Downtown Holiday Parade

Friday, November 30, 2012 at 6:30pm

2012 Theme: 60th Anniversary - A Diamond Holiday

Grand Marshal: Kami Craig, 2012 Gold Medalist Water Polo Player

More than 50,000 spectators are expected to line downtown Santa Barbara on Friday evening November 30th, to cheer on a colossal contingent of high-stepping marching bands, fabulous holiday floats, spectacular performance groups, local personalities, and of course, the most anticipated appearance of the evening...the annual arrival of Santa Claus, dispensing holiday cheer from atop his festive sleigh.

Meet and Greet: Friday, November 30th

Santa Claus - Paseo Nuevo Center Court, 4:00pm-5:30pm

The parade begins at 6:30pm at State Street and Sola Street and concludes at Cota Street. For more information, call 805-962-2098 ext. 22.

Click here for the Parade entry application.

Parade History
In the early 1950’s, a tradition began to decorate State Street with 40 foot tall Douglas fir Christmas trees during the holidays. These trees actually lined the center divider lines of what used to be a four lane street. Sponsored then by the Retail Merchants Association, the Chamber of Commerce and the Parks and Recreation Department, the trees were officially dedicated and lit during the Children’s Christmas Parade by the Christmas Fairy. The Children’s Christmas Parade is now known as the Downtown Holiday Parade and is held annually, one week after Thanksgiving.

The parade, in its 60th year, has since evolved into Santa Barbara’s only nighttime street parade. After 31 years of Saturday morning debuts, the parade returned to the Friday evening tradition in 1998. This year’s tradition takes place on Friday, November 30th officially welcoming the holiday season downtown!

Holiday Prince & Fairy Contest
Deadline: November 2, 2012

Hey kids….want to ride in a horse drawn carriage in the Downtown Holiday Parade? Then enter the 2012 Prince & Fairy Art Contest! As the Holiday Prince or Fairy, you’ll ride in the November 30th Downtown Holiday Parade at 6:30pm.

The tradition of the Christmas Fairy, now the Holiday Prince & Fairy, began with the first parade in 1953.

The Holiday Prince & Fairy are chosen for their creativity and originality in an art contest sponsored by the Downtown Organization.

To enter, please follow these guidelines:
• Open to children ages 6-10; one entry per child.
• On a seperate piece of paper, no larger than 11" x 17" draw, color or paint a picture that represents what makes the Holidays Magical for you.
• Entries MUST include child’s name and age, and parent or guardian’s name, address, and daytime and evening phone numbers.
• Entries must be recieved by 4 pm on Friday, November 2nd.
• Children selected must be available to participate in the parade on Friday, November 30th.

Click here to download an entry form. Entries may be mailed to:

Downtown Organization
Attn: Prince and Fairy
Post Office Box 240
Santa Barbara, CA 93102

or dropped off Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm, at:

Downtown Organization Offices
27-B East de la Guerra
(between State Street and Anacapa Street across from City Hall

Click here to view images from past Downtown Holiday Parades.