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The Christmas spirit lives in Merced County. Here’s a list of upcoming local parades

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave to children from a classic fire truck during the 22nd annual Merced Hometown Christmas Parade presented by the Active 20-30 Club of Merced.
Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus wave to children from a classic fire truck during the 22nd annual Merced Hometown Christmas Parade presented by the Active 20-30 Club of Merced. akuhn@mercedsun-star.com

With Thanksgiving behind us and the calendar getting ready to turn from November to December, Christmas is just right around the corner.

For readers who have the Christmas spirit, here are some holiday happenings to mark on the calendar in Merced County.

Merced

The traditional downtown Christmas Parade returns to Merced on Saturday, Dec. 3. After having to change parade plans last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic with a reverse drive-through parade, attendees will again line Main Street to see the many floats, bands and Santa Claus make their way through downtown Merced.

The parade is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. There will be an opportunity to get photos with Santa from 5 to 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting in Bob Hart Square at 6 p.m.

Atwater

Atwater will be celebrating 100 years of Christmas classics with its annual Christmas Parade on Friday, Dec. 2 The parade is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. The parade route kicks off at Winton Way and Grove Avenue, takes a left on Broadway Avenue and finishes off at the historic Bloss Mansion at 1020 Cedar Avenue.

Los Banos

Los Banos’ annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. The event will include food, vendors and the Christmas tree lighting that will begin at the completion of the parade. The route finishes at Henry Miller Plaza where the Christmas tree will be lit and parade awards will be presented.

Livingston

Livingston is hosting a “Lighted Christmas Parade & Gift Fair” on Friday, Dec. 9. The parade is scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., and will go through a few neighborhoods and down Main Street From Peach to D streets.

To honor Livingston’s centennial this year’s theme of the parade is “Christmas through the years.” The Holiday Gift Fair will begin at 5pm downtown between B and D Streets.

Dos Palos

Dos Palos’ annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is Winter Wonderland. The parade starts at Blossom and Mitchell streets and ends at the Boy Scout hut for a tree lighting ceremony

This story was originally published November 26, 2022 at 5:30 AM.

Shawn Jansen
Merced Sun-Star
Sports writer Shawn Jansen has been covering Merced area sports for 20 years. He came to Merced from Suisun City and is a graduate of San Diego State University. Prior to the Sun-Star, Shawn worked at the Daily Republic in Fairfield.
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