Palm Springs Festival Of Lights Parade Returns To RivCo

PALM SPRINGS, CA — After a tough year of surging coronavirus cases forced the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade to cancel its annual event in 2020, the holiday celebration will return next week.

The parade, now in it's 29th year, will bring twinkling floats, marching bands and gigantic holiday balloons and Santa Clause back to Riverside County at 5:45 p.m. Dec. 4 at Palm Canyon Drive.

“After a long period of pandemic restrictions, the City of Palm Springs is thrilled to once again celebrate the joy of the holiday season with our residents and visitors at the Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting and at the spectacular Festival of Lights Parade,” said Palm Springs Mayor Christy Holstege in a news release. “We invite the entire Coachella Valley to come celebrate the magic of the holidays in downtown Palm Springs, truly like no place else!”

This year, the community grand marshals are Mariah Hanson, founder of Dinah Shore Weekend and Linda Barrack, CEO of Martha's Village and Kitchen.

Those who can't make it to the holiday affair can catch the parade on NBC Palm Springs at 6 p.m.

Residents were also invited to join Santa Claus and the Palm Springs City Council for the city's annual tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 3 in Frances Stevens Park, just one day before the parade. This year's tree lighters will be parade grand marshals Hanson and Barrack.

Before the 22-foot tree is lit, Holstege will host the annual Holiday Banner Student Awards, which begins at 4 p.m. and will include free cookies, hot cocoa and activities for children at 6 p.m.