As the last week of November approaches, there's one day when downtown Fort Worth gets especially busy. That's the day of the GM Financial Parade of Lights.

This year, according to the official site, the date is Sunday, November 22, starting at 6 PM. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it definitely feels like the kickoff to the holiday season.

Last year marked the 43rd event, so this year will be the 44th. Over 100 illuminated floats will participate, and after the marching bands and parade floats pass by, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their appearance at the end.

Admission is free. Anyone can watch as long as they find a spot along the street.

However, to be honest, getting in and out of this parade is more challenging than just watching it. So today, I want to focus on the best viewing spots and parking tips.

First, you need to know the road closure times. According to the official announcement, downtown roads will start to close at 3 PM.

The section of Weatherford Street from Henderson to Throckmorton will close starting at 6 AM for parade preparations. Highways like Spur 280 coming from I-35 may also start to close around 3 PM.

On the other hand, the roads that remain open during the parade are Belknap, Henderson, and North Main. If you're driving, it's best to plan your route around these three streets.

As of the time of writing, this year's parade route hasn't been posted yet. So, I'll refer to last year's route.

Last year, the parade started at the intersection of Weatherford and Throckmorton, went east along Weatherford, then south on Commerce, and turned west at 9th Street. It then went north on Houston, looping back down to Throckmorton over a distance of 1.59 miles.

This year's route may change, so be sure to check fortworthparadeoflights.org before you head out. This is really important.

Now, let's talk about the best viewing spots. In my opinion, a good spot must meet two conditions.

First, it should be close to the starting point. This way, the parade arrives quickly, and it's relatively easy to leave afterward.

Second, it should be on the same side of the street as where you park or get off the train. The official guidance also recommends entering downtown from the same direction as your viewing spot. It's nearly impossible to cross the route during the parade.

The Houston Street area has many restaurants and shops, making it one of the busiest spots. If you're bringing kids, it's convenient to grab dinner and then find a spot, but if you don't arrive early, you'll have to give up on the front row.

If you want to sit comfortably, there are paid seats called Street Seats. You can book them through Etix; last year, the prices were $19.50 for adults and $15.75 for kids.

I couldn't confirm this year's prices on the official page. It's best to check the booking page directly for accurate information.

Now, let's talk about parking. To cut to the chase, I highly recommend TEXRail.

The official site also recommends TEXRail first. Most stations offer free parking, and trains run every 30 minutes on Sundays.

Park and ride options are available at North Side Station (2829 Decatur Ave.) and Fort Worth T&P Station (221 W. Lancaster Ave.). There's also an overflow parking lot at 3001 Decatur Ave. on the North Side.

When you take the train, you'll get off at Fort Worth Central Station, which is just a few blocks from the parade route. This is much better than being stuck in a downtown parking lot for an hour after the event.

What about buses? Trinity Metro has stated that due to traffic congestion, buses are not a good option. I think it's quite honest for them to say this.

However, if you must drive, you can check downtown parking information at FortWorthParking.com. The official guidance also links to this site.

Here's my tip for driving: get there before 3 PM.

Park with your head toward the exit. Don't rush out right after the parade; instead, have dinner first.

There are over 75 restaurants downtown, so you could even turn this into an opportunity for a dining outing.

Be sure to check the weather too. Last year, heavy rain and storm forecasts caused the event to be postponed from November 23 to 30.

On the morning of the event, check the official site or Facebook @ParadeofLightsFW to avoid any unnecessary trips.

To summarize, arrive early, take the train, and find a spot along the street in your route direction. If it were me, I'd park at North Side Station and enjoy the day without worries.