Parade Rules, Terms & Conditions

In order to maintain and enhance the quality of the parade and to ensure the safety of the participants and spectators, the Committee requires the following rules, terms, and conditions to be followed.

Read the Parade Entry Guide and Staging Instructions.

The Downtown Parade of Lights is designed to create a festive, engaging, and memorable experience for the community. To ensure a high-quality parade experience for attendees, participation will be limited to 50 approved entries.

Submitting an application does not guarantee acceptance into the parade. All entries will be reviewed and approved by the Parade Committee to ensure they align with the spirit and quality expectations of the event.

All entries must be appropriate, tasteful, festive, and promote the holiday spirit.
Absolutely NO political signage or themes.
Unauthorized solicitation of any kind is not permitted.
NO advertising other than the name of your organization. For example, entries may not display promotional messaging, sales, specials, or advertisements.
Religious expression is not prohibited; however, proselytizing is prohibited.
Due to liability, horses are not allowed in the parade. Only registered dogs that have been pre-approved are allowed in the parade. All dogs must be properly leashed or properly secured on a float or vehicle to avoid injury. Animals must have a handler and a clean-up system to pick up waste.
Weapons, toy guns, fireworks, sparklers, open flame, or anything that makes loud or sudden noises are prohibited.
Use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is strictly prohibited. Reference, inference, or promotion of the use of alcohol, tobacco, or drugs is not permitted.
For safety reasons, throwing and passing out candy or giveaway items from your float, vehicle, or walking group is prohibited. If you are distributing items, you will be removed from the parade and will not be eligible for future participation.
No stunts are allowed during the parade. For example, stopping to skateboard off ramps, revving vehicles/off-road vehicles, or other performances that create stalls or dangerous situations during the parade.
No human Santa is allowed in your entry. There is only one Santa, provided by the Parade, at the end of the parade.
The maximum float height allowed is 13.5 feet. The maximum float length is 45 feet.
Each vehicle entry may have a maximum of three (3) vehicles. This is strictly enforced. Entries exceeding the vehicle limit will be required to reduce their number of vehicles or may be removed from the parade.
Children (up to age 18) involved in the parade must be accompanied and supervised by an adult at all times.
All bicyclists, rollerbladers, roller skaters, scooters, and skateboarders must wear a helmet and have lighting on their equipment or person.
Drivers are expected to drive slowly and obey all laws. All drivers must be 18+ years of age and hold a valid Arizona driver’s license.
Honking vehicles will only be allowed during the actual parade and MUST be kept to a minimum. Be respectful of your surroundings, other entries, and neighbors.
All parade entries must keep their staging area clean and maintained. Staging areas are in a neighborhood – be respectful to those who live in the area. No alcohol is allowed in staging areas or on parade entries.
Parade Staff and Volunteers reserve the right to remove any entry found in violation of parade requirements or participating in any activity deemed unsafe.
Entries consent to their photograph being taken by Parade of Lights and possibly used in future marketing.
Entries agree to pay parade fees before being accepted in the parade and understand that no refunds will be issued.
Current proof of insurance for each vehicle in the parade must be sent to Downtown Parade of Lights. If insurance expires before the parade date, updated insurance must be received.
All participants and entries will be checked for the accuracy of their entry descriptions and safety. If there are more vehicles than registered for your entry, or if any part of the entry is deemed unsafe or violates any rules, terms, or conditions, you may be removed from the parade.
Failure to adhere to parade rules, terms, or conditions will result in immediate removal from the parade and will result in ineligibility for future participation. Entries understand and agree that Parade Staff and Volunteers may remove any entry if found in violation of any of these rules or any other dangerous situation as deemed by Parade Staff and Volunteers.

All parade participants are required to review the Parade Entry Guide.

Entry Approval & Quality Standards

Vehicle-based entries should be transformed into a festive parade display rather than simply serving as transportation or advertisement. Participants are encouraged to create a float-style entry; however, vehicles without a traditional float must demonstrate a high level of creativity, decoration, and lighting.

Vehicle entries should incorporate elements such as:

A float structure, trailer display, or added decorative elements
Extensive lighting throughout the vehicle and/or entry
Decorations visible from multiple sides of the parade route
Props, displays, or creative features
Costumed riders or participants
Music or other elements that enhance the parade experience
A thoughtful and intentional presentation created specifically for the Downtown Parade of Lights

Examples of entries that may not meet approval standards:

Vehicles with only a single strand or minimal amount of lights
Standard vehicles with little to no additional decoration
Company vehicles displaying only logos, banners, or advertisements without a creative parade element
Entries relying primarily on headlights, existing vehicle features, or everyday vehicle appearance

All vehicle entries should clearly demonstrate effort and preparation to create an engaging experience for parade attendees.

Walking Groups & Performance Entries

Walking and performance entries are encouraged as they bring energy, entertainment, and community spirit to the parade.

Walking and performance entries should incorporate elements such as:

Lights, glow accessories, or illuminated elements
Coordinated outfits, costumes, or themed attire
Music, dance, or performance elements
Props, banners, signs, or handheld decorations
Characters, mascots, or interactive elements
Creative elements that showcase the organization, group, or community

Examples of walking entries that may not meet approval standards:

Groups walking without any lights, decorations, costumes, or planned presentation
Participants wearing everyday clothing with no festive elements
Groups using the parade solely for advertising or promotion without contributing to the overall experience

All walking groups should demonstrate preparation and contribute to the festive atmosphere of the Downtown Parade of Lights.

Entry Photo Approval Requirement

To assist with the approval process, all applicants must submit a photo or example of their planned parade entry.

Submitted materials should show:

Lighting plans
Decorations
Vehicle/float design (if applicable)
Overall entry concept

Final approval is based on the completed application and submitted entry materials. The Parade Committee may request additional information or modifications before confirming participation.

Terms & Conditions

The Parade of Lights Committee will review all entries for appropriateness and compliance with the parade and its rules as stated above. The Committee reserves the right to reject any entry for safety reasons or for failure to comply with the parade rules.

Entry participants or sponsoring organizations agree to waive liability and hold harmless the Parade of Lights (Downtown Development Corporation), a nonprofit 501 (c)3 organization, and its members and/or sponsors for any damage or injury, including death to participants and/or animals, and/or damage to any float or vehicle.

By clicking the “Agree” and “Submit” buttons, it is acknowledged that the rules, terms, and conditions have been reviewed as contained on this site, and the liability waiver is acceptable.