3–5 PM
Trail of Treats
Goodies for kids, a petting zoo, and a cheerful photo opportunity with Chillroy.
FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN GILROY
Celebrate with treats, live entertainment, Santa, the holiday parade, and Downtown Gilroy’s tree lighting.
A full afternoon of holiday magic
Make a day of it in Downtown Gilroy with treats, local talent, Santa, the parade, and the glow of the annual tree lighting.
3–5 PM
Goodies for kids, a petting zoo, and a cheerful photo opportunity with Chillroy.
3–5 PM
Two stages bring the festival to life with fabulous local performers and community talent.
Holiday tradition
Meet Santa and enjoy a festive holiday stop at Keller Williams in Downtown Gilroy.
Downtown Gilroy
Cheer on local organizations, performers, and illuminated entries as they take to the streets.
Parade honors
Parade participants are automatically entered for a chance to earn top festival honors.
Seasonal finale
Presented by Gina Lopez Insurance & Financial Services
Join Gina Lopez, the Mayor, and a GDBA representative as they light Gilroy’s Christmas tree and welcome the holiday season.
Festive flavors
Enjoy seasonal treats from festival vendors and participating downtown businesses.
Parade Registration Is Open!
Bring your float, decorated vehicle, performance group, school, club, business, nonprofit, or walking entry to Downtown Gilroy on Saturday, December 5, 2026. Explore the parade details, participant responsibilities, and rules, then register your entry.
Donnie is a 19-year-old Gilroy native and recent graduate of Gilroy High School. His love for animals and agriculture started early: he joined 4-H at just 5 years old and continued his involvement through FFA during high school.
At age 10, with help from his mother and grandfather, Donnie started D’Rose Petting Zoo to share his animals with classmates. What began at school festivals grew into a successful local business, bringing animals to community events throughout Gilroy and connecting with countless local families.
Donnie also volunteers with the IFDES Portuguese Community, proudly celebrating and sharing his heritage. Outside of his business, he enjoys team roping and working with animals. Rooted in family, agriculture, hard work, and a love for Gilroy, he is honored to represent his hometown as the 2026 Junior Grand Marshal.
We are proud to name Kurt Michielssen as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Holiday Festival & Parade. Kurt began his banking career in Watsonville in 1971 and moved to Gilroy in 1981, building his work on a simple belief: a bank should know the people it serves. As a senior vice president at Pinnacle Bank until his retirement this year, he helped countless South County businesses, families and farmers turn their plans into reality — all while giving his time to the Rotary Club of Gilroy, the Gilroy Foundation, Gavilan College Educational Foundation, Gilroy Economic Development Corporation, South County Community Services and Gilroy Gardens. Naming him Grand Marshal is our way of saying thank you.
We are still accepting all other vendors
Food vendor spaces are SOLD OUT. For the food vendor waitlist, contact marci@thebuzzpr.net.
Join the merriest street in Gilroy—14,000 shoppers, one jolly day. Reserve your spot at the 2026 Holiday Festival & Parade.
For the food vendor waitlist, contact marci@thebuzzpr.net.
Holiday-themed arts, crafts, gifts, and more.
Share your mission and connect with the community.
Food vendor spaces are sold out.
4th Annual Downtown Gilroy
Let's make Downtown Gilroy sparkle!
Deadline: Dec 1, 2026 · 12:00 noon
Deck out your storefront with holiday lights* and decorations — go big!
Show it off — post a photo and tag @downtowngilroy95020.
Judges swing by Dec 1 — daytime and after dark, so make it glow!
$250
$150
Second place$100
Third placeThe fine print (but festive): displays must be finished by Dec 1, 2026. *Lights in the window are required to win. Judging happens Dec 1 — day and night. Winners are announced Dec 2, just in time for the Holiday Festival & Parade on Dec 5!
Choose how you’d like to take part in this year’s Holiday Festival & Parade.
AS OF OCTOBER 20, 2026
We are grateful to the dedicated community members, business leaders, and local partners helping bring the 2026 GDBA Holiday Festival & Parade to life.
Amber Atteberry
Sylvia Bell
Michele Campbell
Lisa Faria
Mary Gurries
Vickie Haussmann
Albert Lambert
Carol Marques
Nita Mitchell
Jeff Orth
Barbara Orth
Wendy Noboa
Kamille Rocha
Gwyn and Ed Sauceda
Jill Toler
Marci Bracco Cain marci@thebuzzpr.net
