Downtown Los Altos to Host the 30th Annual Festival of Lights Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony

The 30th annual Festival of Lights Parade is scheduled to begin this Sunday (November 25) at 7:00 p.m. along Main and State Streets in downtown Los Altos.  The parade starts at State and First Streets, goes four blocks and makes a right hand turn at the Community Plaza.  It continues on Main Street, makes a left on First Street and finishes at Whitney Street. 

The parade began back in 1977 as a way the local merchants could give back to the Los Altos community.  It has always been a small town event that has been run by a group of highly dedicated volunteers.  The Festival of Lights Parade definitely doesn’t compare to the professional light shows like Disney’s Electrical Parade, but that is the beauty of it.  It is a small time parade where families “reserve” their spot on the curb by setting up folding chairs and laying out blankets hours before the event.  Kids line up to purchase glow sticks and glow bracelets so their friends can see them in the dark.  It basically is a city wide event that brings friends and neighbors together to enjoy the evening.  One note:  Dress warm, arrive early, and bring food (and your favorite beverage) or be prepared to wait in line to get food, coffee, and/or use the rest rooms because the stores that stay open are swamped. 

The Los Altos Village Association is sponsoring this year’s annual tree lighting ceremonyat 6:00 p.m. on Friday November 30th.  The tree lighting ceremony marks the official beginning of the Los Altos holiday season.