Emporia Christmas Parade Moves to Saturday, December 5

Emporia Christmas Parade Moves to Saturday, December 5, Launching Expanded Week of Holiday Celebration

2026 parade will celebrate “250 Years Under the Christmas Tree,” honor Parade Marshal Ed Rathke and be joined by a new Community Christmas Tree tradition

EMPORIA, Kan. – A longtime Emporia holiday tradition is getting a new day and an expanded celebration in 2026. The Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce has announced that the 2026 Emporia Christmas Parade will move from its traditional Tuesday evening to Saturday, December 5, at 6 p.m. in downtown Emporia.

The change is part of a collaborative effort between the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce, Emporia Main Street, Visit Emporia and community partners to grow the Christmas season in Emporia and create more opportunities for residents, visitors, businesses and organizations to participate.

“From the very first meeting with our committee, there was a feeling that we wanted to do something special and a little different this year,” said Mike Law, President and CEO of the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce. “By moving the parade to Saturday, December 5, we’re opening up so many new opportunities for Emporia and our surrounding communities to get creative, get involved and make this about more than just the parade. We have an opportunity to create an entire day of Christmas celebration in Emporia.”

250 Years Under the Christmas Tree
The theme for the 2026 parade will be “250 Years Under the Christmas Tree,” joining communities across the country in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States. Parade participants will be encouraged to get creative with the theme as they celebrate Christmas while incorporating pieces of American history, traditions and culture from the past 250 years.

Leading this year’s parade down Commercial Street as Parade Marshal will be Ed Rathke, a Vietnam veteran, Past Commander of American Legion Post 5 and longtime community volunteer.

Most recently, Rathke helped bring The Wall That Heals to Emporia, welcoming thousands of visitors and coordinating hundreds of volunteers. His decades of service to Emporia and area veterans make him a fitting choice to lead this year’s “250 Years Under the Christmas Tree” parade.

A New Community Christmas Tree Tradition
While the parade is moving to Saturday, December 5, Emporia’s traditional Tuesday night of Christmas celebration isn’t going away. The week will begin with a new Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 1, at the Lyon County State Bank green space, 901 Commercial Street.

The tree lighting is intended to help bridge the transition from the parade’s traditional Tuesday evening while creating a new community tradition of its own and kicking off several days of Christmas activities in downtown Emporia.

“Christmas has a special way of bringing people together, and that’s something our community can always use more of,” said Brad Yount, President and CEO of Lyon County State Bank. “When the idea of a Community Christmas Tree came up, I loved it. We’re excited to work alongside our community partners to bring a little more Christmas magic to downtown Emporia with a big, beautiful tree that everyone can enjoy.”

The Tuesday tree lighting will be just the beginning. Community partners are working together to build activities throughout the remainder of the week and into the weekend, culminating with Saturday evening’s Christmas Parade.

“We’re so excited to work alongside Visit Emporia and the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce to make this holiday season something special,” said Jess Buchholz, Community Development Coordinator for Emporia Main Street. “There are going to be so many opportunities to get out, shop local and support our small businesses while enjoying everything downtown Emporia has to offer. I think our community and visitors alike are going to have a great time celebrating the season with us. Stay tuned, because we have a lot of fun things planned for Emporia this holiday season.”

Activities being developed throughout the week include holiday shopping, carriage rides, the First Friday Art Walk and additional Christmas experiences, giving residents and visitors more reasons to spend time together in downtown Emporia.

“We want this to become more than just one evening on the calendar,” said Matthew Fowler, Director of Visit Emporia. “Working alongside our community partners, we’re building activities throughout the week, from the Community Christmas Tree lighting on Tuesday through a full weekend of shopping, carriage rides, the First Friday Art Walk, the Christmas Parade and more. It’s a great opportunity to invite friends and family to Emporia, show them your favorite places and experience Christmas in our community together. Come for the event, stay for the weekend, and make some memories in Emporia this Christmas season.”

Save the Dates
The Community Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Tuesday, December 1, at 7p.m. at the Lyon County State Bank green space, 901 Commercial Street.

The 2026 Emporia Christmas Parade, themed “250 Years Under the Christmas Tree,” will step off at 6p.m. Saturday, December 5, in downtown Emporia.

Additional details about parade registration, the parade route and Christmas activities throughout the week will be announced as the holiday season approaches. For more information about the Emporia Christmas Parade, visit the Emporia Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Parade webpage.