Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025
The Northeast's largest nighttime holiday parade in the Northeast!
A storied holiday tradition! Schenectady County welcomes the holiday season in Downtown Schenectady with sparkling floats, glittering firetrucks, marching bands, dance troupes, and a special visit from Santa Claus. It's fun for the whole family. Gather with friends, family, and neighbors along the parade route, take a stroll along State Street, grab a hot cocoa or a bite to eat at your favorite Downtown restaurant, and start your holiday shopping on Jay Street. Come early and enjoy live music in the streets of Schenectady!
Announcing The 2025 Holiday Parade Grand Marshals
The County Legislature is thrilled to announce that Schenectady Shares will lead the 2025 Schenectady County Holiday Parade as the Grand Marshal. This incredible volunteer network supports over 20 local food providers, helping families across the county get the nutritious food and essentials they need. Their teamwork and generosity truly capture the spirit of the season — and of our community! Their commitment to provide much needed food to the entire county makes them the perfect choice to lead this year's parade.
What to expect
Pre-Parade Block Party
The pre-parade holiday fun will take place starting at 3pm on State Street and Jay. Young parade-goers and the young at heart will enjoy meeting their favorite holiday characters, grab a cup of hot cocoa from their favorite cafe, and have some festive fun with fun activities, crafts and games.
Tree Lighting Ceremony
The city's Christmas tree will be lit as part of the parade. At 4:45pm the tree lighting kicks off the official start of the parade. The tree is located at the corner of State and Jay Streets.
The Parade
The parade will begin at 5pm starting at SUNY Schenectady Community College and will go up State Street past the MVP building. The parade will feature over 100 floats, marching bands and performers from throughout the county. Be sure to bring a chair, blanket, hand warmers and festive attire!
A Second Grand Stand On Lower State Street
Enjoy a second grandstand on lower State Street near the corner of State and South Ferry Streets. This new viewing area will feature emcees Stan from the Daily Gazette and Shen from the Downtown Improvement District. Together, they will provide live commentary and insights to enrich your parade experience.
A Sensory-Friendly Space
A designated space inside the GE Theatre at Proctors will provide neurodiverse individuals and their families a comfortable environment to enjoy the festivities. Partnering again with Crossroads Center for Children, and new this year, Bring on the Spectrum (BOTS) will be participating. The space will be open from 3:00 p.m., when the pre-parade party begins, through the end of the parade, and will offer tools and resources to support regulation for both adults and children. A separate area in the GE Theatre will also be available for veterans and their families to enjoy the parade in a comfortable setting.
The Schenectady County Holiday Parade is the official kick-off of everything holiday! Check out other Schenectady County events happening here.
