Winter Park awaiting decision on Parade of Bands

The annual December tradition was cancelled last year and may not happen again because of the new college football playoff schedule

June 17, 2025

By Gabrielle Russon

Officials are currently deciding the fate of the annual Parade of Bands in Winter Park.

A decision is expected to be reached next month whether the December parade is a go or if it is canceled for the second straight year in a row.

The parade normally features the two university bands playing in Orlando’s Pop-Tarts Bowl.

“Florida Citrus Sports is the entity that determines whether or not they will have an event.  Once we hear from them, then the city works with FCS for the Parade of Bands event coordination and logistics,” Winter Park spokeswoman Clarissa Howard said. “They are in discussions right now and will determine if there is a Parade of Bands at the end of July. At this point, we don’t have a confirmation yet”

The recently released bowl schedule shows the Pop Tarts Bowl begins at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 27 at Camping World Stadium. 

It is the same kickoff time as last year that forced officials to scratch the parade because of the logistical challenge of transporting hundreds of band members into Winter Park and feeding them before the game and the bands’ other responsibilities.

Blame the new expanded college playoff system for the earlier kickoff times. 

City and FCS officials told the Winter Park Voice last year they were disappointed the parade wasn’t happening in 2024 but would try again in 2025 although they warned they couldn’t make any guarantees.

The parade shuts down Park Avenue as crowds line the street to hear the music and watch the mascots and cheerleaders go by. Then the masses gather in Central Park for a drum-off. The event, which is free, draws all ages and has been a tradition since 2007 in Winter Park.

“It has been a crowd-pleaser every year,” Johnny Miller, Winter Park’s special events manager, said at the time.

The marching bands are scheduled to make pregame cameos this year for tailgating at Tinker Field and a pep rally at Pointe Orlando. However, if there’s no parade, that means Winter Park residents miss out on the convenience and the magic of having the festivities right in the heart of their quaint downtown.

WinterParkVoiceEditor@gmail.com

Gabrielle Russon is a freelance reporter and former reporter for the Orlando Sentinel, where she covered K-12 education, colleges and universities and the tourism industry. She lives in Orlando with her family and writes about politics, education, theme parks and the courts.