If you have ever participated in a Christmas parade, you know that people go all out when it comes to decorating their Christmas float. Sometimes it feels like you might not even have a chance at winning! Not to worry, we will share with you Christmas float ideas that will help you stand out from the rest (in a good way). Whether you are looking for Christmas float ideas for church or just want some easy Christmas float ideas that you can copy, then this post is for you!
I was recently at my sisters home town and I learned that there is actually a Christmas float contest at the small town Christmas parade. They hold a Christmas float contest to see who has the most extravagant float with the given theme. Last year the theme was Whoville and it was so cool to see the different floats, costumes, and Christmas decor. The Christmas parade inspired me to search on Pinterest for the best Christmas float ideas that I would actually recreate if I was to participate in the parade the following year. So I have put together some cool Christmas float ideas that you can easily recreate if you are on a budget but still want to win the Christmas float contest 2026!
In this blog post, we will show you Christmas float ideas that you should copy to win the Christmas float contest this year! From Christmas float ideas with lights to easy Christmas float ideas diy that you can easily recreate, we have different ideas that will inspire you! We will share with you some tips, decor ideas, and ways to recreate these floats for less.
This blog post is all about Christmas float ideas.
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Best Christmas Float Ideas
How to cover a trailer to make a Christmas float
- Start with your trailers frame
- Clean the trailer and remove anything you don’t need.
- Measure the length and height of the sides.
- Be sure to leave the wheels accessible.
2. Make a frame if needed
- Use inexpensive 1×2 or 2×2 lumber or PVC pipe to make a lightweight frame around the perimeter of the trailer.
3. Cover the sides using these materials:
- White outdoor fabric/tarp: easiest and inexpensive
- Red or green fabric: instantly makes it Christmasy
- Corrugated plastic sheets: sturdier and gives a clean finished appearance
- Plastic tablecloths: very inexpensive for a one-day parade
TIP: Attach the covering to the frame with zip ties, velcro, or bungee cords to secure them in place.
Christmas Float Ideas For Parade
Now, let’s explore the best Christmas float ideas that we have found on Pinterest!
1. Polar Express Christmas Float Idea
The Polar Express is the perfect Christmas float theme that everyone will know and love! It is actually one of the easier themes to recreate. Simply just cover the sides of your trailer with black fabric to mimic a black train. Then, wrap any railings on the sides in red to give your float a Christmas pop of color. Lastly, add the front of your train where your trailer meets the truck and attach the words Polar express along the sides of your trailer.
TIP: Have anyone that will be on your float or driving the float dressed according to the theme. This brings the entire look together and will most likely lead you to winning the contest.
2. Christmas Float DIY Ideas
If you are looking for an affordable way to decorate your trailer for the Christmas float parade contest, try recreating this simple DIY. All you need is some garland with fun ornaments to secure around the perimeter of your trailer. Then, add green tablecloths to cover the floor of your trailer and act as grass. Be sure to cover the floor with some fake snow and add any Christmas themed props on top of the snow to bring the look together.
In this scenario they made a cute red house out of wood and covered it in the fake snow but you can add inflatables, Christmas trees or other decor to create a Christmas scene on your trailer.
TIP: Elevate the look by adding the garland or a skirt around the perimeter of the trailer. This will cover any logos or imperfections which will give your trailer a polished look.
3. Christmas Parade Float With Lights
One of the key components you need for your Christmas parade float are lights. Even if you are participating in a parade that is in the day time having some type of lighting with help add visual interest and a cozy touch to your Christmas display.
TIP: Keep in mind that unless you have battery powered Christmas lights, you will need to have an outlet readily available for your float.
4. Rudolph Truck
No trailer? No problem! You can actually turn your truck into an awesome Christmas parade float by wrapping it in string lights and adding some accessories. To recreate this festive Rudolph float, wrap your truck with white lights on the hood, doors, and bed to really make it stand out. Then, add your truck’s Christmas touches like a red ball for the nose, a Santa hat inflatable for the top and some deer antlers.
GET THE LOOK FOR LESS:
5. Gingerbead House Trailer
Create your very own gingerbread house on your trailer to win the Christmas float parade contest. Not only is this a unique, festive Christmas float idea, it is also great for those that want to ride along because it has an indoor component to warm up in cool temperatures. The key in making this Gingerbread house look eye catching is adding different textures, fun colors, and Christmas lights.
6. Balloon Christmas Float Ideas
If you are not handy and can’t construct a house for your trailer, balloons are perfect to make Christmas structures out of. They make excellent ornaments for your Christmas float and even better Christmas trees! This is a great way to make a Christmas float for less.
7. Simple Christmas Float
If you need a quick and easy Christmas float idea that won’t break the bank, try recreating this winter wonderland present trailer. All you need are some boxes wrapped in different paper, blue colored poster board, Christmas string lights, and white paper to mimic snow. This Christmas float idea is perfect for Santa to sit on and greet everyone at the Christmas parade.
8. Gingerbread Golf Cart
Steal the winning trophie for the Christmas golf cart decorating contest by transforming your golf cart into a gingerbread golf cart. For this idea, you want to wrap your golf cart completely in brown wrapping paper. Then, add on your accessories like a gingerbread man in the passenger seat, Christmas candy, and fake snow around the perimeter of the cart.
TIP: Be sure to cover an imperfections or seams with the fake snow to make it look seamless.
9. Lego Float
Create this Lego Christmas float idea by covering the perimeter of the trailer in garland. Then, stack large colored boxes on top of one another to look like Legos. Be sure to add the studs on top of your Lego blocks to complete the look.
10. Whoville Christmas Float Ideas
Whoville is a great theme for a Christmas float for a kids Christmas parade with all of it’s fun colors and whimsical decor. Make your Whoville Christmas float stand out from the rest by adding height to it. That means creating those classic Whoville trees of all different heights and colors on your float for visual interest.
TIP: Having good music that goes with your theme will help bring the look of your Christmas float all together.
11. Christmas Float Ideas For Church
Sometimes with all of the Christmas madness of buying presents and decorating the home, you can forget what the real meaning of Christmas is. Share the meaning of Christmas by incorporating Christ into your decor. Whether it be by adding your favorite bible verse along the border or creating a nativity scene on your float, you can spread the word on your float this year.
12. Candy Land Christmas Float
A Christmas float that you can easily repurpose for many parades to come is a Candy Land Christmas float. Just make the classic Candy Land sign above your truck bed or trailer and then add in some of the key playing pieces. Oversized lollipops, ice cream cones, and gingerbread men around the perimeter will help bring this look together.
13. Simple Christmas Float Ideas
For a budget friendly and simple Christmas float idea, simply just turn the bed of your trailer into a hay ride. Add posts to your trailer to hang string lights from, hang wreaths from the posts and top the hay with festive Christmas blankets.
14. Charlie Brown Christmas Float Ideas
For a more unique Christmas float idea, recreate this Charlie Brown Christmas float. Make a small dog house for Snoopy and wrap it in Christmas lights, then fill in any gaps with garland and bows. Lastly, add in your Charlie Brown characters and the iconic Snoopy on top of the dog house.
TIP: Look on Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores for holiday decor that is budget friendly.
15. Christmas Float Ideas Cowboy
Don’t be afraid to incorporate some country into your Christmas float by turning Santa into a country Santa Claus. Add a cowboy hat to your Santa and show off your favorite country Christmas music playlist.
This blog post was all about Christmas float ideas.
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