A Guide To The Holidazzle Parade
Holidazzle Parade
Nicollet Mall between 12th St. and 4th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55402
(612) 376-7669
www.holidazzle.com
Dates: Nov. 23 through Dec. 23, 2012
Price: Free to attend
The Holidazzle Parade will be broadcast Live on Friday, Nov. 23 at 6:30 p.m. on WCCO-TV and replay through the holiday season.
Despite the usual winter flurry, each year over 300,000 families and friends make the blustery trek to downtown Minneapolis to witness the Holidazzle Parade and this year will be no different. As the Holidazzle Parade celebrates its 21st year, visitors and residents will no doubt bundle up once more to experience a local tradition that is always worth braving icy Minnesota elements. Here is a short roundup of tips to guide you in making the Holidazzle Parade a memorable experience for the entire family.
Parade Route and Parking
All parades begin at 6:30 p.m. and run Friday, Nov. 23 through Sunday, Dec. 23 every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday night. If you really want to avoid traffic and skip worrying about parking, it is recommended that visitors use the Metro Transit bus and light rail, which will be free on Saturday, Dec. 8 and 15 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
The Target Holidazzle Parade route runs along Nicollet Mall through the central business and shopping district, from 12th Street to 4th Street. Spectators can view the parade from the street along the route or in the downtown skyways, where it is a bit warmer. "Hot Seats" are available for $9 and include the warmth of a heated tent and hot cocoa and cider. The "Hot Seats" are also located right in one of the best viewing areas between 11th and 12th Streets.
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Parade Schedule
There is, of course, something fantastic scheduled each day of the Holidazzle Parade, but here are a handful of notable highlights you will want to make sure to catch.
On Nov. 23, the grand marshal is Bullseye with a marching band from the Minneapolis Southwest Marching Band. The sponsor will be Target.
Friday, Dec. 7 is sponsored by Public Safety Night. The marching band will be Minneapolis Police Band.
All of the schedule information, including bands, grand marshals and more, can be found at Holidazzle.com.
Related: A Guide to Family Holiday Activities in the Twin Cities
Christina Majaski is a full-time legal assistant and freelance writer for online and print publications. She has an obsession for all things related to social media and invites you to follow along with her on Twitter @cmajaski. She currently resides with her daughter in central Minnesota. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
