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Christmas with kids in Hemet
In Hemet, Christmas comes down Florida Avenue. The city's big holiday parade has been called a tradition of more than 100 years, and it ends with Santa riding high on a fire department ladder truck.
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The story of Christmas in Hemet
How Hemet celebrates
Hemet's signature Christmas tradition is its Christmas Parade along Florida Avenue in the historic downtown. A 2016 report called it a tradition of more than 100 years and the city's largest annual public gathering. The parade is run by the City of Hemet, which opened applications in the fall of 2025 for floats, bands, clubs and community groups. In recent years the festivities have continued after the parade with Christmas in the Park at Weston Park. Nearby, the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians has also hosted its own light parade and tree lighting for the community.
Christmas last year in Hemet
In 2025 the City of Hemet held its Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6, starting at 5 PM on Florida Avenue in downtown, after opening applications for entries on October 2 with a deadline of November 17. Once the parade ended, the celebration moved on to Christmas in the Park at Weston Park. For a sense of the crowds, the 2016 parade drew an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 spectators and about 4,000 participants across more than 100 entries, including 12 school bands and four horse groups with over 50 horses.
Fun facts about Christmas in Hemet
Santa's ride is one of the parade's best-known moments: in 2016 he finished the route on the City of Hemet Fire Department's ladder truck. The parade is about one mile long, and in 2016 it began at North Palm and Florida Avenues. The Historic Hemet Theatre, which marked its 100th anniversary around 2022, has joined in too, handing out 1,200 boxes of Cracker Jack and hundreds of bags of popcorn to the crowd in 2021 and showing It's a Wonderful Life in its auditorium. Hemet High School's marching band has rolled down Florida Avenue in a drizzle at 40 degrees.
Trains and Christmas near Hemet
Hemet does not have a rail museum of its own, but the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris is a short drive west. It holds the West's largest collection of locomotives, streetcars and rail artifacts, with free admission and parking Tuesday to Sunday. Farther along, RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona opens free one weekend a month and lets kids climb into the cabs of giant locomotives. In Poway, the Poway-Midland Railroad runs short rides on a 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive in Old Poway Park.
- Southern California Railway Museum: The closest big rail museum to Hemet, with free admission and parking Tuesday to Sunday and a huge collection of locomotives and streetcars.
- RailGiants Train Museum: Kids can climb into the cabs of giant locomotives, and it is free one weekend a month.
- Poway-Midland Railroad: A volunteer-run narrow gauge railroad in Old Poway Park with short rides and a small depot museum.
Traditions today
- Hemet Christmas Parade: Bands, floats, horses and community groups travel Florida Avenue in downtown Hemet, and Santa arrives at the end.
- Christmas in the Park: After the parade, the celebration continues at Weston Park.
- Santa on the ladder truck: The parade has ended with Santa riding on a City of Hemet Fire Department ladder truck.
- Historic Hemet Theatre popcorn: Theatre volunteers have handed out popcorn and Cracker Jack to the parade crowd and screened a holiday classic inside.
- Soboba light parade and tree lighting: Decorated vehicles drive to the Soboba Sports Complex, where a tree is lit, with hot cocoa, cookies and miniature horse rides.
- School bands on Florida Avenue: Local school bands and spirit squads, including Hemet High's, have marched in the parade.
A fact for kids
At the end of the Hemet Christmas Parade, Santa has ridden on top of a real fire department ladder truck. That is a very tall sleigh.
Questions about Christmas in Hemet
What is the oldest Christmas tradition in Hemet?
The Hemet Christmas Parade is the best known, and a 2016 news report described it as a tradition of more than 100 years. It travels Florida Avenue in the historic downtown and has long brought bands, horse groups, clubs and families together to start the holiday season in the city.
When is the Hemet Christmas Parade held?
It is held on a Saturday in early December. In 2025 it was Saturday, December 6, starting at 5 PM, and in 2016 it was Saturday, December 3, starting at 10 AM. Dates and times can change, so check our Hemet Christmas events guide on this page for this year's details.
Where does the Hemet Christmas Parade go?
The parade follows Florida Avenue through downtown Hemet. In 2016 it covered about one mile, starting at North Palm and Florida Avenues and ending at Kirby Street. The Historic Hemet Theatre is also on Florida Avenue, and its volunteers have handed out popcorn to the parade crowd.
How big is the Hemet Christmas Parade?
It is one of the city's largest gatherings. The 2016 parade had more than 100 entries, 12 school bands and about 4,000 participants, and an estimated 12,000 to 15,000 people lined the route. Organizers called it the city's largest annual public gathering, and that year's attendance was described as a record.
Does Santa come to the Hemet Christmas Parade?
Yes, Santa arrives at the end of the parade. In 2016 he rode on the City of Hemet Fire Department's ladder truck at the back of the route. If your child wants a close look, find a spot near the finish line and arrive early, since the crowds can be large.
What is Christmas in the Park in Hemet?
