Absolutely. Neenah tarps may be placed for the fireworks beginning July 3rd at 5:00pm. No tarps over picnic tables or park benches. Please leave the boardwalk and sidewalks clear for pedestrians. Tarps that are placed before 5:00pm may be removed so please respect these rules. Menasha Tarps may not be placed until July 4th.

Our celebration is founded on the efforts of many volunteers and community organizations as well as corporate sponsors. We’re able to take advantage of the beautiful parks across Neenah & Menasha to hold many events in multiple locations over the course of these two days.

Almost all of the events and activities are absolutely free. There will be vendors with novelty items, food, and beverages for sale.

Far too many to list here! Check the Festival Events page for a full schedule.

What is it? The Parade of Lights is a Neenah/Menasha parade held the night of July 3rd with all units lit up. Anyone can enter. There is no entry fee.

How do we get started? Form a team. Think about people you like to have fun with. Enter with your church group. Enter with an organization you support. Enter with your co-workers to promote your business or place of work. You can even enter with friends and neighbors!

What do we need? You can enter a float or march as a group in the parade. For floats, think about cars, pick-up trucks and trailers…anything on wheels. Think of a Patriotic theme and Decorate – Decorate – Decorate!

Do we need to use lights? Yes! The parade is at night, and the street lights will be off! Glow sticks and glow jewelry work really well for walking units. Floats and vehicles can use Christmas lights, spot lights or rope lights. These may need to be connected to a generator.

Where can we get a generator? A limited number of generators are available to borrow from CommunityFest.  The generators are available on a first come, first serve basis and at no charge.  The generators are 2000 watt (16 amp capacity).  We strongly recommend that you find your own generator as it is becoming more difficult for us to find enough for all parade entries.

How about music? Music is encouraged! Live music is always a hit, but recorded music works great, too!  Please be respectful of all other entrants.

What is the Parade Route? Click here for parade route.

Any restrictions? Yes. Floats cannot be higher than 14 feet. Candy may be handed out, but NOT THROWN from vehicles or floats. Click here for this year’s NEW safety requirements.

How do we sign up? Click here for a registration packet.

On-street parking is the recommended location to park at both sites. Please note that the roads in both parks are closed to traffic as is Wisconsin Ave. from Pine St. to N. Park Ave. in Neenah.

ADA parking is available behind Jefferson School and on Wisconsin Ave.

Menasha does not allow alcohol carry-ins.

Neenah does not permit alcohol in the parks.

Menasha does not allow dogs/pets in the park on the 4th of July.

Neenah does not allow animals onto park property, with the exception of leashed dogs on roads and trails.

Many different types of food will be sold at each location. Check out the park maps to see which food vendors will be at each location.

There will be no shuttle services on July 3rd this year (2026).

July 4th- Bus shuttle service will depart from the E. Wisconsin Ave. exit at Riverside Park in Neenah, and the corner of Broad St. and Ice St. by Jefferson Park in Menasha.

Departures from Riverside Park headed to Jefferson Park: 12:00pm, 1:00pm, 2:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:00pm, 5:00pm, 6:00pm. 

Departures from Jefferson Park headed to Riverside Park: 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm, 4:30pm, 5:30pm.