# Christmas parades and tree lightings in Albuquerque, 2026

> We found three Christmas parades and tree lightings in and around Albuquerque with 2026 dates: one parade and two tree lightings and lighting nights, one free to watch. Each one has the date, start time, price and a link to the organizer’s page.

- Last checked: 2026-10-21
- 3 parades and tree lightings with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/albuquerque/christmas-parades/
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## Christmas parades

- **Twinkle Light Parade** at Nob Hill, Central Ave. (Route 66), Nob Hill, Albuquerque, NM. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: 5:15pm. Price: Free to watch. A mile-long lit parade along Central. Central Ave. closes to traffic from 3pm; arrive early or use the free Park & Ride. Official page: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/things-to-do/annual-events/twinkle-light-parade (checked 2026-10-18)

## Tree lightings and lighting nights

- **River of Lights** at ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden, Old Town area. When: Nov 28 – Jan 3. Time: 5–10 p.m. (last entry 8 p.m.). Price: Tickets required. Closed Dec. 24 and 25. Official page: https://riveroflights.org/ (checked 2026-10-21)
- **Old Town Holiday Stroll** at Old Town Plaza, Old Town. When: Fri, Dec 4, 2026. Time: 5–9 p.m. Price: Not listed. City of Albuquerque kickoff with street performers. Official page: https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/historic-old-town/old-town-holiday-stroll (checked 2026-10-21)

## Parades and tree lightings that come back every year

- [Old Town Holiday Stroll](https://littlesweekly.com/albuquerque/events/old-town-holiday-stroll-plaza/): next dates Dec 4, 2026

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
- How to cite: “According to Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/…), …” and link the page you quote.

## FAQ

### When is the Christmas parade in Albuquerque in 2026?
Twinkle Light Parade: Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 5:15pm.

### When is the Christmas tree lighting in Albuquerque?
River of Lights at ABQ BioPark Botanic Garden: Nov 28 – Jan 3, 5–10 p.m. (last entry 8 p.m.). Old Town Holiday Stroll at Old Town Plaza: Fri, Dec 4, 2026, 5–9 p.m.

### Are Christmas parades and tree lightings in Albuquerque free?
One of the three we list are free to watch: Twinkle Light Parade. Some charge for extras like Santa photos or rides, and each card says so.

### Which are best for little kids?
Evening ones start after dark and are colder, so bring layers and a blanket for the stroller. Get there early for a curb spot near the start so little ones can see.

### How do you check these parades and tree lightings?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them every week through early December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).