Get ready for the 9th Annual Rio Linda Hometown Christmas Light Parade, happening on Saturday, December 14, 2024 — always held on the second Saturday in December. This beloved local tradition is set to light up the community with festive floats, marching groups, and the joyful spirit of the season. Here’s everything you need to know to make sure you don’t miss out!
A Full Day of Christmas Events
The day begins with Breakfast with Santa, A magical morning filled with delicious breakfast, festive activities, and, of course, a special visit from Santa himself! Breakfast is served from 8am to 11am at the Rio Linda Elverta Community Center, 810 Oak Lane in Rio Linda.
It continues with the 4th Annual Rio Linda Holiday Bazaar, Featuring over 100 LOCAL vendors, free kid’s crafts, food and raffles!!! 50/50 Raffle, $500 cash raffles and raffle prizes! 9am to 3pm at Rio Linda High School.
Parade Details
- Parade Time: The parade will leave Westside at 6:00 p.m. sharp.
- Road Closures: Side streets along the parade route will begin to close at 4:30 p.m. Parade participants must check in by 5:30 p.m.
- Route: The parade will take place along M Street, running east from West 2nd Street to Curved Bridge Road.
- Rain or Shine: The parade will proceed rain or shine unless there are severe weather conditions that pose a safety risk. In such cases, the event may be canceled, but organizers are committed to doing everything possible to ensure it goes ahead.
For Parade Participants
- Check-in Time: Check-in for parade participants begins at 4:30 p.m. at Westside Elementary School. There will be two check-in areas, Check-in A and Check-in B. Local organizations like the Rio Linda FFA and Girl Scouts will be helping with check-ins.
- Charity Drive: Please bring new, unwrapped toys to donate for the Ruby’s Baskets charity drive. Your generous donations will make the holiday season brighter for local children in need.
Important Road Information
- Road Closures: M Street will be closed from 4:30 p.m. to after the parade, with barricades set up by the Twin Rivers Police Department and Fulton El Camino Police. Other routes, such as Elkhorn, Q Street, U Street, and Dry Creek Road, will remain open.
- Safety Reminder: Remember that while M Street is closed to vehicles, there will be children and families enjoying the parade, dancing to Christmas music, and walking along the streets. Please do not try to bypass the barricades and drive down M Street until the event is over.
Parade Safety and Etiquette
- No Throwing Candy: This is a night parade with reduced visibility, so for safety reasons, there will be no throwing of candy. Instead, walkers should hand out candy directly to children along the route to avoid anyone running into the street.
- Avoid the Judges and Announcer Area: Parade participants should avoid walking in front of the judges’ stand and the announcer’s booth. If you need to cross this area, please walk behind the Christmas Tree at Troy Park to avoid obstructing the judges’ view or interfering with the announcer’s microphone.
Judges and Announcements
- This year’s judges include incoming Sacramento County District 4 Supervisor Rosario Rodriguez, outgoing Rio Linda-Elverta Honorary Mayor Katherine Shermer, and Natalee Price, owner of Taste of Tuscany and The Grotto, which will be opening soon in the MarVal Plaza Shopping Center.
- The parade winners will be announced about 30 minutes after the parade at the community tree in Troy Park.
- This year’s winners will take home $300, $200 and $100, thanks to another generous donation from A-1 Storage.
Holiday Lighting Contest Winners
The Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce will also announce the winners of the Holiday Lighting Contest after the tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 p.m., so don’t miss it!
Restroom Locations
Thanks to the Rio Linda Elverta Chamber of Commerce, Tummy’s, and Tish Torres at Citywide Home Mortgage, multiple restroom facilities will be available for public use throughout the event:
- Near the check-in area at Westside Elementary School
- At Rio Linda and M Street
- Two near the Judging Area
- At the parade’s finish line at MarVal Plaza
- Additional restrooms are available at the library parking lot with thanks to Director Stacey Bastian and Twin Rivers Unified School District for their support.
Final Notes
- The parade will feature 54 participants this year (at last count), each bringing their unique holiday spirit to the event.
- As always, please be mindful of the community’s safety and enjoyment. Be sure to arrive early to find a good spot along the parade route and enjoy the magic of Rio Linda’s Christmas celebration.
The Rio Linda Hometown Christmas Light Parade promises to be a night of fun, festivity, and holiday cheer for the entire family. We hope to see you there!
For more information visit the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/rleChristmasParade or the website at https://www.rlechristmasparade.com/
