The annual La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival return Sunday, Dec. 4, with the parade starting on Girard Avenue at 1:30 p.m. and the holiday festival commencing at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library.

“This year’s theme is ‘Grand Ole Christmas – Celebrating La Jolla History,’” said Ann Kerr Bache, La Jolla parade chair. “It honors some of our oldest organizations and/or individuals in the community. Warwick’s Bookstore is being honored with Nancy Warwick as parade grand marshal. Jack McGrory and Bill Kellogg are once again stepping up to the plate as parade chairs helping to raise funds to keep this event alive, especially in times of rising costs to put on a public event.”

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL

The Holiday Festival begins at 11:30 a.m. in front of the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library at 1008 Wall St. It will include visits and photos with Santa and educational exhibits. A Menorah and Christmas tree will be on display. This year, Kiwanis Club of La Jolla has donated funds as the parade sponsor to create a new Santa’s Village.

Santa will be joining the festival before and after the parade when he rides in the Old Black Goose, courtesy of the LJBTC. “In Santa’s Village at the festival, we are pleased to have new community members participate in the festival, which has grown this year with several community organizations partnering to provide lots of fun activities,” said Kerr Bache.

The Contemporary Museum of Art, The Historical Society, and the Riford Library will be offering arts and crafts, a special educational activity, at the holiday festival. The Museum of Contemporary Art will have tables set up for children’s arts and crafts projects. The La Jolla Historical Society will have a craft table with supplies from which kids can make miniature structures, like the current exhibit at Wisteria Cottage. The Riford Library will have a table with fun activities for kids to create.

“We are especially pleased that the Yiddish Center will participate for the first time sharing their cultural traditions and holidays, displaying a Menorah, and hosting musicians to perform,” said Kerr Bache. “Kid’s Gym will be returning with their fun outdoor activities on Wall Street.”

CHRISTMAS PARADE

The parade commences at 1:30 p.m. at Girard and Kline and ends at the La Jolla Recreation Center, 615 Prospect St. Registration recently opened and more than 40 entries have joined this year’s event as they know the number of entries is limited by the space allowed, which is much in demand.

The daylong event is a free celebration of the holiday season for kids of all ages. Besides bands from the greater San Diego area, the parade includes floats constructed by schools and community groups, parade marshals, and VIPs, with a flyover by Bill Allen.

“It is a multi-cultural, accessible, diverse event open to all without charge,” noted Kerr Bache. “We even allow equestrian entries and have maintained a sterling safety record. The holiday event is well-known and multiple generations of the community continue to participate. It draws tens of thousands of spectators to the Village who line the sidewalks from Girard to the Rec Center. It is a unique old-fashioned celebration that starts and ends with the Holiday Festival. The highlight is Santa arriving in the Old Black Goose courtesy of Bill Kellogg and the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club.”

LA VALENCIA CHRISTMAS

La Valencia Hotel’s festive tree lighting tradition will take place on Thursday, Dec. 1 at 1132 Prospect St. Both the La Sala tree and outdoor display (to illuminate Patio Sol) will be lit simultaneously. There will be warm holiday beverages, house-made treats, live music, carolers, and children’s crafts while counting down to the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m. For those looking to make the evening special, dining reservations are encouraged. The event is complimentary and open to the public.

– Holiday tea at Mediterranean Room – Dec. 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, and 30. Seatings between 11-11:30 a.m. A holiday tea service at La Valencia will feature French teas paired with housemade sconces, tea sandwiches, assorted mini pastries, plus a glass of bubbly.

– Cozy by the fireside on Patio Sol – Friday and Saturday evenings, Dec. 2-30. Gather with friends and family at La Valencia’s first pop-up patio experience. Get cozy with blankets, firepits, twinkling lights, and holiday decor with a patio menu, including light bites and festive beverages all set to live music.

– Storytime brunch with Santa – On Dec. 3, 10, 17, and 18 Santa visits from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Brunch is served 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Join jolly ol’ Saint Nick for storytime and the Mediterranean Room’s weekend brunch, featuring the signature La V Cinnamon Roll, Chorizo Benedict, Belgian Waffles, and more.

– Gingerbread house decorating – On Dec. 19 at 11 a.m. start a sweet new holiday tradition, gingerbread house decorating led by executive pastry chef Kari. Use homemade colorful icings, candies, holiday treats to decorate a gingerbread house, surrounded by twinkling lights and festive holiday decor. While decorating, kids can have chocolate milk and cookies. Houses will be pre-assembled and ready for whimsical touches.

2022 Honorary Parade Marshals

Grand – Warwick’s Bookstore and proprietor Nancy Warwick.

Technology – SIO, Dr. Margaret Leinen, director.

Traditional – La Valencia, Summer Shoemaker, general manager.

Civic Kiwanis – Craig Gagliardi, president.

Philanthropic – Kevin and Sherry Ahern.

Cultural – Athenaeum, Christie Michell, executive director.

Military – Miramar Marines, TBD.