Everyone knows that black Friday is the official kick-off of the holiday shopping season. But, here at ShoreBread, it’s also the official kick-off of Christmas Parade Season! So, to save you the trouble, we’ve compiled a list of all the Christmas parades on Delmarva. Read on as we’ve detailed some of our favorite parades and then the complete list is below:
The fun begins tomorrow, November 26th, with the Wicomico Yacht Club’s Annual Christmas Boat Parade. Yes, you heard that right – a parade of boats! The parade begins at the Wicomico Yacht Club at 5 PM, it heads from there to the Upper Ferry (arriving around 6 PM) and then makes its way to the Port of Salisbury (arriving around 7 PM). The best part of this event is that the boats travel from the Wicomico Yacht Club to Salisbury, MD to deliver Toys for Tots. After the drop off, the boats will then turn around and head back so you have a chance to see the parade twice!
Second in line is Pocomoke, MD. Marking their 44th year on Monday, November 28th, Pocomoke City will be transformed into a “Winter Wonderland” as more than 100 entrants from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia will make their annual trek along Market Street. The event features marching bands from seven counties in three states, plus beautifully decorated and lighted floats, clowns, marching units, fire departments, equestrian units, and, of course, Santa Claus! The parade starts at 7 PM. sharp, so don’t be late.
Next to revel in the holiday spirit is The Town of Berlin, MD with their annual Christmas Parade along Main Street on Thursday, December 1st. Get there early to get a good spot, the show starts at 7 PM. This year’s theme is “Christmas Dreams”. This event is an Eastern Shore favorite so give yourself some extra time, as Main Street is closed beginning at 5:30 PM. The best place to park in Berlin, MD is at the intermediate school and free shuttles will be available all evening, taking spectators to the downtown area.
Friday, December 2nd, head on over to Selbyville, DE from 7 to 9 PM for the 56th Annual Selbyville Christmas Parade. If you get there early, you can stop by the Santa House to pay a visit to the big guy in red, between 5:30 PM and 7 PM, before he climbs aboard his float to ride in the parade!
Saturday, December 3rd is the biggest day for Eastern Shore Christmas Parades – with Ocean City, MD, Lewes, DE, Easton, MD, and Seaford, DE all partaking in the festivities. Ocean City, MD starts the day off with their 34th Annual Christmas Parade beginning at 11 AM. The parade route starts at Old Landing Road and Coastal Highway and ends at 120th Street. Spectators can view the parade on the sidewalks of the southbound lane of Coastal Highway (spectators will not be permitted to watch the parade from the median area). Our second stop on Delmarva’s Christmas parade route is the 85th Annual Lewes Christmas Parade (in historic Lewes, DE). The festivities begin at 5 PM on Savannah Road and Sussex Drive, and will end in front of King’s Ice Cream Shop on Second Street. This year’s theme is “Christmas in Bloom”. After the parade, be sure and make your way to Zwaanendael Park for the tree-lighting and some good old fashioned caroling! Easton, MD is the next stop on our parade tour, with their “Old Time Holiday Parade”. The event runs through the streets of downtown Historic Easton from 6 PM to 8 PM. The final stop on December 3rd’s parade route is the Seaford, DE Christmas Parade. This event is recognized as the largest Christmas Parade on Delmarva (and one of the largest in the state of Delaware) and starts at 7 PM. We are sure you won’t be disappointed! Bring a chair or a blanket…or both! If you get there a little early you can catch some Christmas Carols at City Hall (starting at 6:30 PM). Then, then get ready for “parade-a-palooza” as organizers are expecting more than 150 entries in this year’s parade!
The 70th Annual Salisbury Jaycees Christmas Parade rounds out the weekend on Sunday, December 4th. Be on hand as more than 100 entries stroll down East Main Street in Salisbury, MD. This holiday favorite features local dignitaries, fire trucks, marching bands, the perennially popular Eastern Correctional Institution float and, of course, Santa Claus, joined by Saul the Salisbury Jaycees Bear!
Complete List of Christmas Parades on Delmarva:
Friday, November 25th – Rehoboth Tree Lighting and Sing-a-Long
Saturday, November 26th – Wicomico Yacht Club’s Annual Christmas Boat Parade
Saturday, November 26th – Dewey Beach Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 26th – Frankford Tree Lighting
Monday, November 28th – Pocomoke, MD Winter Wonderland Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 1st – Berlin, MD Christmas Dreams Parade
Thursday, December 1st – Georgetown Christmas Parade
Friday, December 2nd – Laurel Christmas Parade
Friday, December 2nd – Selbyville Christmas Parade
Friday, December 2nd – Fenwick Island Community Holiday Celebration complete with Tree Lighting and Christmas Caroling @ 6 PM
Friday, December 2nd – Crisfield, MD Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Ocean City, MD Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Lewes Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Seaford Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Delmar, DE Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Easton, MD Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 3rd – Bethany Beach: Party with Santa and Face Painting from 1 to 4 PM; Trolley, Tractor & Horse Wagon Rides from 1 to 4 PM and Tree Lighting and Elvis @ 5 PM
Saturday, December 3rd – Millsboro Christmas Parade
Sunday, December 4th – Salisbury, MD Jaycees Christmas Parade
Tuesday, December 6th – Rehoboth Beach Christmas Parade
Wednesday, December 7th – Milton Christmas Parade
Thursday, December 8th – Dagsboro Christmas Parade
Saturday, December 10th – Milton 27th Annual Holly Festival from 9 AM to 3 PM; Milton Holiday House Tour from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Saturday, December 10th – Ocean View Holiday in the Park from 3 PM to 5 PM
Saturday, December 17th – Bridgeville Christmas Parade
If you like marching bands, dance squads, holiday floats and Santa Claus – surely one of these great events will leave you with a smile on your face! With so many dates and times to choose from, there is no doubt that one of these will fit into your busy holiday schedule. If you are really ambitious, you might even attempt to see them all! What is your favorite Christmas parade on Delmarva? Let us know!
