Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade

Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade The Chesapeake Rotary Club is the sponsoring organization for the City's 40+ year traditional Christmas parade.

Welcome to the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade! We are a Parade for all of Chesapeake -- and remain dedicated to our "small town" parade atmosphere. Each year, the Club reviews nearly 150 applications for floats, bands, equestrian and other animal groups, and performance groups for selection to fill a limited number of positions in the one-hour parade. Rain or shine (or snow!), the Parade gets underway on the first Saturday each December. What is now the Chesapeake Christmas Parade began over 40 years ago with the Great Bridge Jaycees organization. For many of those years, local citizen Renee Leftwich volunteered to organize the event. In 2010, with declining Jaycee membership, two of our Rotary Club’s Past Presidents, Ray Conner and David Hanson, worked with the City Manager and the remaining Jaycees for the Chesapeake Rotary Club to assume the roles of lead Sponsor and Organizer of the annual event. The parade name officially changed to the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade in 2010. Rotarians Will Langford and Anthony Draper set to work creating the Parade in its present format. On December 4th, 2010, the inaugural Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade marched through downtown Great Bridge before over 5,000 spectators -- and was even blessed with a little snow. Our Club received newspaper, radio, and television coverage for taking-over the task of organizing the event. The Parade was broadcast live on WCTV, and rebroadcast nearly daily throughout the remainder of the holiday season on COX 48; it remains available as an archived broadcast at WCTV’s website. WCTV will be the broadcast the 2022 Parade --- an event that now attracts an estimated 8,000 to 10,000 spectators and participants to Great Bridge. Rotarian Dianne Copeland Adcock joined Anthony Draper and Mike Love in planning the annual Parade in 2012. A tour de force in the local dance and parade community -- and at Disney World -- Dianne remained involved in planning our Parade until her untimely passing in May 2020. In the absence of Dianne and due to then-ongoing COVID social distancing restrictions, Chesapeake Rotary made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 parade. The 2021 Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade was co-chaired by Rotarians Lindsey Riddle Elliott and Anthony Draper with the assistance of Shirley Turner (Dianne Adcock’s daughter, and recent addition to the Chesapeake Rotary family). Lindsey and Shirley co-chair our 2022 Parade, with assistance from first-year Rotarian Paul Tatum. Chesapeake Rotary adopted this event as a fundraiser for our Chesapeake Rotary Foundation. The Chesapeake Rotary Foundation provides grants to individuals and organizations involved in service projects that benefit our Chesapeake residents (an application is available at our Chesapeake Rotary website). We attribute much of our Parade's success to Chesapeake Regional, which has been the presenting sponsor of the Parade since 2013. We are extremely appreciative for having Chesapeake Regional Healthcare as a Parade partner. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday, December 3rd, 2022! See more at: http://www.chesapeakechristmasparade.com

Did you forget to record the parade on Chesapeake TV?   No problem...stream it now on YouTube at the link below!
12/10/2025

Did you forget to record the parade on Chesapeake TV? No problem...stream it now on YouTube at the link below!

Experience the magic of the Annual Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade all over again!December 2025

We are so excited that Chesapeake Regional Healthcare judged our float contest for the second consecutive year.  See bel...
12/08/2025

We are so excited that Chesapeake Regional Healthcare judged our float contest for the second consecutive year. See below for details on the winners that were also announced during the parade.

Our parade simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our Presenting Sponsor and longtime partner, Ch...
12/07/2025

Our parade simply wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our Presenting Sponsor and longtime partner, Chesapeake Regional Healthcare . As they gear up to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2026, you’ll spot their commemorative signs all across Chesapeake.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the special Chesapeake Rotary edition—mounted proudly on a light pole right in the heart of the parade route at Battlefield and Cedar!

🎉 It’s Parade Day, Chesapeake! 🎉Today’s the day—so bundle up, bring your holiday spirit, and join us for an amazing even...
12/06/2025

🎉 It’s Parade Day, Chesapeake! 🎉
Today’s the day—so bundle up, bring your holiday spirit, and join us for an amazing evening in Great Bridge!

