Upcoming Holiday Parades, Tree Lighting Celebrations in Contra Costa County

CC News12/05/20251735 views

The next few days will offer residents of Contra Costa County several holiday themed events with tree lighting, parades to shopping opportunities. Here is a quick rundown of the major events around Contra Costa County involving the cities.

Weekend Events Rundown + music — click here
Full Events Calendar – click here

Thursday, December 4: City of Oakley:

The City of Oakley is hosting its Annual Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4th, starting at 5pm. Join us at Civic Center Plaza, 3231 Main Street as we kick off the holiday season with this family-friendly event. Admission and parking are FREE and the event will take place rain or shine. Civic Center Plaza will be adorned with lights and decorations. Activities will include free cookie decorating, crafts, horse carriage rides, and a reindeer food station hosted by the Oakley Youth Advisory Council. Santa Claus will also be making a special visit! Entertainment for the night will include performances by local organizations and musician Dustin Heer. We will gather around the live tree near the Veteran’s Memorial to watch the lights turn on at approximately 6:45pm.

Thursday, December 4: City of San Pablo

Join the City of San Pablo for its annual Winter Wonderland Event on December 4, 2025 from 5pm-7pm at our San Pablo Community Center (2450 Road 20). We will have arts and crafts, hot chocolate, a chance for you to take pictures with Santa and even write him your winter wishes!

Friday, December 5: City of Concord

Experience the magic of the season at the City of Concord’s Annual Tree Lighting and Mayor’s Sing-Along! Join us for this beloved, free community event on Friday, Dec. 6 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the heart of Todos Santos Plaza. Kick off your holiday festivities with photos with Santa and a special chance for kids to meet and feed his reindeer. Children can also write letters to Santa and receive a personalized reply from the jolly man himself! Stroll through Santa’s Village and discover unique, hand-crafted gifts by local artisans, courtesy of The Makers Boulevard—perfect for checking off your holiday shopping list.

Enjoy a night filled with live performances, including Concord High School’s The Honeytones and The Evergreens, Concord Salvation Army Band, Westwood Elementary Chorus Club, Queen of All Saints Children’s Choir with special guest Carlyn Obringer on piano, D’Ann’s Dance Academy, Queen of All Saints cheer Team, and fan-favorite The 925 Band. The highlight of the evening, will be the official tree lighting at 7:30 p.m.

Note – there will also be a Concord Holiday Sip N Stroll going on at the same time.

Friday, December 5: City of Martinez

Martinez Parade of Lights is on Friday, December 5th at 7:00 pm with Downtown decked out in holiday cheer, come and join us for the celebrated Parade of Lights including special guest, Santa himself. With the parade theme of Reindeer Road Trip, you’re sure to see some of his most trusted steeds, too! Hot chocolate and snacks are being sold by the MJHS Music Booster Club in the Main Street Plaza, and a Photo Booth will also be set up so you can snap some warm memories before the parade begins. New Route This Year: The Parade will start at 7pm going down Ward Street, then will turn down Alhambra to get to Main Street. This new route gives twice the space for front-row spectating while staying in the heart of downtown! So spread out and claim your best seat along Ward and Main Streets. More info – click here

Saturday, December 6: City of Antioch

Join Antioch for the annual Holiday Delites Celebration in downtown Antioch on December 6th! Enjoy the Holiday Sip & Shop Artisan Fair brought to you by Celebrate Antioch Foundation before lining the street to see the lighted parade go by.

12:00 pm: Holiday Sip and Shop Artisan Faire (W 2nd St & G St)
5:00 pm: Tree Lighting and Lighted Parade: Waldie Plaza

Sign your group up to light up the night with your festive floats, bright costumes, and holiday spirit when you click the link in our bio. Let’s make this celebration the brightest yet! Become part of the magic that is Holiday Delites by visiting antiochca.gov/holiday-delites.

Saturday, December 6: City of Clayton

Kick off the holiday season with one of Clayton’s most cherished traditions! Join us in The Grove for an evening filled with music, family fun, warm treats, and the magical lighting of the community holiday tree.

Event Schedule

5:00–6:30 PM – Holiday Program includes remarks from CBCA & the mayor

The Merrie Olde Carolers
CVCHS Marching Band
Mt. Diablo Elementary 2nd Grade Students

6:00–6:45 PM – Hot Cider & Donut Holes
Clayton Community Church will be serving complimentary hot cider and donut holes under the pergola near the children’s play area.

6:30–8:00 PM – Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus
After Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive with the help of the Clayton Police Department, families are invited to take photos with them at the Gazebo.

Tree Lighting Ceremony – The highlight of the night!
Gather around the Main Gazebo for the official countdown as we light the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. Santa and Mrs. Claus will help lead the moment and stay afterward for photos.

Saturday, December 6: City of Pinole

Join the City of Pinole as they spread some holiday cheer during our Holiday Tree Lighting Event on Saturday, December 6th from 3 pm-6:30 pm. Event Activities at Community Corner (San Pablo Avenue & Tennent Avenue). Tree Lighting Ceremony including a Community Shop & Stroll *If rain is expected, event will be moved to the Senior Center (2500 Charles Ave.). For more info, click here

Saturday, December 6: City of Pittsburg (NEW TIME)

The parade has been pushed up to 4:45pm! The Pittsburg High School Marching Band will have the honor of opening this year’s Twilight Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony! The band will also be representing our community at the NorCal Division 1A Championship on the same day, where the Pittsburg Pirates football team will face off against the Central East Bengals. The parade has therefore been pushed up to 4:45pm!

For the first time ever, the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place on the same night—Saturday, December 6th—for one magical community celebration.

Parade Starts: 4:45 PM
Tree Lighting: 7:00 PM

We’re inviting local businesses, schools, community groups, and performers to be part of this new tradition, whether by designing a glowing float, performing, or showcasing your holiday spirit.

This year’s theme is Twilight – a celebration of light, wonder, and holiday spirit. With the parade happening in the evening, we’re encouraging groups to create illuminated floats that glow, sparkle, and bring the theme to life. Imagine the streets of Pittsburg filled with glowing floats and holiday cheer, leading right into the lighting of the community tree.

Saturday, December 6: Downtown Pleasant Hill Annual Holiday Celebration

As the holidays are fast approaching, Downtown Pleasant Hill is ushering in the season with FREE festivities that bring the community and families together to celebrate.Taking place on Saturday, December 6 from 5:00-7:00 pm, at the Plaza in front of Jack’s Restaurant & Bar, Downtown Pleasant Hill will be the site for a free Family Holiday Celebration where children of all ages can capture the magic with photos with Santa and enjoy a festive evening filled with elves, face painting, and balloon art. More information, click here

Sunday, December 7: City of Hercules

The City of Hercules is excited to invite the community to join us for a special annual holiday tree lighting celebration and commemoration of the City’s 125th anniversary on Sunday, Dec. 7, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. at City Hall (111 Civic Drive). The event will feature photo opportunities with Santa, entertainment and light refreshments. The evening will end with Santa lighting the tree at approximately 5:20 p.m. Learn more about our industrial past from the Hercules Historical Society and find more information on the event.

More fun…

Here is a list of 2025 homes that are decked out in Christmas Lights — click here