Holiday Festival & Parade – with signups
Downtown Gilroy Holiday Festival & Parade
December 6, 2025 at 3pm
Join us for a FREE, family-friendly event in the heart of downtown Gilroy!
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Trail of Treats (3-5pm): Goodies for the kids, petting zoo and photo op with Chillroy!
- Entertainment (3-5pm): Two stages, featuring fabulous local talent!
- Santa’s Village at Keller Williams: Meet the jolly man himself!
- Grinchville: Embrace the mischievous charm of the Grinch
- Parade: Enjoy a talented collection of local organizations & performers as they take to the streets!
- Float Contest: Participants in the parade are automatically entered to win!
- Tree Lighting: Ring in the holiday season as we light up our downtown Christmas tree
- Window Display Contest: A celebration of the holiday spirit & creativity of local shops
- Goodies Galore: Feast on treats from vendors & local businesses
2025 GRAND MARSHALS
Erwin & Barbara Boggs
Erwin and Barbara Boggs moved to Gilroy 44 years ago. Over the course of those years, they have been consistently active in the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce, Gilroy Garlic Festival Association, Gilroy Visitor’s Bureau, Gilroy Exchange Club and many other community centered organizations.
2025 JUNIOR GRAND MARSHAL
Santiago Moreno
Santiago Moreno, a 21-year-old artist, has burst onto the Gilroy art scene in recent years. Featured in shows at CMAP, The Clove Art Complex and more, his work centers around themes of peace, love, power, social inequality, history and cultural identity.
SPECIAL EVENTS THIS YEAR
The Holiday Festival & Parade draws an estimated 10,000 attendees to Downtown Gilroy each winter. The Gilroy Downtown Business Association would like to invite you to partner with us to once again make this event truly magical for our community.
Deadline: November 12
Entries received after November 12 will not be included on event banners or other printed items.
**SOLD!**
Chillroy Sponsor
$3,500
- Name attached to Chillroy at all events where Chillroy is present
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
**SOLD!**
North Pole VIP Sponsor
$2,500
- Banner displayed on refreshment booth(s) during Holiday Festival
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
**SOLD!**
Tree Sponsor
$1,500
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
Champion Sponsor
$1,500
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
**SOLD!**
South Pole VIP Sponsor
$1,500
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
Star of Light Sponsor
$1,000
- Prominent logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
Glad Tidings Sponsor
$500
- Logo placement on sponsor banner, to be featured in the parade
- Logo placement on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
Goodwill Sponsor
$250
- Business name on event advertising: print & social media
- Complimentary entry fee in the parade
- Company name announced as a sponsor prior to and during the parade
Join us in spreading joy, building connections, and celebrating the season! Gilroy Downtown Business Association invites you to showcase your unique products and delightful treats amidst the twinkling lights, the laughter of families, and the joyous atmosphere of holiday lights.
VENDOR APPLICATIONS CLOSED
Details
- Vendor applications due by date above
- Selected participants will be notified by November 15th
Booth Specs
- 10 x 10′ booth space
- $150 Food Vendor* SOLD OUT
- $75 For Profit Vendor
- $35 Non-Profit Vendor
Vendor Schedule
- 10am: Vendor access for setup
- 3pm-8pm: Open for business
- 8pm: Tear down
Be the Stars of the Show! Take to the streets in downtown Gilroy as part of the 2023 Downtown Gilroy Holiday Parade. Spaces are limited, so register early!
$50 Entry Fee before 11/12
$65 Entry Fee after 11/12
PARADE SPACES FULL
Rules & Guidelines
To ensure a safe and smooth parade for all involved, all participants MUST follow these rules and guidelines.
- Entries limited to space available. Apply early to save your spot!
- Arrive early to allow for traffic, parking and other delays.
- Staging are opens at Noon & check-in closes at 4pm – NO LATE ARRIVALS ACCEPTED
- Parade Entry Contest Judging is at 4:30pm – please be fully decorated with lights on!
- Notify GDBA as soon as possible if you’re unable to participate in the parade. NO REFUNDS.
- Equestrian units are expected to have control of their animal (according to GPD or Parade Officials) to avoid removal from the parade. An adult must accompany children under 12 with their animals. Animal waste during line-up and parade MUST be removed immediately.
- Float passengers may hand deliver items to crowd members, but MAY NOT THROW.
- All hands & feet inside your entry. No hanging over the sides of floats or vehicles.
- No Politics. The advocating, opposing, depicting or endorsing of any political or social issues or persons is not allowed in the Parade. This includes, but is not limited to, signs banners, and audio.
- NO SANTA COSTUMES. There is only one Santa Claus in the Parade. Santa hats ok.
- No Alcoholic Beverages in the parade or staging area.
- Loud noises such as semi-truck horns, tire spinning, burn-outs, or speeding are prohibited & will result in automatic expulsion from the Parade by GPD or Parade Officials.
- This is a FAMILY event. Therefore, entries must not include any questionable signage, decorations or dance moves that may be offensive to any individual of any age. Please use good judgment!
We’re on a mission to create the most enchanting holiday celebration in Downtown Gilroy, and we need YOUR help to make it truly magical! Join us as a volunteer for the Downtown Gilroy Holiday Festival & Parade, and be part of the team that brings joy to every corner of our community.
Deadline: December 1
Volunteers Needed
- Check-in & volunteer table
- Elf helpers at Grinchville
- Trail of Treats helpers
- Horse pooper scoopers
- Parade pacers
- Tear down & clean up
Additional Info
Lisa Faria, Event Co-Chair: holidayfestival@downtowngilroy.com
Thank you, Sponsors!
AS OF 11/1/25
Downtown Champions
Chillroy Sponsor
Media Sponsor
North Pole VIP Sponsor
Christmas Tree Sponsor
South Pole VIP Sponsor
Glad Tidings Sponsors
In-Kind Sponsors