🎄 Festivities Begin at 1:00 PM
Kick things off with family fun at the Great Bridge/Hickory Family YMCA

🏃‍♂️ Holly Jolly Jog – 5:30 PM
Our festive fun run starts right before the parade and follows the parade route!

🎅 Parade Begins at 6:00 PM
The magic rolls out right at 6 o’clock, and Santa is expected to arrive at City Hall around 8:00 PM! Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate during the parade to Chesapeake's Helping Hands

💃 Live Performance at 6:00 PM
Don’t miss Quality Music & Dance Lessons as they preform at the stage area to kick off the parade with a special production!

✨ Still Want to Join the Jog?
There’s still time to register!
Sign up online at hollyjollyjog.com or register in person starting at 4:30 PM in the Great Bridge Community Church parking lot (173 Mt Pleasant Rd, Chesapeake, VA 23322).

See you tonight for an unforgettable Parade Day! 🎅🎄✨

Thank you Studly Brewing Company for feeding all of the parade participant meeting attendees.  GREAT pizza and lots of g...
12/05/2025

Thank you Studly Brewing Company for feeding all of the parade participant meeting attendees. GREAT pizza and lots of good questions. Who's ready for a parade?

🎄 Chesapeake’s Helping Hands Toy Drive...Happening During the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade! 🎅✨As the holiday seaso...
12/03/2025

🎄 Chesapeake’s Helping Hands Toy Drive...Happening During the Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade! 🎅✨

As the holiday season arrives, we’re excited to share that Chesapeake's Helping Hands will be collecting new, unwrapped toy donations during this year’s Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade!

Every toy donated stays right here in Chesapeake, going directly to local children in need. ❤️ Your generosity helps make Christmas a little brighter for families in our own community.

📍 Heading to the parade? Chesapeake's Helping Hands will be close to the front of the parade! Forgot to bring a toy, cash donations will be accepted

📲 Can’t make it but still want to help? A QR code will be included in this post so you can easily support the toy drive from anywhere.

In a major development, the Chesapeake Police Department reviewed the facts and have decided that TWO-legged cows ARE pe...
12/03/2025

In a major development, the Chesapeake Police Department reviewed the facts and have decided that TWO-legged cows ARE permitted to run in the Holly Jolly Jog.

TWO-legged cows everywhere rejoiced!! Come out Saturday at 5:30 p.m. to find out if you can run a mile faster than the Chick-Fil-A cow. www.hollyjollyjog.com

Chick-fil-A Grassfield Chick-fil-A Edinburgh Commons Chick-fil-A Battlefield Blvd.

🎄 WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 🎄The Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade is right around the corner, and we’re looking for enthusia...
12/02/2025

🎄 WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! 🎄

The Chesapeake Rotary Christmas Parade is right around the corner, and we’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help keep the magic moving! 🚦✨

Parade Marshals play a vital role in making sure each unit stays on pace so the thousands of spectators along the parade route, and those watching on TV, enjoy a smooth, festive experience.

📅 Mandatory Volunteer Meeting:
December 4 at 5:30 p.m.
📍 Chesapeake Central Library

🎉 Parade Day Commitment:
December 6 from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.

If you’re ready to be part of one of Chesapeake’s favorite holiday traditions, get more information and sign up here: https://www.eventeny.com/events/volunteer/application/?id=12450! 🎅🎁

🎄✨ The Holly Jolly Jog is almost here! ✨🎄Check out this awesome photo from last year’s starting line — talk about holida...
12/02/2025

🎄✨ The Holly Jolly Jog is almost here! ✨🎄
Check out this awesome photo from last year’s starting line — talk about holiday spirit! 🙌🎅🌟 The energy, the costumes, the glowing lights… it was pure JOY from the very first step.

