(Batesville, IN) — Batesville’s annual Stars & Stripes & Holiday Lights Parade and Community Tree Lighting will return Friday, December 4, with a new 5:30 p.m. parade start time. The downtown event is scheduled rain or shine.
The City of Batesville, the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce, and Batesville Main Street are co-hosting the annual celebration. Activities begin in the morning and continue into the evening with holiday displays, family events, music, the parade, tree lighting, and a free movie.
The All-Aboard Train Exhibit at the Batesville Historical Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature 26 trains. Later in the day, Batesville Main Street’s Santa’s Village and Mrs. Claus’s Kitchen will open at 4 p.m. at Inspiration Park.
Santa’s Village activities will include Storytime with Mrs. Claus, cookie decorating, games, and roasting marshmallows. Food and craft vendors will also be on site offering gifts, Christmas treats, and homemade goodies.
Choirs from Batesville Intermediate, Middle and High Schools, led by Mr. Jacob Butzin, are also slated to perform during the festivities.
The Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce Parade begins at its new time of 5:30 p.m. The route kicks off at the corner of W. Pearl and Mulberry Street, turning left onto George Street, left onto Main Street, right onto Boehringer, right on Park Avenue, concluding near Santa’s Village.
Drivers should expect street closures and parking restrictions downtown during the event. A map showing the parade route and street closures is available below.
View the December 4 Parade Route and Street Closure Map (PDF)
Additional event information is available on the City of Batesville events page.
Immediately following the parade, Santa will disembark from his sleigh at Santa’s Village and join the Mayor, Miss Shannon of Miss Shannon’s Studio, and Bryce Mullins in leading a community sing-along. After the sing-along, Mayor John Irrgang will conduct the official lighting of the city Christmas tree along with Santa and his reindeer.
“As your host for the annual tree lighting, I’m excited to share in the festivities. Mark your calendars for December 4—we’ll see you there!” Irrgang said.
The evening wraps up with a free showing of A Christmas Story at 8 p.m. at the Gibson Theatre. The showing is co-sponsored by Batesville Kiwanis and the Mayor’s Youth Council.
For parade information, visit batesvillein.com/2026holidayparade/ or call (812) 934-3101. Vendors should contact Amy at (812) 933-6113.
