Your Guide to the 2024 McAllen Holiday Parade – Noche Mágica & Christmas in the Park
The 2024 McAllen Holiday Parade presented by H-E-B and powered by Bert Ogden Fiesta Dealerships, Reliant Energy ®, McAllen International Airport, Lone Star National Bank and South Padre Island will kick off with Christmas in the Park and end with the parade that has has captivated hearts nationwide since 2014.
Christmas in the Park
Thursday , December 5th
5PM — 11PM: Carnival, FREE Concerts, Balloon Preview and more at the park.
Friday, December 6th
5PM — 11PM: Carnival, FREE Concerts, Balloon Preview and Food at Christmas in the Park
– Performances on the main stage by: Texas Storm band, Gatos Locos, Retono, Groupo Inevitable
Saturday, December 7th – McAllen Holiday Parade Noche Mágica
12PM – 11PM — Carnival and FREE Concert at Christmas in the Park
3:30PM — Stadium Gates Open, Street SPI Vuelta Zone Opens, Sky Box Opens
4:30PM — Stadium Extravaganza and Fireworks Show
6:00PM — Parade Starts
– Performances on the main stage by: Eros and The Drifters, The Brody Rivers Band, Vinyl Spin, Southern Ashes, The Ybarra Boys, and Pedro Garcia.
Hosts, Entertainment, Seating, & More: Everything You Need to Know about the 2024 McAllen Holiday Parade – Noche Mágica
Saturday, December 7th | Parade Starts at 6PM
Your 2024 McAllen Holiday Parade Noche Mágica hosts are MARIO LOPEZ & JULIAN GIL!
More Celebrity Guests TBA
Parade Route
*Previous year’s parade route. We will share official details once we receive it!
The McAllen Holiday Parade goes through 1.5 miles throughout McAllen, kicking off at McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium and heading south on Bicentennial Blvd. towards Business 83.
Seating at the McAllen Holiday Parade
There are various ways to enjoy the parade. Whether you are looking for reserved, general admission, or free seating, we have all you need to know about the best views to watch the McAllen Convention Center.
Watch the 2024 McAllen Parade from McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium
No matter where you sit at the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium, you will have a fantastic view of all the floats and helium balloons. You will also hear all the announcements and live hosts introducing all the fun!
At the stadium, you have options to watch the McAllen Holiday Parade:
- VIP Lower Level Seating – Not only will you have the closest stadium seating, but you will also be facing the opening extravaganza!
- Preferred Seating – This seating is on the upper-level stadium and faces the opening extravaganza.
- General Parade Stadium Seating – the opposite side of VIP and Preferred seating, general admission is a first come, first serve seating area.
Experience the McAllen Holiday Parade in the Vuelta Zones
Ready to bump up the magic? The South Padre Island Vuelta zones are perfectly placed assigned seating that sits outside the stadium. What makes this section different is you not only get prime seating but you also get a FREE t-shirt, noisemaker and DJ entertainment stage ….. AND OF COURSE! You get to watch the famous GIANT BALLOON SPIN ~ or VUELTA ~!!
There are two Vuelta Zones; 1 & 2
Watch the McAllen Holiday Parade from New Heights at the MFE Sky Box
The MFE Sky Box fan experience will feature an exciting parade route party area, a free t-shirt and noisemaker, a celebrity host and DJ LED stage, and more!
Support Local Organizations with Assigned Seating Along the McAllen Holiday Parade Route
- Community Organization Seating – Several McAllen Community Centers, including Lark, Palm View, and Las Palmas Community Center, have reserved seating along the route. For more information on these seating options, keep an eye out on McAllen Holiday Parade’s Facebook page for more details.
Enjoy Free Seating Along the McAllen Holiday Parade Route
- Free Seating – Along Bicentennial, there will be accessible bleacher seating, or you can bring your foldablechairs. You can bring ice chests, food, and anything to make your experience more enjoyable. *no tents or anything that can obstruct views for everyone else!
*Previous year’s parade route. We will share official details once we receive it!
Navigating Traffic at the McAllen Holiday Parade with the Polar Express Free Shuttle Service
*Previous year’s shuttle service. We will share official shuttle details once we receive it!
To help alleviate traffic, the City of McAllen, in partnership with South Texas Campus, offers a free shuttle service on the day of the McAllen Holiday Parade.
The Polar Express utilities South Texas College’s parking lot is located at Pecan Ave and 29th street (3201 Pecan Blvd.). The Polar Express offers FREE shuttle service to the McAllen Holiday Parade from 12 pm to 12 am.
Volunteering at the McAllen Holiday Parade
Want to take a step behind the scenes and help?! We want you!
Want to take a step behind the scenes and help?! We want you!- Balloon Handlers – must be 18 and over and weigh no less than 120 pounds. The handler will help put balloons in place and assist in getting them ready for the parade. The handler will work with a team to carry the giant cold-air helium inflatable balloons down the parade route. This position requires attending a volunteer training session on Saturday, December 1st.
- Banner Carrier – must be 16 and over. Banner Carriers march in the parade carrying a banner for a float, sponsor, or other parade elements.
To volunteer, contact Sarah Canizales at scanizales@mcallen.net or call 956.681.3350!
Watch the Live Stream of the McAllen Holiday Parade
Grab a bag of popcorn, get comfortable on your couch and enjoy the live stream of the McAllen Holiday Parade in the comfort of your own home!
The City of McAllen live streams the event every year – Link coming soon.
Watch the McAllen Holiday Parade on various media outlets, including KRGV, Telemundo, and other major networks. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates on live streaming the McAllen Holiday Parade!
