WILLIAMSBURG — The Greater Williamsburg Chamber of Commerce (GWCC) has announced that the 2021 Christmas Parade will take place on Sunday, December 5 at 4 p.m.
The parade, which has been a local tradition since its inception in 1965, will ring in the holiday season with this year’s theme announced as, “Joy to the World.” A Sept. 20 release from GWCC notes that this theme was chosen to remind each other “that there are so many reasons to celebrate — coming together as a community being one of them.”
The parade will include holiday and seasonal floats, live performances, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
“The Christmas Parade has a unique way of bringing together the families, businesses, and civic organizations that make our community great,” said CEO for the GWCC Terry Banez. “After pivoting the 2020 Parade to a drive-thru Santa Sighting, we look forward to returning to the time-honored Community Parade.”
Unlike previous years, the 2021 parade will take place on a Sunday. Lauren Moore, director of events for GWCC, noted that, after working with the City of Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg, the decision was made to move the parade in order to make sure that it did not overlap with the Grand Illumination festivities slated to take place on Dec. 4.
Moore also noted that the evening start time will allow for participants illuminate their floats to add to the festive cheer.
The parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Brooks Street and Richmond Road. To view the full parade route, click here.
Float check-in will take place by Kaplan Arena. The GWCC notes that parental escorts may meet youth parade units at the end of the route in the Colonial Williamsburg Employee Parking Lot 44. Applications are currently being accepted through GWCC’s website by clicking here.
Those wishing to become a Sponsor for the 2021 Christmas Parade may visit the event’s website.