Santa Claus riding a fire truck in West St. Paul's Holiday Hero Express parade.

2025 Holiday Parade Coming to West St. Paul

Thanks to Mississippi Valley Montessori School for their support. Located in West St. Paul since 1967, they’re an AMI-accredited Montessori school serving children up to age 6. Email us for more info.

The sixth annual Holiday Hero Express parade is coming to West St. Paul on Thursday, December 4.

What: Santa Claus will parade through the streets of West St. Paul with a caravan of first responders—the West St. Paul Police Department, South Metro Fire, and more—decked out in lights to celebrate the holidays.

Pace Automotive: Local, family owned auto repair. Personal, honest service.

When: The parade is Thursday, December 4, starting at 5:30 p.m. See the route map below for specific times and locations.

Why: “We try to make their holidays just a little bit brighter, pun intended,” said Terry Johnson, assistant fire chief and fire marshal for South Metro Fire. The tradition started in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to safely engage the community and spread holiday cheer.

Where: The parade runs throughout West St. Paul, with a color-coded schedule so you can know when to expect them.

  • Pro tip: Parking at Harmon Park is an ideal spot to see the parade.
  • Here’s the map:
2025 Holiday Hero Express parade route map.

More: Get more information on the city’s Facebook event.

Give the gift of an informed community. Support local news by becoming a member.

TAGS

RELATED

Vote Here sign at Heritage E-STEM Middle School.
Election

2026 Election: Voter’s Guide

Our expanded election guide covers local races in the surrounding communities of West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and the West Side. See voting details, voter’s guides for each area, and the races we’re covering.

MC's Pub
West St. Paul Eats

MC’s Pub Opens in Inver Grove Heights

MC’s Pub is opening in Inver Grove Heights on November 1. The sports bar and grill is part of the Muddy Cow Restaurant Group, with more than a dozen various locations in the metro area.

Printable voter's guide
Election

Printable Voter’s Guide for the 2026 Election

We’ve created a printable, nonpartisan voters guide summarizing races in the 2026 election for West St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, South St. Paul, and the West Side. It’s an at-a-glance chart of local races and can be a starting point for your candidate research.

Two Rivers students phone banking
Education

Students Get on the Phone for ISD 197 Levy

Two seniors at Two Rivers High School rallied 35 of their fellow classmates to phone bank for the levy. “When we first learned about the levy, we saw this as a key issue that we needed to help support,” said Saakar Basyal.

2 Responses

Leave a Reply

Discover more from West St. Paul Reader

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Member Drive

20 New Members

We need 20 new members by August 10 to support coverage of ISD 197 School Board.