WEST CHESTER, PA — Businesses, nonprofits, marching bands and other groups seeking a place in the 2026 West Chester Christmas Parade have until Sunday, Aug. 16, to apply for the Dec. 4 event, with organizers warning that available performer slots could fill before the deadline.
The Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce is organizing the parade as part of Chester County Hospital Lights Up Holiday Weekends in West Chester, a monthlong series of holiday activities intended in part to draw visitors to downtown businesses.
The Dec. 4 program will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the lighting of a 28-foot Christmas tree on the lawn of the Historic Chester County Courthouse, accompanied by live musical performances. The parade will follow at 7 p.m.
6abc meteorologist Adam Joseph and B101 radio host Kathy Romano will return as emcees for the tree lighting and parade. Organizers also plan to incorporate America250 programming into this year’s event, tying the holiday celebration to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
The parade is expected to include a new Santa float and additional performance elements. Competitions will return for marching bands, commercial floats and nonprofit entries.
About 20,000 people attend the parade annually, according to the chamber. Chester County Hospital is serving as title sponsor for the sixth year and has committed to return in 2027.
Downtown blocks will also be decorated with about 100,000 lights during the holiday season. Businesses and organizations can sponsor decorated blocks from November through January, with sponsorships starting at $2,500.
The chamber said the broader holiday program is designed to support activity at West Chester’s more than 75 restaurants and 65 boutiques.
“West Chester is almost as old as our country, so it’s fitting that our region’s flagship hometown Christmas parade will be more glittering than ever as we cap off a year of our nation’s birthday celebrations with a holiday spin,” chamber President Laurie Ryan said.
Key Financial Inc. is sponsoring the tree-lighting ceremony. Lamb McErlane PC and Treehouse Group are sponsoring Santa’s float, while Alexander Catering, Café Gourmino and Master’s Baker are sponsoring the VIP viewing area.
Other block and event sponsors include Del Vacchio Landscapes & Christmas Décor, Aqua PA, West Pharmaceutical Services, CTDI, Fred Beans Ford of West Chester, Howell Engineering, Scott Auto Group/Scott Honda of West Chester, PECO and a range of other local businesses.
Groups interested in participating can submit the 2026 Parade Application Form through the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce website. Businesses and organizations can also sponsor individual parade elements, with packages that include a sponsor banner, VIP viewing tickets and the option for employees to walk ahead of sponsored performers.
Additional parade information is available through the chamber’s West Chester Christmas Parade page. The chamber can also be reached at 610-696-4046 or info@gwcc.org.
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