Encinitas Holiday Parade hits Highway 101 on Dec. 1

For the 61st year, Encinitas will kick off the holiday season at the Encinitas Holiday Parade Saturday, Dec. 1. 5 p.m. tree lighting in the Lunberyard. The parade starts at 5:30 p.m. on Coast Highway 101 starting at D Street.

Thousands of people will be on floats, on foot, in cars, and marching in bands while tens of thousands cheer them along Coast Highway 101. Many of the nearly 100 parade entries aim to win a prize in one of the judged categories for lights, creativity, performance, music, spirit and overall impression.

This year's theme is Botanical Oasis and honors Grand Marshall Julian Duval, who is retiring in January after 24 years of leadership as president and CEO of the San Diego Botanic Gardens.

Free parking shuttles will run from San Dieguito Academy High School (parking lot located on the corner of Melba Road and Nardo Road) and from the YMCA/Ecke Sports Park parking lot on Saxony Road. Both shuttles start running at 4 p.m. and go until 8:30 p.m. Shuttles run approximately every 20 minutes and will drop you off at the NCTD bus station on Vulcan Avenue, just a half block from the parade route.

For more information, call (760) 633-2740 or visit bit.ly/2yG0WSo