The 2026 Rose City Christmas Parade & Drone Show

This annual event is organized and sponsored by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler (Sunrise, Food Bank, South Tyler, & The Rotary Club of Tyler).
About this Event

Note: Ticket sales on this event page are for parade entries only. Spectators may watch for free from the surrounding streets. Please see 2026 Parade Route Map for more info.

2026 Rose City Christmas Parade & Drone Show

This event is organized and sponsored by the Rotary International Clubs of Tyler (South Tyler Rotary, Sunrise Rotary, Tyler Food Bank Rotary Club, and The Rotary Club of Tyler), kickoff is at 6:30 p.m. in Tyler, and is followed by the 41st Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the W.T. Brookshire Center and the Rose City Christmas Firework Show!

This year’s parade theme is “Create Lasting Impact.” All entries will be judged on multiple criteria based on the following three categories:

1. Rose City Sweepstakes (Best in Show)
2. Spirit of Christmas (Most Holiday Spirit)
3. Create Lasting Impact (Most on Theme)

Our panel of judges will select three winners, and each will receive a winner's package including a cash prize. Please see our website for more information on prizes, judging criteria, and rules and regulations.

2026 Parade Route (UPDATED):

Parade Lineup

The parade will begin on Front Street, traveling west toward the Tyler Rose Complex (420 Rose Park Drive).

Participants should report to their designated staging area based on their entry type:

• Walking Groups (with and without vehicles): S. Glenwood Blvd., between Houston Street and Front Street
• Bands: S. Glenwood Blvd., between W. Erwin Street and Front Street
• Floats & Vehicles: S. Palace Avenue to Front Street, continuing onto Front Street
• Dignitaries & Emergency Vehicles: Front Street, between S. Palace Avenue and S. Glenwood Blvd.

Please follow the directions of parade staff upon arrival. Volunteers will assist you in locating your assigned lineup position.

Parade Route

Once the parade begins, all entries will follow the same route:

• Travel west on Front Street toward the Tyler Rose Complex.
• Turn left onto Fair Park Drive.
• Continue along Fair Park Drive into the CHRISTUS Rose Stadium parking lot.
• Follow the designated driveway through the parking lot.
• Exit by turning right onto Lyons Street, where the parade officially concludes.

Please continue moving forward until directed by parade staff to exit.

(See map below)

PARADE RULES & REGULATIONS
IMPORTANT:

Participants in the parade will adhere to the following rules and regulations. Failure to do so will result in REMOVAL from the parade and possible exclusion from future parades.

• Only organized and chartered entries/units will be considered by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler.
• All entry information MUST be stated on the application and approved in accordance with the rules set forth by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler.
• There will only be ONE Santa in the Christmas Parade. All other Santa entries will be REMOVED onsite from the Parade.
• The decision to remove an entry/unit will be at the sole discretion of parade officials onsite.
• THE NUMBER OF ENTRIES IN THE PARADE WILL BE LIMITED TO 110 ENTRIES TOTAL. NO EXCEPTIONS.
• DO NOT hand out anything, candy prizes, or swag from your floats and organizations. This is for the spectators' safety and enjoyment of the parade.

Participation in the Rotary Clubs of Tyler’s Christmas Parade is by invitation upon approval by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler, hereinafter referred to as "RCOT".

APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONS & ENTRIES

All applications submitted will be reviewed by the RCOT, and those applications approved by the RCOT will be issued instructions to participate in the Rose City Christmas Parade by email.

All entries to the Rose City Christmas Parade:

• must be approved by the RCOT.
• must not be commercial or political in nature.
• must complete the entry description and background on the entry form.
• must be completed prior to consideration and final approval.
• shall be at the sole and exclusive discretion of the RCOT. Exceptions or special requests must be approved by the RCOT.

