43rd annual Candlelight Parade and Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony - Thursday, December 5, 2024

Candlelight Parade
Starting promptly at 6:00 p.m., the Candlelight Parade, co-sponsored by the Davis Food Co-op, will kick off from the Co-op's parking lot (corner of 6th & G Streets) and conclude at the E Street Plaza. Families and residents of all ages interested in participating in the parade must arrive by 5:45 p.m. in the Co-op parking lot. No parade parking will be available in the Food Co-op parking lot or in the E Street Plaza parking lot.

Due to the parade, rolling street closures will be occurring from the Co-op to downtown Davis along G Street, Third Street and E Street. As a result, motor vehicles may be delayed at these intersections, including Fifth Street, and drivers getting through downtown Davis at that time should expect delays.

Tree Lighting
Once the parade arrives at E Street Plaza, speeches and the lighting of the holiday tree will begin at 6:30 p.m., led by Mayor Chapman and the members of the Davis City Council.

In addition to the tree lighting, the following activities will be available: 

• Performances and original pieces performed by a variety of local groups starting at 6 p.m.
• Horse and carriage rides
• Roaming mascot characters
• Photo op with Santa and Mrs. Claus starting at 6:30 p.m.
• Free showings of the short film “Olaf’s Frozen Adventure” at the Varsity Theatre at 6 p.m., 6:40 p.m. and 7:20 p.m.

Parking will be limited downtown due to street closures and residents are encouraged to walk, bike or take the bus for this event.

Sponsors include the Varsity Theatre, Davis Food Co-op, Valley Clean Energy and City employee associations, including the Davis Police Officers Association (DPOA), Davis Firefighters Local 3494, Davis City Employee Association (DCEA) and the Program Administrative Support Employee Association (PASEA). 

For more information, please contact Carrie Dyer at cdyer@cityofdavis.org.