PARADE PROCEDURES, REQUIREMENTS, RULES & INFORMATION
(copied from 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade application for your reference)
APPLICATION RULES
A PARADE APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED FROM ANY ENTITY WANTING TO PARTICIPATE in the 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade. No more than one application will be accepted per entity. (Businesses with multiple locations may submit only one entry.)
SUBMISSION OF AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SPOT IN THE PARADE. To ensure a safe and manageable parade experience for both participants and spectators, participation will be limited to approximately 125 entries. If applications exceed this number, they will be considered in the order received. Submissions will not be accepted after the deadline has passed.
CONFIRMATION THAT YOUR PARADE ENTRY HAS SECURED A SPOT WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL WITH INSTRUCTIONS AFTER THE CLOSING DATE OF THE APPLICATION. If you are unable to participate, you must notify specialevents@cityofcharleston.org no later than December 2, 2025. No-shows without prior notice may be ineligible for future participation.
THE SANTA CLAUSE
Santa has already accepted our invitation to attend and will make an appearance at the end of the parade. No other “Santas” are permitted. Entries showing up with a “Santa” will not be permitted to participate.
CHECK-IN / EXIT PROCEDURES
ONLY THE PRIMARY OR SECONDARY CONTACT ON THIS FORM CAN CHECK IN the Parade Entry. Contact will be required to show confirmation of a spot in the parade.
ONE VEHICLE, PER ENTRY, IS PERMITTED ON KANAWHA BOULEVARD—NO EXCEPTIONS. This vehicle must carry/transport any decorations needed to complete the parade entry OR be fully decorated before the lineup.
Entry and placement are on a first come first serve basis. Once Parade Entry has been assigned a number in the lineup, YOU MUST REMAIN IN PLACE FOR THE DURATION OF THE EVENT. First responders are exempt from this rule.
THE PARADE ROUTE WILL END AT KANAWHA BLVD/SUMMERS ST.
IF YOU/THE ENTRY ARE/IS DRIVING YOU WILL TURN RIGHT ONTO THE BOULEVARD and go to Clendenin Street to exit.
THERE WILL BE NO OFFLOADING OR UNLOADING OR REMOVING OF PASSENGERS OR DECORATIONS WITHIN THE ROUTE OR ON THE BOULEVARD.
YOU/THE ENTRY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR FINDING A SAFE, DESIGNATED MEETING SPOT(S) TO OFFLOAD ANY PASSENGERS.
IF YOU HAVE WALKERS, move to the sidewalk on the hotel side and disperse to your designated meeting spot (off the route and the Boulevard). FOR SAFETY REASONS, WALKERS SHOULD NOT GO TO THE SIDEWALK ON THE RIVER SIDE.
OFFICERS WILL BE THERE TO HELP MOVE TRAFFIC ALONG AND GET WALKERS TO SIDEWALKS SAFELY.
VEHICLE AND TRAILER REQUIREMENTS
PARADE ENTRIES MAY NOT EXCEED 50 feet in length (towing vehicle and trailer) OR 40 feet in length (straight truck such as a fire truck), 14 feet in height, and 10 feet in width. Tractor trailers are not permitted.
It is the responsibility of the Parade Entry to ensure that VEHICLE IS INSURED AND OPERATED BY A LICENSED DRIVER. Parade Entries must have handholds for standing participants and secure, safe seating for others. Décor and participants cannot hang over the sides.
Upon confirmation of a spot in the parade, ANY PARADE ENTRY WITH A VEHICLE AND TRAILER MUST BE DISCUSSED WITH THE PARADE COORDINATOR.
THE REVVING OF ENGINES, SPINNING OF TIRES, STOPPING UNNECESSARILY, EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION, AND SIMILAR BEHAVIORS ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED and will result in the Parade Entry and all associated participants being removed from the parade.
POLICE/FIRE/EMS PARTICIPATING IN THE PARADE MAY ONLY USE HORNS/SIRENS AT INTERSECTIONS ALONG THE ROUTE.
