Umbrella Parade & Tree Lighting

Join the Milwaukie holiday tradition of decorating umbrellas and parading through downtown ending with the lighting of the tree on Sat., Dec. 7, 2024. If you don't know what this event is all about, check out the photos below from the 2023 parade. You can also watch a video on YouTube of the 2018 event or a time lapse video of the 2019 event!

Here is all you need to know about the Umbrella Parade: 

• The parade will convene in the South Downtown Plaza near the Post Office at 11222 SE Main St. (Keep in mind that Main St. will be closed from Washington St. south to 21st Ave. for the staging beginning at 12 p.m.) 

• Everyone is welcome to decorate an umbrella and participate in the parade. No pre-registration is required.

• The parade will begin at 4:30 p.m. All participants who want to be part of the umbrella decorating contest must arrive by 4:15 p.m.. The parade then travels north for four blocks on Main St. ending at historic city hall (10722 SE Main St.) where the tree will be lit around 5:15 p.m. All festivities will conclude at 6 p.m.

  • Categories include Most Creative, Most Festive and Most Milwaukie. Upon arrival, look for the sign of the category that you want to be judged in and line up behind the sign. Each category includes prizes for both adults and children. All prizes will be awarded at just before the tree is lit at historic city hall. 
  • A bike decorating contest will also be part of the parade this year. There are no categories, but participants are invited to decorate their bicycles and walk them in the parade. 
• Cookies, cocoa, cider and flan are available at historic city hall after the parade. 

• Spoke & Word Books will be open as a warming center throughout the event. No purchase is necessary and covered seating will be provided. 

Win great prizes for best decorated umbrellas and bikes. 

Getting to the event:

• Parking - Please park in downtown Milwaukie on the street or utilize the public parking lot located at 10700 SE McLoughlin Blvd. between Jackson St. and Harrison St. Access to the lot is off of Jackson St.
  • Keep in mind that Main St. will be closed from Jackson St. to Harrison street from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for the Tree Lighting at City Hall. 
• Plan your trip on TriMet. Downtown Milwaukie has great bus service and the Orange Line to serve you!
• Bike or Walk - Find resources on the web to help! 
  • Bike Milwaukie will be hosting a no-drop ride from Ball-Michel Park beginning at 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Bike Milwaukie Facebook Page.

Further questions? Contact Dan Harris at events@milwaukieoregon.gov or call 503.786.7519.