Dates & times
All times are local to the venue · America/Chicago
- From 3:00 PM
The Little Rock Holiday Parade: Candy Cane Lane and the Capitol Lighting
The downtown schedule has an overlap worth planning around: the seasonal photo opportunity at the Statehouse Convention Center continues after the 3 p.m. parade begins. The procession starts at Broadway and West Markham streets and heads east along Markham; a separate Arkansas State Capitol lighting ceremony is listed for later in the afternoon.
A theme for entries, not a preview of the lineup
Candy Cane Lane is a creative brief for parade participants. The entry guidance invites floats, costumes and designs inspired by peppermint, from traditional red and white to individual variations. It also asks floats to reflect the theme and all entries to use festive decorations or costumes.
For spectators, the listing promises festive floats and live performances but does not name performers or confirm particular entries. The theme offers a sense of the parade’s intended look, not a roster of what will appear on Markham.
Further reading: The Little Rock Holiday Parade 2026 | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Join the Parade Fun! | Little Rock, AR ↗
The Capitol lighting has its own history and program
The 88th anniversary belongs to the Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony, not an established anniversary for the parade. The ceremony’s history reaches back to the late 1930s, when Secretary Crip Hall and a staff electrician set lights around the Capitol cupola and illuminated a silver-coated fir tree with rotating lights.
For the 2026 ceremony, the listing names Secretary of State Cole Jester and describes a public, family-friendly event. After the ceremony and fireworks, visitors can go inside to see holiday decorations, including the volunteer-decorated Fallen Heroes Holiday Tree. Santa’s workshop, the Capitol Gift Shop and the 2026 Capitol Christmas Ornament are also part of the announced visit.
Further reading: Arkansas State Capitol Christmas Lights 2026 | Little Rock, AR ↗
Entry and volunteer plans need an early decision
Parade entry forms are due Monday, November 9, 2026; proof of permits or licenses is due by then when required. Each entry needs a designated person in charge, and a representative must sign a liability release for the City of Little Rock. Participants receive their lineup-area arrival time in follow-up communications.
The safety rules distinguish walking groups from vehicle entries: children and children’s groups must ride on a vehicle, while walking units are limited to adults and specified school groups, including marching bands, drill teams and military units. Drivers of motorized three- or four-wheelers must be at least 18 and have a valid driver’s license. Walking entries may not stop to perform unless that performance is approved for the official entertainment schedule.
Volunteers can help with setup and signage, crowd guidance, volunteer headquarters, check-in, staging, event operations, cleanup and exit guidance. The volunteer application has the same November 9 deadline as parade entries.
Further reading: Join the Parade Fun! | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Volunteer for the Parade | Little Rock, AR ↗
A downtown afternoon, with a timing caveat
Three listings give visitors distinct choices: the photo opportunity, the parade and the Capitol ceremony. The photo window runs past the parade’s start, and the Capitol ceremony begins before any published parade finish time; plan around the stops you most want rather than assuming a fixed handoff from one to the next.
Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Statehouse Convention Center
- Photo opportunity with seasonal décor
Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Broadway and West Markham streets; east along Markham toward Interstate 30
- The Little Rock Holiday Parade; 2026 theme: “Candy Cane Lane”
Saturday, December 5, 2026 · Arkansas State Capitol
- Arkansas State Capitol Lighting Ceremony begins
- Official tree lighting
Choose your stops
Seasonal photo opportunity
The Statehouse Convention Center lists a seasonal-decor photo opportunity from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Because it overlaps with the procession, treat it as a separate stop rather than a guaranteed pre-parade activity if you want to watch from the route.
Arkansas State Capitol
The lighting ceremony begins at 5:30 p.m., with the official tree lighting scheduled for approximately 6:15 p.m. The parade listing does not give an end time, so it does not establish when spectators can leave the route and reach the Capitol.
The Capitol’s address is 500 Woodlane St, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. The ceremony listing describes indoor decorations and other visitor stops after the ceremony and fireworks.
The Little Rock Holiday Parade 2026 | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Arkansas State Capitol Christmas Lights 2026 | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Arkansas State Capitol | Little Rock, AR ↗
Entries and volunteer roles
Entry forms and volunteer applications are due Monday, November 9, 2026. The parade pages direct questions to Dazzmin Murry at [email protected].
Join the Parade Fun! | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Volunteer for the Parade | Little Rock, AR ↗
Getting to the route and Capitol
Parade route
The procession begins at Broadway and West Markham streets and travels east along Markham toward the Interstate 30 area. The official listing links a route map; the map and directions links can calculate a route from your own starting point. The supplied event information does not give transit, parking or viewing-access details.
Statehouse Convention Center and Arkansas State Capitol
The seasonal photo opportunity is listed at the Statehouse Convention Center. The separate Capitol ceremony is at the Arkansas State Capitol, 500 Woodlane St, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201. The supplied official information gives no mode-specific transit, parking or entrance guidance for these stops; use the map links to calculate directions from your own starting point.
The Little Rock Holiday Parade 2026 | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Arkansas State Capitol | Little Rock, AR ↗
Before you make a plan
When does the parade start, and where does it begin?
It starts at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 5, 2026, at Broadway and West Markham streets, then travels east along Markham toward the Interstate 30 area.
Is spectator admission free?
The event information does not state spectator admission or ticket terms.
Can children walk in the parade?
The participant rules say children and children’s groups must ride on a vehicle. Walking units are limited to adults and specified school groups, including marching bands, drill teams and military units.
What is the deadline to enter or volunteer?
Both parade entry forms and volunteer applications are due Monday, November 9, 2026. Permit or license proof is due by that date when required for an entry.
Join the Parade Fun! | Little Rock, AR ↗ · Volunteer for the Parade | Little Rock, AR ↗
Location & Google Maps
Downtown Little Rock; route begins at Broadway and West Markham streets and travels east along Markham toward the Interstate 30 area
Broadway and West Markham streets, Little Rock, AR; parade route continues east along Markham toward the Interstate 30 area
Map search by venue and address. Check the organiser’s entrance details before travelling.