Bel Air Christmas Parade 2026: Time, Route, Tree Lighting & Parking

by Josh Tessier

By Josh Tessier, Lee Tessier Team at eXp Realty Updated Oct. 22, 2026

The 36th Bel Air Christmas Parade is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, at 3:30 p.m. in downtown Bel Air. It goes down Main Street to the end of Lee Street. Then there's music, a bonfire and hot chocolate in Shamrock Park at 4:15 p.m., and the tree lighting at 5 p.m.

The parade ends with Santa and Mrs. Claus coming to town. The miniature horses even dress up as reindeer. (Town of Bel Air)

Main Street in downtown Bel Air, Maryland, looking north from Churchville Road — Main Street at Churchville Road, where the parade lines up.

Photo: Main Street at Churchville Road, Bel Air, by Famartin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Taken in June 2016, not on parade day.

When is the Bel Air Christmas Parade 2026?

Here's the Town of Bel Air's schedule for Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026:

Time	What's happening	Where
3:30 p.m.	Parade	Down Main Street to the end of Lee Street
4:15 p.m.	Holiday music, bonfire, hot chocolate and food vendors	Shamrock Park
5:00 p.m.	Tree lighting	Shamrock Park

Coming early? The Bel Air Downtown Alliance lists the Route 66 Band in front of the courthouse at 2:30 p.m. Confirm before you go.

Expect bands, floats, performers, costumed characters, scout troops and animals.

Bel Air Christmas parade route

The Town says the parade goes "down Main Street to end of Lee Street."

The Town's parade rules for marchers give more detail. It starts at Churchville Road (Route 22) and S. Main Street, heads north on Main Street, turns right on Lee Street and ends at Hickory Avenue. The rules say it should wrap up around 4:20 p.m.

Accepted parade groups get maps by Dec. 1. I'll add the map here if the Town posts one.

Tree lighting in Shamrock Park

The tree lighting is at 5 p.m. in Shamrock Park. The Town's rules say it happens between 4:45 and 5 p.m., depending on the weather. It's the official end of the day.

Get to the park a little early. The music, bonfire and food start at 4:15 p.m.

Where to park and where to watch

Parking is free on weekends downtown, per the Bel Air Downtown Alliance. Try:

Streets that aren't on the parade route
Town parking lots
The Bel Air Parking Garage on Hickory Avenue

Streets on the route close for the parade, so come early.

Where to watch (my tips, not official): Main Street near the courthouse is the classic spot. Lee Street near Shamrock Park puts you close to the tree lighting. Bring a blanket. December curbs are not warm.

What if it rains?

The parade is weather permitting. If the weather is bad, it's cancelled and not rescheduled. The Town's rules say any cancellation will be announced by noon that day. Check the Town's parade page before you head out.

Want to be in the parade?

You have to apply. The deadline is Monday, Nov. 23, 2026. Groups get in only if the Town accepts their application. Apply on the Town of Bel Air parade page or call the Town at 410-638-4550.