41st Annual Holiday Parade

2026 Parade Theme: tbd

The Holiday Parade is a long-time tradition for the Billings community to usher in the holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving. With families gathered for the weekend to eat and shop, the Holiday Parade is a great way to celebrate the season by joining the community to see over 60 holiday floats decorated in theme for the holidays, with Santa riding as the parade finale.


 

Resources

The parade route used for the holiday parade was introduced in 2021, the parade route does not cross N. 27th St. The route begins at 2nd Ave. N. and N. 32nd St.(near Granite Tower). The route heads east on 2nd Ave. N. (toward Skypoint), turns north (left) on N. Broadway, and turns west (left) in one block onto 3rd Ave. N., ending at N. 32nd St.

The float staging are takes place on streets just west of the parade starting point (between Division and N. 32nd St.). View a detailed map of the staging area in the Participation Packet info below.

Parade Route Map

  1. Parade Safety Message: No Handout Policy 
  2. Route Map
  3. Parade Instructions (TBD 11.2026) 
  4. Float Guidelines (TBD 11.2026) 
  5. Parade Waiver & Code of Conduct (TDB 11.2026) 
  6. Parade Line-up (TBD 11.2026)
  7. Parade Staging Instructions (TBD 11.2026)
Our events wouldn’t be possible without the help of awesome volunteers like you. Volunteers are needed to lend a hand during the parade from 4:45pm to 8:30pm! 

email lexiem@downtownbillings.com if you are interested. 

If you are interested in sponsoring the Downtown Billings holidays happenings or any Downtown Signature event please email our Communications Director, Lindsay at LRichardson@downtownbillings.com and she can share current sponsorship opportunities.

2025 – A Rockin’ Holiday Parade

  • Best Overall Entry – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best Float – Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den
  • Best Musical Entry – Kidz Zone, LLC. 
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Northwestern Energy
  • Best Costumes – Billings MET
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Billing Federal Credit Union
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Tenacious Dames

Watch the archived Community Seven Television broadcast of the 2025 Holiday Parade here

2024 – Out of this World

  • Best Overall Entry – Engels & Völkers
  • Best Float – Billings Career Center
  • Best Musical Entry – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Northwestern Energy
  • Best Costumes – Tenacious Dames
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Warrior Women Justice
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Movement Montana

Watch the archived Community Seven Television broadcast of the 2024 Holiday Parade here

2023 – Home for the Holidays

  • Best Overall Entry – Engels & Völkers
  • Best Float – Billings Federal Credit Union
  • Best Musical Entry – Young Life
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – For the Blank
  • Best Costumes – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best performers – Harvest Church
  • Most Original Entry – City of Billings MET Transit
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Lil’ Market Groceries

Watch the archived Community Seven Television broadcast of the 2023 Holiday Parade here

2022 – Holiday Movies

  • Best Overall Entry – Advanced Employment
  • Best Float – American Medical Response, Billings
  • Best Musical Entry – Plenty Coups High School Indian Club
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Cunningham Family
  • Best Costumes – For the Blank
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Montana State University Billings
  • DBA Staff Favorite – City of Billings MET Transit

Watch the archived Community Seven Television broadcast of the 2022 Holiday Parade here

2021 – Cartoon Celebration

  • Best Overall Entry – Light the World
  • Best Float – Sons of Norway, Jotunheimen Lodge
  • Best Musical Entry – Caledonian Pipes & Drums
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Altana Credit Union
  • Best Costumes – City of Billings MET Transit
  • Best performers – Plenty Coups High School Indian Club
  • Most Original Entry – Optimist Clubs of Yellowstone County
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Auto Recovery Towing

2019 – Let it Snow

  • Best Overall Entry – KTVQ – Q2 News
  • Best Float – Light the World
  • Best Musical Entry – New Life Church Children’s Choir
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – KTVQ- Q2 News
  • Best Costumes – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
  • Best performers – Movement Montana
  • Most Original Entry – White Aspen Ranch
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Big Sky Country RC Addicts

2018 – Holiday’s Around the World

  • Best Overall Entry – Santa’s Sleigh, Darwin & Theresa George
  • Best Float – Sons of Norway, Jotunheimen Lodge
  • Best Musical Entry – Crow Fair, 2019 Crow Royalty
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Pioneer Oil
  • Best Costumes – Troy’s Grooming
  • Best performers – Movement Montana
  • Most Original Entry – Rivers Ridge Landscaping Co.

Event Sponsors

The 2025 Holiday Parade was coordinated by Downtown Billings’ Business Improvement District (BID) and presented by AVA Law Group.  The 2025 Downtown Holiday Happenings are presented by White Heating and Air Conditioning and supported by Signature sponsors Valley Credit UnionSeed of Life LabsMy Classic Hits 105.9Planet 106.798.1 KBEAR94.1 KSKYESPN 910, and The Zone 96.3.

  • Posted on: December 2, 2025

A Christmas Carol

Charles Dickens’ endearing tale of Ebenezer Scrooge’s journey of redemption is getting a makeover this season with help from Narrator Dan Nickerson and the Billings Symphony. You’ll recognize many of the timeless, traditional selections including Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Greensleeves and Bizet’s rousing Farandole. The performance ends with an audience singalong of favorite carols and will leave you filled with warm holiday memories.

