Winter Festival and Holiday Events

Saturday, December 5, 2026 • 3-10 p.m. • Downtown

The 40th annual Winter Festival - a Celebration of Lights, Music and the Arts will fill downtown Tallahassee with merriment on Saturday, December 5, from 3-10 p.m. Visitors can enjoy delicious food vendors, unique arts and crafts merchants and sparkling holiday displays, including Candy Cane Lane in McCarty Park. Four stages of live entertainment will dot downtown and highlight local actors, dancers, musicians and more. The Lighting Ceremony takes place at 6 p.m. on the parade announcers' platform, located on South Monroe Street at Bloxham Park. The Capital Health Plan Jingle Bell Run begins at 6:15 p.m. The Nighttime Holiday Parade begins at 7:10 p.m.

Registration for the parade, entertainment, vendors and exhibitors are now open for 2026.

ALL REGISTRATIONS CLOSE OCTOBER 12, 2026

Thank you to everyone who enjoyed Candy Cane Lane this year! We can’t wait to surprise you again next year with holiday magic.

With carolers, guitarists, dancers and more performing, hundreds of community members enjoyed a joyous evening in Cascades Park during the 2025 Holiday Stroll. Stay tuned next fall for details about the 2026 event.

He made his list, checked it twice and called so many kids who were oh so nice. He’s back at his workshop making holiday wishes come true.

Dorothy B. Oven Park, 3205 Thomasville Road

The holiday light display premiered Thanksgiving evening (Thursday, November 27) and runs nightly through the New Year (Tuesday, January 1), weather permitting. Weekday hours are 6-10 PM with extended hours on the weekends from 5:30-11 PM. Motorists inside the park and traveling along Thomasville Road in the vicinity of the park, are urged to drive with caution. Thank you to everyone who enjoyed our annual, special event – Elf Night – on Dec. 22. The holiday light display is free and open to the public. For more information, call our holiday line at 850-891-3555.

Jack McLean Community Center, 700 Paul Russell Road

So many treats, so little time! Santa enjoyed visiting the Jack McLean Community Center on Dec. 12 and is already looking forward to next year.

The City of Tallahassee Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Affairs Department made spirits bright with Soul Santa and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 20. Check out the fun with this YouTube video.