Last updated: November 10, 2025
A community announcement from Abaton Consulting - Website Design and Photography.
Big changes are happening this holiday season as the City of Davis re-envisions Davis' holiday celebration.
This December 4, 2025, come downtown and celebrate the Davis Holiday Candlelight Parade and Winter Wonderland!
Two important items to note.
First, a location change. Festivites for this Winter celebration is moving from E Street Plaza to G Street between 2nd and 3rd Streets.
Second, the holiday tree lighting has been given the axe (pun intended) and will now feature winter lights that honor the beauty of the season.
Davis Downtown's Window Decorating Contest is in play. Can't wait to see how creative downtown business owners are with their holiday window displays.
A tree display is planned for E Street Plaza. Will see what comes together as we get closer to the big day.
Quick Links
Jump right to the exact information you are looking for. But be sure to come back here and check for other fun events happening in and around the downtown.
Davis Downtown Candlelight Parade & Winter Wonderland
The 44th Annual Holiday Candlelight Parade and the new Winter Wonderland is scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2025.
The Parade is a wonderful event for people of all ages. This magical event brings visitors from Yolo, Sacramento, and Solano Counties to Davis, CA to enjoy this celebration of the holidays and downtown Davis.
Holiday Candlelight Parade
The 44th Annual Holiday Candlelight Parade (2025) starts at the Davis Food Co-op, located at 620 G St and ends at the G Street Plaza. An announcement from the City of Davis provided the details for the parade.
- Participants are asked to arrive in the Davis Food Co-op parking lot by 5:45 p.m.
- Parade parking will NOT be available in the Food Co-op parking lot. Information on parking in E Street Plaza is forthcoming.
- The parade starts promplty at 6:00 p.m.
- The parade will travel south (towards downtown) on G St and end at G Street Plaza.
Street Closures
Rolling street closures will occur during the parade. Affected streets will be G St from the Davis Food Co-op to Third St. The street closure at Fifth and G Streets will disrupt traffic flow across town. If you are in a hurry to be somewhere, find a route around the area.
So put the Davis Downtown Parade and Winter Wonderland in your calendar and get your best Holiday outfit ready! Remember, it does get cold and it can certainly rain. Dress accordingly.
The UC Davis double-decker bus and the Davis Fire Department emergency vehicle lead the way from the Davis Food Co-op to E Street Plaza as part of the 2018 Davis Holiday Candlelight Parade.
Parade Map
Winter Wonderland at G Street Plaza
Beginning at 6 p.m. at G Street Plaza, the community gathers for entertainment, food, and festivities.
The Winter Lights countdown will begin at 6:30 p.m. after the arrival of the parade at G Street Plaza.
Davis City Council will be on-hand to share in the celebrations.
Festivities Include
- Performances by local youth groups starting at 6:00 p.m.
- Photos with Frosty the Snowman and the City's historic fire truck starting at 6:30 p.m.
- "Olaf's Frozen Adventure" will be showing at the Varsity Theater at 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. The showing of this short film is FREE!
- Roaming mascot characters will be on hand for photo ops.
- Horse and carriage rides will be part of the festivities.
- Plenty of free entertainment on G Street between 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on this special evening.
On a frosty evening in downtown Davis, the Christmas tree in E Street Plaza can easily warm the heart.
Sam Shane, local TV and radio celebrity, host the Davis Downtown Ugly Sweater Contest from a previous Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Participants in the Davis Candlelight Parade gather at E Street Plaza in Downton Davis awaiting the annual tree lighting [from 2018].
Davis Candlelight Parade and Tree Lighting 2024
A Visit with Santa Claus
It doesn't look like Santa will be able to make it to Davis, Ca for the new Winter Wonderland. But, I am sure he is making a list and checking it twice.
Breakfast with Santa at the Odd Fellows Lodge
But don't worry if Santa doesn't visit at the Candlelight Parade and Winter Wonerland. Santa will in Davis on December 13 for Breakfast with Santa at the Odd Fellows Lodge.
If you want to chat with Santa and his elves, get your tickets to the Davis Odd Fellows Breakfast with Santa. Santa returns to the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge for a wonderful breakfast, and meet and greet. Let Santa know what you want for Christmas while you get your photograph with Santa - just in time for that personalized Christmas card.
Breakfast with Santa is on December 13, 2025 at the Davis Odd Fellows Lodge, 415 Second St in Downtown Davis.
Tickets are ON SALE NOW!
Santa and Mrs. Claus make an appearance in Downtown Davis for the 2018 Tree Lighting Ceremony.
Christmas Movie at the Varsity
Another great tradition of the Davis Tree Lighting Ceremony is the free screening of films at the Varsity Theater in Downtown Davis. This year, enjoy the free screening of the short film "Olaf's Frozen Adventure."
Showtimes are on December 4, 2025: 6:00 p.m., 6:40 p.m., and 7:20 p.m.
YouTube Video
In past years, Davis Downtown has organized a photo booth to take lots of fun pics. Here is a video slideshow from 2017. Fun stuff!
2025 Davis Downtown Window Decorating Contest
Will there be a 14th Annual Davis Downtown Window Decorating contest in 2025
It is still to early to know. Will let you know what the Davis Downtown Business Association has in store for us this year.
If the Window Decorating Contest comes together, info will be at https://www.abatonconsulting.com/davis-downtown-window-decorating-contest/.
