Waukesha Changes Annual Christmas Parade Date To December

WAUKESHA, WI — After around 60 years of the annual Waukesha Christmas Parade taking place before Thanksgiving, the event will now be held in December, the city announced this week.

The 2022 parade is set to begin at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. The city said the change comes in consideration of lessons learned from the tragic event of 2021. Adjusting the date allows for more resources for staffing in case of emergencies, including resources from police, fire and hospitals, the city said.

Six people were killed in last year's parade and dozens more were injured when someone drove an SUV through the crowd. The man accused of driving the SUV faces dozens of charges. The city has taken other measures since the 2021 parade.

The parade route now has a closed perimeter, and so do other city-sponsored parades for the 4th of July and Memorial Day. Additionally, the city changed special permit processes to balance the event and what staff can support.

Further, the city used federal funds for new equipment, training and technology. That new equipment includes new mobile barriers that can stop cars and trucks.

The city said it understands the date change may not be ideal, but is excited for a safe event that will hopefully bring healing.

Among the groups expected to attend the 2022 parade are members of the Dancing Grannies, The Waukesha Freeman reported. Several members of the group were killed in the 2021 parade.