Rochester’s Downtown Dazzle Announces Return for 2026

Downtown Dazzle has announced in a press release that they are coming back for the third year in a row to Rochester! It's a holiday parade that will light up downtown Rochester this holiday season. Best of all, it's free and family-friendly.

You won't want to miss it this year, because I bet it'll be the biggest one yet.

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Downtown Dazzle Holiday Parade in Rochester, MN

In a press release, the organizers of Downtown Dazzle said that last year's parade "built significantly on the success of its inaugural year." There were about 60 lit-up parade units and over 70 volunteers who helped make it possible.

Because the response has been so positive, they're having to deal with more logistics to make it all come together and to "continue to focus on maintaining a safe, organized, and enjoyable experience while keeping Downtown Dazzle free and family-friendly."

While changes will likely be made in some areas of planning and executing Downtown Dazzle, the parade route hasn't changed.

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Downtown Dazzle Holiday Parade 2026 Details

This year's Downtown Dazzle will be on Saturday December 5th at 5:30 PM.

The parade route will start at the Rochester Public School's Edison Building and go east down 6th St. SW, then north on 1st Ave. SW through downtown, and end at the intersection of 1st Ave NW and 1st St. NE.

downtown dazzle parade route 2026

Brad Trahan, organizer of Downtown Dazzle, said in the press release:

"The response from the Rochester community has been incredible. Our goal has always been simple: bring people together, create something fun and family-friendly, and let people experience the magic of the holiday season in downtown Rochester."