McAllen Holiday Parade hosts Christmas in July, unveils parade theme

McALLEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The City of McAllen jumpstarted the holiday festivities by having a Christmas in July celebration to unveil the theme of the 2024 Holiday Parade and the winners of the Shoebox Parade.

According to McAllen Holiday Parade organizers, the theme, "Noche Magica," represents new ideas, new surprises and new holiday magic. Magic that comes from the heart of the McAllen holiday experience: the community. Their traditions, imagination and spirit of celebration are passed on from generation to generation. 

Last year, the City of McAllen invited the entire Rio Grande Valley to submit entries for the McAllen Holiday Shoebox Parade, a pint-sized version of the big parade, encouraging the community to be as creative and festive as possible, creating a parade float on a shoebox. 

The winning entry, “Squirrelin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” was created by McHi Art Society students. The judges all agreed that the entry had imagination, creativity and plenty of Christmas spirit.

The shoebox float will be made into a 30-foot life-size float that will be featured in this year's parade.

Tickets are now on sale and general admission has a Buy 1, Get 1 promotion, which will run through August 31.

"We're starting right now, we're planning right now, but the people need to start acting right now too," said McAllen Mayor, Javier Villalobos.

The parade begins at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the McAllen Veterans Memorial Stadium.