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Christmas with kids in Joplin
In Joplin, Christmas rolls down Main Street in a parade that reached its 55th year in 2025, and it glows nightly among up to 100 decorated trees at Mercy Park.
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The story of Christmas in Joplin
How Joplin celebrates
Joplin's best-known tradition is the Christmas Parade down Main Street, which the city says reached its 55th year in 2025. It is hosted by Freeman Health System and goes from 15th Street to 2nd Street. The Joplin Parks and Recreation department adds the Holiday Tree Trail at Mercy Park, a nightly display of decorated trees that was in its fifth year in 2025, and a Breakfast with Santa at the Joplin History & Mineral Museum, which reached its 25th year. Children can also send letters to Santa, and Santa writes back.
Christmas last year in Joplin
The 2025 Christmas Parade rolled on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m., with the theme Then and Now and about 75 entries, as Freeman Health System celebrated its 100th anniversary. The Holiday Tree Trail opened with up to 100 decorated trees, cookies, hot chocolate and Santa on opening night, and stayed open nightly through December 31. Breakfast with Santa on December 6 cost $8 with pre-registration. On November 8, the Ronald McDonald House tree lighting offered crafts, photos with Santa and a storytime with Mrs. Claus.
Fun facts about Christmas in Joplin
Visitors to the Holiday Tree Trail can vote for a favorite tree by scanning a QR code beside it. Downtown storefronts compete in a window decorating contest, and the 2025 theme was Santa's Workshop. The City Hall windows that year honored the centennial of Route 66, the highway that runs through Joplin. Letters to Santa could be dropped off between November 12 and December 11, and each child who included a return address and a few details got a reply written by Santa.
Trains and Christmas near Joplin
Joplin families who love trains have two good museums within a day trip. The Railroad Historical Museum in Springfield is a free, all-volunteer museum in four walk-through train cars at Grant Beach Park, where kids can climb into the cab of Frisco steam locomotive No. 4524 and ring the bell. Branson Scenic Railway runs vintage dome cars from a 1905 depot in downtown Branson, with dinner trains as part of its season.
- Railroad Historical Museum: A free volunteer-run museum in Springfield where kids can climb into the cab of a Frisco steam locomotive and ring the bell.
- Branson Scenic Railway: Vintage dome cars leave from a 1905 depot in downtown Branson on a 1 hour 45 minute round trip through the Ozarks.
Traditions today
- Joplin Christmas Parade: A Main Street parade hosted by Freeman Health System, in its 55th year in 2025, with about 75 entries.
- Holiday Tree Trail: A nightly display of up to 100 decorated trees at Mercy Park, with a vote-by-QR-code favorite.
- Breakfast with Santa: A come-and-go breakfast at the Joplin History & Mineral Museum, in its 25th year in 2025.
- Letters to Santa: Children drop off letters in mid November and Santa writes back to each child.
- Downtown holiday windows contest: Storefronts decorate their windows and the public votes, with winners announced at City Hall.
- Ronald McDonald House tree lighting: A November tree lighting with crafts, photos with Santa and a storytime with Mrs. Claus.
A fact for kids
In Joplin, kids can send a letter to Santa and get a letter back. Santa writes to each child who includes a return address and a few details about themselves.
Questions about Christmas in Joplin
What is Joplin's biggest Christmas tradition?
The Joplin Christmas Parade on Main Street is the best known. The city said 2025 was its 55th year, with about 75 entries and the theme Then and Now. Freeman Health System hosts it, and in 2025 the hospital system was celebrating its 100th anniversary.
When did the Joplin Christmas Parade start?
Counting back from the 55th parade in 2025 puts the first one around 1971, but we did not find a page that states the start year, so treat that as an estimate. The parade is held in early December on Main Street, starting at 6 p.m. in 2025.
Where does the parade go?
In 2025 the parade traveled Main Street from 15th Street to 2nd Street. Main Street parking was restricted from 10 a.m., and closures began at 3 p.m., expanding north at 4:30 p.m. Plan to arrive early and expect extra travel time with little ones.
What is the Holiday Tree Trail?
It is a Joplin Parks and Recreation display at Mercy Park of up to 100 decorated trees, open nightly through December 31. The 2025 trail opened with a night with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate, and performances by a local dance studio. Visitors vote for a favorite tree by scanning a QR code.
How long has the Holiday Tree Trail run?
