2025 MARKETPLACE CHRISTMAS PARADE
EVENT DETAILS
Parking, Pets, Road Closurers, Safety, Marine Traffic
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 7 December 2025
Parade: 5:00 PM to approximately 7:00 PM
Night Sky Celebration (Drones & Fireworks): 7:10 PM to 7:45 PM
Route – start: Par-la-Ville Parking Lot → Church Street → Court Street → Front Street → finish Birdcage
Full information and maps available at www.marketplace.bm/christmas-parade-2025.
Viewing Areas
Spectators may watch along the entire route. For the best views of the drone and fireworks displays, attendees are encouraged to move to Front Street once the parade concludes.
Event Schedule and Public Advisory
• All vehicles must be removed from the parade route by 2:00 PM.
• Parking is prohibited on parade route streets from 2:00 PM. Vehicles remaining after that time will be towed to Elliot Street.
• Road closures begin at 2:30 PM and will reopen once the Police deem it safe.
• Front Street between Par-la-Ville Road and Court Street will remain closed until approximately 9:00 PM.
Initial road closures from 2:30 PM include:
Par-la-Ville Road (Front St to Serpentine Rd)
Church Street (Par-la-Ville Rd to Court St)
Court Street (Church St to Front St)
Front Street (Par-la-Ville Rd to Spurling Hill)
Traffic Modifications
• King Street will operate as a two-way street from 3:00 PM.
• Bermudian Road will remain open.
• Emergency access will be maintained.
Parking Facilities
• City Hall Car Park (via Victoria Street and Wesley Street)
• Bull’s Head Car Park
Drone Restrictions
Unauthorised private drones are strictly prohibited along the parade route, over Hamilton Harbour, and within 1000 metres of White’s Island between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM for safety reasons.
Marine Notice
Hamilton Harbour will be closed to all marine traffic within a 300-metre perimeter around White’s Island during the fireworks display. A Notice to Mariners will be issued.
Pet Owners
A ten-minute fireworks display will occur between approximately 7:20 PM and 7:45 PM.
Safety and Cooperation
These measures are in place to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. The MarketPlace thanks the public for their cooperation and continued support of this community event.
2025 MARKETPLACE CHRISTMAS PARADE
A Bermuda Tradition Dedicated to the Memory of Vernon Hassell
The MarketPlace is pleased to announce the 2025 MarketPlace Christmas Parade, taking place on Sunday, 7 December at 5:00 PM in the City of Hamilton. Now approaching its 40th year, the parade remains one of Bermuda’s most cherished community traditions, bringing families together and marking the start of the Christmas season.
This year’s parade will be dedicated to the memory of our colleague and friend, Vernon Hassell, Vice President of The MarketPlace, who passed away in September. Vernon served our company and the people of Bermuda for 25 years with loyalty and care. We honour his contribution and celebrate his memory with the community he proudly supported.
Seth Stutzman, President of The MarketPlace Group, said: “The MarketPlace Christmas Parade is our way of thanking our customers for their loyalty and support throughout the year. It is an important community event that brings families together and signals the beginning of Christmas in Bermuda. We are pleased to dedicate this year’s parade to Vernon’s memory.”
Families can look forward to the full Christmas experience, including performances by the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band, Gombey troupes, dance and majorette groups, and local community organisations such as the Bermuda Police Service and Bermuda Fire Service. The MarketPlace will showcase its character floats and live performers, and Santa Claus will make his traditional appearance to close the parade.
Following the parade, attendees are invited to stay for the Night Sky Celebration, a coordinated drone and fireworks display over Hamilton Harbour.
Parade-night dinner packs will be available for pre-order up until Saturday evening, with collection on Sunday from The Hamilton MarketPlace or Supermart on Front Street.
The parade route starts: Par-la-Ville Parking Lot → Church Street → Court Street → Front Street → Finish Birdcage
Further public information, including road closures, parking, and safety advisories, is available on our website at www.marketplace.bm/christmas-parade-2025
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 7 December 2025
Parade: 5:00 PM to approximately 7:00 PM
Night Sky Celebration (Drones & Fireworks): 7:10 PM to 7:45 PM