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Christmas with kids in Delano
Delano, California, celebrates Christmas on Main Street. Each December the Chamber of Commerce brings floats, marching bands, a fair and Santa downtown for a parade that thousands of neighbors line up to see.
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Annual Christmas Parade & Fair
When: Fri, Dec 4, 4 to 10 pm
Where: Main Street, Delano
Cost: Not listed, see host
The story of Christmas in Delano
How Delano celebrates
Delano's signature Christmas tradition is the Christmas Parade and Fair on Main Street, organized by the Delano Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber calls it a long-running community event that brings families, local businesses and organizations downtown. Floats, marching bands, local church and school groups march, and Santa Claus closes the parade. At one point the parade moved to a Friday evening and added a Christmas Fair for local businesses and vendors. Judges award plaques for first, second and third place in each category.
Christmas last year in Delano
The 2025 Delano Christmas Parade and Fair took place on Friday, December 5, from 4 to 9 pm on Main Street. Its theme was Songs of Christmas: Bringing Christmas Melodies to Life. Earlier counts help show the scale: the 2021 parade, the first since 2019, drew about 3,000 people along Main Street and Jefferson Street and had 57 entries. American Legion Post 124 provided the color guard, and the Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event with help from the city.
Fun facts about Christmas in Delano
There was no parade in 2020 because of the pandemic, so the 2021 return was billed as Holiday Magic is back. A past parade carried the theme Delano Wonderland of Sights and Sounds and had nearly 60 entries, followed by a Christmas tree lighting. The 2026 listing names Santa as the parade Grand Marshal and says the day includes food and specialty vendors. The Chamber says the parade has run for many years.
Trains and Christmas near Delano
Delano is a long way from the big railroad museums, but the closest is the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, a free, volunteer-run museum in a rebuilt 1904 Southern Pacific depot beside the active mainline, where families can watch real freight trains climb the pass and learn how the Tehachapi Loop was built. Farther afield, the Western America Railroad Museum in Barstow fills a Harvey House depot, and Laws Railroad Museum near Bishop is an 11-acre open-air site with a narrow gauge depot and the Slim Princess locomotive.
- Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum: A free depot museum where kids can watch real freight trains climb the pass.
- Western America Railroad Museum: A Harvey House depot with indoor displays and an outdoor line of locomotives.
- Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site: An open-air narrow gauge site with a whole village of historic buildings, free for kids under 12.
Traditions today
- Christmas Parade and Fair: Main Street fills with floats, marching bands, performers and vendors on a December Friday evening.
- Santa as Grand Marshal: Santa Claus leads off the 2026 listing as the parade Grand Marshal.
- Parade themes: Each year has a theme, such as Songs of Christmas in 2025.
- Plaque awards: Judges give plaques to the top three entries in each category.
- Color guard opening: American Legion Post 124 led the 2021 parade as its color guard.
- Tree lighting: A past parade ended with the lighting of the Christmas tree.
A fact for kids
Delano once skipped its Christmas parade for a whole year, and when it came back the town announced it with the line Holiday Magic is back.
Questions about Christmas in Delano
What is Delano's biggest Christmas tradition?
The Delano Christmas Parade and Fair on Main Street is the town's biggest holiday tradition. The Chamber of Commerce describes it as a long-running event that brings families, businesses and organizations downtown, with floats, marching bands, performances, vendors and Santa. It usually runs on a December Friday evening.
When is the Delano Christmas Parade in 2026?
The 2026 Annual Christmas Parade and Fair is listed for Friday, December 4, from 4 to 10 pm on Main Street. The Chamber lists it, so confirm any changes with them. See our Delano Christmas events guide on this page for current times and tips.
Who organizes the Delano Christmas Parade?
The Delano Chamber of Commerce sponsors and organizes the parade, with the city helping with setup and security along the route. For the 2021 parade, Sylvia Soto served as parade chair with Candace Franks as co-chair. Volunteers and local groups do much of the work.
Who rides at the end of the Delano parade?
Santa Claus is the headliner. The 2026 listing names Santa as the parade Grand Marshal, and an earlier report said a final float carried Santa Claus. Kids who stay until the end get to see him roll by, which makes a good reason to claim a spot early.
How many people come to the Delano Christmas Parade?
About 3,000 people lined Main Street and Jefferson Street for the first parade after the pandemic break, with 57 entries. An earlier report described thousands of residents turning out with nearly 60 entries. Both reports describe a large turnout along the route.
