El Segundo Holiday Parade
El Segundo, CA
El Segundo’s 60-plus-year community Holiday Parade — floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and community organizations down Main Street through the heart of downtown.
El Segundo’s 60-plus-year community Holiday Parade — floats, marching bands, dance troupes, and community organizations down Main Street through the heart of downtown.
The El Segundo Holiday Parade is the city’s signature December tradition — a 60-plus-year community parade that closes Main Street from Mariposa Avenue south through the downtown core for an afternoon of marching bands, floats, vintage cars, dance troupes, civic groups, and youth organizations.
The parade leans into the small-city character El Segundo is known for: neighbors line the curb on lawn chairs and blankets, downtown merchants stay open with sidewalk specials, and the route ends at the El Segundo Civic Center grounds. For families across the city — Smoky Hollow, the residential blocks west of Main, the East Imperial neighborhoods — and the surrounding South Bay communities, this is the official kickoff to the El Segundo holiday season.
The parade pairs naturally with a daytime walk along the Candy Cane Lane residential blocks (a tradition predating many of today’s residents) and an evening at the Joy Around the World tree lighting at City Hall Plaza — three distinct El Segundo holiday landmarks across one December weekend.
Anywhere along Main Street from Mariposa Avenue south through downtown El Segundo to the Civic Center grounds. The blocks nearest the Civic Center fill first; arrive 30+ minutes early for a curb spot.
Typically Sunday afternoon, lasting approximately two hours – check the official page for this year’s start time.
Yes — the parade itself is free to attend. Food and merchandise from neighboring downtown businesses are paid separately.
Main Street closes for the parade. Park along the surrounding residential side streets east and west of Main, or use the El Segundo Civic Center lot at 350 Main Street if open. Closer blocks fill fast; walk in from a few blocks away.
Yes — the Metro C Line stops at El Segundo Station, about a mile east of downtown. From there it’s a short bus or rideshare ride west on El Segundo Boulevard or Imperial Highway to the parade route. With Main Street closed and parking gone fast, transit is a real option.
Main Street in El Segundo is the city’s compact downtown commercial corridor — a walkable stretch from Mariposa Avenue south through to Imperial Highway, lined with locally-owned restaurants, the historic Old Town Music Hall, and small-town storefronts. The El Segundo Civic Center anchors Main Street; the city’s residential blocks fan out on either side. The Metro C Line (formerly Green) at the El Segundo station sits about a mile east of downtown.
El Segundo’s official multicultural tree lighting at City Hall Plaza and Main Street — Santa’s Village, candy cane kid zone, multicultural dance performances, kids’ train rides, and food trucks.
Brian J. Cook
A whole block of El Segundo homes transforms into a wonderland of candy canes, glowing reindeer, and twinkling lights — a neighborhood holiday tradition that’s been bringing families together since 1949.
Brian J. Cook
The South Bay’s official start to the holiday season — the mayor flips the switch to light the Manhattan Beach Pier in the evening, while downtown shops, restaurants, and carolers fill the streets for a single combined evening.
Brian J. Cook
A 35-plus-year-old afternoon-to-night festival at the Manhattan Beach Pier — snow play, live music, carolers, Hanukkah programming, and a beachfront fireworks show — drawing roughly 40,000 attendees each December.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.