SB Winter Holiday Parade

In the early 1950’s, a tradition began to decorate State Street with 40 foot tall Douglas fir Christmas trees during the holidays. The trees were officially dedicated and lit during the Children’s Christmas Parade by the Christmas Fairy. The Children’s Christmas Parade is now known as the Downtown Holiday Parade and is held annually, one week after Thanksgiving. More than 50,000 spectators come to line downtown Santa Barbara and cheer on a colossal contingent of high-stepping marching bands, fabulous holiday floats, spectacular performance groups, local personalities, and of course, the most anticipated appearance of the evening - the annual arrival of Santa Claus in Santa Barbara. Viewers of this video might also enjoy the I Madonnari Art Festival.