Albuquerque Twinkle Light Parade

Twinkle Light Parade
What is Thanksgiving without a parade? The City of Albuquerque Twinkle Lights Parade celebrates the season with the kind of glitter and glam you expect from this holiday event. Each year, neighborhood associations, specialty groups and clubs put together a parade entry decorated in holiday lights. Albuquerque’s entries are unique to the city. Where else can you fins a parade with low rider car clubs, and themes like this year's, which is Red or Green?

Another thing that makes the Albuquerque Twinkle Light Parade special is where it ends. Once the parade is over, you can enter the Rio Grande Botanic Gardens for the special River of Lights display. There is plenty of glitter and shine, with lit scenes scattered throughout the gardens, lighting up the dark. Kids especially love the garden railroad all decked out in Christmas finery, commandeered by Santa Snoopy. And speaking of Santa Claus, he’s on hand too.

When: Saturday, November 28, starting at 5:15 p.m.
Where: The parade route begins at 3rd and Central and moves west along Central. It ends at the Botanic Gardens.
Cost: The parade is free, and the River of Lights is $7 adults, $3 kids 3-12.

Where to Watch the Parade
Watch the parade along Central from both sides of the street as far as San Pasquale. West of San Pasquale, the parade can be viewed from the south side of the street, along Old Town.

Where to Park
Parking is free in some of the city's lots from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Park at Atrisco Plaza (Central and Atrisco); Civic Plaza (5th and Copper); Convention Center (2nd and Martin Luther King); 2nd and Gold and 3rd and Copper. Anyone parking at the lots can take advantage of the city's free shuttle service.

Shuttle Service
Park in the lots at Central and Atrisco (K Mart Plaza) and you can take a free shuttle to the River of Lights and back again. Pickup and dropoff are on the west side of both the K Mart and the Botanic Garden parking lots. Security will be provided.

Rapid Ride
The city is providing free Rapid Ride service anywhere along the parade route between 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Prepare for the Parade

Get there early because the streets get crowded fast.

Whether you have kids or not, you’ll want to dress in layers or take an extra jacket, because once the sun goes down in Albuquerque, it can get cold.

If you have young ones, be sure to bring them in strollers or wagons. Bring snacks, and a few dollars so the kids can get a trinket or two. Glow sticks are popular items, and if you can’t afford them at the parade, consider buying some beforehand at a dollar store.

Once the parade is over, whether or not you’re heading to the River of Lights, you’ll need to either walk back to your car or ride the shuttle or bus to your vehicle elsewhere. Factor in that extra time, take a flashlight, and consider how tired or excited the kids will be. Since the next morning is Sunday, everyone can sleep in late.