2019 Encinitas Holiday Parade

Date & Time:
Dec 7, 2019
5:30 pm - 7:30 pm

Location:
Coast Highway 101
Coast Highway 101
Encinitas, CA

Event Details:

Encinitas’ favorite holiday tradition. Put it on your calendar. More than 100 parade entries will roll, march, cycle, scoot and cruise down the Coast Highway on the most magical night of the year.

For the 62nd year, Encinitas will kick off the holiday season at the 2019 Encinitas Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 7. Thousands of people will be on floats, on foot, in cars, and marching in bands while tens of thousands cheer them along the Parade route along Coast Highway 101. Many of our nearly 100 parade entries aim to win a prize in one of the Parade’s judged categories for lights, creativity, performance, music, spirit and overall impression.

Parade spectators will be able claim a good spot to watch the parade as soon as Coast Highway closes at 4 pm. Followed by a countdown and ceremonial tree lighting, Santa himself will make a brief appearance to kick things off at 5 pm at the Lumberyard shops courtyard (near Starbucks). The Parade starts promptly at 5:30 pm.

Theme – The 2019 parade theme is “Encinitas on the Move!” It’s no secret that Encinitas celebrates active lifestyles, encourages alternative transportation, loves bikes, boards and all modes of getting around in fun ways, and is a mecca for action sports. For the 2019 Parade, we invite our entries to go all out with creativity, showcasing fun and amazing floats, lively performance art, and great music. Parade category awards are up for grabs so start planning something awesome now!

Parking Shuttles – FREE parking shuttles will run from San Dieguito Academy High School (parking lot located on the corner of Melba Road and Nardo Road) and from the YMCA/Ecke Sports Park parking lot on Saxony Road. Both shuttles start running at 4pm and go until 8:30pm. Shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes and will drop you off at the NCTD bus station on Vulcan Avenue, just a half block from the Parade route.

Find Parade information at www.EncinitasParksandRec.com or call the City of Encinitas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department at (760) 633-2740.

Parade Entry Application – click here to download a pdf Parade Entry Application

Special thanks to the Encinitas Holiday Parade sponsors; Lazy Acres Natural Market Encinitas, Le Port Montessori School, School of Rock Encinitas, AMR Ambulance, and EDCO. You too can be a proud sponsor of quality family events in your community. Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact nbuck@encinitasca.gov or call 760-633-2760 for information.