Get into the holiday spirit by attending a parade in the Stateline this year! Here’s a list of Rockford area parades happening this holiday season. Most holiday parades are being held as normal. All parades are free to attend!
Light Up the Parks Holiday Parade (Loves Park and Machesney Park)
When: Sunday, November 21, 2021
4:45 – 7 pm
Where: Parade starts at Schneider Electric on Clifford Avenue then goes down Elm Avenue, Roosevelt, and ends in the Machesney Towne Center (former Machesney Park Mall).
The Light Up the Parks Holiday Parade will travel through Loves Park and Machesney Park. The Village of Machesney Park Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony immediately following the parade in the Town Center Roundabout.
Grand Lighted Holiday Reverse Parade (Beloit)
When: Friday, November 26, 2021
6 pm – 8 pm
Where: Third Street Parking lot
Drive through the lighted parade floats in the 3rd Street Parking lot. Enter from Ironworks Drive side and exit out 2nd street. The first 550 families will receive a gift bag.
Stroll on State Parade (Rockford)
When: Saturday, November 27, 2021
2 – 3 pm
Where: Downtown Rockford
Stroll on State is the biggest holiday event in Rockford. It kicks off with a parade in downtown Rockford that includes large-scale balloons, floats, live music, and more. See our Stroll on State post for a lot more information on this awesome Rockford tradition. If you can’t make it downtown, tune in to Stateline Kids’ Facebook page for live coverage of the parade.
Light Up the Nights Parade (Belvidere)
When: Friday, December 3, 2021
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: Downtown Belvidere
The Light Up the Nights parade will kick off at 5:30 pm in downtown Belvidere. The parade is part of the Belvidere Hometown Christmas celebration which runs December 3-4. You can find out more information about the event here.
Jolly Jingle Holiday Light Parade (Janesville)
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021
6 – 7 pm
Where: Downtown Janesville
The lighted parade includes music, lights, and an appearance by Santa Claus. The parade starts at the Municipal Parking Lot across from the Police Station, heads south on N. Jackson St., east on Milwaukee St., and south on Main St. and ends at Racine St. The parade is part of Janesville’s Jolly Jingle celebration which runs from December 3-5 and includes Santa visits, bell hunts, S’mores and hot cocoa, tree lightings and lots more. Get more information about the Jolly Jingle here.
Lighted Christmas Parade (Rockton)
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021
6 – 7 pm
Where: Downtown Rockton
The Rockton Christmas Parade is part of the Rockton Christmas Walk that runs December 3-5, 2021. Activities include a parade, pictures with Santa, giant S’mores, Christmas Caroling, Hot Cocoa Crawl, Dueling Pianos and more. Get more information about Rockton’s Christmas Walk here.
Up for a drive?
These parades are about an hour’s drive from Rockford, IL.
Electric Christmas Parade (St. Charles, IL)
When: Saturday, November 27, 2021
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Where: Downtown St. Charles
The annual Electric Christmas Parade takes place Saturday at 5:30 pm on Main Street in St. Charles. There will be bands, parade floats, and Santa Claus. This event is part of St. Charles Holdiay Homecoming weekend which runs November 26-27. You can learn more about the event here.
Annual Electric Christmas Parade (Lake Geneva, WI)
When: Saturday, December 4, 2021
5 – 8 pm
Where: Downtown Lake Geneva
The 46th annual Electric Christmas Parade is themed Christmas Classics: Movies, Music and Stories. It will glide down Broad and Main Street in downtown Lake Geneva.
