The Rome Christmas Parade is the oldest and largest Christmas parade in Georgia, dating back to 1950. It is a long-standing tradition enjoyed by people of all ages, and kicks off the start of the Christmas season.
Every year on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, thousands of visitors line Broad Street to watch the parade. A different theme is chosen each year, and businesses, organizations, and churches compete to have the best float. Beauty queens, emergency vehicles, and antique cars also ride in style down the street.
The parade is a fun and exciting event for the whole family and a great way to get into the holiday spirit.
I don’t remember how old I was when I first attended the Rome Christmas Parade, but I know I was very young. Every year, my mom would bundle my brother and me up in layers of warm clothes, pile us into the car, and drive downtown to find parking. We would then walk to Broad Street and find a spot to stand and wait for the parade to begin.
I remember the excitement of hearing the beat of the marching band getting louder and louder and feeling the thump in my chest as they approached. I remember scanning the crowd of people to see if I knew anyone participating in the parade and the thrill of finally spotting Santa Claus at the end.
One year, when I was a kid, I got to be in the parade myself. I was excited at first, but I quickly realized that I didn’t like being a participant as much as I liked watching it from the side of the road. When you’re in the parade, you miss seeing all the beautiful floats and feeling the anticipation of waiting for Santa to arrive.
To this day, I still get chills when I hear the band in the distance because I know the parade has started and is moving down Broad Street. I love seeing the year’s theme and how the different floats interpret it in their own special and unique way. I always look for the winner of the various divisions marked on the front of the floats.
One bonus of the parade is the decorations. Shops and restaurants on Broad Street decorate their storefronts to complement the Christmas season and spread cheer to Downtown Rome.
I look forward to the parade every year. It is something I can share with my family. I hope I always keep the excitement I get from going to the Christmas Parade each year.
Do you go to the Rome Christmas Parade? What is your favorite part of the parade or favorite tradition surrounding it? Are there any other parades that you would like to let us know about? Please leave a comment.
Area Christmas Parades
- Euharlee Christmas Parade Monday, November 27, 2023 @ 6 P.M. Downtown Euharlee
- Rome Christmas Parade Tuesday, November 28, 2023 @ 6:30 PM. Broad Street (If there is a Rain delay it will be rescheduled to November 30th)
- Cedartown Friday, December 1, 2023, @ 6 P.M.
- Cave Spring Christmas Parade Saturday, December 2, 2023, @ 6 P.M. Downtown Cave Spring
- Adairsville Christmas Parade Monday, December 4, 2023 @ 6 P.M. Downtown Adairsville
- City Of Summerville Christmas Parade Monday, December 4, 2023 @ 7 P.M. Downtown Summerville
- Cartersville Christmas Parade Thursday, December 7, 2023 @ 6:00 PM
- Rockmart Christmas Parade Thursday, December 7, 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
- Lindale Saturday, December 2, 2023, @ 5:00 P.M. (The Lindale Festival will be from 1:00 – 5:00)
- Calhoun’s Christmas Parade Of Lights Thursday, December 14, 2023, @ 7 P.M. Downtown Calhoun
Thank you for sharing the locations. I also get chills by listening to the bands often.