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Christmas with kids in Killeen
In Killeen, the Christmas parade has rolled through Historic Downtown for more than 60 years. Each December the city adds a tree lighting at Santa Fe Plaza, and every parade picks a new theme.
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The story of Christmas in Killeen
How Killeen celebrates
Killeen's biggest Christmas traditions happen in Historic Downtown. The Christmas Parade is the longtime favorite: the 2025 parade was the 62nd, and a 2018 report called that year's the 56th, so it dates back to the early 1960s. The city also holds Holiday Under the Stars, which pairs a tree lighting at Santa Fe Plaza with a holiday festival. The mayor and Santa light the tree, and families wander past vendors, music and kids' zones. A local newspaper reported that the celebration has been held for more than five years, and it combined the city's Christmas festival with the tree lighting to make one bigger night.
Christmas last year in Killeen
In 2025 the tree lighting and Holiday Under the Stars festival came first, with the tree lit at Santa Fe Plaza on East Avenue D and a lineup of Killeen ISD performance groups on stage. The city described more than 50 vendors, four children's activity zones, a traveling semi-truck attraction and fireworks. A Jingle Bell Dash 5K followed the next morning. The 62nd Christmas Parade rolled at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, with the theme Cinematic Christmas. About 100 entries took part, including nonprofits, Killeen ISD ROTC units and school bands, and the parade was livestreamed for anyone who could not come.
Fun facts about Christmas in Killeen
Killeen picks a new parade theme every year. In 2018 it was A Texas Christmas, in 2024 it was Whoville, and in 2025 it was Cinematic Christmas, with floats inspired by holiday movies. Float categories include decorated trucks and cars, marching groups, performing groups and even equestrian or carriage groups. The 2018 parade was free to watch and began at 4:30 p.m., while recent parades have started at 6 p.m. Parade entry fees for floats are listed at $50 for 2025, and the city's Parks and Recreation team helps organize the parade.
Traditions today
- Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown: Floats, school bands and ROTC units travel through downtown on a December evening, with a new theme each year. The 2025 parade was the 62nd.
- Holiday Under the Stars tree lighting: The mayor and Santa light the city tree at Santa Fe Plaza while local music plays and vendors line the plaza.
- Kids' activity zones: The 2025 festival had four children's activity zones, and an earlier edition had a sponsored kids zone and a Santa appearance.
- Fireworks with the tree lighting: Fireworks have been part of the Holiday Under the Stars evening, adding a bang to the countdown.
- Livestreamed parade: Killeen ISD shared the 2025 parade online, so relatives who live far away could watch too.
- Festival of the Holidays: In 2024 a holiday arts, crafts and food festival ran downtown the same day as the parade.
A fact for kids
Every year Killeen's Christmas parade picks a theme, and in 2025 it was movies. Floats looked like scenes from holiday films, and about 100 groups joined in.
Questions about Christmas in Killeen
What is the main Christmas tradition in Killeen?
The Killeen Christmas Parade in Historic Downtown is the main tradition. The 2025 parade was the 62nd, which points back to the early 1960s. Floats, school bands and ROTC units roll through downtown at 6 p.m. in December, and each year has a new theme. Many families pair it with the tree lighting at Santa Fe Plaza.
How long has the Killeen Christmas Parade been going?
The parade has run for more than 60 years. It was billed as the 62nd annual in 2025, and a 2018 news report called that year's parade the 56th. That math puts the first parade in the early 1960s. At least one year, 2020, was skipped, so check local reports if you need an exact start year.
What is Holiday Under the Stars?
Holiday Under the Stars is the City of Killeen's tree lighting and holiday festival at Santa Fe Plaza in Historic Downtown. The mayor and Santa light the tree, and the evening has food and craft vendors, music from Killeen ISD groups, kids' zones and fireworks. In 2025 it came about a week before the parade.
Where does Killeen light its Christmas tree?
The city tree is lit at Santa Fe Plaza on East Avenue D in Historic Downtown Killeen. In 2025 the lighting was part of the Holiday Under the Stars festival, which ran in the evening. The mayor led a countdown in an earlier year, and Santa joined in as well.
What was the Killeen Christmas Parade theme in 2025?
The 2025 theme was Cinematic Christmas, with floats, performances and decorations based on holiday films and movie scenes. In earlier years the themes included A Texas Christmas in 2018 and Whoville in 2024. A new theme each year gives kids something fun to spot, like favorite movie characters on the floats.
How big was the Killeen Christmas Parade in 2025?
About 100 entries took part in the 2025 parade, according to the Killeen Daily Herald. They included nonprofits, Killeen ISD ROTC units and bands, and local businesses. The parade began at 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, and was also shared online through a livestream with Killeen ISD.
Is the Killeen Christmas Parade free to watch?
