Holiday Parade returns to downtown Corvallis after years-long pause
CORVALLIS, Ore. — A Corvallis holiday tradition is coming back to life this December, thanks to a small group of determined community members who are working to bring joy, lights and community spirit to downtown.
The Corvallis Holiday Parade will return on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. along 1st Street on the Riverfront. The free, family-friendly event will feature floats, music, local organizations, businesses, marching bands and plenty of festive decorations.
The parade will follow a different route than it has in past years, starting at the south end of 1st Street and traveling north to end at the Corvallis holiday tree at Jackson Avenue.
The 1st and Jackson site is a new location for the tree. With the new parade route, it was moved from its previous spot on the grounds of the County Courthouse to be a central feature of this year’s holiday festivities.
The parade is being organized by three community members. Nicole Nystrom, Sarah Thompson and Courtney Holgate-Champney teamed up with the Downtown Corvallis Organization to bring back the event after it faded away during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This parade was a long-standing tradition before COVID,” Holgate-Champney said.
“Events that are free and accessible to all are important to foster togetherness and build community. Bringing this back feels meaningful, like restoring something that helped make Corvallis special.”
For Holgate-Champney, helping revitalize the parade is personal. She remembers taking her daughter when she was little and has missed the sense of cheer and togetherness it brought to the community.
Families, neighbors and visitors can line the sidewalks downtown to watch the procession of glowing floats and community groups. It will be a welcoming, no-cost holiday celebration to kick off the season.
Parade attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food to support Noodles for Neighbors, Benton County’s food drive. Donation bags will be placed at each street corner along the parade route.
Holgate-Champney’s hope is simple: “Let’s make this year’s parade shine brighter than ever.”
For more information about the Corvallis Holiday Parade 2025, visit their landing page.
