Lodi – For one night, downtown Lodi belonged to the Christmas lights. More than just a holiday tradition, the 2025 Lodi Holiday Light Parade embraced festive cheer with bright displays, holiday music, and a genuine Christmas spirit.
Hosted by Downtown Lodi and the Kiwanis Club of Lodi, the annual event kicked off on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at 6:17 PM. This free, family-friendly event featured over 80 different entries, including creative floats, themed cars, vibrant marching bands, and a special appearance by Santa Claus.
The parade route began at the corner of Sacramento and Lockeford Streets, heading south down Church Street as around 30,000 visitors waited on the sidewalks to witness the show. Key parts included the colorful and bright Edwards Family Vineyards grape harvester, the St. Anne’s Church float, and multiple energetic high school marching bands.
During that evening, those who participated competed for awards in several categories, including Best Floats/Vehicles, Cheer/Dance, Animal entries, and Unique shows. When 8:00PM came around, the night reached its peak. Riding past the cheering crowd, Santa Claus waved from the top of a Lodi Fire Department ladder truck, waving to families and creating memories. Giving a great example of community spirit.
As the parade ended and the music stopped, everyone started heading home full of happiness. It was a fun night that brought the whole town together to start the holidays. The event was a big success and a great memory for those who attended.
First Place Winners: F&M Bank(commercial floats),
Joe Serna Jr. Charter School (Non-Profit),
GymStars Dance Academy (Commercial Non-vehicle)
Legacy Recognition: Pacific Coast Producers Recognition for their “Polar Express”
Top 10 Finalists: 1. F&M Bank
- Joe Serna Jr. Charter School
- GymStars Dance Academy
- Kaehler/Nicolini Family
- Young Champions – Stockton Reign
- Rancho Vidaurri
- San Joaquin Dog Training School
- St. Anne’s Catholic School
- Lodi Electric Utility
- Lodi High School Cheer Boosters
