The 80th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade is 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, with Ralph J. Smith as grand marshal. The tree lighting is Friday, Dec. 4.
Last checked Oct. 31, 2026. This page is updated each year. Dates, times and road closures come from the organizers, the Greater Manassas Christmas Parade and Santa Lights Manassas, and from the Historic Manassas Inc. calendar, and the City of Manassas fall and winter events release.
Manassas opens the holiday season on the first weekend of December. Santa arrives by train for Santa Lights Manassas, the tree lighting on the Manassas Museum lawn, on Friday, Dec. 4, from 5:30 p.m. The next morning the 80th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5. Both are free, and both go ahead rain or snow. Questions: the organizers at info@gmchristmasparade.org, or see gmchristmasparade.org. Traffic questions on the day: Manassas City Police non-emergency, 703-257-8000.
Updated Oct. 31: Ralph J. Smith named grand marshal; the city’s Holiday Market from 4 p.m. on Dec. 4 and the VRE Santa Train on Dec. 12 added; Holiday Family Day at Liberia runs to 1 p.m.
What this means for you
- Friday, Dec. 4: West, Prince William and Battle streets downtown close from 3 p.m. Arrive early for a view of Santa’s train at 6:19 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 5: Mathis Avenue closes at 5 a.m.; Sudley Road and Prescott Avenue at 9:45 a.m.; Center Street downtown at 8 a.m.
- Bad weather does not cancel either event. Dress for the cold and bring chairs or blankets.
Santa Lights Manassas: Friday, Dec. 4
The tree lighting has been held for more than 32 years, on the Friday night before the parade. The city bills the evening as Holiday Market and Santa Lights Manassas, 4 to 8 p.m., with holiday shopping and music before Santa arrives, according to its events release. The 2026 timeline from the organizers:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 5:30 p.m. | Entertainment begins on West Street and the Museum Lawn stage |
| 6:19 p.m. | Santa arrives on the VRE train at the Manassas depot |
| 6:30 p.m. | Tree lighting ceremony on the Manassas Museum lawn |
| 6:45 p.m. | Santa heads to the TD Santa Tent to greet children |
After the lighting there are free wagon rides until the last family has had a turn, and Santa stays until the last child has visited. The Harris Pavilion ice rink is open that night until 10 p.m. (there is a charge to skate), and the Manassas Museum and downtown shops and restaurants stay open.
- Best views of Santa’s arrival: the south side of West Street next to the train station, along Prince William Street, or on the museum lawn.
- Road closures from 3 p.m.: West Street from Center Street to Prince William Street; Prince William Street from West Street to Main Street; Battle Street from Center Street to Prince William Street.
- Parking: side streets downtown or the parking garage off Prince William Street (enter at Main and Prince William streets). Accessible parking is in the Manassas Water Tower commuter lot at Prince William and West streets.
- Restrooms: the train depot, the Harris Pavilion and the Manassas Museum.
- Lost and found: the side door of the Manassas train depot.
The Greater Manassas Christmas Parade: Saturday, Dec. 5
The parade has been held for 79 years and in 2026 marks its 80th, with the theme “80 Years. Still Sleighin’,” according to Potomac Local’s report of the organizers’ announcement. It is one of the largest holiday parades in Northern Virginia, with more than 100 units, marching bands, floats and giant balloons, about 2,000 participants and more than 300 volunteers. It lasts about two hours.
Grand marshal: Ralph J. Smith, named in the city’s events release as grand marshal of the 80th parade. The release calls him Councilman; City Council chose him as interim mayor in October.
Road closures (organizers’ list):
| Street | Section | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| Mathis Avenue | Liberia Avenue to Sudley Road | 5 a.m. |
| Carriage Lane and Reb Yank Drive | 5 a.m. | |
| Center Street | Prescott Avenue to Peabody Street | 8 a.m. |
| Sudley Road | Mathis Avenue to Centreville Road | 9:45 a.m. |
| Prescott Avenue | Centreville Road to Center Street | 9:45 a.m. |
- Where to watch: anywhere along the route. Organizers recommend arriving early, especially in good weather, with blankets, chairs and something hot to drink.
- Parking: side streets along the route or the downtown parking garage. Accessible parking is in the Church Street lot downtown.
- Restrooms: portable toilets along the route.
- Lost and found: City Hall, 9027 Center St., or any parade marshal.
- Watch from home: the organizers will post a livestream link on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Entries for 2026 have closed; groups can join a waitlist on the participant page, and volunteers can sign up on the organizers’ site.
Last year
In 2025 the 79th parade named Sara Knight of the Sweet Julia Grace Foundation grand marshal, Maria E. Guzman of the Latin-American Artisans and Entrepreneurs Expo (LAREXPO) as Woman of the Year and Miguel Pires of Great Eats Hospitality as Man of the Year, Potomac Local reported.
More holiday events
- Holiday Family Day at Liberia, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, Liberia House, 8601 Portner Ave. Free; register on RecDesk.
- Holiday Open House at the Manassas Museum, 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, before the tree lighting. Free (museum).
- Christmas Carriage Rides, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6, at the Manassas train depot (Visit Manassas listing).
- VRE Santa Train, Saturday, Dec. 12, from Historic Downtown Manassas: families ride, meet Santa and learn about rail safety. Times are to be announced. Tickets are required and go on sale Nov. 30 in person and Dec. 1 online; the city says they sell out quickly (City of Manassas).
- ARTfactory’s Holiday Market, 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 9419 Battle St. Details.
- Historic Manassas Farmers Market: HMI’s calendar lists Saturday markets, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 9024 Prince William St. through Dec. 26, though its season page gives Nov. 21 as the last regular Saturday. Check before you go; see our farmers markets guide.
For the rest of the month, see things to do in Manassas this month and our getting around guide for downtown parking.
Light displays, the ice rink and Santa visits: holiday lights and Christmas events.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Manassas Christmas parade in 2026?
The 80th Greater Manassas Christmas Parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. It is held every year on the first Saturday in December and lasts about two hours.
When is the Manassas tree lighting?
Santa Lights Manassas is Friday, Dec. 4, 2026. Entertainment starts at 5:30 p.m., Santa arrives by VRE train at 6:19 p.m. and the tree lighting begins at 6:30 p.m. on the Manassas Museum lawn.
What is the route of the Manassas Christmas parade?
The parade follows Mathis Avenue, Sudley Road, Prescott Avenue and Center Street into Historic Downtown Manassas. Streets along the route start closing at 5 a.m.
Is the Manassas Christmas parade canceled for rain or snow?
No. Organizers say the parade and Santa Lights Manassas go ahead in bad weather and are never postponed or rescheduled.
Where do I park for the Manassas Christmas parade?
Organizers suggest the side streets along the route or the downtown parking garage. Accessible parking is in the Church Street lot.
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