Downtown Statesboro celebrates Christmas Around the World with parade, food, and holiday cheer
Before stockings were hung and gifts were unwrapped, downtown Statesboro kicked off the holiday season with Christmas in the Boro, filling East Main Street with music, lights and festive cheer. With a theme of “Christmas Around the World,” the celebration transformed downtown into a shared space for families, food and holiday traditions.
Downtown Statesboro glowed with holiday spirit Friday night as families filled East Main Street for this year’s Christmas in the Boro, themed “Christmas Around the World.”
From the start of the evening, downtown felt alive with movement and music. Children gathered along the parade route, parents paused beneath twinkling storefront lights for photos, and crowds flowed block to block as the sights and sounds of the season echoed through the streets.
Hosted by the Downtown Statesboro Development Authority, the annual event took place Friday, Dec. 12, from 5:30–8 p.m., transforming downtown into a global holiday celebration filled with live performances, food, shopping and family-friendly activities.
The night began with the Christmas Around the World Parade, sponsored by Bulloch Solutions. Floats and community groups traveled from West Main Street past the Bulloch County Courthouse before continuing toward Railroad Street, drawing large crowds along the route.
Shortly after the parade, artifical snow began drifting through downtown, adding to the festive atmosphere along East Main Street.
Following the parade, attention shifted to the Community Stage at the courthouse, where performances ran throughout the evening. The lineup included the Cotton Rose School of Dance, the Statesboro Youth Chorale, Statesboro High School Fine Arts performing ELF: The Musical, Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, the GSU Jazz Band and GSU’s Phi Mu Alpha Fraternity. Victorian-costumed Christmas carolers and Pittman Park UMC carolers also sang throughout downtown.
A new feature this year was the International Food Court, located across from City Hall. Downtown restaurants decorated tents to represent different countries, giving guests the chance to sample global dishes and vote for their favorites. Huey’s was named the winner of the International Food Court competition.
Families found plenty to do across downtown, including a free hayride sponsored by Synovus Bank, bouncy houses from Party Harbor, cookie decorating, and a Christmas Around the World passport that guided children through 24 themed country stops while collecting stamps. The Book Bus was also on site providing free books for children.
Santa and Mrs. Claus appeared in the parade before greeting families inside the Averitt Center for the Arts, where children lined up for photos. Inside the Emma Kelly Theater, The Brownies performed holiday concerts every 20 minutes throughout the evening.
Downtown storefronts added to the festive atmosphere through the Holiday Window Decorating Contest, sponsored by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Kennedy Realty. The Flower Girl earned first place and a $500 prize, while Parrish Salon received second place and $300. Prom Bae was named the People’s Choice Award winner, earning $200 through online voting.
As the event wrapped up, families lingered beneath the lights, children played in the artificial snow drifting through downtown, and neighbors stopped to talk before heading home. Christmas Around the World once again brought the community together, marking the holiday season with music, culture and shared moments in the heart of downtown Statesboro.