Every year in the Fargo-Moorhead area, Xcel Energy kicks off the holiday season with the Holiday Lights Parade.

The annual holiday gathering pulls in over 10,000 spectators from the Fargo-Moorhead area. Over 100 individuals and businesses participate in the event every year to promote businesses and spread holiday cheer.

The parade features floats, marching bands, horses and city council and commission members. All floats and participants are decorated in holiday lights. Businesses and individuals compete in the parade float contest as incentive to join the event and win some interesting prizes.

The parade marches through both Fargo and Moorhead every year. Mike Haun, one of the parade organizers, was quoted in 2014 saying they “feel it’s important to have both communities involved.” People from all over the F-M area come to participate and watch the Holiday Lights Parade.

The event kicks off on Nov. 22 in Moorhead’s Memorial Park with the lighting of the holiday tree by the mayor at 5:30 p.m. The Holiday Lights Parade will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Moorhead before heading west into downtown Fargo.

For the even, there will be no parking on Broadway between NP Ave. and 6th St. in Fargo starting at 4 p.m. Broadway in Fargo will be shut down to traffic starting at 5 p.m. Center Ave. between 11th Street and 8th St. in Moorhead will close at 5 p.m. and NP Ave. between Broadway and the Red River in Fargo will close at 6 p.m. Main Ave., 7th Ave. N, University Dr. and 10th St. will remain open.

All roads are expected to reopen at 8 p.m.

The best vantage point, according to The Forum, is the skyway over Broadway in Fargo. There are also many restaurants and bars in the area that have seating for anyone interested in watching the parade. Arrive early to get prime seats.

Local businesses will be open during the parade offering drinks, seats and food. Scheels, Everest Trekker and Outermost Layer are businesses along the parade route that will offer hats, gloves and other warm clothing to spectators.