SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Downtown South Bend (DTSB) announced on Wednesday that it will be hosting the 7th Annual Holiday Light Parade this coming Friday, Dec. 13, starting at 7 p.m. 

The parade is expected to last approximately an hour, with over 40 lighted floats, vehicles, and walking units traveling west down E. Jefferson Boulevard from Notre Dame Avenue to Niles Avenue., then north from Niles Avenue to E. Washington Street.

"DTSB will have a tent at the southwest corner of St. Louis and Jefferson where they will have light-up merchandise for sale," organizers said.  "Several free parking options are available, including the Wayne Street Garage, the AM General lot, Parkview Atrium lot, Everwise Credit Union lot, and Zion lot, as well as street parking."

Parking will not be allowed along the parade route or staging areas from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and those areas will also be closed to traffic from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A map of the parade route and parking options can be found online.

Organizers say Santa Claus will be taking a short break from Visits with Santa at the Gridiron the night of the parade so he can join in the festivities.