Sparkle Sandy Springs is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026: a free nighttime parade at City Springs, then the tree and menorah lighting. Roads close from 3 p.m.

Last checked Oct. 5, 2026. This page is updated each year. Facts come from the City of Sandy Springs Sparkle Sandy Springs pages. The city says the full 2026 schedule is coming soon; where a detail below is from the 2025 event, we say so.

Sparkle Sandy Springs, the city’s holiday celebration, is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, in the City Springs District around City Hall, 1 Galambos Way. It combines a nighttime parade, a tree and menorah lighting, a food and gift market, giant inflatables and ice skating. It is free to attend.

Who to call

The parade

The Sparkle Parade has more than 50 units lit for the night: marching bands, dancers, characters and cosplay, community floats and Santa Claus. The city lists a 6 p.m. step-off.

Route: from Mount Vernon Highway at Lake Forest Drive, along Mount Vernon Highway, onto Galambos Way, ending just past Sandy Springs City Hall. The 2025 route map (PDF) shows the layout. Do not cross the street while the parade is moving.

Where to watch:

  • Sparkle Wonderland, on Mount Vernon Highway west of Sandy Springs Circle near Sandy Springs United Methodist Church, has the lightest crowds, 18-foot inflatables, carolers from North Atlanta Voices Community Chorus, snow machines and snacks. Folding chairs are allowed there. You cannot see the tree or menorah lighting from this spot.
  • Mount Vernon Highway past the South Lot has barricades on both sides; expect to stand.
  • Near City Hall, where the parade ends with the menorah and tree lighting. Both stay lit through the season.

Tree lighting, market and Sparkle Village

  • Tree and menorah lighting at the end of the parade, near City Hall.
  • Food and Gift Market on Blue Stone Road and the City Green Plaza; vendor lists are coming, the city says.
  • Sparkle Village, six-foot holiday houses decorated by local schools, nonprofits and businesses, on display from Thanksgiving Day to New Year’s Day. Vote for a favorite; winners are named before the tree lighting.
  • Skate City Springs on City Green. In 2025 the rink ran 30-minute sessions from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sparkle day at $7.50 for children and $9 for adults, plus tax, first come, first served, according to the city’s skate page.

Road closures and parking

From the city’s road closures page, starting 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6:

  • Blue Stone Road from Galambos Way to Hilderbrand Drive
  • Galambos Way between the parking deck entrances (all of Galambos Way during the parade)
  • Mount Vernon Highway from Hammond Drive to Galambos Way
  • Lake Forest Drive from Mount Vernon Highway to Hammond Drive
  • Sandy Springs Circle from Galambos Way to Hilderbrand Drive

Roads reopen by 9 p.m. The City Springs garage’s east entrance closes from 5:45 to 7 p.m. and its west entrance from 6:15 to 7 p.m. Street parking along the route, Galambos Way and Blue Stone Road starts closing Thursday, Dec. 3.

Parking: the city recommends the free shuttle from Lake Forest Elementary, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle; in 2025 it ran 3:45 to 8:15 p.m. ADA parking is in the South Lot and the City Springs Parking Deck. There is no parking at Century Springs. Free walk-in options the city listed in 2025 include the City Springs Underground Garage and the Sandy Springs Commerce Building, 333 Sandy Springs Circle, about a 10-minute walk, per the parking page.

MARTA: Route 5 stops northbound at Roswell Road and Mount Vernon Highway, the city’s bus page says.

What to bring

Blankets and lawn chairs are fine in parade viewing areas but not on City Green, because of the rink. No tents, no outside tables, no drones, and leave pets at home (service animals are allowed), the city’s FAQ says.

Join the parade

Floats, bands, dance and community groups can apply on the Sparkle Parade Application by Oct. 26, 2026. Every entry must have light-up elements.

A short history

Sparkle began in 2017 with Sparkle Village and a tree lighting on the Heritage Amphitheatre lawn, drawing about 500 people. It moved to City Green in 2019, when the tree grew from 12 to 40 feet, the menorah lighting was added and the parade began. The Southeast Tourism Society named it one of its Top 20 Events in the Southeast that year, according to the city’s history page.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Sandy Springs Christmas parade in 2026? The Sparkle Sandy Springs parade and celebration is Sunday, Dec. 6, 2026, in the City Springs District. The city lists a 6 p.m. step-off for the parade.

Where does the Sparkle parade go? It starts at Mount Vernon Highway and Lake Forest Drive, runs along Mount Vernon Highway, turns onto Galambos Way and ends just past City Hall, where the tree and menorah are lit.

Is Sparkle Sandy Springs free? Yes. Admission is free; food, gifts and drinks are for sale, and ice skating at Skate City Springs costs extra.

Where do I park for Sparkle Sandy Springs? The city recommends the free shuttle from Lake Forest Elementary, 5920 Sandy Springs Circle. ADA parking is in the South Lot and the City Springs Parking Deck.

How do I join the Sparkle parade? Apply on the city’s Sparkle Parade Application by Oct. 26, 2026. Entries must include light-up elements because it is a nighttime parade.

What this means for you

  • Mark Sunday, Dec. 6; roads around City Springs close at 3 p.m.
  • Want a seat? Go to Sparkle Wonderland, but you will miss the lighting.
  • Groups: parade applications close Oct. 26.

More holiday plans: holiday lights and Christmas events and things to do this month.