Downtown Dazzle Parade
When: Saturday, December 6th, 2025
Time: 5:30 P.M.
Where: Start: Edison School District Parking Lot - End: 1st St NW)
Cost: Free
Event Organizer: Brad Trahan
Get ready to experience the magic of the season at Downtown Dazzle! Bring your entire family out for this one-of-a-kind Christmas lights parade and watch as Downtown Rochester lights up with creativity and festive spirit. From glowing cars and firetrucks to illuminated floats, community organizations are going all out to spread holiday cheer! Join us for an unforgettable evening as vibrant displays roll through the heart of the city, filling the streets with twinkling lights, music, and joy!
Additional Events the Same Day:
Rochester Dance Company presents The Nutcracker
Mayo Civic Center Presentation Hall
Saturday, December 6 from 2-3:30pm
Public showings of The Nutcracker will be on December 6th at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm and also Sunday December 7th at 2:00 pm. Tickets are available at Mayo Civic Box Office or through Ticketmaster. Rochester Dance Company's The Nutcracker is the longest running holiday production in Rochester.
Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/rochester-dance-company-tickets/artist/1288000
Chateau Winter Market
Saturday, December 6 from 2-6pm
Historic Chateau Theatre
Free admission, open to the public.
NEW THIS YEAR - Sip & Shop Preview from 1:00 - 2:00 PMBe among the first to experience the magic of the Chateau Winter Market! Enjoy an exclusive early-access shopping session where you can browse vendor booths and find unique holiday gifts before the crowds arrive.Tickets are $20 and include one complimentary mimosa, bloody mary, or craft mocktail. Space is limited—reserve your ticket early for this special preview event!
Tickets to Sip & Shop Preview: https://www.yourchateau.org/events/winter-market-25
Cookie Decorating Party
Saturday, December 6 from 3-5:30pm
Kahler Grand Hotel - Elizabethan Ballroom
Kick off the holiday fun before the parade with a cozy cookie decorating party inside the Kahler Grand Hotel. Kids can decorate festive sugar cookies, sip hot cocoa, and enjoy a holiday movie on the big screen — the perfect warm-up before heading outside for the parade.
$5 per child (parents attend free) which includes 3 cookies, frosting, and sprinkles.
Event Details: https://northstonekitchen-vip.my.canva.site/cookie-decorating-party-kahler-grand-hotel
RRC Ugly Sweater 1 Mile Race
Saturday, December 6 at 5:15pm
Beginning at Edison Building and ending at Central Park
Please join us for the 1st Annual RRC Ugly Sweater 1-Mile. Ugly sweaters and festive holiday costumes & attire are strongly encouraged. Grand prizes will include one $100 gift card to MN Treads to one lucky raffle winner at the start of the race. Another $100 MN Treads gift card will be given to the participant with the best/most festive costume. Stick around after to watch the Holiday Dazzle Parade!
Event Details: https://www.downtownrochestermn.com/do/rrc-ugly-sweater-1-mile-race
Enter Your Float?!
Is your organization interested in entering a float, truck, boat, car, bike, etc... into the parade or becoming a sponsor?! Check out the rules/regulations application or sponsorship packages and submit to downtowndazzlerch@gmail.com.
All proceeds, after expenses, will stay local and benefit Rochester’s Salvation Army.
Interest, questions, or comments?! Please contact Brad Trahan at 507-254-8901 or downtowndazzlerch@gmail.com.
