At 10 a.m., marching bands, floats, and other parade participants marched down Mathis and Prescott avenues onto Center Street downtown under foggy conditions. The temperature at the city’s airport was 48 degrees.
WUSA-TV anchor Annie Yu served as parade grand marshall, while Manassas Rotary President Cheryl Macias was honored as Woman of the Year. Businessman and owner of Manassas Limousine Service, the former Baker Funeral Home, Cliff Blasius, was Man of the Year.
Community photographer Mike Beaty documented the parade and took hundreds of photos. See them here.
More than 100 groups participated in the parade. Here are the winners, as decided by the parade judges.
Chairman’s Award
Mayfield Intermediate School
The parade is the traditional start to Christmastime festivities in the city and was preceded by the annual “Santa Lights Manassas” event on Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. Each year, Santa and Mrs. Claus deboard a Virginia Railway Express train at the city’s downtown station, greet thousands of onlookers, and light the city’s Christmas Tree.
Here are Beaty’s photos of this year’s event.
Recent Stories

Prince William County has officially reimbursed nearly $7.5 million to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority after canceling the Route 28 Bypass project. While the plan is off the table, officials say they’re committed to finding new ways to ease congestion along the busy corridor. Plus, meet local scholarship winners, see what’s new at James Long Park, and get ready for Fredericksburg’s Earth Day Festival.

The New Dominion Choraliers
Have a Show-Stopping Concert in Store!
Join us on Saturday, May 3 or Sunday, May 4 as the New Dominion Choraliers put on a concert with fun and fabulous songs straight from your favorite Broadway shows and Big Screen musicals. Selections from Pixar, Disney, and Rodgers and Hammerstein offer familiar tunes across the generations, as well as selections from Wicked, Les Miserables, The Greatest Showman, and more!

Properly using a car seat can reduce the risk of injury or death in a car crash by a significant amount, with studies showing reductions of 71% for infants and 54% for toddlers.
Check your child safety seat with the Montgomery County Safe Kids Coalition on Thursday March 20, 2025 from 10am-12:30pm. No appointment necessary.
Fitzgerald GMC Rockville
Your Weight Matters National Convention
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This unique Convention truly has something
Cascade Landing Community Grand Opening
You’re invited to celebrate the Official Grand Opening of our newest community Cascade Landing in Dumfries, VA. Join us April 12th from 11 AM – 6 PM and fall for your new townhome!
Enjoy our grand opening celebration, complete with