Exclamations of wonder and excitement filled the air as community members watched the volunteer-led Festival of Lights illuminate the streets of downtown Los Altos Sunday.
Community response was “overwhelmingly positive” to the 49th annual event, according to Nora Haley, Festival of Lights Parade Association co-president. She said the heart-warming event included festive cheering, clapping and participation with those participating in the parade.
While Santa Claus was the crowd-favorite, receiving an abundance of applause from spectators (especially those who are trying their hardest to get on his “nice” list: children).
“Santa received the biggest and loudest response from kids of all ages watching the parade,” Haley stated in an email. “One parade goer commented that the kids around her went ‘positively insane’ when Santa did the 6-7 hand motion at them as he passed by.”
However, she said that all of the floats and performances garnered applause, some people having their own personal favorite display or performance.
More than 150 volunteers joined the parade committee on parade night to help orchestrate the holiday magic, Haley said, from the beginning of the night to after folks had gone home.
“Volunteers are involved in each aspect of the parade and last night was no exception: We had community members who prepped the floats prior to the start of the parade (checking that all systems were ‘go’), pushed and/or drove the floats, wore the costumes and those who helped the characters into their costumes, checked the lights on each of the costumes, and helped with overall set up and clean up,” Haley stated.
Parade organizers also started early with messaging related to accessibility and preserving sidewalk space, she said, to ensure basic safety.
“We also always rely on the good nature of our community to make the parade enjoyable for all viewers along the parade route,” she said.
While the community will have to wait another year until the next parade, the 2026 event will be the 50th Festival of Lights Parade, Haley said, “…so the community can look for some truly special touches throughout the parade!”
To view the livestream of the event, visit losaltosparade.org/kmvt.
