On Friday, Nov. 28, downtown Middletown, NY, ushered in the holiday season, as families, local organizations, and performers filled the streets for the community’s beloved annual Christmas tree lighting parade and ceremony. Hosted by the Business Improvement District in partnership with the City of Middletown, the parade made its way from North Street to West Main Street before concluding at Festival Square, where Santa made his traditional appearance to help light the Christmas tree.
The evening brought together lifelong residents, first-time visitors, and parade groups eager to share holiday spirit.
For Liz, who lives in Bloomingburg and works in Middletown, the highlight was simple: “The Mid-City school bus decorated,” she said with a smile. She attended with her daughter and her daughter’s boyfriend, noting that getting a real Christmas tree and spending time with family are long-standing traditions. “I love to get a real Christmas tree and be with family,” she said.
Many parade spectators were continuing yearly traditions. Veronica Spilett, a Middletown local, said the event is an annual must for her family. “We actually go to the parade every year. So this is like our own little tradition,” she explained.
Even for those who arrived late, like Stephanie and her daughter Samantha, the magic of the evening remained meaningful. “I was excited to let my daughter see the street actually light up, but we came late,” she said, adding that her family always gathers, cooks, and exchanges gifts during the holidays.
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Parade performers spread cheer
Along the parade route, groups of all kinds helped bring the festivities to life.
Sophia Batista, who performed with a tractor representing Dogwood, said she was invited to sing to help spread joy. “We were raising everyone’s spirits,” she said. “Just supporting the town… bringing everybody together, bringing everybody closer, because we’re just like one big family.”
The Middletown Marching Band also brought energy to the evening. Drummer John called the parade their favorite event of the year. “It’s probably the best event of the whole year. We all get together… we all love Christmas,” he said.
Members of the Middletown Fire Department took part in one of their most cherished duties of the season: escorting Santa. “We bring Santa in,” said Carlos, who marched with the department. He added that being part of the city’s holiday traditions “means a lot to us… just to be here with the community.”
Local community organizers Holly and Jim, longtime supporters of Middletown’s revitalization efforts, also marched. “We want to embellish downtown,” Holly said. “Bring everybody together and make downtown awesome again.”
Jim highlighted their work with the annual Run4Downtown, calling it a major gathering each August: “We bring restaurants out, the community comes out… It’s a great bit of exercise and a great time of year to be out.”
For both, attending the tree lighting parade is never optional. “Every year we plan our vacations around this so we can participate,” Holly said. “When the community gets together, it is fun.”
A full day of holiday activities
This year’s festivities included live entertainment beginning at 6 p.m. at Festival Square, “Letters to Santa” mailboxes courtesy of the Middletown Recreation and Parks Department, and a free showing of It’s a Wonderful Life at the Paramount Theatre earlier in the afternoon.
Following the tree lighting, families headed to Erie Way Park Pavilion for the opening night of the City of Middletown ice rink, where free skating was offered from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
From decorated buses to joyful singing, community pride was on full display throughout the evening. As Sophia put it, the night was all about one thing: “Just bring everybody closer… we’re one big family.”
