Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade 2024 in California

The annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade takes place in early December and features dozens of illuminated floats, equestrians, marching bands, cars, and celebrities. The parade has Budweiser Clydesdales, Mickey and Minnie Mouse, and Snoopy and the Gang. The main highlights are Macy's-style balloons and Santa with his reindeer. The event attracts more than 100,000 spectators every year.

2024 Parade Details

The Palm Springs Parade of Lights is set to start on Saturday, December 7, at 5:45 p.m. This beloved holiday event takes place along Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs, creating a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city. The parade begins at the intersection of Ramon Road and Palm Canyon Drive and travels northbound, concluding at Tachevah Road. Spanning approximately 1.5 miles, it takes each entry around 30-40 minutes to complete the route, with the entire parade lasting until about 8 p.m.

The parade's staging area is located along Palm Canyon Drive between Sunny Dunes Road and Ramon Road, with additional staging on Ramon Road between Indian Canyon Drive and Belardo Road. Bands will stage along Ramon Road from Indian Canyon to Calle Encilia, while Indian Canyon Drive will remain open for regular traffic. As one of the area's most anticipated holiday events, the Palm Springs Parade of Lights draws visitors and locals alike to celebrate the season with dazzling floats and festive cheer.

Other Events of Palm Springs Festival of Lights

While the parade itself is traditionally scheduled for the first Saturday in December and remains the top draw of the Palm Springs Festival of Lights, the program of events spans a long weekend. Arrive by 6 pm on Thursday, and you'll experience Villagefest with Santa. Friday offers Festival of Lights Celebration at Frances Stevens Park, which commences at 4 pm and culminates with the City of Palm Springs Tree Lighting show, which takes place at 5:30 pm. The festivities wrap up on Sunday with the Snapshots with Santa event, which starts at noon and runs till 2 pm. You can find more details on the event's official website (see External Resources).

Festival History

The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade was first held in the early 1990s. It became popular thanks to its signature floats decorated with thousands of colourful holiday lights. The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade was voted one of the best events in the Coachella Valley and the Top Ten Holiday Parades in the country in the AOL survey.