Once Upon
A
Christmas
A Storybook Christmas
Parade &
Festival
December 12Saturday in Downtown Canton, Texas
The day
Downtown Canton turns the page on a Christmas celebration built for families, with an afternoon of festival fun and a parade straight out of a storybook.
The Festival
Come early and make an afternoon of it on Buffalo Street.
- Carnival rides
- Christmas Village across from City Hall
- Snowball fights
- Pictures with Santa
The Parade
As the sun goes down, find your spot along the route. Floats bring beloved Christmas stories, classic characters, and whimsical scenes to life.
Enter the Parade
Businesses, churches, schools, organizations, families, and community groups are all welcome.
Entry fee
- One entry covers up to four vehicles under the same group name.
- Two entries cover up to eight vehicles.
- Three or more allow unlimited vehicles for one organization, club, or company.
- Vehicles in one entry must display matching signage and line up together at staging.
Sponsor the Parade
Every sponsorship includes parade entry and puts your name in front of the families lining downtown.
Bookmark
$250
- 1 parade entry (up to 4 vehicles)
- Business name on this page
- Digital shoutout
Chapter
$500
- 2 parade entries (up to 8 vehicles)
- Logo on this page
- Digital shoutout
- Emcee mention during the parade
Happily Ever After
$1,000
- Unlimited parade entries
- Logo on this page
- Two digital shoutouts
- Emcee mention during the parade
- Logo on posters and the parade banner
- One award add-on included
Award add-ons
Sponsor a parade award. First come, first served.
Happily Ever After sponsors choose one award at no additional cost.
2026 sponsors
Thank you to the businesses helping write this year’s story.
Lineup & Route
- 5:30 PM lineupStage at the South Gate of First Monday.
- 6:30 PM step-offExit the South Gate and turn east onto Highway 64.
- Buffalo StreetTurn south through Downtown Canton.
- FinishEnd at Canton Junior High School.
This year’s theme
A Storybook Christmas. Build your float around a beloved Christmas story, a classic character, or a whimsical scene of your own.
Watching the parade
Enjoy the festival from 3:30 PM, then find your spot along Buffalo Street before step-off.
Questions
When and where is it?
Saturday, December 12 in Downtown Canton. The festival starts at 3:30 PM on Buffalo Street and the parade steps off at 6:30 PM.
How many vehicles per entry?
One entry covers up to four vehicles, two cover up to eight, and three or more allow unlimited vehicles for the same group.
When does early bird pricing end?
Early bird entries are $50 through November 14. Regular entries are $75, and day-of entries are $100.
Is there a non-profit discount?
Yes. Call 903-567-1851 for a discount code before registering.
Where do entries line up?
At the South Gate of First Monday starting at 5:30 PM. Vehicles in the same entry line up together.
Does sponsorship include an entry?
Yes. Bookmark includes one entry, Chapter includes two, and Happily Ever After includes unlimited entries plus one award.
The End… or just the beginning
Spend the afternoon downtown and stay for the parade.