DUNNELLON, FL (352today.com) – Dunnellon ushered in the holiday season with a tropical twist on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, as the community lined Pennsylvania Avenue for the annual Dunnellon Christmas Parade, celebrating this year’s theme: “A Florida Christmas.” Nearly 40 floats, from palm-tree-lit trailers to shimmering sleighs, rolled out from Dunnellon Middle School at 6 p.m., spreading hometown cheer all the way to Dunnellon Little League.
The Dunnellon Police Department led the parade in festive style, towing a lights-covered patrol boat. Families waved from sidewalks as local businesses, youth groups and community organizations passed by, many decorated with beachy holiday scenes, flamingos in Santa hats and plenty of glowing garlands.
This year’s lineup showcased a wide range of community spirit, including floats from Roof Systems Unlimited, LLC, Workout Anytime, The A Team Fitness, Back 40 Barn and Dunnellon Youth Athletics. School pride came through with Romeo Elementary, the marching bands of Dunnellon Middle and Dunnellon High filling the route with holiday music and the Dunnellon High School football team interacting with attendees in the wake of their 2025 FHSAA FIT Championship win.
Local groups also joined the fun, including Two Rivers 4-H, Dunnellon 4-H Club, American Legion Post 58, and A Flamboyance of Flamingos, whose bright pink decorations brought laughs and applause along the route. Businesses from Mike Scott Plumbing–escorting Santa and Mrs. Claus on a sleigh–to High Geer Off-Road, Illusion of U, Patsy and Co. Salon and Young’s Garbage Service added their own creative flair.
More entries included Empowered ATA Martial Arts, Barbers & Beers, Carvalho Judo & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Down4Sound Car Audio, Keller Williams Cornerstone Realty, Gulf Coast Manatees Homeschool, Cheers at Rainbow Springs, Dunnellon Community Church with several floats highlighting “Fishers of Men,” Boy Scout Pack 574, Cross Country Convoys, A-1 Quality and the Boys and Girls Club of Dunnellon.
Judges–who watched from the stand at Bird Insurance as floats lit up downtown with holiday charm–had the tough job of selecting winners among the dozens of creative floats and displays. Theme Awards went to Dunnellon 4-H for first place, First Methodist Church of Dunnellon for second place and Back 40 Barn for third place. The Christmas Spirit Awards highlighted musical and festive energy. First place went to Down4Sound Car Audio, second place to Roof Systems Unlimited LLC and third place to High Geer Off-Road. The parade also honored the Hometown Holiday Spirit Award to the Dunnellon Middle and High School Marching Bands.
The celebration continued at the post-parade celebration at Dunnellon Little League, where families enjoyed bounce houses from Citrus Inflatables and Ocala Party Pros, concessions and live music from Kendal Dean Music.
Organizers encouraged attendees to arrive early and take advantage of available parking or to find street parking along Pennsylvania Avenue. Restaurants along and near the route stayed open, welcoming parade guests for warm meals and holiday treats.
Applications for the 2026 Dunnellon Christmas parade open in late October and early November. Follow the parade page or visit the Dunnellon Chamber of Commerce for more information. Those who are interested in sponsoring or volunteering at next year’s event can call the Dunnellon Chamber & Business Association at 352-489-2320.
With its blend of coastal cheer, small-town pride and twinkling lights, this year’s Dunnellon Christmas Parade brought the community together for a night that felt festive, homey and unmistakably “Florida Christmas.”