PARADE ENTRY GUIDELINES
The City of Charleston's Christmas parade is a FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT FOR ALL AGES. All entries must ensure costumes, behavior, language, and dance moves are appropriate for young audiences. Non-compliance may result in immediate removal from the parade and may jeopardize future participation.
ALL ENTRIES MUST FEATURE CHRISTMAS THEMES AND DECORATIONS. Parade Entries are strongly encouraged to incorporate lights into their designs. Vehicles should embody the Christmas spirit. Vans and utility vehicles are only permitted if they are tastefully decorated or attached to a float in line with the theme.
DISPLAY OF ORGANIZATION/BUSINESS NAME ON PARADE ENTRIES IS ENCOURAGED. The listing of telephone numbers, addresses or advertising statements is not permitted.
CANDY MAY BE HANDED OUT BY WALKERS IN THE PARADE. Handing candy out the window of a vehicle or throwing candy is strictly prohibited.
ELECTED OFFICIALS MAY REPRESENT THEIR OFFICE IN THE PARADE. However, campaigning (“Vote For” “Support X Candidate”) is strictly prohibited. Your entry cannot display or have any of the following that depict political campaigning on it: Signage, Sound, Banners, Hats, Clothing Slogans, Handouts, Or any other material that depicts political campaigning.
ALL DOGS MUST BE ON A LEASH, AND STAY WITH THE PARADE ENTRY.
PARADE ENTRY JUDGING
Parade entries will be judged based on the following criteria:
- Incorporation of the parade theme: Tinsel Town, bringing together holiday cheer and movie magic — with glitz, glitter, bright lights, and showtime spirit.
- Creativity and originality
- Design and workmanship
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I have read and understand the above application rules, the Santa Clause, check-in/exit procedures, vehicle and trailer requirements, parade entry guidelines, and parade entry judging information.
I understand the City of Charleston and its designees reserve the right to disqualify and remove any entry before the parade, at parade lineup, or during the parade due to noncompliance of any of the above procedures/requirements/rules. Additionally, I understand that if the City of Charleston or its designees determine that anyone participating with my organization is behaving inappropriately during the parade, they will be removed immediately from the parade, and my entire organization may be removed from the parade.
I hereby attest that I am duly authorized representative of the above named Individual or Organization, authorized to act on their behalf, that I have carefully read the description of the program for which we are registering, and in consideration for being permitted fully understand that my participation in the 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade exposes myself/my organization to the risk of personal injury, death or property damage. I hereby acknowledge that I/WE are voluntarily participating in this event and agree to assume any such risks.
I hereby release, discharge and agree to hold harmless the City of Charleston, its officers, vendors, event manager, volunteers or staff for any injury, death or damages to or loss of personal property arising out of, or in connection with, my participation in the event from whatever cause, including the active or passive negligence of the City of Charleston, its officers, vendors, event manager, volunteers or staff or any other participants in the activity.
In consideration for being permitted to participate in the event, I hereby agree, for myself, my organization, my heirs, administrators, executors and assigns, that I shall indemnify and hold harmless the City of Charleston, its officers, vendors, event manager, volunteers or staff from any and all claims, demands actions or suits arising out of or in connection with my participation in the 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade.
I also hereby grant permission to the City of Charleston and its agents and employees the irrevocable and unrestricted right to reproduce the photographs and/or video images taken of me, or members of my organization, for the purpose of publication, promotion, illustration, advertising, or trade in any manner or in any medium. I hereby release the City of Charleston and its legal representatives for all claims and liability relating to said images or video or any injury associated with participating in the 2025 Charleston Christmas Parade event. Furthermore, I grant permission to use any of my statements that were given during the 2024 Charleston Christmas Parade, with or without my name, for the purpose of advertising and publicity without restriction. I waive my right to any compensation.
By typing your name below and submitting this form, you agree that you have read and understand all information included in this application and that all submitted information is correct.
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