Parade participants must:

• Dress appropriately for your entry.
• NOT distribute or display political literature to spectators along the parade route. Signage is to identify the vehicles and not political candidates. NO exceptions.
• NOT leave the parade route during the parade nor walk or drive into areas where the public is standing or sitting.
• NOT stop during the parade route to perform maneuvers, yells, songs, cheers, skits, performances, etc.
• NOT conduct any activities that endanger public health or safety, such as the use of fire, pyrotechnics, firearms, weapons, throwing objects, dangerous chemicals, use of lasers, etc.
• NOT throw, handout, or eject anything to spectators from parade units. NO CANDY, balloons, flowers, samples, or anything whatsoever may be THROWN OR HANDED to the crowd.
• NOT play inappropriate music with inappropriate language. Please keep the Christmas Spirit in mind when choosing music for your entry.
• Stay in their assigned area and groups. DO NOT disturb other units by walking in or through other units during the parade.

MARCHING ENTRIES

• Marching units will consist of bands, (military, high school, middle school, university, or college) and adult civic marching groups.
• Drill teams, cheerleaders, and school mascot applications will not be accepted unless their respective school band is participating or approved by the RCOT, and they must walk with their band. Groups may not stop and do performances. All entires must perform as they march.
• Animal Mascots may be in a vehicle or in a cage pulled by a vehicle, if in accordance with the rules and regulations for vehicles and floats. All vehicles require decoration and should contribute to the overall theme of “Create Lasting Impact”.
• Invitations to schools and applications for bands, drill teams, and cheerleaders are mailed to the attention of the Band Director/Advisor.

WALKING ENTRIES

• Each walking group shall have No Less Than 10 members.
• All participants are required to walk the entire parade route at the appropriate pace or be subject to removal to ensure proper parade timing.
• Walking group entries not associated with bands must have participants age six (6) years old and older; Children 5 years old or younger are NOT allowed to walk in the Christmas Parade and must be in a vehicle, trailer, or on a float.
• Non-uniformed parents must leave the staging area after delivering group members and view the parade from the route. The child member can be picked up at the designated area when the group has finished walking in the parade.
• Clowns will NOT be permitted in the parade unless approved by the RCOT.

PARADE VEHICLES

• Participants are allowed to have ONLY 4 vehicles per entry. All drivers operating vehicles must be at least 21 years of age and licensed drivers while operating a motor vehicle in the parade.
• Floats and trailers will be limited to a maximum of twenty-five persons depending on size.
• Motorcycles, motorbike patrols, or car clubs will be limited to 4 vehicles. Clubs, bike patrols, or motorcycle groups shall have the same uniform dress and machinery.
• Non-specialty automobiles in the parade will be limited.
• Antique and Shrine club cars will be limited to classic, open touring cars, or roadsters (replicas). Drivers and/or passengers will not be identified by signage on the antique car. The number of antique cars will be determined by the RCOT.
• All vehicles require decoration and should be in a Christmas, Holiday, or winter theme, or contribute to the overall theme of “Create Lasting Impact."

INSURANCE & LIABILITY DISCLAIMER

The Rotary Clubs of Tyler assume no responsibility nor liability for accidents by any participant in the parade or spectator of the parade. Certificates for Comprehensive General Liability, including automobile, will be required if requested by the Rotary Clubs of Tyler. A more in-depth liability waiver can be found in the application and must be signed/approved by entrants to participate in the parade. Only one acknowledgement/signature from an organization representative per entry is required.

EXCEPTIONS & REMOVAL

Any exceptions to the above rules must be given in writing by the RCOT. The decision to remove any entry or portion of any entry will be at the sole discretion of Parade officials on site.

We need your help!

The costs of planning, organizing, and resourcing a safe, fun, wholesome night of Christmas joy for all families are expensive! The Rotary Clubs of Tyler ask you to help us fund the costs of bringing the Rose City Christmas parade to the families of East Texas. If you are a business, non-profit organization, or individual wishing to partner with our Rotary Clubs and be recognized as the type of organization that brings generosity and good cheer to the families of East Texas, we need you! Find out more about how you can become a parade sponsor! Visit our website at rosecitychristmasparade.com or call 903.374.3768