You can enjoy 3 holiday parades in Northern California in one weekend this holiday season – a parade each evening December 13, 14, and 15, 2019! All three are close together California’s Redwood Coast. These “greatest shows on wheels” are Christmas traditions in Eureka, Fortuna, and Ferndale on the Redwood Coast. All three lighted parades are free, and feature all kinds of brightly sparkling vehicles from big rigs and boats to tractors and floats. The 3 parades are within easy drives from The Redwood Riverwalk Hotel in Fortuna, making it a great home base for having fun at all three lighted holiday parades.
Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade and Fortuna Downtown Open House
Friday, December 13, 2019, kick off the weekend at the Al Gray Electric Lighted Parade and Fortuna Downtown Open House. Everything on wheels, from big rigs to trucks, tractors to boats, and even people, are decked out in dazzling Christmas lights. The Electric Lighted Parade will leave from Redwood Village at 7:00 pm, and proceed down Main Street in Fortuna. Downtown, DJ Stir Fry Willie will provide music and announce winning entries. Fortuna merchants are hosting their Open House from 5:30 – 8:30 pm, with holiday treats, entertainment, and shopping specials. Santa Claus will be there, of course!
31st Annual Truckers Christmas Parade of Lights in Eureka
Saturday, December 14, 2019, it’s The Rex & Friends Truckers Christmas Parade of Lights in Eureka. This parade traces its origins date back over three decades to truckers who would convoy their decorated big rigs from Eureka to Arcata, then to Samoa, and back to Eureka. At the 31st Annual Truckers Christmas Parade this year, you’ll see from 50 – 100 18-wheelers and hear some of their horns honking to the rhythms of Christmas songs like Jingle Bells. Some rigs boast more than 40,000 lights, while others feature a traveling bandstand, eight reindeer taking off with Santa and his sleigh, holiday characters, etc. The parade leaves from the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds at 6:00 pm, proceeding down Harris Street, right onto I Street, right onto 7th Street, then onto Myrtle Avenue. It returns back to Redwood Acres parking lot about 7:30 pm, where the lighted trucks will be on display.Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade in Ferndale
Sunday, December 15, 2019, cap your weekend getaway at the Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade in nearby Ferndale. This parade down the Victorian Village’s Main Street at 6:00 pm features brightly decorated tractors and tractor-drawn wagons with holiday scenes. Ferndale Community Church will be serving free cookies with hot cocoa and cider. At the end of the historic Main Street, you’ll see Ferndale’s majestic lighted tree. It’s America’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree, a sparking holiday beacon can be seen from miles away. (The Tree Lighting ceremony is Sunday, December 1, 2019).
