The first Alpharetta Winter Parade steps off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, from Innovation Academy down Canton Street to the Alpharetta Community Center.

The first Alpharetta Winter Parade, presented by the Rotary Club of Alpharetta, steps off at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, from Innovation Academy and heads down Canton Street to the Alpharetta Community Center. School bands, youth groups, civic clubs and local businesses fill the lineup, and Santa brings up the rear.

Last checked 2026-10-23.

Upcoming dates

  • Sat. Dec. 12, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

This is the parade’s first year. The Rotary Club runs it with the City of Alpharetta, according to the club’s letter to downtown residents and businesses, and says all parade activities should wrap up around 8 p.m.

Where it is and parking

The parade starts at Innovation Academy, 125 Milton Ave., and ends at the Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell St., by Wills Park. The Rotary Club’s route map and guidelines put the route at about 1.5 miles:

  • From Innovation Academy along School Drive
  • Right onto Canton Street, heading south through downtown past Milton Avenue
  • Down Roswell Street and across Old Milton Parkway
  • Into the Alpharetta Community Center

Road closures, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., from the club’s notice to downtown neighbors:

  • Canton Street and Roswell Street, all lanes both ways, between Old Milton Parkway and School Drive
  • Old Milton Parkway where it crosses Roswell Street
  • Milton Avenue at the Canton Street and Roswell Street intersection

Roads reopen one by one as the parade clears them and police decide it is safe. For other work zones downtown, see our road construction and closures page.

The Rotary Club has not published spectator parking. Parade entries drop off in the rear parking lot at Innovation Academy, so that lot is busy from 4 p.m.

Tickets and cost

The Rotary Club lists no tickets or charge for watching the parade. There is no published fee to enter a group either; entry is by application on the parade page.

What to know

  • Santa: a live Santa Claus closes the parade. To keep it a surprise, no entry may include anyone dressed as Santa or Mrs. Claus.
  • Candy: marchers may hand out commercially wrapped candy. The club asks them to walk beside floats and hand it over, and asks parents to keep children from running toward floats and vehicles.
  • No stops: the parade must end by 7:30 p.m., so entries keep moving and perform on the move.
  • Not allowed: drones, confetti, glitter, silly string, fireworks, smoke devices, alcohol and political campaigning. Entries may not hand out flyers or business cards along the route.
  • Who can march: Alpharetta youth groups and scouts, schools and school bands, civic clubs, businesses serving Alpharetta, city departments, animal clubs, arts and dance groups and neighborhood groups. Entries must have a winter theme, stay under 15 feet tall and 12 feet wide, and be lined up by 5 p.m.; children under 6 marching must have a parent or guardian.
  • Weather: the Rotary Club and the city may delay, change or cancel the parade for weather or safety.

The city lights its own tree downtown in November; see our Christmas parade and tree lighting guide and the holiday lights and Christmas events roundup for the rest of the season.

Dates and venues as listed on the Alpharetta Convention and Visitors Bureau calendar and confirmed on the organizer’s site.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Alpharetta Winter Parade?

Saturday, Dec. 12, 2026. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. and must finish by 7:30 p.m.

What is the Alpharetta Winter Parade route?

It starts at Innovation Academy on Milton Avenue, follows School Drive to Canton Street, runs south on Canton and Roswell streets across Old Milton Parkway and ends at the Alpharetta Community Center, 175 Roswell St. The route is about 1.5 miles.

Which roads close for the Alpharetta Winter Parade?

From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Canton Street and Roswell Street close in both directions between Old Milton Parkway and School Drive, along with the Old Milton Parkway crossing at Roswell Street and Milton Avenue at Canton Street.

Will Santa be at the Alpharetta Winter Parade?

Yes. The Rotary Club of Alpharetta says a live Santa Claus comes at the end of the parade.

How do I enter a float in the Alpharetta Winter Parade?

Fill in the application on the Rotary Club of Alpharetta’s parade page. Every entry needs approval from the parade committee, and approved groups get a confirmation email.