The public is invited to experience a holiday season tradition by viewing the 27th annual Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade presented by National Funding. The inspiring and iconic parade takes place Thursday, Dec. 28 along North Harbor Drive.
The parade starts at 10 a.m. in front of the County Administration Building on North Harbor Drive between West Cedar and West Beech Streets. It proceeds south on North Harbor Drive and ends where North Harbor Drive meets Pacific Highway. Local sports legend Randy Jones, a member of the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame and former Cy Young Award winner will serve as the parade’s Grand Marshal. This year’s theme is “Celebrating 40 Years!” which pertains to the 40th anniversary of the Holiday Bowl Game. Highlights of the parade are a line-up of 27 giant balloons, dazzling drill teams, colorful floats, specialty units and more. There will be 12 marching bands performing, including Marine Band San Diego, Washington State Cougar Marching Band, Michigan State Spartan Marching Band and nine bands from around the United States. Parade viewing is free but a limited number of reserved grandstand seating tickets are available for purchase. Tickets are $22 if purchased online and $25 on parade day. Grandstand seating is located near the Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 North Harbor Drive. Prior to the parade’s start, the Solar Turbines’ 5K kicks off at 9:45 a.m. on North Harbor Drive and West Ash Street. Additionally, there will be a Battle of the Bands on Broadway Pier at 11:45 a.m. The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade is an annual family-friendly event that that leads up to the San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl, which this year is between No. 18 Washington State and No. 16 Michigan State. The game begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 28 at SDCCU Stadium. The parade is sponsored by the Port of San Diego through its Tidelands Activation Program. It is one of 72 sponsored events taking place during fiscal year 2018. The events are community-based, represent many diverse interests and take place in all of the Port’s member cities. Parking and transit information
Parking for the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl parade is extremely limited and the Port of San Diego encourages carpooling or the use of public transportation. The San Diego Trolley has convenient stations with service to the Harbor Drive and Embarcadero areas with free and paid parking lots. These are located at the Fashion Valley, Old Town and America Plaza Stations.  For trolley schedules, visit www.sdmts.com. Street Closures
Street closures for the parade begin at 7:45 a.m. on Dec. 28. North Harbor Drive from Grape Street to Pacific Highway will be closed, one southbound lane on Pacific Highway will be closed from Grape Street to Ash Street, and Pacific Highway will be completely closed from North Harbor Drive to Broadway.
For more information on the Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, the Holiday Bowl and its related events, visit www.holidaybowl.com.