. 66" Rt. 66 celebrates 100 years of travelers seeing this great piece of Americana. 

Award categories: 

Rudolph's Choice – given to the overall outstanding entry presenting and illustrating the parade theme

The Silver Bells Award – given to the most creative parade group or float

The Golden Ticket Award – given to the parade group with the most Holiday spirit

The Dancing Elves Award – given to the most entertaining parade float or group

Best Community Spirit  – given to the most interesting, inspirational, innovative float or group, representing our community

 

Below you will find the registration form and our parade rules and guidelines. It is VERY important you pay attention to this information.

The Center City Electric Light parade takes place at night- in the dark. For safety reasons, we have some extra requirements. We want everyone to have a fun, safe, and meaningful experience during our event so please, respect our rules. 

The deadline to complete registration is Friday, November 20, 2026.

Rules and Information

1. There can absolutely be NO LIVE SANTAS on your float.

• Center City will provide THE ONE AND ONLY live Santa at the end of the parade.
• PLEASE abide by this rule as it is in place so children are not confused by multiple Santas. 
• You are welcome to have any other age-appropriate Christmas Character on your float- the Grinch, Snoopy, Elves, a blow up santa.etc.- let your imaginations soar!
• DO NOT use an actual person in a Santa Claus costume.
• We WILL ask any other live Santas to leave the parade area or take off the costume. Please save us the time and energy and do NOT use a live Santa as part of your entry. 

2. This parade takes place in the dark.

• Headlights may NOT be used. 
• ALL entries must be lighted or glow-in-the-dark.
• If you do not have some kind of lighting, your float cannot be seen from the street.

3. Please do not bring candy, favors, or any other type of handout.

• This is a SAFETY hazard.
• NOTHING can be passed out from the float or along the curb.
• Children run for candy, it is dark, and they cannot be seen.
• JUST DON'T DO IT. You would feel terrible if something happened to a small child because of a piece of gum. 
• Also- this saves our parade entries money by not having to pay for candy, toys, printing, etc....

4.  Entry sizes

• Entries can include trucks, cars, SUV's, flatbeds, semis, ATV's, motorcycles, etc. 

• Any float measuring over 25 feet needs to let Center City know. (There is a place on the form)

• Any group entries can include up to 6 vehichles per entry fee. Additional vehicles will be allowed with an addtional parade entry fee.  

 5. Walking and/or Dance Groups

• You MUST stay with the flow of the parade.
• You may perform a short number in front of the judging stand at 10th & Polk and again in front of KVII at almost 7th & Polk.
• Routines must be no longer than two minutes in length

6. Use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

7. Use of profanity is strongly discouraged.

8. Pickup after yourself

• Every entry is responsible for your own trash.
• Prepare ahead and bring trashbags.
• Please keep your trash on your float and in your vehicle to keep downtown clean. 

Frequently asked questions: 

• Parade will begin at 6PM. The route will be on Polk Street from 11th Ave down to 4th Avenue.
• KVII- ABC 7 News will broadcast the parade. They will give a description of each entry. In as much detail as possible, write a description of your entry in the box provided below.
• Judges station will be located on the porch of the Historic Bivins Mansion located at 1000 S. Polk. This is the west side of Polk street. Design your entries accordingly.
• The parade will take place under most weather conditions, including snow.  Check these places for the most recent updates the day of the parade:
  • KGNC FM 97.9
  • KGNC AM 710
  • KVII-ABC 7 News
  • Center City Facebook page 
• When you sign-up for the parade, you will receive an email with your check-in instructions 
• For more information or questions, please contact Sallye Hand at sallye@centercity.org or (806)372-6744.

 

I understand by signing up for this event, I agree to follow all rules of The Center City of Amarillo Electric Light Parade. 

• I will NOT have a live Santa on my float
• I will not pass out candy or any other handout either from my float or from the curb
• I will be sure my float is well lit so it can be seen by the crowd.
• I will ensure my float is age appropriate
• Most of all, I WILL HAVE FUN AND ENJOY THIS GREAT EVENT!