Area Traditions Kick Off The Holiday Season
The wonder and magic of the season is all around us during this time of year, but no doubt is most encapsulated in area parades kicking off winter in all of its glory.
Northeast Wisconsin, in particular, has a rich history in holiday parades, dating back decades and evolving from small and intimate to extensive and televised.
Green Bay Holiday Parade: “Rudolph and Friends” on November 22
How do you describe the Green Bay Holiday Parade as it is today? The Holiday Parade is a long-standing, cherished tradition in Downtown Green Bay. Families line the streets to enjoy marching bands, dance groups, large balloons, creative floats, and of course, Santa Claus,” Jen Metcalf, Assistant Director, Downtown Green Bay, Inc., says. “It is a festive event that brings the community together to kick off the holiday season in Green Bay.”
When was the first Green Bay Holiday Parade? 1984.
How has the parade evolved? The parade began at a time when there was a thriving downtown shopping mall. It was also strategically planned for the first weekend of the deer hunting season. The parade route led right to the mall and the hope was that moms and kids would spend the day downtown, shopping, visiting Santa, and gathering as a community. Although the mall is no longer a part of Downtown, the parade tradition is still strong.
For many years, there was a parade committee, made up of representatives from downtown businesses. Over the past decade, Downtown Green Bay, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to Downtown vibrancy, has taken the lead on the parade coordination. However, the format and philosophy have remained intact. Every entry is carefully selected to make sure that it fits a simple criterion: “Are kids going to enjoy this?”
There are typically about 75 entries in the parade, and it lasts about 1 hour, with Santa, in a horse drawn wagon, ending the parade.
How will the theme—“Rudolph and Friends”— be incorporated throughout? What are some past themes? The theme is a guideline for entries. We choose themes that are fun and easy to convey for a float or even a marching band. The theme may not always be obvious to spectators, but you can be assured that it will represent the spirit of the season. We do have parade judges who select a few entries that most clearly show off their creativity and commitment to the theme. Some past themes have been “Hometown Holiday,” “Taste of the Holidays,” “O Christmas Tree,” “Holiday Traditions,” “Christmas Stories” and “Let it Snow.”
Festivities leading up to the parade: Green Bay’s waterfront boardwalk, the CityDeck, will be decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. This is an annual initiative that invites visitors downtown to stroll through the lights or snap a beautiful picture. Those lights will go up in early November and stay lit until February. On Broadway, Inc., a partnering downtown organization, hosts a lighting ceremony and Christkindl Market.
What can guests expect to see this year? The parade will include all the favorite elements that the community has come to expect. There will be many local dance groups, spanning all ages, which means over 1000 dancers will entertain spectators with their talent and charm. Local marching bands will impress the crowd with their big sounds and flair, and large-scale balloons will wow the kids in the crowd. There will be live reindeer and other live animals and lots of fun floats showcasing businesses and organizations from around the Green Bay area.
Any pro tips for parade goers to make the experience as enjoyable as possible? The parade stretches across about 10 city blocks with plenty of space to sit. The parade starts at 10 am. and it is often cold, so families are encouraged to bundle up! Many downtown coffee shops are ready to serve hot drinks as families wait. There are many road closures because safety is important, but there are 3 large parking ramps and some nearby street parking.
Is there anything else you think is pertinent for readers to know about the parade that might surprise them? The parade will be recorded, and a produced video will be shown on TV several times during the holiday season, including Christmas morning. It will also be able to be viewed as a YouTube video a few weeks after the parade date.
Fun facts: This is the 41st Green Bay Holiday Parade.
Appleton Downtown Christmas Parade: “Christmas in Toyland” on November 25
How do you describe the Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade as it is today? The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade is the largest nighttime parade in the Midwest, drawing about 80,000 people each year. I like to say it really kicks off the holiday season in Downtown Appleton — it’s a tradition that brings our whole community together,” Meghan Warner, City of Appleton Parade Liaison, says.
When was the first Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade? 1972.
How has the parade evolved? Appleton Downtown Business Association (ADBA) ran by Bernie Pearlman ran the first couple parades and they were not very successful. They only had one band and one or two floats etc. They approached the Flag Day Committee.
Festivities leading up to the parade: Santa Scamper Run always leads the parade along with St. Joes Food Pantry collecting donations with Lawrence University Students assistance.
What can guests expect to see this year? Santa and Mrs. Claus, of course—that’s a given! Guests can also look forward to lots of marching bands, because who doesn’t love great music, and plenty of incredible floats. Every year the floats just keep getting bigger, brighter, and more creative. The talent and ideas people bring to life are truly amazing. It’s one thing to read about them on the applications, but when you actually see them rolling down College Avenue, it’s mind-blowing.
Any pro tips for parade goers to make the experience as enjoyable as possible? My best advice is to get your spot early—just remember you can’t set up before noon, and if you do come that early you’ll need to stay with your belongings per the Appleton Police Department. Downtown can get pretty windy, so be sure to dress warm! The great news is there really isn’t a bad spot anywhere along College Avenue. I also encourage people to make a night of it—come downtown early, grab dinner with your family and friends, warm up in between at one of our local establishments, and take some time to explore the many shops and businesses that make Downtown Appleton one great place.
