It’s a Wonderful Life at Chester County’s largest hometown parade, the Coatesville Christmas Parade, taking center stage down the historic Lincoln Highway, on Dec. 2, 2023, at 10 AM. Originally a community project christened in 1960, the parade traditionally hosts over 160+ entries gracing the Lincoln Highway from dancers swirling their batons, to fleets of tow trucks, police cars and fire trucks, to local contractors showing off their custom-crafted floats. The Coatesville Christmas Parade has it all—including the Phillie Phanatic.

This year’s Grand Marshall is John Lymberis & the Lymberis Family of Harry’s The Neighborhood Place. Due to inclement weather last year, we will continue to honor our 2022 Grand Marshalls Dallas and Dale Krapf from the Krapf Group.  

This year’s Presenting Sponsor is Cleveland-Cliffs. The Coatesville facility refines more than 450 different steel chemistries and, together with the Conshohocken facility, produces some of the widest, thickest, and heaviest steel plates in the industry. Cliffs operates the plant formerly known as the Lukens Steel Company. 

“We are pleased and excited to be supporting this annual holiday event that brings together our community for a cherished hometown tradition. With over 600 employees at our steel plate production facility, family and community are very important to us at Cleveland-Cliffs, and we take pride in our work with our neighbors to support a healthy and vibrant community,” said Joe Chaippini, General Manager Eastern Plate.  

The Platinum Sleigh sponsor this year is Penn Medicine. “Chester County Hospital and Lancaster General Health Parkesburg are part of Penn Medicine. With physicians, programs, services, and locations throughout western Chester County, we offer an array of inpatient, outpatient medical, and surgical services so you can maintain a healthy lifestyle. We are committed to serving the Coatesville community and our teams stand ready to provide western Chester County with exceptional clinical care and programs,” said Chester County Hospital CEO, Michael Duncan. 

This year’s parade is made possible through the generosity of the following sponsors: Alliance for Health Equity, Beaver Creek Tavern, Belfor, Bentley, Inc., Breuninger Insurance, Brian Hoskins Ford, Coatesville Country Club, Coatesville Marriott, Chester County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, Chester County Economic Development Council, Citadel, City of Coatesville, Cleveland-Cliffs, CTDI, Downingtown VFW Post 845, Edge Wallboard, First Resource Bank, Freedom Village, Fulton Bank, G.A. Vietri, James Terry Funeral Homes, PA American Water, PECO, Penn Medicine – Chester County Hospital, Penn Medicine – Lancaster General Health/ Parkesburg, Presence Bank, Rentwell, S&T Bank, ServPro of Kennett/Oxford, Stewart Huston Charitable Trust, The Williams Group, Top Notch Builders, Uticom, WAWA, and Wegmans.  

Slated to perform this year are Mummers bands, the Sixers Stixers, the Phillie Phanatic, local elementary, middle, and high school groups, Cub Scouts,  Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Brownies.  Miss Pennsylvania 2023, Miss Pennsylvania Teen 2023, and Miss Coatesville for the America Strong Circuit. There will also be dance academies, cheerleading groups, hip-hop dancers, and baton twirlers. Not to be missed is the always-a-show-pleaser, larger-than-life cartoon characters. An automotive competition featuring Antique, Classic and Modified autos will be competing for prizes. Chester County police departments will compete for Best Appearing Police Vehicle. 

The competition for Best Appearing Float sponsored by a nonprofit organization features prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. New this year, is Best Decorated Fire Apparatus, with prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, and $200 for third place. There is also a Best Appearing Float sponsored by a for-profit organization. They compete for bragging rights. Lastly, there will be a competition for Best Appearing Group. All competitions are for first, second, and third places. 

Bringing up the rear of the parade will be none other than the big man himself, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, riding on a Coatesville Fire Department truck. Admission is free. Visit the Parade at for more information.