The 2024 Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade Lineup
The Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band
Dedicated to preserving Scottish culture in the form of the Highland bagpipes and drums, the Stuart Highlanders have led off the parade for eight years!
Festival of Lights Banner Guard
Sparkling in silver, the Banner Guard is pleased to introduce the 2024 Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade!
Toy Soldiers
Rumor has it our three toy soldiers work very hard in the off-season to keep their marching muscles prepped for parade night!
Lead Float with Snow Queen
In 2003, friends and family of parade founder Jack Huston honored his memory by donating to the parade; their contributions supported this beautiful float that leads our parade to this day!
The Snow Queen is traditionally a local high school senior who has demonstrated service to the parade and to our community. The parade has begun!
Los Altos Mayor Jonathan Weinberg
Driven in a vintage convertible generously provided by local residents Neal and Sharon Rayborn, we are happy to welcome Mayor Weinberg and his family to the parade!
Mittens the Bear
This magical holiday bear has waited all year to greet the children lining our downtown streets!
Los Altos Hills Mayor Stanley Mok
In another convertible provided by the Rayborn family, we are pleased to welcome Mayor Mok to the 2024 parade!
Los Altos High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders
Sponsored by Owen Halliday, Christie's Sereno
The Los Altos High School Band is directed by Ted Ferrucci, while the cheerleaders are coached by Christina Cordero
Teddy Bear Float
Sponsored by Los Altos Mountain View Community Foundation
Teddy Bear is the Festival of Lights Parade's "Founders' Float," dedicated to our three founders: Hope Higby, Jack Huston, and Marion Jackston
Wizard of Oz Characters
Dorothy and all her friends from Oz have traded the Yellow Brick Road for State and Main, and we can't wait to see it!
The Emerald City Float
Sponsored by Shelly Potvin, Christie's Sereno
The Emerald City float made its debut in 2022. It was constructed from recycled materials by the parade's internship program, and converted to battery power in 2023
Music Time Float
Sponsored by Heritage Bank of Commerce
Designed and built in 2007 by San Jose Reperatory Theater, Music Time plays tribute to the songs that make the season special
Ye Olde Towne Band
Ye Olde Towne Band is conducted by John DeLoach, and its beloved local musicians are carried by a vintage bandstand-style float
Candlelight Mouse
Sponsored by Compass Realtors
With his pajamas and his candle, this mouse is ready to dream of Christmas morning and wake up to piles of cheese under the tree
In the Moment Dance Studio
A brand new entry for 2024, In the Moment Dance is directed by Bailey Donnelly. The team will be performing to Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You," and we are excited to welcome them to the parade family!
Hundred Acre Wood Float
Sponsored by the Los Altos Town Crier
The parade is excited to welcome the Los Altos Town Crier as a new sponsor of the Hundred Acre Wood float! "Bee" sure to look for some winged friends buzzing around Winnie the Pooh's honey!
Daisy Belle Float
Sponsored by The Sweet Shop
Daisy Belle's defining characteristic - her majestic calliope - was generously donated by longtime parade and community volunteer, Bob Grimm
Hausner Jewish Day School
Joining the parade for the first time in 2023 along with their school's mascot (the Lion) and symbol (the pomegranate), Hausner brings the magic of Hannukah to the downtown streets
Homestead High School Marching Band
Sponsored by Diane Schmitz and Dana Schmitz, Christie's Sereno
Homestead Band is directed by John Burn. In exciting news, next month the band will travel to Pasadena to march in the 2025 Rose Parade!
Rocking Horse Float
Sponsored by Cranberry Scoop
Sponsored by a local business owned by longtime parade board member and current president Ellen Biolsi, Rocking Horse calls to mind Christmases of long ago with its vintage charm
St. Nicholas' Schoolhouse Float
One of only three privately owned floats in the parade, we are once again excited to welcome St. Nicholas!
Mars Rover
Originally constructed by the Downing Family as an elementary school science project, the Mars Rover is now maintained by the Los Altos High School Design and Engineering Club
Los Altos Dance Academy
Under the direction of Jordan Micek, the Los Altos Dance Academy's sparkling showmanship always wows the crowds!
Gingerbread House Float
Sponsored by Rotary Club of Los Altos
This "sweet" float is generously sponsored by the Rotary Club of Los Altos. Rotary also awards the parade a "Pillar Grant" every year, helping to keep all our floats bright and sparkling
_edited_edited_p.png)
RISE Performing Arts Center
A brand new dance studio has joined the parade for 2024! Under the direction of Corie Pollock, RISE Performing Arts Center will be performing to Taylor Swift's "Christmas Tree Farm." Welcome to the parade family, RISE!
Circus Train
Sponsored by First Friday
The Circus Train was originally built by a friend of the parade for his grandchildren. When they went off to college, he generously donated it to the Festival of Lights Committee so that future generations of Los Altans could love it as much as his own family did
R.J. Fisher Middle School Marching Band
Sponsored by Marc Roos and Eric Reitmeir, Christie's Sereno
The R.J. Fisher Middle School Marching Band is under the direction of Ricardo Rasura
St. Simon's Float and Angels
Another of the parade's privately owned floats, the Angels Float is presented by St. Simon Parish School
Alice in Wonderland Float
Sponsored by the Los Altos Village Association
A brand new float for 2024, Alice in Wonderland features a battery powered base, computer-controlled lights, and state-of-the-art audio. Thank you to the Los Altos Village Association for taking on the new sponsorship!
