Safety Tips and Guidelines
Parade Rules and Regulations
The Niles Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights Parade is held the Friday following Thanksgiving annually. The event begins with the tree lighting at 6:00 p.m. followed by the Festival of Lights Holiday Parade at 6:30 p.m. Several roads will be closed for the event and we have new seating rules being implemented this year. The Niles Annual Tree Lighting and Festival of Lights Committee along with Fremont Police, Fire and Health officials remind the public that the event will be safe for all if everyone adheres to the rules and regulations.
Please drive carefully, as a large crowd—including many children—is expected. We recommend arriving early and carpooling.
See Something, Say Something
NO BACKPACKS ALLOWED AT THE PARADE. During this parade and all other Fremont events, the City of Fremont asks all community members remain aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity. "If you see something, say something." Please remember that it is impossible to identify a terrorist by appearance, nationality, and language.
Stay aware and report suspicious activity. If You See Something, Say Something. Do not confront individuals; instead, for non-emergencies, call Fremont Police at (510) 790-6800 option 3 or TEXT-A-TIP by texting “TIP FREMONTPD” and your message to 888-777. For emergencies or crimes in progress, dial 9-1-1.
Seating & Standing
For the benefit and safety for all involved, please respect the merchants and other attendees along the parade route.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Chairs are NOT allowed on the sidewalk or spectator area before 10:00 am on Friday, November 29! Any chairs found on public property before this time will be removed by event organizers to help keep the area clear and accessible as set up for the event takes place. Parade organizers are not responsible for lost chairs. Fremont Police Department asks attendees to please refrain from bringing backpacks and large bags into the area. All bags are subject to search. Additionally, drones are NOT permitted to fly over any special events.
All sidewalks are to remain open to the general public.
Seating can be reserved with chairs/blankets beginning at 12 noon on Friday. Seating/blankets can only be placed along the curb and may not exceed one row. Sidewalks must remain accessible to pedestrians and people with disabilities.
Reserved seating is at your own risk. Fremont Police Department will NOT take reports for lost or stolen chairs.
Seating on public sidewalks may not be reserved and then sold to members of the public. All seating must remain free and available to the general public.
Niles Festival of Lights Parade PSA’s
General Parade Rules
Please do not ride bicycles on the sidewalks
Please place ALL trash in receptacles. The City is providing additional garbage containers for this year’s event.
No outside vendors are allowed. This is a closed event and only approved participants are allowed to sell food and merchandise.
Barbecues and other cooking or warming devices are not allowed on the parade route. Bonfires are strictly prohibited and considered “illegal burns.”
Minors under 18 may be on the parade route when supervised by an adult. Please make sure those under 18 stay off the parade route during the parade to avoid delays and possible injury.
Dress for cold weather. Children and seniors may need extra layers of clothing to avoid hypothermia. Remember hats and gloves.
Drink healthy fluids and consume nourishing meals to avoid dehydration.
Use common sense; celebrate responsibly and always designate a driver when consuming alcohol!
Appearance in the parade is prohibited for anyone who is not approved by the Niles Festival of Lights Parade.
The parade route is a “No Drone Zones” and aircraft is subject to being impounded unless approved by the Niles Festival of Lights Parade or the Fremont Police Department.
Any tent, sofa or box that can be used as stools or seats are prohibited on parade route.
ALL Fireworks are prohibited except as part of scheduled official events.
No items may be sold along the parade route without a City of Fremont permit.
Selling space along the parade route, other than grandstand (if/when available) seating, is illegal.
It is illegal to buy, sell or give away horns on the parade route.
No public areas—sidewalks, curbs, gutters, streets, ramps—may be cordoned or roped off.
No ladders or scaffolding may be used as elevation for viewing the activities.
Pets are not allowed along the parade route; keep them safe at home!
Throwing any object into the parade; or at passing vehicles or pedestrians during the parade is dangerous and prohibited. Violators will be cited, property seized and the violator may be taken into custody.
No unauthorized parking. Vehicles blocking emergency travel lanes or parked in restricted areas will be towed at the owner’s expense, NO EXCEPTIONS. Pay attention to where you park and double-check for temporary No Parking signs and other restrictions.
No open containers of alcohol are permitted on public streets, sidewalks and all other public areas. Violators may be cited or arrested.
Sale, possession and use of illegal drugs will not be tolerated.
Smoking in all forms (Tobacco, Vaping, etc.) is prohibited along the parade route.
Road Closures
The following roads will be closed from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. this Friday, November 29, 2024:
Niles Blvd., between “J” St and Hillview Dr in both directions. The intersection of Hillview will remain open for traffic.
Iron Horse Lane between “J” St and “F” St
“D,” “E,” “F,”, “G,” “H,” and “I” Street, between Second St and Niles Blvd
Iron Horse Lane between “F” St and “J” St
Sullivan Underpass
Large City parking lot next to Niles Town Plaza
Small City parking lot next to Niles Town Plaza
J St between Niles Blvd and Second St will close at the time of the tree lighting at approximately 6:00 p.m. and will remain closed until approximately 9:00 p.m.
Vehicles will not be allowed to enter Niles on Niles Blvd. (off Mission Blvd.) after 5:30 p.m. and Niles will only be accessible via Nursery Ave. and Niles Blvd. from the north during the parade.
The following roads will remain open:
Nursery Ave.
Niles Blvd. on the north-side of Hillview Drive
Hillview Drive
Second Street