Bring On The Lights!
Niles Festival of Lights Parade
Presented by Niles Main Street Association
Video credit: Craig Watson via YouTube
Always the Friday after Thanksgiving!
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Always the Friday after Thanksgiving! 🎄
Follow Up A Great Day Of Turkey, Family, Friends With More Fun!
The Christmas season kicks off in Niles with the annual Festival of Lights Parade on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
Sponsored by the members of the Niles community and the Fremont community at large, this wonderful holiday tradition features over 60 unique floats and other entries, marching bands, specialty service units, costumed characters and of course, an appearance by the man himself -
Santa Claus
6 PM - Tree Lighting
6:30 PM Parade kicks off!
2023 Parade Grand Marshal
Gael Stewart
Owner of Mission Coffee Roasting Company
“Fremont’s Living Room”
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Presenting Sponsor
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Star Sponsor
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Star Sponsor
Parade Route Seating
Always the Friday after Thanksgiving!
NO CHAIRS ALLOWED UNTIL 12 NOON FRIDAY!
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Sponsor
Your support makes this parade a reality!
It takes support from sponsors to make the parade happen for the community. The parade offers several levels of participation with many promotional benefits. The parade offers great visibility, benefits, and community involvement. The committee will work with you to create a special sponsor package to meet your organizations needs.
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Enter
Be part of the parade!
The Niles Festival of Lights welcomes organizations to submit an entry application to participate in the parade. All entries are by invitation only and subject to approval by Parade Organizers. All entries are selected on their entertainment value, uniqueness, size, and appearance.
The parade is a “family fun” celebration and parade participants must be appropriate to be seen by all ages.
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Volunteer
Help make this event a reality!
It takes nearly 100 volunteers to stage and move the parade through the Niles District. Volunteer opportunities include; giant balloon handlers, banner carriers, staging and de-staging coordinating, parade marshals, VIP guest hosts and more. It’s a great day to show your holiday spirit and join the fun of the parade!
About The Niles Festival of Lights Parade
The Niles Festival of Lights Parade celebrates the opening of the holiday season with a lighted parade that provides entertainment, community spirit, and sharing this event for all to enjoy.
Since 2001, the Niles Festival of Lights Parade has become a tradition in the City of Fremont. Niles was established in the 1850's and was a junction point of the Southern Pacific Railroad lines from Oakland to San Jose and southern coastal points. Niles as the community continues to show off a captivating historic character, a family atmosphere, and a friendly shopping experience.
The parade annually features wonderful entries such as giant parade balloons, creative floats, marching bands, antique vehicles, dance groups and special guests. The parade draws more than 10,000+ spectators along the half-mile parade route in Niles.
As a holiday gift to the City of Fremont and the Niles District, members of the Niles Merchant Association have organized the parade since its inception in 2001. They rely on financial contributions from individuals, businesses and community groups to organize this major event each year. To produce this great community event, we need sponsorship, we need volunteers, but the parade wouldn't be a parade without participation of great entries!
Frequently Asked Questions
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The Niles Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights Parade is produced and facilitated by members of the community. The event is funded entirely by community and business sponsorship and attracts tens of thousands of spectators along beautiful tree lined streets of Historic Niles District.
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Streets that are part of the official Parade route and are integral to the event are closed from 4 PM - 9 PM.
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You may submit your parade entry all year long, but the cutoff date for the current year parade is typically mid-late October. However, you may inquire to see if there are available openings due to drop outs. For parade entry information click HERE.
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Fremont made fireworks illegal for various reasons and does not allow fireworks of any kind within the city limits. Other cities may have fireworks, but bringing them to Fremont and lighting them is illegal and you will be fined.
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No. Due to the safety of all involved in the parade, entries and spectators, drones are not allowed over the Parade Route or anywhere near. This is requested by the Fremont Department, the City of Fremont and the Niles Festival of Lights Parade Committee.