A Baytown Tradition
The Baytown Christmas Parade is an annual tradition that involves the entire community, bringing businesses, schools, and organizations together to kickoff the Christmas season.
The festivities take place the first Thursday in December every year in Historic Downtown Baytown. The City of Baytown Mayor lights the Town Square Christmas Tree to start the parade at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following, the Holiday Hangout will open their mini golf and ice skating attractions.
The parade will start at Bicentennial Park, making its way near the Sterling Library and looping around Town Square on its return.
There are live parade announcements at Town Square and any participating downtown restaurants on Texas Avenue.
Each year there are over 200 floats and cars as well as multiple marching bands and walking groups, and ends with a special appearance from Santa!
Where to Watch the Parade
- Viewers with handicaps: There will be a designated accessible parking section at the Memorial Baptist Church located at 600 West Sterling Avenue, Baytown, TX 77520. They will be able to park their vehicles and watch the parade from the West Defee Street curb where the parade will drive by.
- Early-to-arrive, early-to-leave viewers: Park at Sterling Library (1 Mary Elizabeth Wilbanks Avenue) and walk to the corner of Market Street and Lee Drive
- Here-to-stay, enjoy-all-the-festivities viewers: There is plenty of street parking around Town Square, but for overflow parking there is Memorial Baptist (600 West Sterling Avenue) and then walk down to Town Square. Avoid parking at the Citizen lot near Town Square or you will get trapped in.
- NEW for 2023, there will be a designated "Candy Zone" near Town Square. Bring a candy bag and be prepared for a crowd. Parade floats will only be allowed to throw candy in this designated zone (see map below) as this area will be barricaded to keep crowds and the parade a safe distance between the candy throwing.
- Late-to-arrive, catch-the-end viewers: Park at Lee College (200 Lee Drive) from the back roads and walk to the corner of Market and Lee.
Road closures along the route will begin between 4pm-5pm.
