The 35th Annual Lakeshore Holiday Parade is a beloved tradition held in downtown Manitowoc that takes place the night before Thanksgiving at 6:30 p.m. every year. This year’s parade is set for Wednesday, November 22nd and is themed “Reindeer Games.”
Floats, marching bands, trucks, and walkers will follow a route heading east at S 12th St and Washington St to S 8th St, then head north to Park St. The Sensory Sensitive Zone will be implemented again this year from S 12th St to S 10th St on Washington St. In these two blocks, there will be no lights, loud music, or sirens. The purpose of the Sensory Sensitive Zone is to create a more comfortable environment for those individuals who are sensitive to loud noise and flashes of light. The public is welcome to bundle up and watch from the sidewalks anywhere along the route. If you can’t make it, a live radio broadcast will be available on WOMT Radio 1240 AM / 107.9 FM.
The Santa Reception will be held at the Rahr-West Art Museum from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., as well as after the parade. This is a free event, and children can meet with Santa Claus, enjoy sweet treats, and take in the beauty of Christmas in the Mansion at the Rahr-West Art Museum. In addition, Visit Manitowoc's Visitor Information Center will be open at 824 S 8ht Street and serving hot chocolate and cookies before and during the parade.
To celebrate every five-year anniversary of the Lakeshore Holiday Parade, the parade is themed. This year, floats are encouraged to get creative and decorate according to the theme, “Reindeer Games.” Entries are judged, winners announced publicly the week following the parade and trophies presented at the next Common Council meeting following the parade. Space is limited to 80 entries, so register now at on the event webpage.
To be a sponsor for this year’s Lakeshore Holiday Parade, please go to the event webpage or reach out to Visit Manitowoc Director of Tourism, Courtney Hansen at chansen@manitowoc.org or (920) 686-3505.