This Kansas College Town Hosts A Christmas Parade That Draws Holiday Crowds

Six horse-drawn vehicles. That was the entire lineup when this Christmas parade rolled out for the very first time in 1993.

Today, it can feature as many as 85 entries. Carriages and wagons arrive dressed in garland and jingling bells, and some have traveled from as far as Texas, Minnesota, and North Dakota.

The funny thing is, the whole show skips the giant balloons and blaring floats most parades rely on. Horses carry the spotlight here, and the slower pace is exactly the point.

It just feels right for a holiday that’s supposed to remind us of simpler times.

This Kansas tradition once landed on a USA Today list of the top 10 things to do during the Christmas season. That’s a big honor for a parade built on hooves, harnesses, and holiday cheer.

I’ve come to realize the best traditions grow slowly, one wagon at a time. So how did a handful of carriages turn into one of the Midwest’s most beloved holiday crowds?

Horses Steal The Show And Nobody Minds One Bit

Hooves on pavement make a sound no marching band can copy. The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade builds its whole identity around that sound, and it works beautifully.

The parade is known as one of the most unique in the nation. Its lineup centers on authentic horse-drawn carriages and wagons instead of motorized floats.

Each entry gets dressed for the season with garland and bells. The result looks like a holiday card that decided to go for a stroll down Main Street.

Kids tend to fixate on the horses first, and honestly, adults do too. Big, steady animals pulling decorated wagons are hard to look away from.

The pace also changes how you watch. You aren’t scrambling to catch a float as it zooms past.

Instead, each carriage gets its moment, and you can actually notice the details. The ribbons, the harnesses, and the jingle of bells all get time to shine.

For families in Kansas looking for a holiday outing with real charm, this parade delivers something different. It trades flash for feeling, and that swap pays off every December.

A Hotel Manager Dreamed It Up In 1993

Every tradition starts with somebody stubborn enough to try. In Lawrence, that person was Robert W.

Phillips, a local businessman and general manager of the historic Eldridge Hotel.

Phillips had a vision for an old-fashioned holiday celebration. In 1993, it came to life with just six horse-drawn vehicles.

Six. That’s barely enough to fill a block, yet it was enough to plant something lasting.

The Eldridge Hotel itself carries deep historical weight in Lawrence and across Kansas. Linking the parade to that landmark gave the event roots before it even had much of a lineup.

The parade also honors the town’s history, reaching back to the Civil War era. That’s why the horse-drawn theme feels so fitting rather than gimmicky.

Carriages and wagons were once everyday transportation on these streets. Seeing them return each December connects modern crowds with a much older version of downtown.

It’s a good reminder that big events don’t need a big start. Sometimes a small idea and a few dedicated people are all it takes to build something a whole community looks forward to every year.

From Six Wagons To A Lineup Of 85

Growth like this doesn’t happen by accident. The Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade has expanded from those first six vehicles to as many as 85 entries.

That kind of jump turns a cute local event into a major Midwest attraction. The parade now ranks among the region’s standout holiday gatherings.

Here’s a fun detail worth repeating at your next dinner party. Entries have traveled from as far as Texas, Minnesota, and North Dakota just to take part.

Hauling horses and carriages hundreds of miles is no small task. Participants clearly think the trip is worth it.

The variety keeps things interesting from start to finish. With dozens of entries, you’ll spot different carriage styles, decorations, and teams of horses as the parade moves along.

Bring a little patience and enjoy the full procession. Leaving early means missing entries that may have come a very long way.

The 2026 parade marks the event’s 33rd year. For a tradition that began with a handful of wagons, that milestone shows just how much the community and visitors have embraced it over the decades.

Grab A Curb Spot On Mass Street Early

Massachusetts Street, better known around town as Mass Street, serves as the parade route. It’s the heart of downtown Lawrence and a lively, pedestrian-friendly Main Street.

On parade day, the sidewalks fill up with spectators, often more than 10,000 of them. A good viewing spot along the curb becomes valuable real estate.

Plan to arrive with time to spare, especially if you have little ones who want a front-row view. Kids can’t appreciate a carriage they can only see between grown-up elbows.

Comfort matters too, since you’ll be standing or sitting outside in December. Folks often cozy up with blankets and hot cocoa while they wait.

Dress in layers, pack gloves, and maybe bring a folding chair or stadium blanket. Kansas winter mornings can surprise you.

Mass Street also makes waiting easier. The route is lined with unique shops, art galleries, and coffee houses, so a warm drink is never far away.

Treat the hours before the parade as part of the fun. A morning downtown, a hot cup in hand, and a good curb seat set the stage nicely.

Mark The First Saturday Of December

Timing is everything with this one. The parade traditionally lands on the first Saturday of December each year.