Call 406-256-6052 to order tickets or 406-252-3610 for more information.

James Loweguest conductor

Dan Nickersonnarrator

  • Posted on: August 14, 2025

The Nutcracker Ballet

Follow us on a dreamlike journey amid colorful, larger-than-life scenery, magical toy soldiers, mischievous mice, sparkling snowflakes, and a glittering Christmas tree. Under the direction of Maestra Anne Harrigan, the Billings Symphony Orchestra will accompany the San Diego Ballet Company as well as a cast of young local dancers. From the dance of the Sugarplum Fairy to the battle of the Mouse King, this all-ages performance is nothing short of magic!

Call 406-256-6052 to order tickets or 406-252-3610 for more information.

San Diego Ballet

School of Classical Ballet

  • Posted on: August 14, 2025

40th Annual Holiday Parade

2025 Parade Theme: A Rockin’ Holiday Parade

The Holiday Parade is a long-time tradition for the Billings community to usher in the holiday season on the Friday after Thanksgiving. With families gathered for the weekend to eat and shop, the Holiday Parade is a great way to celebrate the season by joining the community to see over 60 holiday floats decorated in theme for the holidays, with Santa riding as the parade finale.


 

 

 

Resources

The parade route used for the holiday parade was introduced in 2021, the parade route does not cross N. 27th St. The route begins at 2nd Ave. N. and N. 32nd St.(near Granite Tower). The route heads east on 2nd Ave. N. (toward Skypoint), turns north (left) on N. Broadway, and turns west (left) in one block onto 3rd Ave. N., ending at N. 32nd St.

The float staging are takes place on streets just west of the parade starting point (between Division and N. 32nd St.). View a detailed map of the staging area in the Participation Packet info below.

Parade Route Map

Our events wouldn’t be possible without the help of awesome volunteers like you. Volunteers are needed to lend a hand during the parade from 4:45pm to 8:30pm! 

Volunteer application

If you are interested in sponsoring the Downtown Billings holidays happenings or any Downtown Signature event please email our Communications Director, Lindsay at LRichardson@downtownbillings.com and she can share current sponsorship opportunities.

2025 – A Rockin’ Holiday Parade

  • Best Overall Entry – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best Float – Captain Scurvy’s Black Dragon Den
  • Best Musical Entry – Kidz Zone, LLC. 
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Northwestern Energy
  • Best Costumes – Billings MET
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Billing Federal Credit Union
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Tenacious Dames

2024 – Out of this World

  • Best Overall Entry – Engels & Völkers
  • Best Float – Billings Career Center
  • Best Musical Entry – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Northwestern Energy
  • Best Costumes – Tenacious Dames
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Warrior Women Justice
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Movement Montana

2023 – Home for the Holidays

  • Best Overall Entry – Engels & Völkers
  • Best Float – Billings Federal Credit Union
  • Best Musical Entry – Young Life
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – For the Blank
  • Best Costumes – Magic City Witch Dancers
  • Best performers – Harvest Church
  • Most Original Entry – City of Billings MET Transit
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Lil’ Market Groceries

2022 – Holiday Movies

  • Best Overall Entry – Advanced Employment
  • Best Float – American Medical Response, Billings
  • Best Musical Entry – Plenty Coups High School Indian Club
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Cunningham Family
  • Best Costumes – For the Blank
  • Best performers – Magic City Majorettes
  • Most Original Entry – Montana State University Billings
  • DBA Staff Favorite – City of Billings MET Transit

2021 – Cartoon Celebration

  • Best Overall Entry – Light the World
  • Best Float – Sons of Norway, Jotunheimen Lodge
  • Best Musical Entry – Caledonian Pipes & Drums
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Altana Credit Union
  • Best Costumes – City of Billings MET Transit
  • Best performers – Plenty Coups High School Indian Club
  • Most Original Entry – Optimist Clubs of Yellowstone County
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Auto Recovery Towing

2019 – Let it Snow

  • Best Overall Entry – KTVQ – Q2 News
  • Best Float – Light the World
  • Best Musical Entry – New Life Church Children’s Choir
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – KTVQ- Q2 News
  • Best Costumes – St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
  • Best performers – Movement Montana
  • Most Original Entry – White Aspen Ranch
  • DBA Staff Favorite – Big Sky Country RC Addicts

2018 – Holiday’s Around the World

  • Best Overall Entry – Santa’s Sleigh, Darwin & Theresa George
  • Best Float – Sons of Norway, Jotunheimen Lodge
  • Best Musical Entry – Crow Fair, 2019 Crow Royalty
  • Best Interpretation of the Theme – Pioneer Oil
  • Best Costumes – Troy’s Grooming
  • Best performers – Movement Montana
  • Most Original Entry – Rivers Ridge Landscaping Co.

Event Sponsors

The 2025 Holiday Parade is coordinated by Downtown Billings’ Business Improvement District (BID) and presented by AVA Law Group.  The 2025 Downtown Holiday Happenings are presented by White Heating and Air Conditioning and supported by Signature sponsors Valley Credit UnionSeed of Life LabsMy Classic Hits 105.9Planet 106.798.1 KBEAR94.1 KSKYESPN 910, and The Zone 96.3.

  • Posted on: December 3, 2024