The 2025 trail was the fifth annual, so it is a younger tradition than the parade. It is open nightly through December 31. Hours run until 10 p.m., which makes it easy for kids to see the trees after dinner, and visitors can vote for a favorite tree.
Is there a Breakfast with Santa in Joplin?
Yes. The 25th annual Breakfast with Santa took place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Joplin History & Mineral Museum. It cost $8 per person with pre-registration, $10 at the door, and kids two and under were free. Seating was limited.
Can children write to Santa in Joplin?
Yes. In 2025, children could drop off letters between November 12 and December 11 at the Joplin Parks and Recreation offices, Academy Sports & Outdoors or the Joplin History & Mineral Museum. A full name, return address and a few details help Santa write back to each child.
What is the downtown holiday windows contest?
Downtown businesses decorate their windows, and the public votes. In 2025 the theme was Santa's Workshop, and voting ran from November 22 to December 18. Winners were announced on December 22 in the City Hall lobby. It is a free walking activity that suits kids who like looking in shop windows.
What was special about the City Hall windows in 2025?
The 2025 City Hall windows revealed on November 24 featured three-panel art by Sandra Pemberton that celebrated the centennial of Route 66. The famous highway runs through Joplin, so it is a good way to tell older kids about the town's road history at Christmas.
What happens at the Ronald McDonald House tree lighting?
The 2025 tree lighting on November 8 ran from 4 to 7 p.m., with the tree lit at 5:30. Children could do crafts and activities, hear a storytime with Mrs. Claus and have photos taken with Santa. The house is where families of hospitalized children stay.
How many entries are in the Joplin Christmas Parade?
The city said the 2025 Christmas Parade had about 75 entries and the theme Then and Now. It rolled down Main Street on Tuesday, December 2, at 6 p.m., which is a weeknight, so plan around bedtimes with little ones. Freeman Health System hosts the parade each year.
How do I explain the parade to a toddler?
Tell them that people decorate floats and vehicles, drive down Main Street at night, and wave to everyone watching. Show them photos of past floats first, and point out the lights, bands and Santa. A short, simple preview helps toddlers handle noise and crowds.
What should we bring to the parade?
Dress in warm layers, because December evenings in Joplin are cold. Bring folding chairs or blankets, snacks and a plan for where to meet if you get separated. With Main Street parking restricted from 10 a.m., consider parking a few blocks away and walking.
When does the Joplin Christmas season start?
Mid November in 2025: Letters to Santa opened on November 12, the Ronald McDonald House tree lighting was on November 8, and the City Hall windows were revealed on November 24. The parade and Holiday Tree Trail followed in early December.
Is the Holiday Tree Trail free?
The city page we read did not list a price for the Holiday Tree Trail, and it is an outdoor park display open nightly through December 31. Check JoplinParks.org or call 417-625-4750 to confirm admission, hours and any special nights before you plan a visit with young children.
What does Freeman Health System have to do with Christmas in Joplin?
Freeman Health System is the host of the Joplin Christmas Parade. In 2025 it chose the theme Then and Now because the health system was celebrating its 100th anniversary. The parade goes down Main Street from 15th Street to 2nd Street, and the city announces the details each year.
Are there train museums near Joplin for Christmas fans?
Yes. The Railroad Historical Museum in Springfield is a free, volunteer-run museum with four walk-through train cars, and Branson Scenic Railway runs vintage dome cars from a 1905 depot. Both are a drive from Joplin, so they suit a day trip rather than an evening.
What can kids do at the Railroad Historical Museum in Springfield?
Kids can climb into the cab of Frisco steam locomotive No. 4524 and ring the bell. It is free and run by volunteers, in four walk-through train cars at Grant Beach Park. Check its hours before you go, since it keeps limited days.
What is the best way to start a Christmas tradition in Joplin?
Pick one small outing, such as walking the Holiday Tree Trail and voting for a favorite tree, or sending a letter to Santa. Repeat it each year, and your kids will start to look forward to it. The tree trail, for example, was only in its fifth year in 2025.
Where can I find this year's Joplin Christmas events?
See our Joplin Christmas events guide on this page for what we could confirm for 2026. The city's Parks and Recreation department at JoplinParks.org and Visit Joplin's holiday page are the best places to check dates, times, prices and registration.
Sources
- Holiday events in Joplin (city announcement), City of Joplin
- Ronald McDonald House Charities Tree Lighting Ceremony, Visit Joplin
- Railroad Historical Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Branson Scenic Railway, Rally Takes the Train