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Dec. 16, 2025
The 76th Annual Winder Christmas Parade returned to downtown on Saturday, Dec. 13, bringing the community together for one of the city’s longest-running holiday traditions.
By the numbers:
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12,300 people attended the Christmas Parade
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More than 1,500 people participated in the parade across 85 vehicles and floats
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57 groups, businesses, organizations, clubs, and schools were represented
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30 vendors participated in Santa’s After Party
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Outside the events department, more than 65 city employees supported the parade, including Public Works crews who handled staging, setup, teardown, and cleanup; city staff members who assisted with load-in, hosting, photography, and parade participation; and Winder Police officers who managed traffic control, road closures, parade operations, and public safety.
Following the parade, 4,200 people gathered at Jug Tavern Park for Santa’s After Party, which included free photos with Santa, live music, food trucks, local vendors, and festive photo opportunities.
Thank you to the city staff, volunteers, participants, and community members who helped make this year’s parade and Santa's After Party a success.
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Menorah lighting
The City’s menorah will be lit throughout Hanukkah, with a public lighting event on Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 5:30 p.m. at Jug Tavern Park (139 E. Athens St.). Blessings will be led by Rabbi Chaim Markovits of Chabad Rural Georgia, with donuts and live music. Special thanks to Barrow County Commissioner Alex Ward for spearheading the effort.
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On Dec. 4, City Council unanimously approved the sale of water and sewer bonds to help fund the city’s reservoir project and other major water infrastructure improvements. The bonds provide funding for long-term investments that help ensure a reliable water supply and support the city’s growing needs.
Ahead of the bond sale, the City of Winder received strong credit ratings from S&P Global Ratings and Moody’s. These ratings reflect solid financial management, strong liquidity, and the stability of the city’s water and sewer enterprise, and they support the city’s 1-billion-gallon quarry reservoir project, which will secure a long-term water supply for the region.
Empty Stocking Toy Drive—Thank You
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Thank you to everyone who donated to Winder’s Empty Stocking Toy Drive. On Dec. 6, Winder Fire spent the day collecting toys across town, and your generosity will help make Christmas brighter for more than 700 local children.
There’s still time to help. Unwrapped toy donations are being accepted at Fire Station 1 through Dec. 20.
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Shop with a Hero
One of our favorite days of the year was Saturday’s Shop with a Hero event, when Winder Police officers and public safety partners took local children who have faced difficult circumstances on a shopping spree. Now more than 20 years strong, Shop with a Hero is made possible through community donations and grant funding. |
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News on the Go: Winder Works Podcast
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What’s the wildest call Winder Fire has ever responded to? In this month’s Winder Works podcast, Fire Chief Matt Whiting recounts the night his crew opened a burning outbuilding and came face-to-face with a five-foot alligator and 50 pit vipers — and explains how the department has evolved dramatically since his first day on the job 33 years ago. |
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 Heating Energy Assistance Team Program
To help local families in need, Winder utility customers can now choose to round up their bill, add a small monthly contribution, or make a one-time donation.
All donations are distributed locally by the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services.
Find the form here.
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Center Street Project
Construction continues on Center Street with drainage installation and utility coordination. Crews are working near the Maxwell property and CVS. Some construction-related delays and traffic impacts should be expected as work progresses.
East Stephens Street
Storm drainage installation is nearing completion, with cleanup and next phases expected in the coming weeks. Crews are coordinating directly with affected property owners as needed.
Public Works crews continued maintenance and repairs across Winder this month:
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Grounds maintenance crews installed mulch downtown and trimmed trees throughout the City.
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Street maintenance filled potholes and repaired utility cuts across the City—7 tons of asphalt were used Citywide.
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Leaf & limb collection made 1,417 stops, and the street sweeper hauled 42 loads of debris—about 336 cubic yards.
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Sign crews repaired or installed 20 signs and posts throughout Winder.
- Multiple crews installed Christmas decorations and prepared for the parade.
City Hall and City administrative offices will be closed Dec. 24-25 in observance of Christmas and Jan. 1 in observance of New Year's Day. Essential public safety personnel will also remain on duty during the holidays.
Garbage pickup
For the week of Dec. 22 and 29, Thursday routes will run on Friday, Dec. 26 and Friday, Jan. 2, 2026. Friday routes will run Saturday, Dec. 27 and Saturday, Jan. 3. Monday through Wednesday routes will not be affected.
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