Parade

Trolley Shuttle

Running from 5:30 - 9:00 pm
on Friday, December 6

Shuttle Stop: Alberton's - Meridian Road and Fairview

Shuttle Stop: Meridian Post Office Main and Cartlon

Sponsored by the Downtown Meridian Association

Winter Lights Parade & Tree Lighting

Friday, December 6, 2019
6:30 pm.
Parade Route: Main Street - Carlton - Second
Tree Lighting: Generation Plaza at Main & Idaho

Sponsored in part by:

Downtown Meridian will glow with the Christmas spirit as the City of Meridian hosts the Annual Winter Lights Parade & Christmas Tree Lighting.

The Winter Lights Parade will light up the night in a fantastic display your family will love. Warming stations with hot cocoa can be found throughout the parade route. Watch for the Grand Marshal in the horse-drawn carriage. Hint: You can get a free ride in the carriage.

Come early and watch "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas" on the outdoor screen at 5:30 pm and 6:00 pm. next to the main stage. Then cheer on the Candy Cane Run Fun participants. Grab some hot food and cocoa from our food trucks. Take a photo with a real life reindeer.

Immediately following the parade, we will light the Meridian Christmas Tree together! The evening will culminate with a bang - thanks to fireworks.

Just like Santa, we will celebrate regardless of the weather conditions. No sleet, snow, rain or wind can stop the city from glowing with holiday magic on Friday, December 6.

Parking

Route

Grand Marshal 2019
Mayor Tammy de Weerd

Mayor Tammy de Weerd

In her time as mayor, De Weerd has led one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Meridian has more than doubled in size since she took office in 2004 — growing from 46,000 to an estimated 114,000 people.
When De Weerd took office, Meridian was a smaller, quieter city, City Council President Joe Borton said.
“The city then was ready for that next stage,” Borton said, and De Weerd was the “right person for the job” who had the right vision.
De Weerd announced in February that she wouldn’t seek a fifth term. Her four terms were historic in themselves — she was the city’s first female mayor.

THEN TO NOW

A look at Meridian numbers from the year Mayor Tammy de Weerd took office to today:
POPULATION
2004 - 46,195
2019 - 114,680, estimated
CITY EMPLOYEES
2004 - 240
2019 - 493, with 30 unfilled positions
FIRE STATIONS
2004 - 3
2019 - 5, with 6th on the way
PARKS
2004 - 8 parks totaling 91 acres
2019 - 24 parks totaling 334 acres
POLICE
2004 - 54 sworn officers, and 14 supporting staff members
2019 - 107 sworn officers and 37 supporting staff members, with 20 open positions for officers and four open positions for supporting staff.

-credit Patty Bowen, Idaho Press Tribune
Oct. 2, 2019

Read the entire article here.

Main Stage

We are excited to welcome Ken & Deb from 94.9 The River as our emcees.

Candy Cane Fun Run

Run to the parade route to the North Pole!

Register early and get a free light! Last minute runners are welcome! Meet at The Pulse Running at Fitness at 520 S. Meridian Rd. The finish line is at Idaho & 2nd Street next to the Meridian Community Center.

Costumes and ugly sweaters encouraged.

Details