Festival of Lights Parade Set to Bring Christmas Cheer to Downtown Colorado Springs This Weekend | Arts and entertainment

Between buying gifts, planning get-togethers, and finding time to breathe, the holidays can be stressful.

But there is a local tradition that aims to bring the community together for a moment of peace and happiness.

On Saturday, brightly lit floats and festive marching bands will parade down Tejon Street downtown for the annual Festival of Lights Parade. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Holidays through Sights and Sounds.”

“I feel like the holidays bring joy, but they also bring challenges,” said Kevin Leonardo, executive director of the Festival of Lights. “We hope this helps bring joy to people who may not enjoy the holidays as much, and that it is a way for those who love the holidays to be part of a community.”

The parade features approximately 100 participants, including 65 local organizations, 13 bands and a handful of honor guards.

The grand marshals for this year’s parade are three local Olympians: freestyle wrestling gold medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, Paralympic cycling gold medalist Kate Brim and two-time cycling gold medalist Jennifer Valente.

“With the Olympics on everyone’s lips this year and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee having participated in the parade for years, we reached out to the team and asked if there was anyone locally who would do so.” could honor,” Leonardo said.

Outside of the parade, Festival of Lights events also take place at several downtown locations.

The Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum is hosting a “Festival of Lights Family Fun Day” with free activities and entertainment in the early afternoon. As part of the event, the museum will feature live music, a magic show, holiday crafts, face painting and educational programs. The museum also serves hot cocoa and cookies in the evenings.

There will be a food truck village on the Pioneer Museum lawn throughout the festival events.

Over at Acacia Park, tuba and euphonium players will gather to perform “Merry TubaChristmas,” an annual tradition celebrated around the world.

With so many events and festive decorations, Leonardo hopes the joy becomes contagious.

“Being in the stage area and seeing all the participants involved adorning their clothing and the excitement and genuine joy that is in that stage area, I think that spreads everywhere,” he said.