Downtown St. Cloud came alive with holiday joy, hometown pride, and dazzling creativity last Saturday as thousands lined the streets for the 62nd Annual St. Cloud Christmas Parade, presented by Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital with support from Experience Kissimmee. This year’s theme, “The Magic of Christmas,” delivered exactly that—an unforgettable morning filled with festive floats, marching bands, community spirit, and of course, a spectacular arrival from Santa Claus.

Hosted by the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City of St. Cloud, the beloved tradition once again showcased the community’s deep sense of unity, celebration, and holiday spirit.

A Festive Opening to Remember

Before the parade stepped off, the crowd was treated to live music by Positively Osceola’s Vice President, Keith Ronan, performing on saxophone fresh from SeaWorld Orlando. He then joined forces with the Lakeview Elementary Chorus for a beautiful, blended performance of the national anthem—as the chorus sweetened the air with Christmas joy and even had the crowd singing along.

After their uplifting performance, Ronan’s saxophone provided the perfect musical introduction ahead of the parade’s official start, setting the stage as the St. Cloud Police Department’s Motorcycle Team ushered in the parade, just as they proudly do each year.

Emceeing the event were Chamber Chairwoman and local realtor Lisa Bertossa, Chamber Chair-Elect Brian Wetzel, and the President & CEO of Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, who guided the morning with energy, warmth, and community pride.

Grand Marshal Charlie Draper Brings Classic Christmas Charm

This year’s Grand Marshal, Charlie Draper of the Draper Law Office, brought timeless elegance to the parade. Draper—well-known across Osceola County for his decades of community giving—rode in a glistening white carriage pulled by a sparkling white Hastings Ranch pickup truck. Dressed in a white suit, gloves, top hat, and a bright green bow tie, Draper waved to cheering families along the parade route, perfectly embodying the pageantry and spirit of the season.

Bands, Dancers, JROTC Units & Community Groups Fill the Streets

More than 120 entries brought their creativity and enthusiasm to this year’s parade, including:

  • Harmony High School Band

  • St. Cloud High School Band

  • Osceola High, Gateway High & Tohopekaliga High Bands

  • St. Cloud Middle School Band

  • Harmony and St. Cloud JROTC units

  • St. Cloud Golden Girls Dancers

  • City of St. Cloud Police and Fire Rescue

  • Local businesses, nonprofits, churches, equestrian groups, and even a spirited collection of Grinches who kept families laughing from one block to the next

The streets of Downtown St. Cloud brimmed with music, color, laughter, and festive displays—once again proving why this parade remains one of the community’s most treasured traditions.

Santa Steals the Show

As always, the loudest cheers of the day erupted when Santa Claus arrived in his beautiful red sleigh, led by two towering reindeer. His grand entrance brought smiles and excitement from one end of Downtown St. Cloud to the other—an unforgettable highlight that added pure magic to an already joyful morning.

🎄 2025 St. Cloud Christmas Parade Winners Announced

🥇 1st Place: Complete Construction, LLC
🥈 2nd Place (Tie): Bud’s Septic Service
🥈 2nd Place (Tie): Terry’s Electric

A huge congratulations to this year’s winners—and heartfelt appreciation to every participant who poured creativity, excitement, and holiday pride into their entry.

The 62nd St. Cloud Christmas Parade was proudly brought to the community by Experience Kissimmee, presented by Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital, and hosted in partnership with the City of St. Cloud and the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce.

From performers and sponsors to volunteers and the thousands of families lining the sidewalks, this year’s parade once again captured the true heart of the holiday season in St. Cloud—a community celebrating together with joy from one end of the parade route to the other.

🎄✨ Thank you to the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce for another unforgettable celebration of Christmas magic! For information about the St. Cloud Chamber of Commerce and how it helps businesses, organizations, and individuals in and around St. Cloud and Osceola County, visit StCloudFlChamber.com.