Christmas, Hanukkah Events In Pleasanton: Parades, Tree Lightings

PLEASANTON, CA — There is no shortage of things to do in Pleasanton to get the winter holiday season off to a rollicking good start.

Christmas and Hanukkah, the eight-day Jewish festival of lights, intersect this year, with Hanukkah running Dec. 18-26. Christmas, of course, is on Dec. 25, but you don’t have to wait to start taking in all the sights and sounds of the holidays.

Tree and menorah lightings near Pleasanton include:

• DEC. 3: Hometown Holiday Celebration, Parade & Tree Lighting (Pleasanton). Santa will be there, too!
• DEC. 1: Holiday Tree-Lighting, Entertainment & Food Trucks (Dublin). A new, 30-foot tree to be illuminated.
• DEC. 2: Christmas Tree Lighting, Live Music & Santa: Castro Village (Castro Village). Free photos with Santa!
• DEC. 2: Holiday Tree Lighting, Mayor's Sing-Along & Santa (Concord). Performances by Concord High Jazz Band, D’Ann’s Dance Academy, Concord High Ladies First & The 925 Band.
• DEC. 3: Holiday Celebration, Tree Lighting & Santa: Pacific Commons (Fremont). Carolers, elves & free photos with Santa.
• DEC. 3: 'Light Up The Season' Tree Lighting Fest (Hayward). With song & dance performances from local groups.
• DEC. 4: It’s A Wonderful Life In Lafayette Holiday Celebration (Lafayette). With tree lighting, Santa, free train rides, crafts & more.
• DEC. 4: Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa (Hercules). Food, coat & toy drive planned, too.
• DEC. 18: Chanukah Menorah Lighting Fest, Latkes, Donuts & Grand Can-Orah (Alameda). Bouncers for kids, gelt & giant menorah made of cans!

Christmas parades — often complete with Santa Claus, festively decorated floats and marching bands — are a holiday tradition, both nationally and locally.

Several big parades are taking place this year, including the Mayor’s Annual Christmas Parade in Baltimore City, Maryland, and the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach, California.

Parades near Pleasanton may not be able to match those in size, but the heart behind them is just as big. Parades to catch here at home include:

• DEC. 3: Hometown Holiday Celebration, Parade & Tree Lighting (Pleasanton). Santa will be there, too!
• DEC. 3: Holiday Sights & Sounds Parade Downtown (Livermore). "A Livermore tradition you don't want to miss!"
• DEC. 1: Holiday Parade Of Lights, Tree Lighting & Santa: Broadway Plaza (Walnut Creek). Festive fun for all!
• DEC. 3: Lighted Yacht Holiday Parade: Alameda-Oakland Estuary (Alameda). A don't-miss tradition with proceeds for Oakland Firefighters Random Acts & Alameda County Community Food Bank.
• DEC. 2: Holiday Frolic & Children's Light Parade (Martinez). Free, light wands for first 600 to register.

Patch editor Susan Schena contributed to this report.

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