Murfreesboro's Christmas Parade is 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, down Main Street from MTSU to the Square. Route, parking and the tree lighting.

Last checked Oct. 19, 2026. This page is updated each year. Parade details come from the city’s parade announcement and the official registration page; tree lighting details from Main Street Murfreesboro.

The 2026 Murfreesboro Christmas Parade steps off at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, and runs down Main Street from MTSU to the Public Square. This year’s theme is “A Country Christmas.” The county Christmas tree is lit on the Square earlier in the month, traditionally on the first Friday night of December.

Who to call

  • Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation (parade): 615-890-5333; parade coordinator Cayce Neal, cneal@murfreesborotn.gov
  • Main Street Murfreesboro (tree lighting): 615-895-1887, 225 W. College St.
  • Police non-emergency: 615-893-1311

Christmas parade: Sunday, Dec. 13
Time 2 to 4 p.m.
Start Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Main Street, by MTSU
Finish Walnut Street, one block past the Public Square
Theme “A Country Christmas”
Cost to watch Free

The city says the parade is always held on the second Sunday of December, with floats, bands and dancers marching down Main Street.

Where to watch and park

  • Viewing: line Main Street anywhere from Middle Tennessee Boulevard to Maple Street. The city asks spectators to stay on the sidewalks and watch children closely.
  • Parking: the city recommends the Judicial Center parking garage, 223 N. Maple St., and the Civic Plaza parking garage, 111 W. Vine St.
  • Expect Main Street and the streets around the Square to be closed to traffic during the parade. Check the city’s news page closer to the day for closure times.

Entering the parade

Entries are open on the registration page. The city’s announcement gives an entry deadline of Friday, Dec. 4; the registration page lists Dec. 7, so apply by the earlier date. Rules from the registration page:

  • Entries must be significantly decorated for Christmas. Business logos are fine, but the focus should be the Christmas theme.
  • A float entry is one vehicle pulling one float, no longer than 45 feet in all. Each float registers separately.
  • Walking groups of at least five may have one decorated vehicle with them.
  • Antique cars must be at least 45 years old.
  • Not allowed: dump trucks, race cars, tow trucks, motorcycles, minibikes, go-karts and off-highway vehicles.
  • No refunds once an entry is approved.

Awards go to the best business float, best church or school float, best scout, civic or social float, best in show, best antique car, best dancing or street performance and best marching band.

Tree lighting on the Square

Main Street Murfreesboro organizes the official Rutherford County tree lighting around the 1859 courthouse on the Public Square on the first Friday night of December. In 2026 that would be Friday, Dec. 4; Main Street had not posted this year’s schedule when we checked.

Last year’s lighting was on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, according to Main Street’s post that day. Its 2024 listing ran 5 to 8:30 p.m. and described the evening: entertainment and caroling, an hour-long program of choir music, dancing and acting, the lighting of the tree, and Santa. Afterward Santa moved into the courthouse for free photos, with a live nativity, carriage rides and free children’s activities outside until 8:30 p.m.

We will add the 2026 times as soon as Main Street posts them.

What this means for you

  • Dec. 4 (expected): tree lighting on the Square.
  • Dec. 13, 2 p.m.: the parade. Park in the Judicial Center or Civic Plaza garage and arrive early for a spot on Main Street.

More guides: things to do this month, getting around and parks and trails.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade 2026?

2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 13, 2026. The city holds it on the second Sunday of December; this year’s theme is A Country Christmas.

What is the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade route?

It starts at Middle Tennessee Boulevard and Main Street by MTSU, runs west on Main Street and ends on Walnut Street one block past the Public Square.

Where do I park for the Murfreesboro Christmas Parade?

The city recommends the Judicial Center parking garage at 223 N. Maple St. or the Civic Plaza garage at 111 W. Vine St. Spectators can line Main Street from Middle Tennessee Boulevard to Maple Street.

When is the Rutherford County Christmas tree lighting?

Main Street Murfreesboro holds it on the first Friday night of December around the courthouse on the Square; that falls on Friday, Dec. 4, in 2026. Main Street had not posted 2026 details as of Oct. 19.