Ballston Spa to Celebrate the 40th Annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting on December 5

Village of Ballston Spa will sparkle brighter than ever as the Ballston Spa Business & Professional Association (BSBPA) hosts its 40th Annual Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting on Friday, December 5, along Milton Avenue. First held in 1985, this beloved tradition has grown into one of the community’s most anticipated events of the year.

For four decades, the parade has brought families, neighbors, and visitors together to celebrate the magic of the season. The 2025 parade steps off at 6:30 PM from the north side of Milton Avenue and proceeds to West High Street. The festivities culminate in Wiswall Park, where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will arrive aboard an Eagle-Matt Lee Fire Company fire truck to light the village’s holiday tree.

This milestone year also continues the event’s longstanding support of the Toys for Tots Campaign, presented in partnership with the Ballston Spa Community Emergency Corps, the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Marine Corps. Volunteers will collect new, unwrapped toys along the parade route and during the tree lighting ceremony to help brighten the holidays for local children.

“We’ve been working hard on this event for months, and celebrating the parade’s 40th anniversary makes it even more special,” said Dana Womer, Holiday Parade Committee Chairperson. “This parade has been part of Ballston Spa’s story since 1985, and watching Santa light the tree from a fire truck never loses its magic.”

To enhance the festivities, the BSBPA’s First Friday celebration will take place the same evening. Local shops and businesses will extend their hours and offer holiday treats, hot cocoa, hot chowder, festive activities, and more. Free parking is available throughout the village.

The 2025 Holiday Parade is made possible through the generous support of The Mangino Group, Curtis Lumber, Pompa Bros., Ballston Spa National Bank, and SlicFiber. The event is free and open to the public.

For more information about the Ballston Spa Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, visit www.ballston.org.