If you grew up in Chula Vista, you’re probably familiar with the twinkling lights, glittering floats, and spirited horns of the high school marching bands as they glide by in the annual Starlight Parade—an event where where families and community members gather to revel in festive holiday fun.
Since 1964, the Starlight Parade and Festival has been a staple of our community and a marker that the holiday season is upon us. Children and adults alike gather around for an afternoon and evening of celebration and cheer in downtown Chula Vista, creating a sense of community for all.
The day is filled with family friendly activities like a holiday market full of local vendors, live entertainment, children’s activities, Santa visits, and even a storefront decorating competition for local businesses.
As dusk approaches, the parade kicks off and the energy builds as visitors soak in the glittering lights around them. When the 25ft tree is lit in Memorial Park, all in attendance feel the little sparkle of holiday magic, welcoming in the season of celebration.
The parade is a dazzling representation of the the whole Chula Vista community united as one. Local business, elected officials, dance teams, Girl and Boy Scout troops, high schools, and cultural groups fill the streets in an illustrious display of unity, togetherness, culture, and celebration. The iconic Third Avenue sign glitters in the flashing lights, and for a few moments, we bask in our communal identity as Chula Vistans.
While this may seem like an extravagant explanation of this time honored community event, it’s true that the Starlight Parade strikes a chord in the hearts of many in the Chula Vista community. For decades, it's been a place when we can come together and celebrate people from all walks of life that call Chula Vista home. With over 300,000 residents, it’s events like this one that somehow make it feel like Chula Vista is still a small town.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
In 2020, the Starlight parade took its first hiatus in over 50 years. In a year where many were divided and longing for community, the soft echo of the missing parade rang loudly.
For three years following the outbreak of the pandemic, Third Avenue stayed quiet in early December. Residents shared their longing for the festivities with local leaders, business owners, and neighbors, and in 2023, things changed. With the help of the mayor, the city worked hard to bring this time honored tradition back to Third Ave, successfully welcoming the parade for its 58th run.
The magnitude of the effort to bring back the parade was was monumental. “There was a huge amount of effort and work that went into it,” says Mayor McCann. “We had to be very, very diligent. Together as a community we increased the momentum and truly made it happen."
When the parade and festival opened their doors again on December 3, 2023, organizers expected anywhere from 10,000 to 20,000 attendees. As dusk approached, however, 50,000 Chula Vista residents gathered for the festivities—more than they could have ever dreamed. It was clear that our community was hungry for the joy of gathering and celebrating in community once again.
Today, the tradition of the Starlight Parade and Festival continues, but it takes all of us to continue making it happen. From local businesses serving as sponsors to generous volunteers ensuring logistics and safety, there's a role for everyone. Check out www.starlightparade.com to see how you can be a part of bringing magic to our community.
This year's 61st Annual Starlight Parade and Festival will be held on December 6th. Grab your friends, family, and fill your heart with the joyous start of this holiday season!
With over 300,000 residents, it’s events like this that somehow make it feel like Chula Vista's still a small town.