Santa’s House, holiday parade return to downtown SLO. Here’s how to join the celebration
Each December, downtown San Luis Obispo is home to some of the most popular holiday events on the Central Coast.
After COVID-19 forced organizers to cancel or modify many traditional events in 2020, most are back up and running this year. That means numerous opportunities to get into the holiday spirit.
From Santa’s House and the Holiday Parade to nightly Hanukkah menorah lighting, here is your guide to downtown SLO’s holiday season.
Santa’s House opens in Mission Plaza
The Holiday Plaza, located in Mission Plaza in downtown San Luis Obispo, opened the day after Thanksgiving to kick off the holiday season.
This year, attractions include the Classic Carousel, an interactive light exhibit, a 20-foot lighted holiday tree, photo backdrops and, of course, the popular Santa’s House.
Kids can once again meet Santa Claus in person and pose for photos, according to Downtown SLO, a nonprofit organization that seeks to “foster an economically vibrant downtown.”
It costs $8 to take your own photo, $12 to get a souvenir photo or $19 for a package including the souvenir photo and a take-your-own photo.
Hours will vary for Santa’s House and there will be no in-person visits in inclement weather, Downtown SLO said.
In the Holiday Plaza, kids will also have the opportunity to drop off letters to St. Nick, the organization said. Make sure to include your return address and you could get a response from the North Pole in your mailbox.
Santa’s House is sponsored by Tenet Health and Letters To and From Santa is sponsored by Lola & Ivy.
The Holiday Plaza will remain open through Jan. 2, 2022.
Hanukkah menorah lighting at Mission Plaza
The local Jewish community continues its annual tradition of lighting a public menorah outside Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, 989 Chorro St. in San Luis Obispo, each night of Hanukkah at 5 p.m.
The nightly ceremony, which kicked off Nov. 28, will conclude on Sunday with candle lighting led by Morro Bay City Council member Dawn Addis, according to the JCC-Federation of San Luis Obispo website.
Holiday Parade in downtown SLO
The 45th annual Holiday Parade, sponsored by the American Riviera Bank, will take place at 7 p.m. Friday.
According to Downtown SLO, the theme of this year’s parade is “California Dreamin.’ “
The 2021 parade will be led by a group of first responders, and will feature more than 80 decorative floats, vehicles, marching bands, dancers and more.
The parade route starts at Chorro and Palm streets and winds through downtown San Luis Obispo, ending at the intersection of Nipomo and Monterey streets.
Holiday activities include scavenger hunt, decorations
The rest of San Luis Obispo’s downtown corridor is also getting in on the holiday celebrations this season.
Dozens of downtown businesses are expected to decorate their windows for the holidays. You can vote on your favorite by scanning the QR code present at each shopfront, according to Downtown SLO
The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum is hosting a Search for Santa’s Mouse scavenger hunt that begins in the Holiday Plaza and winds through downtown.
Scavenger hunt clues and a story are included in a booklet available at Santa’s House and downtown businesses, according to Downtown SLO.
Each activity book features the opportunity to win a prize.
Meanwhile, the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce and the city of San Luis Obispo are rewarding people for shopping local with gift cards.
Shoppers who spend a total of $100 at local retail, restaurant, fitness or personal services businesses within city limits will receive a $25 gift card to another business.
To qualify, just save your receipts and submit them via slocity.org/buylocalbonus.
This story was originally published November 29, 2021 at 1:50 PM.
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