The Historic Downtown Pocatello Christmas Celebration begins on Friday, November 26th, the day after Thanksgiving, at 6:30pm as the Christmas Night Lights Parade begins winding its way through Downtown Pocatello. We are excited to welcome your entry into the parade! 

Parade Instructions:

Lights: This is a night parade so all entries must be illuminated, including walkers. Car entries must be decorated with lights.

Theme: “Lookout For Santa!”

Santas: There will be one Santa in full costume for this parade and he will provided by Historic Downtown Pocatello and will ride on the fire truck. No other full costume Santas will be allowed to ride or walk in this parade.  

Candy: DO NOT throw candy from floats or vehicles because children run into the street to get it. You MUST use walkers to hand out candy or flyers.

Safety: Please carry a fire extinguisher.

Entry: $50 if paid by November 19th and $60 by November 24th.  

Line Up: Entries may start checking in at 4p.m. The check-in point will be under the Benton St. bridge on 1st Avenue. Entries will be lined up along 1st Avenue starting at the East Lewis intersection. Volunteers will again be coordinating the lineup and parade start.

Judging: Judging will take place from 5:30-6:00 p.m. To be considered, your entry should be assembled and running when the judges see it. Please understand that it takes time to judge all the entries. 

Parade Start: The parade will start moving at 6:30 p.m. Entries will go in the order that they arrived in the lineup with the possible exception of trophy winners.  

Parade Route: Please refer to the map. Note that your entry will need to go through the Center Street underpass, which has a 12’ 2" clearance. There is also a tight left turn in front of the island on the west side of the underpass. Please make sure your entry can manage this and other turns along the route.

Parade End: The parade will end at W. Sublette and N. Main St. Please do not unload floats in the street. You will be directed either West on Sublette or East to Harrison. Please be courteous as all floats need to complete the parade route.

Prize Categories for Trophies: 

Sweepstakes Award - Best Overall

Mayor’s Choice Award

Best Use of Lights Award

Most Traditional Award

Best Commercial Award

Best Non-Profit Award

Thank you for your participation in this traditional community event. If you have any questions, please call the Historic Downtown Pocatello office at 208-232-7545 or e-mail [email protected]