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Christmas with kids in Salinas
In Salinas, Christmas lights up Main Street. A Parade of Lights has rolled through Old Town for more than 20 years, and in 2024 neighbors stepped up in just five days to keep it going.
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The story of Christmas in Salinas
How Salinas celebrates
Salinas Christmas starts downtown. The Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights has run for more than 20 years, bringing thousands of people of all ages to Old Town for floats, music and folklorico dancing. The route begins on South Main Street at Acacia Street and is free to watch. Another favorite is the Tree for Peace lighting, where the Salinas Fire Department and Santa light the city's official tree. In recent years California Rodeo Salinas has added a free Country Christmas at the Salinas Sports Complex, a newer tradition that reached its third year in 2025.
Christmas last year in Salinas
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, Salinas City Center, One Main Street and the Chamber of Commerce held the Tree for Peace lighting from 4:30 to 7 pm. Families found arts and crafts, dance performances by Salinas School of Dance and the Salinas High School Baile Folklorico Club, a balloon artist, face painting, photos with Santa and hot chocolate from local cafes. The Parade of Lights followed on November 30 from 6 to 8 pm with more than 70 lighted entries, and the third Country Christmas came to the Salinas Sports Complex on December 11 from 5 to 8 pm, free to enter.
Fun facts about Christmas in Salinas
The Parade of Lights nearly disappeared in 2024. On November 14 organizers said they lacked volunteers and money, and the nonprofit had $6,400 but needed $11,000. Within five days more than 125 people signed up to help, and local sponsors and Mayor Kimbley Craig pitched in, so the parade rolled on December 1. It travels up Main Street from Acacia Street to the Steinbeck Center. The city's tree is called the Tree for Peace, and it is lit by firefighters together with Santa.
Trains and Christmas near Salinas
We did not find a Salinas train tradition at Christmas, but families who love trains can head north or west. Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton runs 1890s geared steam engines through redwoods to Bear Mountain, then lets you explore a recreated 1880s logging town. In Santa Clara, the South Bay Historical Railroad Society keeps model railroads and railroad artifacts in the 1863 depot, open Tuesday evenings and Saturdays. The Santa Cruz County Railroad Historical Society shares county rail history with model railroad exhibits at the County Fair.
- Roaring Camp Railroads: Steam trains climb through redwoods to a recreated 1880s logging town, a favorite for young train fans.
- South Bay Historical Railroad Society: A free museum in the 1863 Santa Clara Depot with model railroads and railroad artifacts.
- Santa Cruz County Railroad Historical Society: Local rail history shared through three model railroad exhibits at the County Fair.
Traditions today
- Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights: More than 70 lighted entries, bands and floats roll through Old Town Salinas, starting on South Main Street at Acacia Street.
- Tree for Peace Lighting: The fire department and Santa light the city's official tree downtown, with crafts, dancers, face painting and hot chocolate.
- Rodeo Country Christmas: California Rodeo Salinas hosts a free evening at the Salinas Sports Complex, now in its third year as of 2025.
- Folklorico dancing: Young dancers from the Salinas High School Baile Folklorico Club perform at the tree lighting, and folklorico is part of the parade show.
- Photos with Santa downtown: Santa joins the tree lighting for photos on the evening of the ceremony.
- Community volunteers: Neighbors keep the Parade of Lights alive, with more than 100 volunteers helping in 2024.
A fact for kids
The Salinas Parade of Lights was almost canceled in 2024, but in just five days more than 125 neighbors volunteered to save it.
Questions about Christmas in Salinas
What is the biggest Christmas tradition in Salinas?
The Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights is the best known tradition, and it has run for more than 20 years. Floats, music and folklorico dancing travel through Old Town Salinas, and thousands of people of all ages come to watch. The parade is free to enjoy.
How long has the Salinas Parade of Lights been going?
The Parade of Lights has run for more than 20 years, according to local reporting in 2024. It is a two hour show of floats, music and folklorico in downtown Salinas. Our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page has this season's details.
Was the Salinas Parade of Lights almost canceled?
Yes. On November 14, 2024, organizers said the parade would be canceled because they did not have enough volunteers or funding. The nonprofit had $6,400 but needed $11,000. Residents responded within five days, more than 125 people signed up to help, and the parade went on.
Who helped save the 2024 Parade of Lights?
Neighbors, sponsors and city leaders all helped. Mayor Kimbley Craig called businesses to ask for sponsors, and Carissa Purnell recruited and managed volunteers. Sponsors included Taylor Farms, Church Bros., Don Chapin Company and Republic Services. The save is a great story to share with kids.
Where does the Salinas Parade of Lights start?
The parade starts on South Main Street at Acacia Street and continues through Old Town Salinas. In 2024 the route ran up Main Street from Acacia Street to the Steinbeck Center. Check our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page for this season's confirmed details.