Join hundreds of festive runners and walkers on December 6th at 5:30 PM for the most fun you’ll have all holiday season. Bring your friends, your family, your ugliest sweater and get ready to kick off parade night in style!

🎟️ Register now and secure your spot: www.hollyjollyjog.com

Let’s make this year’s starting line even more magical! ✨🏃‍♂️🎅🌟

The Chesapeake Rotary Holly Jolly Jog Race and Fun Run presented by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads is on Saturday December 6, 2025.

🎄✨ MARK YOUR CALENDARS, CHESAPEAKE! ✨🎄Get ready for the most magical day of the year — all happening on Saturday, Decemb...
12/01/2025

🎄✨ MARK YOUR CALENDARS, CHESAPEAKE! ✨🎄

Get ready for the most magical day of the year — all happening on Saturday, December 6th! We’re bringing the cheer all day long with THREE incredible holiday events the whole family will love:

🎅 HOLLY JOLLY FAMILY FEST
📍 YMCA of Great Bridge
⏰ 1:00–4:00 PM
Kick off your day with pictures with Santa, crafts, games, treats, music, and festive fun for all ages! Bring the kids, bring your friends, bring your holiday spirit...this FREE event is the perfect warm-up for an evening full of Christmas magic.

👟 HOLLY JOLLY JOG
⏰ Starts at 5:30 PM — right before the parade!
Lace up and light up for Chesapeake’s most festive fun run! Costumes, glow gear, jingle bells… bring it on! Jog, walk, or dance your way along the parade route while the crowds cheer you on. It’s an unforgettable way to start the night!

🎄 THE CHESAPEAKE ROTARY CHRISTMAS PARADE
⏰ Steps off at 6:00 PM
Join thousands along Battlefield Blvd and Cedar Road as we kick off the holiday season with dazzling floats, marching bands, dancers, and Santa himself! This cherished Chesapeake tradition is bigger and brighter than ever...you won’t want to miss a single moment.

✨ ONE DAY. THREE EVENTS. ENDLESS HOLIDAY MAGIC. ✨

Grab your family, call your friends, and get ready to celebrate the season with us.
See you on December 6th! 🎅🎁🎉

🎅✨ BLACK FRIDAY SALE! ✨🎅The Holly Jolly Jog just got even jollier! For today only, enjoy 20% off your race registration ...
11/28/2025

🎅✨ BLACK FRIDAY SALE! ✨🎅
The Holly Jolly Jog just got even jollier! For today only, enjoy 20% off your race registration with our Black Friday Sale!

Whether you're running, walking, or jingling all the way, this is the perfect chance to lock in your spot and save. 🎄🏃‍♂️💨

🎁 Use Code: FRIDAY at checkout at www.hollyjollyjog.com or use this link: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register?raceId=171050&coupon=FRIDAY
🎟️ Don’t wait—this deal won’t last long!

Let’s kick off the holiday season the festive way… see you at the starting line! ❤️💚

The Chesapeake Rotary Holly Jolly Jog Race and Fun Run presented by the YMCA of South Hampton Roads is on Saturday December 6, 2025.

🎄🚗 WIN A VIP PARKING SPOT FOR THE CHESAPEAKE ROTARY CHRISTMAS PARADE! 🚗🎄We’re giving away 15 exclusive VIP parking spots...
11/27/2025

🎄🚗 WIN A VIP PARKING SPOT FOR THE CHESAPEAKE ROTARY CHRISTMAS PARADE! 🚗🎄

We’re giving away 15 exclusive VIP parking spots for this year’s parade! Enjoy premium viewing and easy access with spots located along Battlefield Blvd, right in front of Kroger in the Great Bridge Shopping Center.

Winners will receive full details after the drawing.
Don’t miss your chance...enter now for your chance to enjoy the parade in VIP style! ✨

Click this link or scan the QR code below: https://www.eventeny.com/events/volunteer/application/?id=12611

Address

306 Cedar Road
Chesapeake, VA
23322

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