Highland Holiday Tractor Parade 2026: Date, Route, Parking & What to Know (Street, MD)

by Josh Tessier

Header photo: “Illuminated Farmall tractor” by Ted Hodges, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped.

Last updated: Oct. 26, 2026

The 2026 Highland Holiday Tractor Parade is Saturday, Dec. 5. About 75 lighted tractors leave North Harford High School at 5 p.m. and roll to Falling Branch Brewery in Street. It's free, and you don't need a ticket. The big catch: roads close at 4 p.m., so be parked well before then.

All the details below come from the host's own page, Falling Branch Brewery's tractor parade page, plus the Highland Community Association's ticket pages. Confirm before you go: check with the host before heading out.

Highland Tractor Parade 2026 at a glance

What	Details
Date	Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026
Parade start	5 p.m. at North Harford High School
Ends at	Falling Branch Brewery, 825 Highland Road, Street, MD 21154
Cost	Free. No tickets or sign-up needed to watch
Tractors	About 75, all lit up
Arrive	Between noon and 2 p.m. The host says no later than 4 p.m.
Roads	Closed from 4 p.m. until the parade is over
After-party	Santa photos, food trucks, live music, a DJ, craft vendors, tractor viewing
Alcohol	No outside alcohol

What is the Highland tractor parade route?

The parade starts at North Harford High School at 5 p.m. Then it:

Goes down Route 165
Turns onto Old Pylesville Road
Keeps going to Street Road
Ends at Falling Branch Brewery on Highland Road

That's the same route the parade used in 2025, based on Hello Harford's 2025 listing. You can watch from along the route or wait at the brewery for the finish. Confirm before you go.

Where do I park, and when should I get there?

Get there early. The host says parking fills fast.

Best time to arrive: noon to 2 p.m.
Latest: 4 p.m. After that, roads close.
Not before noon: The host says no parking before noon, and cars will be towed.
Paid lot with a view: The Highland Community Association sells parking at Enfield Farm with parade viewing space, 700 Highland Road, for $6. The listing doesn't show a year, so check that it's for 2026 before you buy.

Confirm before you go.

What happens at the after-party?

When the tractors pull into Falling Branch Brewery, the party starts. The brewery lists:

Tractors up close: They park in a viewing area so you can walk around and take photos.
Pictures with Santa
Food: Seven food trucks. Names are "TBA soon," so I'll add them when they post.
Music: Skyline Band plays 4-8 p.m. in the taproom. A DJ from Crossing the Line Entertainment plays holiday tunes on the outdoor stage.
For kids: The "We Rock on Wheels" play bus.
Drinks: Four bars with beer, cider, seltzer and seasonals for the grown-ups.
Shopping: Local craft vendors. The Highland Community Association sells 8x8 vendor spots in the pavilion, listed at $75.

The brewery's Saturday taproom hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. You can reach it at (443) 939-4605 or info@fallingbranchbeer.com.

How does the Best Tractor contest work?

Everyone gets to vote. Here's how, per the host:

Watch for the number on your favorite tractor as it rolls by.
Vote in the Let's Rallie app (thanks to Hello Harford).
Voting is open 5-8 p.m.
The top 3 winners are announced at the after-party.

Tip: snap a photo of the number. It's easy to forget once the next 74 roll past.

Can I enter my own tractor?

The 2026 tractor sign-up isn't posted yet. In 2025, the Highland Community Association sold a $10 "tractor space" on its Zeffy page, and that sale is now closed. Watch the Falling Branch tractor parade page for 2026 entry details.

Tips for families

Dress warm. You'll stand outside after dark in December.
Bring a flashlight for the walk back to the car.
Feed the kids early, or plan to eat at the food trucks.
Bring some cash just in case. The host doesn't say what vendors and trucks take.
Leave the cooler of drinks at home. The host says outside alcohol will be taken and you'll be asked to leave.
Plan for a slow exit. Lots of people leave at once on country roads.

Highland Tractor Parade: Dec. 5. Dec. 3: Norrisville Library tree lighting, 6:30 p.m. Noon: Dec. 5 parking opens (none before noon). 12-2: Best time to arrive. 4 p.m.: Roads close. Be parked by now. 5 p.m.: Parade leaves North Harford High School. 5-8: Best Tractor voting, Let's Rallie app. — *Key dates as of Oct. 26, 2026. Times can change, so check before you go.*
Graphic: joshtalksharford.com

More North Harford holiday fun

Norrisville Holiday Tree Lighting: Thu., Dec. 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m., at the Norrisville Library, 5310 Norrisville Road, White Hall. It's the second year for this one. The library lists caroling, cocoa and a holiday ornament craft. Confirm before you go.
Christmas trees: Hickory Hill Farm in Street opens Sun., Nov. 22. Jarrettsville Nurseries opens Fri., Nov. 27, with Santa on weekends. Jones Family Farm has choose-and-cut Nov. 27-Dec. 20. All the details are in my Christmas tree farms in Harford County guide.
More Santa: See my guide to where to see Santa in Harford County.

Other Christmas parades that weekend

Havre de Grace, Fri., Dec. 4, 6-8 p.m.: The Holly Jolly Parade and tree lighting. See my Havre de Grace Christmas guide.
Aberdeen, Sat., Dec. 5: The Christmas Street parade, the same day as the tractor parade. 2026 times aren't posted yet.
Bel Air, Sun., Dec. 6, 3:30 p.m.: The Bel Air Christmas Parade and tree lighting. See my Bel Air Christmas guide.

Living in North Harford

The parade runs through the heart of North Harford, near Street, Pylesville, Whiteford, White Hall and Jarrettsville. It's farm country, with more land and a small-town feel. A night like this shows you what the community is like. Thinking about a move up this way? Call or text me at (443) 617-2099, or see my agent page.

FAQ

When is the Highland Holiday Tractor Parade in 2026?

Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026. The parade starts at 5 p.m. at North Harford High School, per Falling Branch Brewery.

What is the Highland tractor parade route?

It starts at North Harford High School, goes down Route 165, turns onto Old Pylesville Road, continues to Street Road and ends at Falling Branch Brewery on Highland Road in Street.

Is the Highland tractor parade free?

Yes. The host says it's free, with no tickets or registration needed. Parking at Enfield Farm with a viewing space is a paid option at $6.

Where do I park for the Highland tractor parade?

Arrive between noon and 2 p.m., and no later than 4 p.m., when roads close. There's no parking before noon, and violators will be towed. You can also buy a $6 spot at Enfield Farm, 700 Highland Road, from the Highland Community Association.

Is Santa at the Highland tractor parade?

Yes. The host lists pictures with Santa at the after-party at Falling Branch Brewery.

How many tractors are in the Highland tractor parade?

The host lists about 75 lighted tractors for 2026.

How do I vote for the best tractor?

Note your favorite tractor's number, then vote in the Let's Rallie app from 5 to 8 p.m. The top 3 are announced at the after-party.

Can I bring my own drinks to the tractor parade?

Not alcohol. The host says outside alcohol will be taken and you'll be removed from the property. Falling Branch has four bars on site.

How do I enter my tractor in the Highland parade?

The 2026 tractor sign-up isn't posted yet. In 2025, entries were sold as a $10 tractor space through the Highland Community Association. Check the Falling Branch tractor parade page for updates.