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Parking, road closures: What to know about Parade of Lights in downtown Fort Worth

November 18,2025

See full Fort Worth Star-Telegram article by Ella Gonzales here.

A trademark Fort Worth holiday tradition is finally here — it’s time for GM Financial’s 43rd annual Parade of Lights,where hundreds of thousands of people watch more than 100 floats covered in sparking lights parade down the streets of downtown Fort Worth.

The event began in 1983 as an effort to celebrate the city’s Central Business District. It then became tradition for the parade to happen every Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Fort Worth ISD bands, cheerleaders and dance teams, sports teams, Fort Worth police and sheriffs and TCU are a few of the organizations who will bring the holiday spirit.

If you would like to attend the Parade of Lights on Sunday, Nov. 23, here’s what you need to know.

Do you need tickets to attend the Parade of Lights?

The parade itself is free to attend. However, those who want to ensure a good view can purchase street seat tickets, which have assigned chairs.

GM Financial stresses that downtown Fort Worth becomes rather backed up beginning at 3 p.m. Those who purchase street seating tickets must arrive by 4:30 p.m. to get to their seat on time.

  • There are three rows to choose from; row 1 is the front and row 3 is the last.
  • Tickets range from $19.50 to $33.50.
  • Prices vary for children under 12 and seniors over 60.
  • Prices also vary for what point of the parade visitors chose to sit at.

When will the Parade of Lights start?

The Parade of Lights will begin at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23 at the intersection of Weatherford and Throckmorton Streets.

The first few floats will be from the Fort Worth Police Mounted Patrol, GM Financial and Arlington Heights High School band and the Stingerettes dance team and cheerleaders.

GM Financial encourages visitors to arrive no later than 4 p.m. to find parking in downtown and find a good spot to watch or find your assigned street seats if bought. To see a map of parking options in downtown, click here.

Which streets will be closed due to the Parade of Lights?

The Parade of Lights stretches about a mile-and-a-half from the Fort Worth Courthouse all the way to the Convention Center. It’s safe to say residents should avoid downtown all day, as most of the roads will be inaccessible.

The route will use these roads, and residents should expect them to be closed as early as 6 a.m. on Nov. 23:

  • The parade wil begin at the intersection of Weatherford and Throckmorton Streets.
  • Continue east on Weatherford Street.
  • Turn south on Commerce to 9th Street.
  • At 9th Street, the parade turns west, then past the Convention Center to Houston St.
  • Continue north on Houston Street to 2nd St.
  • Continue west on 2nd St. to Throckmorton Street.
  • The final turn will be south to 3rd St., where the parade ends.
  • Other road closures: Taylor, Lamar, Burnett, Cherry Streets, portions of 1st, Florence Streets, Belknap, Lancaster, and North Main Streets.

The following roads will be closed from 6 a.m. Nov. 22 until 6 a.m. Nov. 24:

  • Main Street from 8th Street to 9th Street.
  • Main Street from Weatherford to 1st Street.

    To see a full list of the detailed road closures, see GM Financial’s website here.

How to watch the Parade of Lights at home

If you cannot make the Parade of Lights but would like to see the 100-plus floats, it will air live on TV and online. To watch:

  • Stream live online beginning at 6 p.m. on CBSDFW.com and the Parade of Lights’ Facebook page.
  • The live TV broadcast starts at 6 p.m. on KTXA-TV / TXA-21. A second broadcast will air again on Christmas Eve.