A South Texas Holiday Tradition 36 Years in the Making
A Fiesta de Navidad
When December arrives in Kingsville, the whole city lights up, literally! La Posada de Kingsville is the community's signature holiday celebration, a decades-long tradition that brings thousands of people to downtown Kingsville for a full day of family festivities and one of the most spectacular holiday parades in South Texas.
Now in its fourth decade, La Posada de Kingsville is a Fiesta de Navidad. A joyful, community-wide Christmas celebration rooted in the spirit of the season and the warmth of a town that knows how to come together.
The Celebration
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Children's Day
The day begins with Children's Day at the Maggie Salinas Pavilion. A free afternoon of activities, entertainment, and holiday cheer designed for the youngest members of the community. Families are encouraged to arrive early and spend the afternoon before the evening parade.
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The Parade of Lights
As the sun sets, downtown Kingsville transforms. The Parade of Lights is the heart of La Posada featuring over 100 illuminated floats, each decorated with hundreds to thousands of individual lights, winding their way through the streets of the city. Local high school marching bands, surrounding community organizations, and a host of participants join in, making this one of the most anticipated events on the South Texas holiday calendar.
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Weekend Events at the Old Train Depot
The celebration extends beyond parade night with a full weekend of activities at the Old Train Depot, including:
- Live music
- Local vendors and artisan booths
- Food trucks
- Baking competition
- Wreath decorating competition
- And more!
Event Details
- When
- December 5 (Always the first Saturday in December)
- Children's Day
- 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at Maggie Salinas Pavilion
- Parade of Lights
- 7:00 p.m., Downtown Kingsville
- Admission
- Free
- Parade Participation
- Organizations, schools, and community groups are invited to enter the parade. Register your entry below!
Enter the Parade of Lights
Organizations, schools, families and businesses are invited to light up downtown Kingsville. Register your entry below. The $25 entry fee ($35 after December 1) is payable to La Posada de Kingsville.
Theme “Christmas Through the Generations”
Think lights, lights and more lights! All entries must be decorated in Christmas décor and should include more than just lights.
Entry fee: $25.00, payable to La Posada de Kingsville. Entries submitted after December 1 add a $10.00 late fee.
Parade of Lights — Rules & Waiver
Waiver of Liability
As the representative of the organization above, I agree, for all this entry's participants, heirs, executors and administrators, to not sue and to release, indemnify and hold harmless La Posada de Kingsville, its affiliates, officers, directors, volunteers, Kleberg County, City of Kingsville, sponsoring businesses and organizations and their agents and employees, from any and all liability, claims, demands, and causes of action whatsoever, arising out of participation in this event and related activities — whether it results from the negligence of any of the above or from any other cause. This release and indemnification agreement shall be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by Texas. If any portion of it is held invalid, the balance shall continue in full force and effect. I shall insure the sponsoring organization takes appropriate measures to alleviate risk. I have read, understand and agree to the terms of this agreement.
General Rules and Guidelines
To ensure a successful and pleasurable event for the participants and spectators, the following must be adhered to:
- The La Posada Committee will schedule the ONE AND ONLY Santa Claus for the parade. Please do not include Santa Claus on your float or in your entry.
- The entry fee is $25.00, payable to La Posada de Kingsville. Entries submitted after December 1 pay an additional $10.00 late registration fee.
- Each entry must provide one (1) adult to walk with the entry throughout the parade route.
- Every precaution must be taken to ensure the safety of all parties.
- Self-propelled entries must have an escape hatch so that the driver can exit quickly. The driver must have a clear field of view.
- Entrants shall be in their assigned position before the parade begins. Lining up may begin at 12:00 p.m. Each entrant will be provided with a number, and it is the responsibility of the entrant to be in the correct assigned position before the event begins. The parade starts promptly at 7:00 p.m.!
- Display your assigned entry number in the staging area and throughout the parade route, per the location assigned by the committee.
- Adhere to Parade Officials' requests. Parade Officials may stop entrants for judging and media relations and shall direct speed and spacing.
- During the parade, please move forward in a steady, continuous manner. Never exceed 5 mph. Maintain a 20-foot interval between entrants.
- Marchers and/or walkers under 18 years of age must be accompanied and supervised by an adult. The Parade Committee and/or volunteers will have no responsibility for youth participants.
- All entrants that choose to play music MUST PLAY HOLIDAY OR APPROPRIATE THEME MUSIC. Use of loudspeakers is encouraged to create a lively atmosphere.
- Please do not remove staging area signs and/or any parade property.
- NOTHING may be thrown from any entry/unit/person; however, walking participants may distribute approved items. The Parade Chairperson must approve in writing any distributed items (candy excepted) prior to parade day.
- Entries should focus on the Holiday season. The committee reserves the right to disqualify and refuse participation of any entry. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE DECORATED IN CHRISTMAS DÉCOR AND SHOULD INCLUDE MORE THAN JUST LIGHTS.
- The parade route begins at Kleberg Ave and 11th Street (Courthouse), proceeds west on Kleberg Ave., and ends at 3rd & Kleberg (City Hall). ALL ENTRIES WILL RETURN TO THE STAGING AREA AT THE COURTHOUSE DOWN YOAKUM STREET.
- Floats: maximum height is 14' — no exception. Review the parade route to ensure your float has ground clearance; some streets have deep dips.
The Ranch Hand Connection
La Posada de Kingsville is made possible in part by the annual Ranch Hand Breakfast, held each November on the grounds of the historic King Ranch.
A City of Kingsville community tradition.