Skip Navigation LinksEvents > Parades > CareOregon Starlight Parade

1264 - module_4822 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

CareOregon Starlight Parade

Date: May 31, 2025

Time: 8:15 PM - 10:15 PM

1264 - module_4854 EventTitleModule moduleLarge

DETAILS

1264 - module_4832 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

Location(s):

Portland, OR

1264 - module_4855 EventLocationModule moduleLarge

CareOregon Starlight Parade Official Program

1264 - module_6321 PDFModule moduleLarge

Applications for the 2025 CareOregon Starlight Parade have closed! Applications for the 2026 Parade will open in January of 2026.

1264 - module_4838 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4857 EventSocialMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4826 ImageModule moduleLarge

A Twinkling, Summer Night Downtown

The CareOregon Starlight Parade is the one of the Rose Festival's most popular events offering electrified funky fun for everyone. From traditional marching bands and flood-lit floats, to glow-in-the-dark umbrellas and unique hand-built entries, you’ll see representation from Portland’s diverse community groups (and the surrounding Pacific Northwest region), creating a vibe like no other on Portland's downtown streets. Events like the Starlight Parade are essential to a vibrant and healthy community.

The Starlight Parade continues a longtime festival tradition from the early 1900s, when illuminated floats built on electric trolley cars made their way through the city on trolley tracks. Today, participants light up the night with approximately 100 illuminated entries drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators to downtown Portland. Don’t miss the fun of one of the Rose Festival’s best and brightest traditions!

1264 - module_4842 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

2025 Parade Band Awards

2025 Sweepstakes Award:

Hockinson High School (Brush Prairie, WA)

Gold Standard

Shorewood High School (Shoreline, WA)

Cleveland High School (Portland, OR)

Parkrose High School (Portland, OR)

Sunset High School (Beaverton, OR)

Heritage High School (Vancouver, WA)

David Douglas High School (Portland, OR)

Silver Standard

Lincoln High School (Portland, OR)

Hillsboro High School (Hillsboro, OR)

Forest Grove High School(Forest Grove, OR)

1264 - module_5698 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4845 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

Ways to Watch

From the Street

Get in on the in-person illuminated action for free with a city street spot! The Starlight Parade travels through downtown Portland and ends at Lincoln High School. View the Route Map below and find your favorite spot!
PRO TIP: VIsit CityFair, then step out to Naito Parkway to watch the parade, right where it starts!

From Your Couch

A special thank to our partners and friends at KPTV FOX 12 Oregon for broadcasting the Starlight Parade live - check back in Spring, 2025 for broadcast time & details.

1264 - module_4846 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4830 ImageModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4847 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4849 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

PARKING SUGGESTIONS

We highly encourage arrival by TriMet! If you are planning to drive downtown, here are a few suggested locations for parking nearby different parts of the Starlight Parade route:

-Smart Park - SW 1st & Jefferson, SW 4th & Yamhill (arrive early - 4th Ave closes by 4:30pm through the duration of the parade), SW 10th & Yamhill
-World Trade Center Parking Garage - 56 SW Taylor St (arrive very early - Naito Parkway will be closed by 1:30pm through the duration of the parade)
-Public Parking - SW Alder and 4th (arrive early - 4th Ave closes by 4:30pm through the duration of the parade.)
-ABM Parking Services - 121 SW 4th Ave. (arrive early - 4th Ave closes by 4:30pm through the duration of the parade), and US Bankcorp Tower Parking (111 SW 5th Ave)
-Old Town Chevron - 4th and Burnside (arrive early - 4th Ave and Burnside will close by 4:30pm through the duration of the parade.)

ALL SUGGESTED PARKING LOTS & FACILITIES ARE OWNED AND OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY FROM THE PORTLAND ROSE FESTIVAL FOUNDATION.

1264 - module_4851 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4852 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

Parade Route Map

1264 - module_4829 ImageModule moduleLarge

Parade Route Street Closures

1264 - module_5273 ImageModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4853 TextMediaModule moduleLarge

1264 - module_4828 SponsorModule moduleLarge

Starlight Parade