What time does the Parade of Lights usually begin?
The 2025 parade ran from 6 to 8 pm on Sunday, November 30, and the 2024 parade was also held from 6 to 8 pm. Evening timing makes the lights easy for kids to see. Our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page lists what is confirmed for this year.
What is the Tree for Peace in Salinas?
The Tree for Peace is the official Christmas tree of the City of Salinas, lit each year downtown. In 2025 the Salinas Fire Department and Santa Claus lit it at an evening celebration at 1 Main Street, hosted by Salinas City Center, One Main Street and the Salinas Chamber of Commerce.
What happened at the Salinas tree lighting last year?
On Saturday, November 29, 2025, the Tree for Peace lighting ran from 4:30 to 7 pm. Families enjoyed arts and crafts with the Arts Council for Monterey County, dance performances, a balloon artist, face painting, photos with Santa and hot chocolate from local cafes.
Who performed at the 2025 Tree for Peace lighting?
Two local groups performed: Salinas School of Dance and the Salinas High School Baile Folklorico Club. Baile folklorico is traditional Mexican folk dancing with colorful skirts and lively footwork. It is a nice way to show children how local culture joins the holiday season.
What is Rodeo Country Christmas in Salinas?
Rodeo Country Christmas is a free holiday evening hosted by California Rodeo Salinas at the Salinas Sports Complex, 1034 N. Main Street. The 2025 version was the third annual, held on Thursday, December 11 from 5 to 8 pm. It is a newer tradition compared with the parade.
Is the Salinas Christmas parade free?
Yes, the Parade of Lights is free to watch, according to the city's event page. Families can line up along the route in Old Town Salinas. Check our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page for this season's confirmed date, time and any parking or road closure notes.
How big is the Salinas Parade of Lights?
The parade lists more than 70 lighted entries, including bands, floats and special guests. It is a two hour show, so little ones may need a blanket, a snack and a warm jacket. Evenings in Salinas in late November and December can feel cool.
How can I explain the Parade of Lights to a young child?
Tell them it is a night parade where floats and bands are covered in lights, and that neighbors work together to make it happen. You can add that in 2024 more than 125 people volunteered to keep it going. Kids love counting lights and spotting favorite floats.
Does Santa visit Salinas?
Yes. Santa helped light the Tree for Peace in 2025 and posed for photos with children at the ceremony, with the Salinas Fire Department. His visit is part of a downtown evening that also includes crafts, dancing and hot chocolate. See our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page for this year.
What does Baile Folklorico mean?
Baile folklorico is a style of traditional Mexican folk dance, performed in bright, swirling costumes. In Salinas, the High School Baile Folklorico Club performed at the 2025 tree lighting, and folklorico is also part of the Parade of Lights show. Kids can learn that dances tell stories about culture and community.
Where is Old Town Salinas?
Old Town Salinas is the historic downtown area around Main Street, where the Parade of Lights travels. The parade begins on South Main Street at Acacia Street, and in 2024 it ended near the Steinbeck Center. Our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page lists current dates for family visits.
Is there a Christmas tree lighting in Salinas?
Yes. Each year the city lights its official Tree for Peace downtown. In 2025 the lighting took place at 1 Main Street on the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend, with Santa and the fire department. Look at our Salinas Christmas events guide on this page for this year's date.
Are there trains for kids near Salinas at Christmas?
We did not find a Salinas train tradition at Christmas, but Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton runs 1890s steam trains through redwoods. The South Bay Historical Railroad Society in Santa Clara has model railroads in an 1863 depot, and its museum is free to visit. Check hours before driving.
Is there a free train museum near Salinas?
The South Bay Historical Railroad Society museum in Santa Clara is free, set inside the 1863 Santa Clara Depot. Volunteers run model railroads, show railroad artifacts and care for a 1926 signal tower beside the Caltrain line. It is open Tuesday evenings and Saturdays, so plan your trip around those hours.
Why is Christmas in Salinas special?
Salinas Christmas is a community effort. A parade that neighbors saved in just five days, a tree lit by firefighters, folklorico dancers on stage and a rodeo hosted holiday evening all show how the city comes together. It feels like a hometown celebration, with something free for families to enjoy.
Sources
- Tree for Peace Lighting 2025, City of Salinas
- Salinas Holiday Parade of Lights, City of Salinas
- Salinas residents come to the rescue and save a downtown holiday tradition, Monterey County Now
- 2025 Country Christmas, City of Salinas
- Ongoing Monterey and Santa Cruz winter holiday events, Monterey Bay Parent
- Roaring Camp Railroads, Rally Takes the Train
- South Bay Historical Railroad Society, Rally Takes the Train
- Santa Cruz County Railroad Historical Society, Rally Takes the Train