The Home for the Holidays Committee is excited to announce that Tanner LaMagna has been selected as the Grand Marshal for Newark’s 2025 Lighted Parade and Christmas celebration on Saturday, November 29, 2025.
Tanner is a local teen whose spirit has really stood out this year. After a life-changing BMX accident just five months ago, he’s met every challenge with grit, heart, and a kind of determination we don’t always see in adults. His strength and positivity have been felt across this community, and honoring him as Grand Marshal felt like the right way to start the season together.
“Newark is at its best when we come together like this,” said Mayor Jonathan Taylor. “Tanner’s strength reflects the heart of this village, and I’m looking forward to seeing Main Street full of families celebrating the start of the season.”
As Grand Marshal, Tanner will join the parade announcers to help kick off the evening — and later, he’ll take the stage as Santa’s special guest for the Community Tree Lighting, helping flip the switch to officially welcome the holiday season to Newark.
The committee also shared the schedule for Newark’s Home for the Holidays celebration — a night that brings everyone together in the same way communities across the nation welcome the season: with lights, tradition, and genuine togetherness.
Festivities begin around 4:00 PM in Central Park, where families can enjoy music, walk through the decorated Christmas trees, grab children’s light-up headbands, and check out the brand-new s’mores station.
At 5:15 PM, Newark’s Lighted Parade steps off on Main Street, filling the village with glowing vehicles of every shape and size.
Around 6:15 PM, Santa arrives in Central Park, leading directly into the Community Tree Lighting, where Tanner will join him onstage to light the tree for the whole village to see.
After the lighting, families can head to the Alex Eligh Community Center for Newark’s annual Community Holiday Party, a long-standing tradition full of treats and activities for kids and families.
The Home for the Holidays Committee shared, “This night is about celebrating Newark — our people, our traditions, and the joy of being together. We hope everyone comes out on November 29th to welcome the season and cheer on our Grand Marshal, Tanner LaMagna.”
EVENT SCHEDULE — SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025
- 4:00 PM: Music, decorated trees, new s’mores station, children’s light-up headbands
- 5:15 PM: Lighted Parade (Main Street)
- 6:15 PM (approx.): Santa arrives in Central Park
- Immediately After: Community Tree Lighting with Grand Marshal Tanner LaMagna
- Following Tree Lighting: Community Holiday Party at the Alex Eligh Community Center
For updates and details, follow Facebook.com/NewarkHoliday.
