By Jeff Devine, Dale County Chronicle
The Town of Newton is gearing up for its Annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony, scheduled for Saturday, December 6, 2025, and officials are inviting local organizations, businesses, and community groups to sign up now.
This year’s festivities begin early in the day for vendors and food trucks, who may enter Heroes’ Memorial Park starting at 9:00 a.m. Vendors must depart by 3:00 p.m. unless they plan to remain for the parade and Santa’s visit.
Parade Day Details
Lineup for all parade entries will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Hartford Street, near the Newton Post Office at the junction of Hartford Street and College Street. To streamline traffic and accommodate any last-minute changes, parade officials will issue lineup numbers only as each entry arrives.
All participants must enter the lineup from Highway 123 (Hartford Highway). Any attempt to enter from other streets will be redirected.
The parade will step off promptly at 4:00 p.m., traveling through downtown Newton and concluding near Heroes’ Memorial Park. Participants will be directed to loop behind the Newton Fire Department on Queen Street to either park for the evening festivities or continue on a designated exit route along Spring Street and Florence Street.
Immediately after the parade—around 5:00 p.m.—the town will hold its annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony at Heroes’ Memorial Park, followed by a visit from Santa. Parking will be available, but attendees are asked to keep clear of emergency access areas.
Officials also ask parade participants to toss candy toward the curb rather than into the roadway to ensure the safety of children.
Registration Information
The Town of Newton is accepting entries of all kinds, including floats, single vehicles, trucks and trailers, marching or dance units, walking groups, and vendors. Each participant must complete a registration form and sign a hold-harmless agreement.
Forms may be obtained by emailing [email protected]. Once you fill out the form, you may email it back to the address above or it can be mailed to:
Newton Events Committee, P.O. Box 10, Newton, AL 36352
Anyone with questions is encouraged to call Newton Town Hall at (334) 299-3361.
*Photo showing Newton’s park downtown taken by Jeff Devine. Below is a copy of the parade registration form from the Town of Newton. If you are unable to download it, contact the Town of Newton at [email protected] and request a fresh form be emailed to you.