Is there anything else you think is pertinent for readers to know about the parade that might surprise them? One thing that might surprise people is just how small our committee is that organizes the parade, and the dedicated volunteers who help line up the floats each year. Many of us have been involved for years—it’s truly a family tradition passed down from our parents and others before us. We couldn’t do this alone, and we’re so grateful for every single committee member and volunteer who steps up each year. We may be small, but we are mighty! I also want to give a huge shoutout to our media partner, WFRV Channel 5. They’ve been supporting us for years, and thanks to them, our parade reaches as many viewers on TV as a football game—not a Packers game, but any other football game aired on WFRV! That’s pretty impressive and really shows how much people love this event.
Fun facts: The Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade has always been a family tradition for us. My grandfather served as chairman before my father, and now my brother, Corey Otis, holds that role, while I get to help put the parades together alongside him. Our families pitch in too—helping judge the floats, line up the units on parade day, and support wherever needed. My dad still steps in from time to time, offering guidance on judging or helping us find volunteers, even if we don’t ask him!
A few years ago, we had the honor of recognizing my dad and Harvey Samson, who has since passed, as Parade Marshals. That moment was especially meaningful for our family—it felt like a symbolic passing of the torch. Our father served on the parade committee for over 50 years, with Harvey not far behind, and it’s incredible to continue the legacy they built. Another fun piece of our parade history is that our grandmother played Mrs. Claus for many years, and when she was no longer able to, our aunt stepped into the role and has carried it on ever since. We’re not sure who will take on the role after her, but it seems like it should stay in the Otis family! I have a feeling Corey’s wife would be perfect—she’s an elementary teacher, so she has just the right energy and spirit for Mrs. Claus.
WFRV’s broadcasts of the 54th Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade:
Live on November 25 at 6:30 p.m.; November 27 at a.m.; November 29 at 11 a.m.; December 25: Time TBD.
For more information, visit www.appletonwi.gov/community/appleton_parades and www.facebook.com/appletonchristmasparade/
Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade: “Stories that Spark the Season” on December 4
How do you describe the Downtown Oshkosh Holiday Parade as it is today? “The parade is a fantastic time of year that kind of kicks off the whole event season for downtown,” Jessica Lomena, Event and Media Manager, Downtown Oshkosh Inc., says. “It’s just a festive vibe. Because while we do some decorating and everything before the holiday parade, all of our events happen after the holiday parade. It really marks that the holiday season is here!”
When was the first Downtown Appleton Christmas Parade? In the early 1980s. (The Oshkosh Chamber took on the planning of the Holiday Parade in 1986… it was ultimately led by the chamber until Downtown Oshkosh Inc. took it on in ~2019.)
Festivities leading up to the parade: The parade begins technically with the tree lighting right before the parade. And then as soon as the tree lighting ceremony is done, then the holiday parade kicks off at 6:15.
What can guests expect to see this year? We have a lot of fun participants—big vehicles that are fun for kids to see, we’ve even had flamethrowers in the past. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be back. They always end the parade for us every year. They come down in a horse-drawn carriage.
Along with the parade is the “Festival of Trees,” an event hosted by the Altrusa Club at The Grand Oshkosh. The event features community members decorating trees that are on display, and it is a fundraiser for the organization’s charitable work.
We again will have a lot of the high school bands and also kids’ dance schools. They’ve been a part of the parade forever and is such a big draw for families to be able to come out and see their kids, sisters, brothers, friends in the parade.
How will the theme—“Stories that Spark the Season”— be incorporated throughout? What are some past themes? We’re celebrating the timeless tales that warm our hearts and celebrate the spirit of the holidays. Parade participants are invited to bring holiday stories to the streets—think A Christmas Carol, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Frosty the Snowman, & The Night Before Christmas. Floats can interpret favorite themes, scenes, or characters from beloved books that have become a cherished part of the holiday season.
Any pro tips for parade goers to make the experience as enjoyable as possible? It’s important to note we’re dealing with construction right now on the Main Street Bridge. This bridge is closed, so be prepared for different traffic 
patterns. The biggest tip is for people to make sure they’re looking on the website (www.downtownoshkosh.com) and looking at the map for road closures. That way they don’t get stuck somewhere and realize they’ll miss this magical parade! (The parade route begins at the intersection of N. Main/Otter Ave. and heads North until the intersection of N. Main/Irving.)
Be sure to dress warmly. There are also so many businesses that will be open. Some will be offering food, hot cocoa. It’s a cool night.
Fun facts/Subsequent Holiday Events: Every year we have “Letters for Santa.” So we have a mailbox that gets put on Opera House Square, which is by the tree that’s decorated, where kids have up until December 15 to write a letter to Santa, and they get replies back. It’s a warm and fuzzy thing—it’s magic.
On December 13, we have an event called “Reindeer on the Square.” It’s a big family event. There are live reindeer and it’s just very cool. Kids and families are able to take photos with them. We also have a kids’ music performer, Randy Peterson. He really gets the kids into it with their own instruments. They’re singing holiday songs with him. It’s very interactive. There will be a large tent with cookies and cocoa.
