Redlands Lights Downtown for the Community
By Brian Spears
Redlands News Collective
On Saturday, Dec. 6, the 34th annual Redlands Christmas parade, hosted by the Kiwanis Club, went through downtown Redlands that drew more than 1,500 who came out to watch and experience the annual event. This year’s theme was “Tis the Season,” with Steve Stockton, a member of the Redlands Historical Museum Association, serving as the parade’s grand marshal. Stockton helped spearhead the creation of the Museum of Redlands.
Many in the crowd left after two hours, as temperatures dropped and kids grew restless.
The parade started with a color guard, followed by the UC Riverside Pipe Band, then the Kiwanis Club President. The floats on display were decorated cars and trailers with a wide range of themes, from the nativity to Shop Suey, with a very elaborate display and a production of the Nutcracker featuring ballerinas, toy soldiers, and a rat queen, dancing the parade route and a snow globe alongside.
One of the fun ones was from Jack's Toy Shop, where they dressed as gingerbread men and women. Many decorated cars were also displayed, from Jack Skellington to the Grinch pushing one, along with classic cars from the 30s and 60s.
Some of the crowd favorites were, of course, the marching bands that featured the RUSD Elementary Marching Band, Clement, Cope and Moore middle school marching ahead of REV, Citrus Valley High School, and RHS, where the entire crowd was cheering and yelling for their schools.
There were a few politicians, including County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, State Senator Rosillicie Ochoa Bogh, State Rep. Eloise Gomez Reyes, and Redlands City Council members.
Members of the Boy Scouts carry the colors to the start of the annual Christmas parade hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Brian Spears, Redlands Collective News)
Members of an acrobatics troupe wow the crowd at the annual Christmas parade hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Brian Spears, Redlands Collective News)
A car with a holiday dragon drives down State Street. at the annual Christmas parade hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Brian Spears, Redlands Collective News)
Kailo Owens, 5, plays with a light stick during the annual Christmas parade hosted by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. (Photo by Brian Spears, Redlands Collective News)
