Due to construction conflicts and safety concerns with the ongoing City of Venice Downtown Beautification Project, the 2018 Holiday Parade route will be diverted slightly to Tampa Avenue for the two blocks between Harbor Drive and Nokomis Avenue. The new route is pictured below. For a printable PDF version of the route, click here.

The remainder of the parade route on Saturday, Nov. 24, will remain unchanged. This route change is supported by the event organizer and the Venice Police Department, because it provides a larger and safer viewing area for the public and still keeps the parade downtown. Downtown Beautification Project road work on W. Venice Ave.  is extending past Nov. 24. Using Tampa Avenue will provide for safe viewing from both sides of the parade, and allow the event organizer to finalize plans for a successful parade. This route change is only for 2018 and the Holiday Parade is planned to return to W. Venice Avenue for 2019.

Pre-parade entertainment will stay at the corner of Harbor Drive and W. Venice Ave., starting at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 24. Venice Boy Scout Troop 77 will once again be collecting nonperishable food items and cash donations at the parade. These items benefit the South County Food Bank.

Parade staging will occur down three blocks on S. Park Blvd., two blocks on N. Park Blvd., and west from Park on Granada Ave. with the larger units on W. Venice Ave., east of Park. The parade will step off at 7 p.m.

The parade route will start at the same point as previous years: Park Ave. and W. Venice Ave., proceeding east to Harbor Dr. and Venice Ave. It will turn left on Harbor to proceed to Tampa Ave. and continue east on Tampa until Nokomis Ave. The parade will end by traveling down Nokomis to Turin St., then making a right on Turin and terminating in the area of the Venice Community Center/Blalock Park.

The parade route will close to all traffic at 6:15 p.m. Eastbound W. Venice Ave. will close to traffic at 5 p.m. The section of N. Nokomis Ave. between Tampa/Venice Ave. will also close at 5 p.m. for stage setup. For public safety purposes, these closings may be adjusted as needed. Motorists should be aware that the 200 block of Miami Ave. and westbound W. Venice Ave. are currently closed to traffic due to Downtown Beautification Project construction.

Parade-goers should be aware you will likely experience delays leaving the area during or after the parade due to road closures and construction. Your patience is appreciated.