AC Holiday Parade & Market Lights Up Atlantic Avenue with Schools, Music, and Community Spirit
Atlantic City Public Schools students, staff, and bands join citywide celebration as the Holiday Parade returns to Atlantic Avenue with a festive market and family fun.
ATLANTIC CITY – The City of Atlantic City’s annual Holiday Parade returned on Saturday, December 13, 2025, bringing expanded festivities, glowing displays, and a strong showing of school and community pride as the celebration evolved into the Atlantic City Holiday Parade & Market.
For the first time in years, the parade traveled down Atlantic Avenue at twilight, beginning at 4:30 p.m. near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard continuing to Albany Avenue. Spectators lined the route to enjoy illuminated floats, sparkling lights, and live performances as the city embraced the holiday season.
Atlantic City Public Schools played a prominent role in the parade, with students and staff from 10 schools proudly donning their school colors.
The Atlantic City High School Marching Band energized the crowd with festive music, while the school’s Navy JROTC unit marched in formation behind its color guard.
Atlantic City High School Band and Atlantic City High School Navy JROTC. Photo Gallery Credit: Craig Matthews of CM Works Photography
The Atlantic City High School football team and the Vikingettes also participated, drawing cheers from onlookers.
Brighton Avenue School, Chelsea Heights School, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex, New York Avenue School, Pennsylvania Avenue School, Texas Avenue School, and Uptown School Complex marched along the parade route. Sovereign Avenue School rode aboard a float alongside Superintendent of Schools Dr. La’Quetta S. Small.
Atlantic City Superintendent of Schools Dr. La'Quetta S. Small (Lee) and Sovereign Avenue School staff and students. Photo Gallery Credit: Craig Matthews of CM Works Photography
The celebration continued at O’Donnell Memorial Park, where the newly introduced Holiday Village welcomed families from 4 to 8 p.m. with local vendors, handcrafted gifts, hot chocolate, artisan goods, and seasonal treats.
Festivities began earlier in the day with the Atlantic City Youth Services Winter Wonderland Festival at Skate Zone on North Albany Avenue, offering food, games, rides, and family-friendly activities from noon to 4 p.m.
The expanded Holiday Parade & Market marked a festive, day-long celebration of community spirit, school pride, and holiday cheer across Atlantic City.
Please enjoy our photo gallery from the parade
Photo Gallery Credit: Craig Matthews of CM Works Photography
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