California Christmas Parades

California Christmas Parades are held in practically every city. They range from small to large but generally are on the modest side with the events featuring community entries that may not qualify for larger parades such as 4th of July parades. One of the many fun things to see and do this Christmas, the parades are sometimes associated with Tree Lighting Ceremonies as well.

While these holiday parades are by far one of the most popular parades of any throughout the year, very few cities in California try to make them into big affair that would rival the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Californians host the most watched parade in the world just days after Christmas is over and the New Year begins. Flower floats costing over $100,000 each, and marching bands that head down Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena for the Rose Parade are spectacular. So Christmas tends to keep it simple with Lighted Tractor Parades, Kids Parades and always Santa Claus!

Thanksgiving Weekend Parades

In addition to launching the holidays with fabulous Turkey Trots throughout the state, Thanksgiving weekend also celebrates Christmas with some delightful holiday parades.

ANAHEIM: Christmas Fantasy Parade at Disneyland happens daily through the holiday season. Thanksgiving Weekend is one of the most popular times to visit and reservations are required, so you may have to pick alternate days.

BRENTWOOD: Holiday Parade is A Holiday Tale themed event

EL CAJON: Mother Goose Parade mothergooseparade.org

HANFORD: Christmas in Candyland Parade hanfordchamber.com

HOLLISTER: Lights On Christmas Parade and Lights On Celebration downtownhollister.org

HOLLYWOOD: Hollywood California Celebrity Christmas Parade

LAKEPORT: Christmas Pet Parade (Dickens Festival)

LOS ALTOS: Festival of Lights Parade

MOUNT SHASTA: Mount Shasta Hometown Holiday Lighted Parade

SANTA PAULA: Christmas Parade on Main (Saturday after Thanksgiving)

SALINAS: Holiday Parade of Lights (always the 1st Sunday after Thanksgiving Day) The event begins on Main Street from Salinas High School to Steinbeck Center. salinaslightsparade.com

VISALIA: Candy Cane Lane Parade is downtownvisalia.com

Christmas Parade in California

Adelanto: Christmas Parade

Alpine: Parade of Lights

American Canyon: Magic of the Season Parade Shenandoah Park 100 Sonoma Creek Way American Canyon, CA. Free, cityofamericancanyon.org

Anaheim: Christmas Fantasy Parade Daily

Angels Camp: Holiday Parade

Antioch: Holiday Parade

Arroyo Grande: Holiday Parade South County Holiday Parade arroyogrande.org

Arvin: Arvin Christmas Parade

Atwater: Christmas Parade

Auburn: Festival of Lights Parade

Bakersfield: Bakersfield Christmas Parade

Belmont Shore: Christmas Parade

Benicia: Christmas Parade & Holiday Market

Bishop: Christmas Parade

Blue Jay: Christmas Parade

Brentwood: Annual Holiday Parade

Burlingame: Downtown Holiday Parade

Calexico: Christmas Parade

Calistoga: Lighted Tractor Parade

Camarillo: Christmas Parade

Carpinteria: Holiday Spirit Parade

Chino: Kids Christmas Parade

Coachella: Christmas Parade

Colfax: Winterfest Parade of Lights

Corning: Light Parade

Coronado: Christmas Parade

Davis: Children's Candlelight Parade

Downey: Downey Chamber of Commerce 73rd Annual Christmas Parade December 1, 2024, 1 p.m. Route: On Downey Avenue from Florence to 3rd. Downey, CA Festive floats, marching bands, and Santa Claus himself. downeychamber.org

El Cajon: Mother Goose Parade

El Centro: Christmas Parade

Elk Grove: Parade of Lights

Encinitas: Encinitas Holiday Parade

Escondido: Jaycees Christmas Parade. Held on W. Grand Ave. facebook.com/ EscondidoJayceesAnnualChristmasParade/

Exeter: Exeter Christmas Parade

Fallbrook: Fallbrook Christmas Parade, Miracle on Main fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org

Ferndale: Lighted Tractor Parade

Fontana: Christmas Parade

Fresno: Christmas Parade

Gilroy: Christmas Parade

Glendale: Glendale Montrose Christmas Parade

Glendora: Glendora Christmas Parade

Granada Hills: Holiday Parade

Gridley: Christmas Parade of Lights

Grover Beach: Holiday Sparkle Parade

Hanford: Christmas Parade hanfordchamber.com

Hollister: Lights On Holiday Parade

Hollywood: Hollywood Christmas Parade Nov.27, 2022

Huntington Beach: Children's Christmas Parade

Kelseyville: Parade of Lights

King City: Lighted Agriculture Parade

Kingsburg: Festival of Lights Parade

Laguna Niguel: Holiday Parade

La Jolla: Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival

Lake Elsinore: Winterfest Parade

Lakeport: Christmas Pet Parade

La Puente: Holiday Parade

Lemoore: Christmas Parade

Lincoln: Hometown Christmas Parade Festival, Craft Show, Tree Lighting, Food Trucks, Santa, downtownlincolnca.com

Livermore: Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade

Lodi: Parade of Lights

Lompoc: Children's Holiday Parade

Los Altos: Festival of Lights Parade

Los Gatos: Children's Holiday Christmas Parade

Marysville: Christmas Parade Route: Starts at 6th & D Streets and ends at the intersection of 5th & C Streets. marysville.ca.us | facebook.com/marysvillechristmasparade/

Merced: Hometown Christmas Parade

Monrovia: Holiday Parade

Mount Shasta: Hometown Holiday Light Parade

Murrieta: Holiday Magic Push Cart Parade

Murphys: Christmas Parade visitmurphys.com

Norco: Parade of Lights

Ocean Beach (San Diego): Holiday Parade

Orcutt: Old Orcutt Christmas Parade

Oroville: Holiday Parade of Lights

Oxnard: Christmas Parade

Pacific Grove: Holiday Parade of Lights

Palmdale: Holiday Parade