Gilroy Downtown Holiday Festival and Parade

Holiday Festival & Parade

2026 Presenting Partner

performance foodservice logo

Saturday, December 5, 2026 • 3 PM

FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY DOWNTOWN GILROY

Celebrate with treats, live entertainment, Santa, the holiday parade, and Downtown Gilroy’s tree lighting.

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A full afternoon of holiday magic

Festival Highlights

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

Trail of Treats

Goodies for kids, a petting zoo, and a cheerful photo opportunity with Chillroy.

3–5 PM

Live Entertainment

Two stages bring the festival to life with fabulous local performers and community talent.

Holiday tradition

Santa’s Village

Meet Santa and enjoy a festive holiday stop at Keller Williams in Downtown Gilroy.

Merry mischief

Grinchville

Step into the mischievous holiday world of the Grinch for a delightfully playful stop.

Downtown Gilroy

Holiday Parade

Cheer on local organizations, performers, and illuminated entries as they take to the streets.

Parade honors

Float Contest

Parade participants are automatically entered for a chance to earn top festival honors.

Seasonal finale

Tree Lighting

Gather downtown as Gilroy’s Christmas tree lights up and the community welcomes the season.

Festive flavors

Goodies Galore

Enjoy seasonal treats from festival vendors and participating downtown businesses.

2026 Grand Marshal

Kurt Michielssen

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.

Presented by

Nominations are open

Help Us Choose This Year's Junior Grand Marshal

Help us shine a light on a young person under 19 who has shown outstanding service, heart, and commitment to Gilroy. Nominate a local young hero today!

Submit a nomination

Nominations close September 1, 2026

4th Annual Downtown Gilroy

Holiday Window Display Contest

Let's make Downtown Gilroy sparkle!

Deadline: Dec 1, 2026 · 12:00 noon

How to play

  1. 1

    Deck out your storefront with holiday lights* and decorations — go big!

  2. 2

    Show it off — post a photo and tag @downtowngilroy95020.

  3. 3

    Judges swing by Dec 1 — daytime and after dark, so make it glow!

Awards

$250

🏆 First placeYour name on the perpetual trophy plus a ride in the Holiday Parade!

$150

Second place

$100

Third place

The 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!

Thank you, 2026 Sponsors!

AS OF 6/15/2026

Chillroy Sponsor

2026 Media Sponsor

Bay Country logo
KEZR Mix 106 logo

Holiday Magic Sponsor

South Pole VIP Sponsor

South Pole VIP Sponsor

Christmas Tree Sponsor

North Pole VIP Sponsor

Stage Sponsor

Featuring a special Book Reading from Ken Christopher

Santa's Village Sponsor

KW property team logo

Downtown Champion Sponsors

Star of Light Sponsors

chris wheeler logo
EZ Clean logo
Jill Toler
Lisa Faria logo
Christopher Ranch logo
unfi

Gwyn & Ed
Sauceda

Glad Tidings Sponsors

Gwyn and Ed Sauceda

Floors Direct of Gilroy

Alicia Hernandez — Realtor

Lisa Faria logo
integrated financial benefits

Goodwill Sponsors

Lauri Gray School of Dance

Sourcewise

Morgan Hill Speech

Traviosoz

Powdercoat Shop

Sunbelt Rentals

In-Kind Sponsors

GB landscaping logo
cmap
Minute Man Morgan Hill Logo
integrated financial benefits
MG constructors

Bill Doherty

Thank You to Our 2026 Committee!

We are grateful to the dedicated community members, business leaders, and local partners helping bring the 2026 GDBA Holiday Festival & Parade to life.

Albert Lambert — Community Member
Barbara Orth — Integrated Financial Benefits / ChFC, CASL
Gwyn and Ed Sauceda — Sage Construction Management
Jeff Orth — Integrated Financial Benefits / ChFC, CASL
Kamille Rocha — MC Insurance Services
Lisa Clark — The Buzz PR / LC Events Planning & Design
Lisa Faria — Christie’s – Sereno Real Estate
Mary Gurries / Bejarano — Visit Gilroy, Tourism & Community Engagement Coordinator
Michele Campbell — MC Insurance Services, Founder & Owner
Nita Mitchell — Independent / Community Volunteer
Vickie Haussmann — Floors Direct of Gilroy
Wendy Noboa — iFIT

Additional Info

Marci Bracco Cain info@thebuzzpr.net