2025 Festival of Lights Parade & Tree Lighting (Niles)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

The Christmas season kicks off in Niles with the annual Festival of Lights Parade, always on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The Niles Festival of Lights and Parade for many Fremont residents, signals the start of the holiday season. This wonderful holiday tradition typically features over 60 unique floats and other entries, marching bands, specialty service units, costumed characters and of course, an appearance by the man himself – Santa Claus.

2025 Niles Festival of Lights Parade
Friday, November 28, 2025 | 6 pm
– Tree Lighting typically starts at 6 pm
– Parade Kickoff typically starts at 6:30 pm
Niles Boulevard
FREE

The Niles Festival of Lights Parade celebrates the opening of the holiday season with a lighted parade that provides entertainment, community spirit, and sharing this event for all to enjoy.

Since 2001, the Niles Festival of Lights Parade has become a tradition in the City of Fremont. Niles was established in the 1850’s and was a junction point of the Southern Pacific Railroad lines from Oakland to San Jose and southern coastal points. Niles as the community continues to show off a captivating historic character, a family atmosphere, and a friendly shopping experience.

The parade annually features wonderful entries such as giant parade balloons, creative floats, marching bands, antique vehicles, dance groups and special guests. The parade draws more than 10,000+ spectators along the half-mile parade route in Niles.

As a holiday gift to the City of Fremont and the Niles District, members of the Niles Merchant Association have organized the parade since its inception in 2001. They rely on financial contributions from individuals, businesses and community groups to organize this major event each year. To produce this great community event, we need sponsorship, we need volunteers, but the parade wouldn’t be a parade without participation of great entries!

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.