Holiday Parade Registration 2025

Downtown Santa Cruz Holiday Parade

The Downtown Association of Santa Cruz welcomes you to join us in celebrating the Annual Downtown Holiday Parade! The parade will happen this year on Saturday, December 6, 2025 beginning at 10:00am at Pacific Ave. and Laurel St.

Please Read Before Submission (IMPORTANT):

YOU ARE THE PRIMARY CONTACT FOR YOUR GROUP UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED. That means you're responsible for distributing any information you receive.

There is a non-refundable fee for each group and ONE VEHICLE participating in the parade (Fee schedule below).

$55: Not-for-profit youth programs, schools (Preschool-High School) and Downtown Association Members

$110: Non-commercial community groups, for-profit youth programs, adult sports, media, and government agencies

$220: All other groups

$500: Silver Sponsor (4 total), perks include: Parade registration fee, company logo on event page, verbal mentions during Holiday Parade live announcements,multiple social media mentions

$1250: Gold Sponsor (2 total), perks include: Parade registration fee, logo on event page,verbal mentions during Holiday Parade live announcements, verbal mentionsin radio ads, multiple social media mentions

Message [email protected] to request invoice in lieu of paying through Eventbrite.

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All participants / groups must carry an identifying banner, visible to the public or be otherwise easily identified.

Parking: The Downtown Association is not responsible for parking. Please pay close attention to time limits in downtown lots and meters. Please do not park in the Ace Hardware parking lot.

Check in: Please have one representative from your group report to the staging / information booth (located on the corner of Pacific Ave. and Spruce St.) between 8:30 and 9:00 AM to check your group in. Parents are encouraged to use the Ace Hardware Parking Lot as a drop-off only point for children (accessible from Front St.) Please do not park in the Ace Hardware parking lot.

Please do not throw candy, toys, fliers, advertisements, or other materials into the crowd, as the City of Santa Cruz prohibits this. Make sure EVERYONE in your group knows this.

The only Santa Claus allowed in the parade is Downtown’s Official Santa (the real Santa), who will be at the end of the parade.

Vehicles: ONE truck, car, float, etc. - ALL VEHICLES MUST BE IN PLACE BY 9:00AM as it is difficult to maneuver through the staging area after that time. If you have a larger vehicle or float, it is recommended to arrive earlier starting at 8:30am. If your vehicle emits noxious fumes, it should not be in the parade; we don’t want any complaints on this beautiful day from your fellow parade participants and parade watchers. Special requests for more than one vehicle can be sent to event staff at [email protected] - Due to limited space in parade, and in our staging area, not all requests may be approved.

Please ensure that your entry description is accurate. If on the day of the parade, the entry is different than described, you may be asked to not participate.

Animals: If any dogs, horses, or other animals will be in the parade, participants will be required to clean up after the animals.

Parade registration closes November 7 or when we've reached max capacity.

Any questions can be sent to [email protected]

Host or Publisher Downtown Association of Santa Cruz