The next edition is scheduled for December 5, 2026, at 11 AM. That late-morning start gives you time for breakfast and a little travel before the action begins.

One quick heads-up for planners. The 2025 parade was canceled just days before it was set to roll, after an outbreak of equine herpesvirus spread among horses in several states.

Organizers decided the health of the horses had to come first.

That makes the 2026 parade, marking 33 years of tradition, feel like a welcome comeback. Many families will likely be eager to restart their holiday routine.

An 11 AM start also means you’ll have the whole afternoon free after the last carriage passes. Downtown Lawrence offers plenty to fill those hours.

Think about shopping, lunch at a locally owned restaurant, or wandering through galleries. The parade can anchor a full day rather than a quick stop.

If you’re coming from elsewhere in Kansas or beyond, booking plans ahead makes sense. Popular holiday weekends fill calendars fast.

Pencil in the date now and check for updates as December gets closer. Future you will appreciate the head start.

Volunteers Keep The Bells Ringing

Behind every jingling wagon sits a lot of planning. The parade is produced by the Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade Committee.

It’s directed by Lawrence Christmas Parade, INC., a 501(c)3 nonprofit. The organization is based at 718 New Hampshire St, Lawrence, KS 66044, just a short walk from the route.

Running a parade full of horses takes careful coordination. Entries need organizing, routes need managing, and dozens of teams need to roll out in the right order.

That’s a tall order for any group, let alone one built around community effort. The nonprofit setup shows the event exists for the town, not for profit.

Downtown Lawrence Inc. also helps promote the parade. Its home base sits at 833 1/2 Massachusetts Street, right in the middle of the action.

Knowing who’s behind the scenes adds something to the experience. Those carriages don’t simply appear decorated and lined up on their own.

When you cheer from the curb, you’re cheering for a whole network of people. They keep this Kansas tradition alive year after year, one bell and bow at a time.

USA Today Took Notice, And So Should You

National attention tends to find good things eventually. USA Today once named the Lawrence Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade among the top 10 things to do during the Christmas season.

That’s quite a shoutout for a parade powered by horses. It put Lawrence on holiday radars far beyond the state line.

Recognition like that helps explain why crowds pack the sidewalks. People want to see what earned the buzz.

Still, the parade doesn’t feel like a polished production made for television. Its charm comes from tradition, community, and that unmistakable old-fashioned style.

Fans of classic holiday movies will find plenty to love here. Decorated carriages rolling down a historic downtown street look straight out of a nostalgic Christmas scene.

The appeal stretches across generations, too. Grandparents may remember when horse-drawn travel felt less like a novelty, while kids see it as pure magic.

So when someone asks why you’d drive to Lawrence for a parade, you have a ready answer. It’s earned national praise, it looks like a storybook, and it brings people together in a way that feels refreshingly unhurried.

Stick Around Downtown After The Last Wagon

Parades end, but the fun downtown doesn’t have to. Mass Street is packed with unique shops, art galleries, locally owned restaurants, and coffee houses.

After the final carriage passes, it’s the perfect time to wander. Holiday shopping at local retailers is a big part of the season in Lawrence.

Looking for gifts that won’t show up under every tree in America? Independent shops are a smart bet for one-of-a-kind finds.

Downtown Lawrence also hosts a Winter Wonderland weekend. It brings together shopping, dining, and entertainment for a festive stretch of the season.

Hungry parade-goers will have choices, too. Grabbing lunch at a local spot is an easy way to warm up after hours outside.

The walkable layout helps a lot. You can park once and explore several blocks without hopping back in the car.

Pace yourself, especially with kids in tow. Plan a snack break, a warm drink, and a little browsing time.

By late afternoon, you’ll have turned a morning parade into a full holiday outing. Not a bad trade for one Saturday in Kansas.

Make It A Whole Season Of Lawrence Holiday Cheer

One parade is a great start, but Lawrence keeps the celebration going. The city offers a full lineup of holiday activities throughout the season.

Theater and music fans have plenty to enjoy. The Lawrence Arts Center hosts a Kansas-themed Nutcracker production, which puts a local twist on a holiday classic.

The Festival of Trees is another seasonal highlight. It’s a festive outing for anyone who loves seeing decorated trees in one place.

Lawrence also has a traditional Santa rescue on its holiday calendar. The name alone is enough to make kids curious.

After dark, Lawrence Lights offers a drive-thru holiday light experience. It’s an easy pick for chilly evenings when little ones need to stay warm in the car.

Planning several outings? The city’s Winter Wonder Pass offers discounts, which helps stretch a holiday budget a little further.

Put it all together, and the parade becomes the kickoff rather than the whole story. Lawrence turns December into a series of small adventures.

Start with the carriages and finish with the lights. Your holiday calendar will thank you.