Never miss what is happening in Sussex County
Events, new openings and weekend plans from Newton to Vernon, Sparta to Stanhope. Straight to your inbox, free.
The Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce brings its annual Holiday Parade back to downtown Newton on Saturday, November 28, 2026. Floats, marching groups and vehicles will travel the parade route through the center of town, and spectators can watch for free from Spring Street or Moran Street.
The parade lands on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, which makes it an easy way to start the holiday season with the family before a day of shopping and lunch on Spring Street. According to the chamber’s 2025 parade flyer, the event has been a tradition for more than 55 years and draws participants from all over Sussex County.
When and Where to Watch
The chamber’s Newton Parades page confirms the date of Saturday, November 28, 2026, and says the parade can be viewed from Spring Street or Moran Street. The route map on that page shows the full path through downtown.
The chamber has not posted a 2026 start time yet. Last year’s parade kicked off at 10 a.m., per the 2025 Annual Holiday Parade flyer, and the 2026 staging times posted by the chamber are also early in the morning, so plan on a morning outing and arrive early for a good spot along the curb.
Parking and Road Closures
Spring Street closes to vehicle traffic on parade morning, except for floats heading to the staging area. The good news for spectators is that every municipal parking lot in Newton is free on parade day, according to the chamber. The Lower Spring Street staging area is for dropping off marchers only, so do not plan to park there.
How to March in the Parade
Schools, businesses, community organizations and other groups are invited to take part. The chamber welcomes floats and vehicles such as antique cars, and the application is linked on its parade page. Questions go to office@greaternewtoncc.com, and the chamber is also looking for sponsors to help support the event.
Participants should note the 2026 arrival times posted by the chamber:
- Floats: Arrive by 8:30 a.m.
- Marchers: Arrive between 9:00 and 9:30 a.m. at the Lower Spring Street staging area
- Entrance: Enter the staging area, the Thorlabs parking lot, from Woodside Avenue at Quantum Leap
- Parking: Drop off only at staging; park in any municipal lot, free that day
Make a Day of It in Downtown Newton
Spring Street is lined with places to grab breakfast or lunch once the last float passes. Our guide to the best restaurants in Newton, NJ covers diners, pubs and cafes within walking distance of the route. For more ideas, see our roundup of things to do in Newton, NJ, from the Newton Theatre to local museums and parks. Earlier in the month, the Festival of Lights at Newton Medical Center lights up the hospital campus with a tree lighting and fireworks on Saturday, November 14, 2026.
Newton Holiday Parade at a Glance
- What: Annual Holiday Parade hosted by the Greater Newton Chamber of Commerce
- When: Saturday, November 28, 2026, in the morning
- Where: Spring Street and Moran Street, downtown Newton
- Cost: Free to watch; free parking in municipal lots
- Info: greaternewtoncc.com or office@greaternewtoncc.com
Featured photo: Spring Street in downtown Newton, part of the Holiday Parade route. Photo: Zeete via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Have a Sussex County event coming up?
Share it with Sussex County.
Festivals, fundraisers, 5Ks, school nights, grand openings. Send us the date, time, place and a flyer, and our team will reach out about getting it in front of Sussex County.
Enjoying our Sussex County coverage?
Add us as a preferred source and our stories show up higher in your Google results.
Add as a preferred source
