Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Lights Parade

A big part of the Hometown Holidays in historic downtown Fort Bragg is the Holiday Lights Parade. Formerly known as the Lighted Truck Parade, this event reaches back into the town’s timber industry past. While the focus of the parade today has changed, and the scope broadened, it is important to remember the origins of this holiday ritual. Lighted truck and tractor parades were common in rural American towns, and helped to celebrate the end of the working year. But after protests against the logging industry on the Northern California coast, the event was rechristened the Holiday Lights Parade.

This year’s parade is scheduled for Saturday evening, December 5, 2015, following the lighting of Fort Bragg’s official Christmas tree and a visit from Santa Claus, which starts at 5:00 PM with Santa’s arrival. Caroling begins at 6:00 PM followed by the tree lighting and the parade at 7:00 PM. The parade will follow a route from west Pine Street’s judging area, to Franklin Street, to Oak Street and then on to Main Street to complete the circle back to Pine. Viewing is possible along the entire route, with prime seats staked out early on Main Street near the Guest House museum and the Christmas tree. Please remember this is a family-friendly event, and no alcohol is permitted.

FREE. Presented by the Fort Bragg Fire Dept. & Nor Coast Rodders Car Club. You can enter just about anything you can put lights on! $25 entry fee. Benefits Mendo Coast Children’s Fund. 5 p.m. Redwood & Hwy. 1, Fort Bragg.