Holiday Lighting and Parade

The holiday season is right around the corner, and this year we’re kicking it off in style with the Downtown Bluffton Holiday Lighting and Lighted Golf Cart Parade on Friday, November 28th at 6 PM!

Event Highlights:lighted golf cart

  • Holiday Golf Cart Parade - We’re looking for festive participants to light up the streets with their creatively decorated golf carts! Whether you go all out with twinkling lights, holiday music, or unique decorations, it’s your chance to spread some holiday cheer and make this season sparkle! Parade begins at 6 PM, rain, snow, or shine. This event is free and open to everyone. Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, so start planning now for your chance to win!
  • Christmas Tree Lighting - The new Downtown Christmas Lights and Tree Lighting event will take place at 7 PM on the Downtown Plaza. Santa himself will join the mayor to illuminate the downtown. Children are invited to visit with Santa after the lighting in the back room at the American Legion until 9 PM.
  • Downtown Shopping and Treats- Our local merchants will be offering holiday specials, treats, and festive fun throughout the evening! Make sure to stop by and do some early holiday shopping.   
  • Most activities will pause for the Community Lighting at 7:00 PM.

    Be sure to check out:

    • Stories and Cookies with Mrs. Claus in the back room of the American Legion  from 6:15 - 6:45 pm - (Cookies donated by Paddlefish Solar)

    • Boy Scouts – Located near the corner of Johnson & Market Street with s’mores and hot spiced cider.
      S’mores supplies donated by Bluffton Elks • Hot cider donated by Paddlefish Solar.

    • Cookie Decorating – At Republican Headquarters.  Supplies donated by the Wells County Republican Women

    • Hot Chocolate - At Democratic Headquarters.

    • Grounded Coffee Wagon – Selling delicious drinks on West Market Street from 5–8 PM.

    • Fraction Apparel & Home – Enter to win a $75 gift basket (one entry per purchase).

    • Broken Vessel Sign Co. – Stop in to enter to win a gift basket.

    • Fast Eddies Coney’s and Cones – Games and goodies.

    • Hideaway – $1 off Adult Hot Chocolate Beverages.

    • Unique Blue - Drink (Dora) Specials

    • Also participating: Bluffton Moose, Bourbon MD, Parlor City Brewery, Billy Ann's and The Bluffton Elks.

    • Chet Baumgarter and Friends caroling throughout the downtown

    • Special Guests - Keep an eye out for The Grinch, Frosty, and the Fire Territory Dalmatian.


  • Fill out the 2025 Holiday Golf Cart Parade of Lights Entry Form and submit no later than noon on November 26th.  
  • Decorate your golf cart with holiday lights and festive decorations
  • Arrive between 5 and 5:45 PM in the parking lot north of City Hall (128 E Market Street)
  • The best-decorated carts will win fabulous prizes!
  • Parade begins at 6 PM

Parade Route:

golf cart parade of lights 2025a