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2023 Poinsettia Parade & Festival

Join the Parks & Recreations Department for the annual Poinsettia Parade, presented by Quality TV, a North Port tradition that will be held on Dec. 2, 2023 at 5 p.m. Spectator admission and parking are both free and this year's theme is "North Port Holidays Around the World."

To receive event updates and safety alerts directly to your phone, text PARADE23 to 888-777.

The Poinsettia Parade will travel south down Sumter Blvd., ending at the City Center Front Green, 4970 City Hall Blvd., where the Poinsettia Festival, presented by Achieva Credit Union, will be held before and after the parade from 4 – 8 p.m. The parade features more than 60 units, including local businesses and organizations. The Poinsettia Festival will feature the annual tree lighting ceremony as well as mobile food vendors, entertainment, attractions, merchandise vendors, and much more. Businesses or organizations that would like to be involved are invited to bookmark this page as the vendor registration form will be available in early October.

Entertainment Schedule

Entertainment schedule:

The Hip Squad

Poinsettia Parade - 5 p.m. start

Following the Parade:

Tree Lighting and Opening Ceremonies
(Linda Zick, Young Marines and North Port High School Chorus)

Parade Winners & Gingerbread Winners Announcements

Universal Dance Academy

Legion of Dragon Fire Performers

Impressions Dance Company

Event Map

Poinsettia Parade & Festival Map(PDF, 1MB)

Poinsettia Holiday Map

Parade Detours, Closures & Parking Information

This year’s “Holiday’s Around The World” themed Poinsettia Parade will march down Sumter Blvd. on Dec. 2. The one-mile parade begins at the corner of Sylvania Ave. and Sumter Blvd. and travels south to City Hall Blvd. before making its way past the City Center Front Green. To prepare for the parade road closures and detours will begin at 2 p.m. Traffic will be impacted as follows:

Detours

The Northbound lanes of Sumter between City Center Blvd. and Lorri Circle will be closed between 2 p.m. until parade completion, at approximately 7 p.m. Northbound traffic will be diverted to utilize one lane of the Sumter Southbound side during this time.

All traffic approaching Sumter Blvd. from the West will be required to utilize Hansard Ave. to enter Sumter Blvd. and be diverted South towards Price Blvd; starting at 2:00 p.m. until parade completion, at approximately 7 p.m.
All traffic approaching Sumter Blvd. from the East will be required to utilize Morandi Ave. to enter Sumter Blvd. and be diverted North towards I-75/Tropicaire.; between 2 p.m. and 4:30pm. After 4:30pm until parade completion, approximately 7 p.m, all traffic will be required to utilize Eldron Ave. and exit via Salford Blvd.
Eldron Ave. will remain open throughout the parade.

Closures

At 4 p.m. all roads entering the City Center Green will be closed to vehicular traffic. These roads will remain open for pedestrians. All roads will reopen following the parade, at approximately 7 p.m. Also, at 2 p.m. the following intersections will be closed:

West of Sumter Closures:

La France at Adina Cir.
La France Ave. at Sumter Blvd.
Morandi Ave. at Sumter Blvd.
Morandi Ave. at Dongola St.
Sylvania Ave. at Sumter Blvd.
Sylvania Ave. at Dongola St.

East of Sumter Closures:

La France Ave. at Sumter Blvd.
La France Ave. at Crittendon St.
Sylvania Ave. at Sumter Blvd.
Sylvania Ave. at Crittendon St.

Parking for the Parade

When determining where to park, please keep in mind that there will be several road closures and detours to ensure a safe experience for all attendees.

Parking is available at:

Morgan Family Community Center, 6207 W. Price Blvd. Entrance to and exit from the parking that the Morgan Family Community Center will not be restricted due to road closures or detours. Complimentary shuttle service will be provided from the Morgan Family Community Center to the City Center Green.
The City Center Campus, 4970 City Hall Blvd. Access to the City Center Campus closes at 4 p.m. and will not reopen until after the parade passes and the road closures and detours have been cleared, approximately 7:00 p.m.
Walmart Neighborhood Market at 1100 S. Main Street, North Port. Walmart has agreed to allow attendees to park in the back portion of their parking lot for Poinsettia Parade and Festival. Please be good neighbors and courteous to their customers should you use this space. If you choose to park here, please use the crosswalk at the traffic light at Sumter Blvd. and Price Blvd. to cross Price Blvd safely and stay alert to traffic.

Watching the Parade

Spectator viewing is available along Sumter Boulevard between Sylvania Avenue and City Hall Boulevard and on the City Center Front Green. For your safety, spectators will not be permitted in the medians along Sumter Blvd.

Parade and Festival Real-time Updates

The City of North Port will be using the hashtag #Poinsettia2023 to make important announcements, post photos, and provide news coverage during the event. Attendees are encouraged to use the hashtag #npparade during the event to join the conversation. Follow @NorthPortParksAndRec or the City’s Twitter, and Facebook pages for coverage.

12 Days of Giving - Don't forget your donation!

We have three ways to help neighbors in need and invite you to join in the season of giving. Simply bring canned goods, toys or hygiene products to the Poinsettia Parade & Festival to donate to the City's 12 Days of Giving drive. Bins will be placed throughout City Center Campus.

Who your donations will support:

Donated non-perishable food items will support Awaken Food Pantry
Donated new unwrapped toys will be distributed through Awaken Church's Christmas Outreach
Donated new personal hygiene products for local students in need to be distributed by Back Pack Angels. Hygiene products needed:
- Combs & brushes
- Dental floss
- Deodorant
- Laundry detergent
- Maxi pads
- Shampoo & conditioner
- Soap
- Sunscreen
- Toilet paper (4-pack)
- Toothbrushes & toothpaste
- Baby lotion
- Baby shampoo
- Baby wipes
- Kids' toothbrushes & toothpaste
We thank you for your help in supporting our community!

Vendor, Parade and Sponsorship Info

Those interested in participating in this year's Poinsettia Parade & Festival must complete an online application. Simply select the application that is appropriate for your participation, complete the form, print out the confirmation webpage for your records, and within 72-business hours a member of the Parks & Recreation team will be in touch with you to discuss next steps and payment options.

Poinsettia festival vendor application: ***CLOSED*** North Port Parks & Recreation is accepting vendor applications on a first-come, first-served basis and reserves the right to select the types of food and merchandise to be sold in order to minimize duplication. Priority will be given to those that apply first. Approval of vendor application does not guarantee exclusivity of a particular food item or type of merchandise to be sold at the event.

Poinsettia parade unit application: ***CLOSED*** participate in the 2023 Poinsettia Parade, please complete the application in its entirety. The one-mile parade begins at 5 p.m. and travels down Sumter Blvd. This year's theme is "North Port Holidays Around the World." The parade will last approximately 60-90 minutes depending on the number of entries received. Sunset is at 5:35 p.m., it is recommended that the parade units be illuminated in some manner.

Sponsorship application: Sponsors not only gain great visibility throughout the community but also receive exceptional marketing benefits. For more information on how you can sponsor the Poinsettia Parade or Festival, please contact Kimberly Lencki, Community Partnership & Engagement Manager, at 941-429-7143 or email KLencki@NorthPortFL.gov.