Shipshewana Light Parade

The Shipshewana Light Parade is a festive holiday event held in Shipshewana, Indiana, serving as a kickoff to the holiday season. It features dozens of decorated floats, charming horse-drawn entries, lively festive music, delicious food, and various family-friendly activities, creating an enchanting holiday atmosphere with strong community spirit.

The parade typically starts in the early evening, around 6:00 pm, beginning from the Flea Market Grounds and proceeds along an extended route over a mile long for optimal viewing. Following the parade, a Lighting Ceremony lasts about 15-20 minutes at the Main Stage on Middlebury Street between State Road 5 and Harrison Street, inviting everyone to join in the holiday cheer on the street. The entire event is accessible to all, including those with handicaps, and charges an admission fee.

The area surrounding the event is the charming, small-town Shipshewana located in LaGrange County in northern Indiana. Shipshewana is known for its Amish culture, welcoming atmosphere, and vibrant holiday spirit. The event downtown features extra parking with shuttle services from town parks and ball fields to alleviate congestion, especially since downtown parking fills quickly on event day.

A rough schedule of the event includes:

• 11:00 am (various times): Holiday activities begin, including character meet-and-greets, live music, food trucks, and shows creating a festive daytime environment.
• 6:00 pm: The Light Parade begins from Flea Market grounds, progressing through the extended parade route.
• 7:45 pm (approx.): Lighting Ceremony on Middlebury Street featuring a collective community experience to illuminate the downtown area.

The parade's vibe is warm and festive, with a mix of traditional carriage rides, lighted floats, caroling, and joyful crowds immersing in seasonal celebration. Food trucks and vendors provide seasonal treats and refreshments, adding to the event’s appeal as a social holiday gathering.

The event is part of Shipshewana’s broader holiday offerings, including the Shipshewana Lights of Joy, a separate but related Christmas light drive-through experience running from late November through December, featuring over two million LED lights displayed along nearly two miles of colorful light scenes and animatronics, enhancing Shipshewana’s position as a regional holiday destination.

Historically, the Shipshewana Light Parade and associated lighting ceremony have been cherished traditions, designed to bring the community together in celebration of the season’s joy and spirit. It reflects the town’s focus on family-friendly entertainment and local cultural heritage during the holidays.

In summary, the Shipshewana Light Parade is a lively, holiday-themed event filled with illuminated floats, horse-drawn carriages, music, food, and a lighting ceremony, set within a welcoming small-town environment known for its cultural warmth and festive spirit. It occurs annually, marking the start of the holiday season and is supported by additional seasonal activities throughout the town.