Bluffton to kick off holidays with tree lighting and 54th annual Christmas parade

The Town of Bluffton will open the holiday season the first weekend of December with its 54th annual Christmas parade and a community tree lighting, town officials announced.

The celebration begins Friday, Dec. 5, at 5:30 p.m. with the town’s Tree Lighting at Martin Family Park. Afterward, Santa’s Workshop will be open at the DuBois Park pavilion, and a screening of the animated film “Arthur Christmas” is set for 6:30 p.m. under the stars. Festivities continue Saturday, Dec. 6, when the Christmas parade steps off at 10 a.m. through Bluffton’s Historic District.

Now in its sixth decade, the parade continues to grow with the town’s population. To keep the event safe and orderly, organizers emphasized that participants and spectators must follow the rules outlined in the parade application. This year’s field is capped at 125 entries, accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and early submission is encouraged.

Instead of an entry fee, organizers ask parade participants to donate to the Mayor’s Stay Safe, Bluffton! Scholarship Fund. Donations support scholarships for Bluffton students and the town’s safe-driving campaign aimed at reducing traffic injuries and fatalities. Contributions of any amount may be made online through the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, which manages the fund and provides tax-deductible receipts.

Safety rules prohibit throwing candy or other items from vehicles or floats. Participants walking alongside their entries may distribute candy or promotional items hand-to-hand along the route. Spectators are not permitted to enter the roadway to collect items.

Applications are due Friday, Nov. 21, 2025. The online application is available on the town’s website at townofbluffton.sc.gov. Paper applications are available at Town Hall, 20 Bridge St., and at the Town of Bluffton Welcome Center, 111 Calhoun St. Completed applications and questions may be sent to the Events and Venues Department at tobchristmasparade@townofbluffton.com

The town notes the tree lighting and parade are held rain or shine the first Friday and Saturday of December each year. Events will be canceled only if weather conditions are deemed unsafe; due to scheduling and logistics, a canceled parade will not be rescheduled this year.