Watching has been free in past years. The 2018 parade was described as free and open to the public, with food and craft vendors nearby. Only groups that want to ride or march pay an entry fee, which the city listed at $50 for floats in 2025. Always check the current year's city announcement before you go.
What did Killeen do for kids at Christmas last year?
The 2025 festival had four children's activity zones, a traveling semi-truck attraction, and more than 50 vendors, plus fireworks with the tree lighting. Santa joined the mayor for the tree lighting, and Killeen ISD groups performed. An earlier edition also had a sponsored kids zone, so younger children have had space to play.
What time does the Killeen parade usually start?
Recent parades have started at 6 p.m., including 2024 and 2025. The 2018 parade began earlier, at 4:30 p.m. A 6 p.m. start in December means it is dark by parade time, so floats with lights look their best. Dress warmly, since Central Texas evenings can turn cool.
What route does the Killeen Christmas Parade take?
Recent parades start at West Avenue D and North 2nd Street, move through Historic Downtown, and end at West Church Avenue and North College Street. The route has changed over the years, since the 2018 route followed Avenue D, Gray Street, Sprott Avenue and 2nd Street. Check the current year's map before choosing a viewing spot.
Did Killeen cancel any Christmas parades?
Yes. The parade was canceled in 2020 because of too few entries and COVID-19 concerns, according to local news coverage at the time. It returned in later years and has grown again, reaching its 62nd edition in 2025. It is a good story to share with kids about how traditions can pause and come back.
Who helps organize Killeen's Christmas events?
The City of Killeen leads Holiday Under the Stars, and the Parks and Recreation team handles Christmas Parade registration. Killeen ISD helps with student bands, ROTC units and the parade livestream. Local sponsors have also supported events, such as a business that sponsored the popular kids zone one year.
How do I explain the tree lighting to my kids?
Tell them the town gathers to count down together and turn on the big tree, a bit like a birthday candle moment for the whole city. At Killeen's event the mayor and Santa do the lighting, so you can ask your kids to guess the countdown number. Music and fireworks make it feel like a celebration.
What is a good age to take kids to the Killeen parade?
Kids of any age can enjoy it, though evening crowds and noise suit children who can stay up past 6 p.m. Toddlers may like the bands and lights, while older kids can spot movie-inspired floats. Bring a blanket or folding chairs and plan a bathroom stop before the parade begins.
Does Killeen have Christmas fireworks?
Yes. Fireworks have been part of the Holiday Under the Stars evening in recent years, timed with the tree lighting, and the city described fireworks as part of the 2025 festival. Plans can change from year to year, so check the city's current announcement and our Killeen Christmas events guide on this page before you go.
Do military groups take part in Killeen's Christmas parade?
Yes. Killeen ISD ROTC units marched in the 2025 parade, and in 2018 a one-star general served as a co-grand marshal of the Christmas parade. Seeing uniformed students and community groups roll past can be a good way to start a conversation with kids about the people who serve.
When should I plan a visit to see Killeen's Christmas traditions?
Plan for the first half of December. In 2025 the tree lighting was Friday, December 5, the Jingle Bell Dash 5K was on Saturday, December 6, and the parade was Saturday, December 13. Dates shift each year, so use our Killeen Christmas events guide on this page for 2026 listings.
Where can I find this year's Killeen Christmas dates?
Check our Killeen Christmas events guide on this page for the latest confirmed listings. For official details, the City of Killeen posts parade and tree lighting news on its website, and Parks and Recreation can answer parade questions. Plans can change with weather, so confirm times before you drive over.
Can we watch the Killeen Christmas Parade online?
For the 2025 parade, Killeen ISD shared a livestream, so relatives who live far away could watch too. Streaming plans can change from year to year, so check the City of Killeen announcement for the current parade. Our Killeen Christmas events guide on this page has this season's confirmed details.
What should we bring to Killeen's Christmas parade and tree lighting?
Bring warm layers, folding chairs or a blanket, and a little cash for food and craft vendors. Arrive early for parking, since downtown can fill up. A glow stick helps kids stay easy to spot in the evening crowd. Our Killeen Christmas events guide on this page has current times.
Sources
- Holiday Under the Stars Festival, Christmas Parade and Jingle Bell Dash (2025 schedule), City of Killeen
- 2025 Holiday Under the Stars and parade announcement, City of Killeen
- Downtown Killeen hosts 62nd annual Christmas parade, Killeen Daily Herald
- Holiday Under the Stars returns to Killeen in December, Killeen Daily Herald
- Christmas Under the Stars lights up downtown Killeen, Killeen Daily Herald
- 62nd Killeen Christmas Parade registration, City of Killeen
- Killeen says howdy to the holidays with a Texas Christmas parade, KXXV