West Chester’s 225^th anniversary is about to culminate in an all-star lineup of performers at the West Chester Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting this Friday, Dec. 6.

Sponsored by Chester County Hospital and presented by the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, the West Chester Christmas Parade will dazzle 20,000 spectators with 13-foot-tall balloon floats, local Olympians, the 2024 Mummers Champion String Band and a marching band competition featuring 12 additional award-winning marching bands. It all culminates with the much-anticipated arrival of Santa, as 6abc Meteorologist Adam Joseph and WMMR’s Kathy Romano of The Preston & Steve Show return as emcees.

“The West Chester Christmas Parade always feels like a ‘big city’ spectacle in a small town, and this year we’re able to provide even more next-level performances to our residents and visitors thanks to the support of more than 150 local businesses and nonprofits. Expect a first-class show!” said Katie Walker, President of the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the parade as the marquee event of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester.

Ranked by USA Today as one of the best places “to experience the arrival of Santa,” and voted “Best Local Parade” and “Best Family-Friendly Event” by readers of Main Line Today, the West Chester Christmas Parade is this Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 PM. It’s preceded by West Chester’s Tree Lighting at 6:30 PM, featuring live musical performances outside the Historic Courthouse as the 26-foot-tall tree is illuminated with 11,000 lights, more than 1,500 ornaments and more than a ¼ mile of gold festooning.

With more than 3,000 participants and 87 parade elements, the West Chester Christmas Parade will feature South Philadelphia String Band’s champion performance of “Christmas Bizarre.” The 2024 West Chester Christmas Parade will hold an all-new competition for “Best Commercial Parade Float” and “Best Nonprofit Parade Entry” as the following high school marching bands compete for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd place cash prizes: Bishop Shanahan Marching Band, Downingtown High School Combined Marching Bands, Easton Area High School Red Rover Marching Band, Exeter Township Senior High School Marching Band, Henderson High School Marching Warriors, Octorara High School Band, Oxford Marching Hornets, Rustin Golden Knights Marching Band, Saint Mark’s High School Marching Band, Twin Valley High School Marching Band, West Chester East Viking Marching Band and West Chester University Incomparable Golden Rams Marching Band.

“Penn Medicine Chester County Hospital is honored to sponsor this year’s West Chester Christmas Parade and to be a part of such a cherished community tradition,” said Karen Pinsky, Interim CEO of Chester County Hospital. “The holiday season is a time to come together, celebrate the spirit of giving and reflect on the importance of family and community. As a trusted healthcare provider, we are deeply committed to the well-being of the people we serve, and we are proud to stand alongside our neighbors in making this event a joyful and meaningful occasion. Our dedicated staff—doctors, nurses and all of our team members—work every day to care for this community, and it is a privilege to share in this festive celebration.”

The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce has been proud to present the #WCChristmasParade since 1979. Massive Dynamic Sound will provide production as the West Chester Christmas Parade begins on Market Street at New Street, where it heads east toward Matlack Street and completes its one-mile loop heading west on Gay Street through the heart of West Chester’s historic district.

Parking includes the following options:

• FREE PARKING available after 5 PM: Justice Center Garage at 220 West Market Street (access via Wollerton Street, driving north on Darlington)
• $10 flat rate from 5 PM to 8 PM at Chestnut Street Garage at 14 East Chestnut Street & Bicentennial Garage at 20 South High Street
• All borough lots with kiosk parking will issue standard hourly rates

From 4:30 PM to 10 PM on Friday, Dec. 6, the following roads will be closed: West Market Street between New Street and Bradford Avenue (staging area), High Street between Gay Street & Market Street, Gay Street between Matlack Street & New Street, Market Street between Matlack Street & Bradford Avenue, Walnut Street between Chestnut Street & Miner Street, High Street between Chestnut Street & Miner Street, Church Street between Chestnut Street & Market Street, Darlington Street between Chestnut Street & Wollerton Alley, New Street between Chestnut Street & Market Street.

This year’s Christmas tree sponsor is Lasko Products, LLC, VIP area sponsors are COCOON and Alexander Catering, parade special sponsor is PECO, Santa’s float sponsors are Lamb McErlane PC and Treehouse World, and the sign language interpreting sponsor is SIGNINterpreting Services. Parade special element sponsors are D.E. Duffy & Sons, Sheller Energy, The Master’s Baker and Weldon Builders. Parade support sponsors are A.J. Blosenski and JDog Junk Removal.

Premium sponsors of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester include Aqua Pennsylvania, Del Vacchio Landscape & Christmas Decor, First Bank, Lasko Products, Oakbourne Advisors, Treehouse World, West Chester University and West Pharmaceutical Services. For more information on weekend activities and to see a full list of sponsors, visit gwcc.org or contact the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce at 610-696-4046, info@gwcc.org.