The 2026 Gilroy Holiday Festival is looking for community volunteers to help make this beloved annual celebration a success. Whether you can help for one shift or multiple shifts, your time and energy will help create a memorable experience for families, attendees, vendors, and parade participants throughout downtown Gilroy.
Set Up
Help prepare the festival area, including garbage stations, barriers, booths, and event setup.
Stage Decorating
Assist with decorating the stage area before entertainment begins.
Vendor Check-In
Help welcome and direct vendors as they arrive. Volunteers for this role must be 18 years or older.
Santa Sleigh Decorating
Help decorate the Santa sleigh and support the holiday atmosphere of the event.
Trail of Treats Set Up and Support
Assist with Trail of Treats setup and event support.
Garbage Collection
Help keep the festival area clean and welcoming throughout the event.
Parade Banner Carrier
Walk in the parade and help carry banners, including entry banners, parade contest winner banners, and related signage.
Stage Un-Decorating
Assist with removing decorations from the stage area after the event.
Tear Down
Help with post-event cleanup, including garbage, barriers, booths, and general event tear down.
Please note: Volunteers may indicate their areas of interest when signing up. Final assignments will be determined by the Volunteer Committee and event team based on event needs, experience, availability, and overall staffing requirements.
A volunteer training session will be held closer to the event. Volunteers will receive additional instructions, review expectations, meet team leaders, and receive final assignments.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Set Up
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Stage Decorating
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Vendor Check-In, Santa Sleigh Decorating, Trail of Treats Set Up
2:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Garbage Collection, Trail of Treats
4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Parade Banner Carrier
4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Garbage Collection
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Stage Un-Decorating, Tear Down
Support a treasured Gilroy tradition
Meet fellow community members
Earn volunteer service hours
Help create holiday memories for local families
Have fun and make a difference
Volunteer shift times, assignments, service-hour eligibility, and availability are subject to change based on event needs and at the discretion of the Gilroy Downtown Business Association (GDBA). Submission of the volunteer form does not guarantee a specific role, shift, or number of service hours.
Use the Public Volunteer Sign-Up for linked below
Additional volunteer updates and opportunities will be posted here as they become available.
