November 21, 2009
7:00pm

Presented by: 

The Event

The Grand Illumination Parade begins when 100,000 spectators join in a synchronized community countdown, signaling the illumination of more than 12 miles of lights outlining the downtown Norfolk and Olde Towne Portsmouth skylines. The illumination signals the start of the parade, filled with festive lighted floats, marching bands, giant helium balloons, horses, dancers, and of course ‘Ole Saint Nick’ himself. The theme for this year’s parade is "It's Silver" in celebration of our 25th anniversary.

Broadcast Times

The Grand Illumination Parade will broadcast live on WVEC Channel 13 at 7pm.  Rebroadcast of the parade can be seen on Thanksgiving Day at 9am and Christmas Day at Noon.
During the week of Christmas, Norfolk Neighborhood Network TV-48 will also broadcast the parade.

Parade Route

The parade begins at the corner of St. Paul’s Boulevard and Waterside Drive, continues down Waterside Drive and turns right onto Plume Street, and then left onto Granby Street. The parade ends at the corner of Granby Street and Virginia Beach Boulevard.
The parade map is available to download.

Day of Parade Activities

MacArthur On Ice - There's only one place to skate outdoors during the holidays. At MacArthur Center, where you'll always find something special. Bring the family, bring your friends and enjoy the best skating extravaganza Norfolk's ever seen. With public skating, figure skating exhibitions, lessons, skating with the Norfolk Admirals and more, MacArthur Center's the place to be this holiday season.

Real Pirates! - The world's first exhibition of authentic pirate treasure! Real Pirates tells the true story of the Whydah – the first fully authenticated pirate ship that sank off the coast of Cape Cod nearly 300 years ago. Organized by National Geographic and Arts and Exhibitions International, the exhibit showcases treasure chests of jewelry, coins, and gold; weaponry; and a replica of the actual ship that visitors can board. This blockbuster exhibit is a must-see for swashbucklers of all ages! Arrgghhh!
Nauticus is open 10am – 5pm, Sunday through Thursday; Friday & Saturday, 10am – 8pm.

Selden Arcade - Join the Selden Arcade from 3 - 5pm for pre-parade activities. Get out of the cold and browse through the Selden’s galleries. On display in the Arcade are canstructures from CANstruction, the area's most creative canned food drive, where canned goods are transformed into dynamic structures. Or take a more interactive approach to art and come see how art is made with the d’ART demos by the artists of d’ART Center. d'Art Center's Holiday Gift Shop and the City of Norfolk's Tourist and Information Center Gift Shop will also be open for early Christmas shopping.

KinderVision - Bring your child to the Market at Harbor Heights between 3 - 6pm and take home a free video featuring your child and a special safety message. It’s all part of KinderVision, an educational video program which provides valuable safety information to families.

Parade Party and Fire at the Fountain - Beginning at 4pm at Omar's Fountain Cafe located at TowneBank Fountain Park.

Pre-Parade - From 6 – 7pm, carolers, mascots and other strolling performers will provide pre-parade entertainment along the parade route and vendors will be on hand serving up tasty treats.

Early Bird Parking

Come early, get a great viewing location and take advantage of Early Bird Parking, provided by the City of Norfolk Division of Parking, for only $1, from 3 – 5pm in all city owned, attendant operated parking facilities in downtown Norfolk.
- At 5pm, all facilities will change to special event "collect-on entry" rates ($5 or $4 depending on location).
- Early Bird Parking rates do not apply at the following facilities: Scope Garage, St. Paul’s and Brambleton Lots.
- Also, all Harbor Park Lots and the Harrison Opera House Lot will be closed to the public for the entire day.
- Regular weekend rates ($1 before 6pm and $2 after 6pm) will be collected upon entry at both of the MacArthur Center Garages.
More Parking information is available for download.

If you are interested in supporting the parade as a Volunteer send an email with your contact information to HIC@DowntownNorfolk.org or download a Volunteer application.