NO. 2026
Admit One
Main Street Metter invites you to
A Blast From
Christmas Past
Date
Thu · Dec 3
Parade
5:30 PM
Place
Downtown Metter
Get in on the fun
Sign Up
A lighted Christmas parade · Chili Cookoff · Holiday vendors · Santa & special guests
Everything's merrier in Metter!
The 2026 Lighting of Metter
Turning back the clock
This year, Main Street Metter is bringing the classic Christmas TV specials and movies of the ’60s and ’70s to life — the ones families gathered around the television to watch every December.
Expect a lighted Christmas parade, storefronts decorated with scenes from holiday classics, a Chili Cookoff benefiting the Metter High School Marching Band, holiday shopping with local vendors, and a visit from Santa Claus himself.
Bring the whole family downtown. Cheer on the parade, taste some chili, shop local, and make a new Christmas memory.
The Night Of · Thu, Dec 3
3:30 PM
Vendor & chili setup opens
Downtown Metter Park. Check in at the vendor table.
4:30 PM
Parade lineup
In front of the Board of Education.
5:00 PM
Entertainment begins
Downtown park. All vendors and chili teams set up.
5:30 PM
Lighted Christmas Parade
Santa arrives on the city fire truck.
6:00 PM
Chili tasting opens
Taste, vote, and help crown the winners.
8:00 PM
Festivities wrap up
Vendor breakdown complete by 9:00 PM.
What's happening
Four ways to celebrate
Lighted Parade
Floats, golf carts, and walking units glowing with Christmas lights. Businesses, churches, schools, and families welcome.
Free · Enter by Nov 30
Chili Cookoff
Bring your best recipe and compete for bragging rights. All proceeds benefit the Metter High School Marching Band.
$50 per team · Register
Holiday Vendors
Food, artisans, and retailers fill the downtown parks. Best Decorated Booth wins free registration for 2027.
$35 · Food $75 · Apply
Santa & Friends
The jolly old elf and other special guests will be spreading Christmas cheer all evening. Bring the kids!
Free for everyone
Deadlines
Fri · Nov 20
Official shirt preorders close
Tue · Nov 24 · 4:30 PM
Vendor & Chili Cookoff applications + payment
Mon · Nov 30
Parade entries
✦ Official 2026 Lighting of Metter Shirt ✦
A Blast from
Christmas Past!
Get ready for the 2026 Lighting of Metter with this year’s official shirt! This red tee comes in long sleeve or short sleeve, with a festive snow globe design on the back and a matching print on the left chest. ❄️
Preorder online or call Metter Graphics to reserve yours. Preorders close November 20, so don’t wait!
Preorders close
Fri · Nov 20
Red tee
Long or short sleeve
Orders are handled by Metter Graphics. Opens their online store in a new tab.
Lighted Christmas Parade
Enter the Parade
Free to enter. Advance registration required. Light it up and lean into the vintage Christmas theme.
Entry fee
Free
Lineup
4:30 PM
Deadline
Mon · Nov 30
Parade rules
- Decorate floats and golf carts with Christmas lights and the Lighting of Metter theme.
- First, second, and third place awarded for floats and golf carts.
- Every entry needs a sign showing who it represents.
- Only licensed drivers may drive motorized vehicles.
- Trailers pulled by vehicles must have safety chains.
- No other Santas. Santa rides on the city fire truck.
- No throwing candy or other items from moving vehicles.
Prefer paper? Drop your entry form at Metter City Hall, 49 S. Rountree St. (Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM), or mail it to Lighting of Metter, City of Metter, P.O. Box 74, Metter, GA 30439.
Holiday Vendors
Book a Vendor Booth
Sell your goods at a family-friendly downtown celebration. Space is limited. Booths are assigned at check-in.
Booth · 10'×10'
$35
Food truck
$75
Deadline
Nov 24 · 4:30 PM
Good to know
- Setup runs 3:30–5:00 PM. All vendors must be set up by 5:00 PM.
- Bring your own tables. Sign in at the vendor table when you arrive.
- Need more room? Reserve 2 booths.
- Electricity must be requested in advance. Limited availability.
- Vendors must carry their own personal, product, and vehicle liability insurance.
- Best Decorated Vendor Booth wins free registration for the 2027 Lighting of Metter.
- No products referencing sex, drugs, violence, or anything the committee deems inappropriate.
How to pay: Your spot is held once payment is received. Make checks payable to Main Street Metter and drop off or mail to Metter City Hall, 49 S. Rountree St., Metter, GA 30439. No refunds unless approved by the Main Street Metter board.
Benefits the MHS Marching Band
Chili Cookoff
Family recipe, spicy creation, or something totally unexpected. There’s room for every kind of chili. The community is the judge!
Per team
$50
Tasting opens
6:00 PM
Deadline
Nov 24 · 4:30 PM
Awards
People's Choice
The crowd’s favorite chili
Hottest Chili
The recipe that brings the most heat
Most Creative
The most unique or inventive recipe
Best Overall
The best-tasting chili of the competition
Best Decorated Booth
Prizes and swag from local merchants
What to bring
- 7–8 gallons of chili for tasting and competition.
- Table, tent, crock pot, utensils, decorations, and booth volunteers.
- Your own condiments (sour cream, cheese, etc.) and a team name sign.
- Extension cords, or gas/sterno. Outlets are first come, first served.
- Setup 3:30–5:00 PM. Sample cups and spoons are provided.
How to pay: $50 check payable to Main Street Metter. Drop off at Metter City Hall, 49 S. Rountree St., or the Georgia Grown Resource Center, 25 S. Terrell St.
The fine print
Park Rules & FAQ
Setup & breakdown times
Vendor and chili setup is 3:30–5:00 PM. All park functions end at 8:00 PM. Breakdown and cleanup must be finished by 9:00 PM.
Park regulations
- No alcohol or illegal drugs in the parks, adjacent parking areas, or nearby government facilities.
- No vehicles on the grass or sidewalks.
- No anchors or stakes in the ground. Underground sprinklers. Damage repairs are billed to the vendor.
- No signs staked into the ground or placed in the right-of-way where they block drivers’ view.
- Clean up as you go. All trash must be removed from the site.
- Metter Police Department may enforce these rules and ask a group to leave.
Do I have to pay online?
No. Submit your form here, then pay by check payable to Main Street Metter at Metter City Hall. Parade entries are free.
Can I still turn in a paper form?
Yes. Paper forms are available at Metter City Hall (49 S. Rountree St.) and the Georgia Grown Resource Center (25 S. Terrell St.). Return them to City Hall, Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM.
Where do I get the official shirt?
Preorder online from Metter Graphics or call them to reserve yours. Preorders close November 20.
Is the event free to attend?
Yes! The parade, Santa, and downtown festivities are free and open to everyone.
Questions?
We're Here to Help
Drop off & mail
Metter City Hall
49 S. Rountree St., Metter, GA 30439
Mail: P.O. Box 74, Metter, GA 30439
Mon–Fri, 8 AM–5 PM