Christmas in the Park is a holiday celebration at Weston Park that, according to the City of Hemet's 2025 announcement, continues the festivities after the Christmas Parade. It gives families a place to stay for the evening once the floats have passed. See our Hemet Christmas events guide on this page for current details.
Where can kids see a Christmas tree lit up near Hemet?
The Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians has held a light parade and tree lighting at the Soboba Sports Complex, with hot cocoa, cookies, a bonfire and miniature horse rides in 2019. For this year's tree lightings in and around Hemet, see our Hemet Christmas events guide on this page.
What is the Historic Hemet Theatre's role at Christmas?
The Historic Hemet Theatre on Florida Avenue joins the parade festivities. In 2021 its volunteers handed out 1,200 boxes of Cracker Jack and hundreds of bags of popcorn, screened It's a Wonderful Life in the auditorium, and hosted a free Hemet Heritage Foundation Christmas party. It also celebrated its 100th anniversary around then.
Who organizes the Hemet Christmas Parade?
The City of Hemet organizes it. The city announces when applications are open for floats, bands and groups, and in 2025 the application deadline was November 17. In 2016 the volunteer coordinator said planning typically begins in June, so it takes months of work to put the parade together.
What theme did the 2016 Hemet Christmas Parade have?
The 2016 theme was The Gift of Volunteering, honoring the people who give their time to the community. Grand marshals were volunteers nominated by groups including VFW Post 2266, the Masonic Lodge, the Ramona Bowl and the Hemet Chamber of Commerce. It is a nice way to talk with kids about giving.
Do school bands march in the Hemet Christmas Parade?
Yes, school bands are a big part of it. The 2016 parade had 12 school bands, and Hemet High School's marching band, color guard, cheer squads and dance team have marched down Florida Avenue, even in a cold drizzle at about 40 degrees. Kids who love music will enjoy the drums.
Are there horses in the Hemet Christmas Parade?
Yes. The 2016 parade included four equestrian groups with more than 50 horses, along with four car clubs. Little ones often enjoy spotting animals among the floats. If your child is nervous around big animals, keep a little distance from the curb.
What is the Soboba tree lighting?
The Soboba Parks and Recreation Department hosted a Light Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony. In 2019, its second year, decorated vehicles drove about two miles to the Sports Complex, where a pine tree was lit after a countdown. There was hot cocoa, cookies, a bonfire, a raffle and miniature horse rides.
How do I explain the parade to a young child?
Tell your child it is a big neighborhood party on Florida Avenue where bands, horses, clubs and floats walk by, and Santa comes last. Point out that many people volunteer to make it happen. Bring a blanket or chairs, ear protection for sensitive ears, and plan for the parade to last a couple of hours.
What is Hemet's downtown like at Christmas?
Downtown Hemet centers on Florida Avenue, where the Christmas parade has long been held and where the Historic Hemet Theatre stands. In 2021 the theatre's volunteers handed out treats to the parade crowd. For shops, lights and kid-friendly stops this year, see our Hemet Christmas events guide on this page.
What did the Historic Hemet Theatre show at Christmas in 2021?
In 2021 the theatre screened It's a Wonderful Life in its auditorium on parade day. It also held a free Hemet Heritage Foundation Christmas party with the Hemet Harmonizers Barbershop Quartet on December 13, and a holiday tribute concert on December 18. Programs change each year, so check the theatre for current shows.
How do groups join the 2025 Hemet Christmas Parade?
For the 2025 parade, the City of Hemet opened applications for floats, bands, clubs and community groups on October 2, with a deadline of November 17. The parade was held on Saturday, December 6. Details can change each year, so check the City of Hemet website for the next application dates.
Is there a railroad museum near Hemet to visit at Christmas?
Yes, the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris is the closest big one. It has free admission and parking Tuesday to Sunday, with train and trolley rides on weekends. Check its schedule for holiday rides before you go. RailGiants in Pomona is also a fun stop for kids who love locomotives.
Which train museum lets kids climb into a locomotive?
RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona lets kids climb into the cabs of giant locomotives, including a Union Pacific 4-12-2 and a Centennial diesel. It is free one weekend a month at the LA County Fairgrounds. It is a longer drive from Hemet, but a good winter trip for train fans.
Can we ride a steam train with young kids in Southern California?
The Poway-Midland Railroad in Old Poway Park offers short rides on a 1907 Baldwin steam locomotive, a 1906 San Francisco cable car and a Fairmont speeder, mostly on weekends. The short ride length suits little ones. Check the museum's schedule for holiday operations before you make the drive from the Hemet area.
Sources
- City of Hemet press release 2025-021: applications open for 2025 Christmas Parade, City of Hemet
- HEMET: City of Hemet's Annual Christmas Parade celebrates spirit of volunteering, Riverside County News Service
- HHT adds special treats to Hemet Christmas Parade, Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
- Holiday lights shine at Soboba, Hemet & San Jacinto Chronicle
- Hemet High School news: Christmas parade, Hemet High School
- Rally Takes the Train museum pages: Southern California Railway Museum, RailGiants, Poway-Midland Railroad, Rally Takes the Train