Town Tradition: 60 Years Of Falmouth Christmas Parades

FALMOUTH, MA — The annual Falmouth Christmas parade — known as the "biggest small-town Christmas parade in all Southeast New England" — is such a reliable local tradition, not even the COVID-19 pandemic could stop it.

In 2023, the parade will hold its 60th event. It did indeed get called off in 2020, but the Falmouth Chamber of Commerce got permission from the select board to film a shortened version at Marine Park for broadcast in the event's 57th year. More than 30 local groups participated.

The parade returned in 2021 in live form, featuring the Hallamore Horses, decorated floats, marching bands, live animals, costumed characters and the star, Santa Claus. Each parade also features its own theme: in 2022, it was "Holiday Traditions."

The parade typically steps off at noon on the first Sunday in December, rolling down Dillingham Avenue to Main Street and ending at the Village Green. Each year also features an award for the best float, and in the past has attracted upward of 10,000 spectators.

"To me, it's the culmination of the community really coming together for one event. It's great for the kids, and it's great for the community. It's our own and I think there's a lot of community pride with this event and that's why people keep coming back," Falmouth Chamber CEO Michael Kasparian told the Cape Cod Times in 2011, the parade's 48th year.

Plans are underway for the parade's 60th running, stepping off at the usual time and place on Dec. 3 in 2023. This year's theme is "Holidays through the decades."