Alice in Wonderland Characters
Dressed for a tea party, Alice and her Wonderland friends hope you'll all be "mad" about their performance!
Santa Clara Elite Dance Team
Under the direction of Linnea Sheehy, Santa Clara Elite Dance joined the parade lineup in 2022 and has twirled their way into our hearts ever since
Penguins on Ice
Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Los Altos
Constructed in 2013 by San Jose Repertory Theatre, our slipping sliding penguin float was converted to battery power in 2023
Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf
Will this be the year that Red successfully makes it to Grandma's house? Join us on December 1 to learn for sure!
Union Middle School Marching Band
Sponsored by Jen Paulson, Christie's Sereno
The Union Middle School Marching Band is under the direction of Chris Kay
Nutcracker Float
Sponsored by The Post
The Nutcracker Float was a 2014 project by our first female Eagle Scout volunteer, Isabel LaPlain;
The parade committee is excited to welcome The Post as a new sponsor this year of the Nutcracker float!
Nutcracker Dancers
Directed by Cindy Ginanni, the expert ballet dancers from Dance Connection Palo Alto bring the story of the Nutcracker, Clara, and the Mouse King to life
Ice Castle Float
Sponsored by Los Altos Community Investments and State Street Market
Constructed by the team at Los Altos Community Investments and co-sponsored by State Street Market, the Ice Castle Float made its shimmering debut in 2023
Dance Expressions
Under the direction of Maryanne Fernandez-Richardson, the Dance Expressions Sleigh Belles have been lighting up the streets of Los Altos since 2022
Wizard and Butterflies with Holiday Magic
Guided by the LED imagery of the supremely talented Steve Evans, our Wizard commands her butterflies to flutter about the streets. Thank you to the Blach Junior High leadership students for their scooter work!
Saint Francis High School Marching Band, with Spirit Squad and Pom Team
Sponsored by Ed Graziani and Jessica Nemire, Christie's Sereno
The Saint Francis Marching Band is under the direction of Sadie Sammut. The Spirit Squad and Pom Team are coached by Danielle Barringer
Silicon Valley Motorcycles
Roaring through downtown (while still maintaining appropriate parade pace) the Silicon Valley Motorcycles team once again brings its unique style to the parade!
Christmas Locomotive with Holly the Elephant
Sponsored by the Los Altos School District
The locomotive was built in 2009 by San Jose Opera. The parade board later hired an east coast artist to create Holly the Elephant to complete the fun.
For 2024, our honorary engineers are retiring board members Steve Taglio and Jessica Speiser
Los Altos School District Mascots
Representing each of the Los Altos School District Elementary Schools, these colorful critters always energize the local students!
Mountain View High School Marching Band and Cheerleaders
Sponsored by Alice and Alicia Nuzzo,
Christie's Sereno
The Mountain View Marching Band is under the direction of Ricky Alegria. The cheerleaders are coached by Christina Cordero, who's doing double-duty tonight for our local high school cheer teams!
Frosty the Snowman Float
Sponsored by Boschken Orthodontics
The jolly happy soul is also quieter and greener this year, thanks to a battery conversion project by our engineers and intern team
Christmas Tree Float
Sponsored by DeLeon Realty
The Christmas Tree Float was an Eagle Scout project by local resident Billy Richards; the float was converted to battery power in 2023
Fantasy Dance School
Under the direction of Sarah Monreal, Fantasy Dance School joined the parade for the first time in 2023 - but we think they look like old pros already :-)
The Shredders!
Sponsored by the Campi Group
The Shredders features characters upcycled from a closed Chuck E. Cheese restaurant - their musical stylings continue to be appreciated here in Los Altos
Dartmouth Middle School Marching Band
Sponsored by Coldwell Banker
The Dartmouth Middle School Marching Band is led by Music Director Jonathan Pwu and Assistant Music Director Laura Buchanan
Mother Goose Float
Sponsored by the Town of Los Altos Hills
Originally our "Snowbird" float, Mother Goose was renovated into its current forin 2013 by a local Eagle Scout
Peter Pan Characters
Before heading off to Neverland, Peter, Tinkerbell, Hook, Smee and the Darling family enjoy a night out in Los Altos. Be sure to watch out for that crocodile!
Captain Hook's Pirate Ship
Sponsored by Wunderling Learning
Ahoy mateys, the Jolly Roger is awaiting Tink's sprinkling of Pixie Dust to transport the Darlings home from Neverland!
Notre Dame High School's Dancing Elves
Performing under the direction of Emily King and Kathryn Scheib, we are excited to welcome back the "elves" of Notre Dame High School!
Santa's Workshop
Sponsored by the Los Altos Chamber of Commerce
Constructed in 2014 as an Eagle Scout project, Santa's Workshop made use of characters salvaged from retired floats; our Costumes volunteers rehabbed and dressed the elves!
Ferris Wheel
Sponsored by BK Collections
The Ferris Wheel float is debuting a whole new look for 2024! After more than 400 hours of work by our engineers and interns, Ferris Wheel is fully electrified, with entirely new lighting and animatronic characters! Thank you, BK Collections for your new sponsorship!
Fremont High School Marching Band
Sponsored by Nicholas French, Christie's Sereno
The Fremont High School Marching Band is under the direction of Joseph Kelly