Did Delano cancel its Christmas parade during COVID?
Yes. There was no parade in 2020 because of the pandemic, and the Chamber brought it back in December 2021. The 2021 event was the first since 2019 and was promoted with the line Holiday Magic is back, with Chamber board chairman Victor Lopez on a local news show.
What was the theme of the 2025 Delano parade?
The 2025 theme was Songs of Christmas: Bringing Christmas Melodies to Life. The Delano Christmas Parade and Fair ran Friday, December 5, 2025, from 4 to 9 pm on Main Street. Themes change each year, so each year's parade has its own look.
What is a past Delano parade theme?
One past parade carried the theme Delano Wonderland of Sights and Sounds. That year had nearly 60 entries, including floats, marching bands, local churches and an after-school program, and Santa on the final float. A tree lighting followed the parade.
Why is the Delano parade on a Friday night?
The Chamber moved to a Friday evening parade with a Christmas Fair for local businesses and vendors starting earlier in the evening. One report called it the first Friday-night parade. An evening parade means families can come after work and school.
Is there a Christmas fair in Delano?
Yes, the parade comes with a Christmas Fair on Main Street, featuring food and specialty vendors, according to the Chamber's 2026 listing. The fair started earlier in the afternoon in past years, so kids can snack and browse booths before the parade begins.
Where is the Delano parade held?
The parade goes along Main Street in downtown Delano, and in 2021 the route also used Jefferson Street. Spectators line the street, and the city helps with security along the route. Arriving early gives kids a front-row view of the bands and floats.
What awards do Delano parade entries win?
Judges give plaque awards for first, second and third place in each category, according to a report on the 2021 parade. Floats, bands and groups all compete. Kids can pick their own favorite float as they watch from the curb.
Who leads the Delano Christmas Parade?
In 2021, American Legion Post 124 provided the color guard, which led the parade behind the police chief's vehicle. Marching bands, floats and groups followed. Explaining the color guard to kids is a nice way to talk about honoring service members at the holidays.
Which local groups march in Delano's parade?
Reports mention local churches, school bands, the Delano school district's POWER after-school program, and other community groups. The parade is a community event, and local groups of many kinds take part. Kids can wave to the marchers as they pass.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Delano?
Yes, at least one past Delano parade was followed by the Christmas tree lighting. The 2026 listing does not mention a tree lighting, so it is best to check with the Delano Chamber of Commerce before you plan around one. Our Delano Christmas events guide on this page has the latest details.
How do I explain the Delano Christmas Parade to a small child?
Say that the whole town gathers on Main Street to watch floats, bands and Santa go by. Point out the marching bands, local school groups and the final float with Santa. A short parade with thousands of neighbors is a friendly first lesson in community.
What time should I arrive for the Delano parade?
The 2026 event runs 4 to 10 pm, with the fair before the parade. Past parades began at 6 pm. Arriving by late afternoon lets families eat, shop vendors and claim a curbside spot. Our Delano Christmas events guide on this page lists the current year's schedule.
Are there train museums near Delano?
Yes. The free, volunteer-run Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum sits in a rebuilt 1904 Southern Pacific depot beside an active mainline. Farther away are the Western America Railroad Museum in Barstow and Laws Railroad Museum in Bishop, which is an open-air site with a narrow gauge depot.
Can kids watch real trains near Delano at Christmas?
At the Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, visitors can watch real freight trains climb the pass beside the depot, and see how the Tehachapi Loop was built. Check hours before driving, and see our Delano Christmas events guide on this page for local holiday plans.
Where is the Delano Christmas parade information posted?
The Delano Chamber of Commerce posts the event on its website, with questions going to its email. The Kern County Family calendar also listed the 2025 parade. Because host details can change from year to year, check the Chamber's page again close to the date.
Sources
- Annual Christmas Parade & Fair - Dec 4, 2026, Delano Chamber of Commerce
- Delano's Annual Christmas Parade & Fair 2025, Kern County Family
- DELANO RAMBLINGS: First parade since 2019 draws about 3,000 people to route, The Bakersfield Californian, Delano Record
- Thousands come out for annual Delano Christmas Parade, The Bakersfield Californian, Delano Record
- Holiday Magic is Back with the Delano Christmas Parade and Fair, KERO 23ABC
- Tehachapi Depot Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site, Rally Takes the Train
- Western America Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train