Downtown SLO's Holiday Fun Kicks Off Thanksgiving Weekend!
Thursday, November 21, 2024
TO: ALL MEDIA
FROM: Rachel Lackmann
Marketing & Communications Manager
Marketing@DowntownSLO.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DOWNTOWN SLO’S HOLIDAY FUN KICKS OFF THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
Santa’s House, Light Up The Plaza, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, & More!
San Luis Obispo, CA — Downtown SLO, in partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo, is kicking off the holiday season with an exciting lineup of community events beginning Friday, November 29, 2024. From family traditions like Santa’s House to dazzling light shows and shopping incentives, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2024
The community is invited to celebrate the start of the holiday season in downtown San Luis Obispo this Thanksgiving weekend! Visitors can enjoy free garage parking all day, and all weekend (Thurs–Sun).
Santa’s House Opening Day Celebration | 1 PM
Families can watch Santa ride into Mission Plaza on a vintage firetruck and enjoy a live performance from the SLO County Band, celebrating the opening of all the fun in the Plaza. Attendees can RSVP and share the event on Facebook. [See more information about Santa’s House below.]
Light Up The Plaza! | 5 PM
The community is invited to join Downtown SLO, the City of SLO, and sponsors and community partners to "switch on" the lights in the Plaza, ushering in the start of the 2024 holiday season. Live music will be provided by vocalist and Farmers’ Market entertainer Yzzi. Downtown shops and cafes will be open, making this the perfect opportunity to grab a cozy drink, buy a couple of gifts, and celebrate the community! Attendees can RSVP and share the event on Facebook. [See more information about the Lights & Sights in Mission Plaza below.]
Thanksgiving Weekend Shopping Promotions
Black Friday & Small Business Saturday • November 29 & 30, 2024
Sponsored by SLO Credit Union
Customers who shop at select local businesses or stop by the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center can receive a free “Shop Local San Luis Obispo” tote bag on November 29 & 30. Downtown businesses will also offer promotional sales or specials this weekend — the perfect time to check holiday shopping off of the to-do list! Find a directory of in-person promotions at DowntownSLO.com/ShopHolidays.
Buy Local Bonus Begins
November 29, 2024, until sold out
Get rewarded for shopping local — spend $100 or more at locally-owned retailers and earn a $25 gift card to another local business. Learn more at SLOCity.org/BuyLocalBonus.
The Buy Local Bonus is a program by the City of San Luis Obispo and the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce.
LIGHTS, SIGHTS, & FAMILY FUN IN MISSION PLAZA • Open through Wednesday, January 1, 2025
In partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo
Brought to you by Adept Events
Mission Plaza is the centerpiece of downtown San Luis Obispo — it all happens here! This holiday season, families and friends can visit Santa at Santa's House, ride the Classic Carousel, take photos in front of festive decor, walk through animated lighted displays, experience a music-synced light show, and more!
Santa’s House • Open through Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Presented by the San Luis Obispo Collection
Santa will once again fly from the North Pole to his winter residence in Mission Plaza — families are invited to meet him, recite their wish list, and pose for photos. Guests can purchase one of three photo packages; take-your-own ($10), printed souvenir photo ($15), or a combination of both ($20).
Downtown SLO is actively recruiting volunteer photo elves! Fill out an interest form here.
Santa’s House schedule: (Friday, November 29–Tuesday, December 24)
- Thurs–Sun | 1–7 PM
- *Monday, December 23, 2024 | 1–7 PM
- *Tuesday, December 24, 2024 | 10 AM–1 PM
Santa’s House hours are subject to change due to rain or inclement weather conditions.
Letters to Santa
Sponsored by Hotel Cerro
Additionally, children can find the mailbox outside of Santa’s House and mail their wishlist to the North Pole by Sunday, December 15, 2024, for a response back from Santa.
Commemorative Ornament
Sponsored by the San Luis Obispo Collection
Downtown SLO, in partnership with JunkGirls, is excited to offer a limited-edition stamped brass ornament this holiday season, adorned with an emboss of the iconic Santa’s House in Mission Plaza! Only 100 of these commemorative ornaments will be available for purchase at Santa’s House. After buying an ornament, customers can take it to JunkGirls on Monterey Street, where it can be custom-stamped with a name or personal message for free (up to 12 characters).
Classic Carousel
Sponsored by Lamplighter Inn & Suites
Children can ride the Classic Carousel in Mission Plaza beginning Friday, November 29, 2024. Hours of operation will run in tandem with Santa’s House hours.
Festive Photo Spots & Holiday Tree
Sponsored by Adventist Health, Meathead Movers, and Toyota of San Luis Obispo
The community is invited to experience larger-than-life lighted backdrops and displays that sparkle during the day and dazzle at night! The giant decorated tree, walk-through ornament, photo wreath, sit-in sleigh, giant SLO letters, and more offer the perfect backdrop for holiday photos with family and friends!
Dazzling Light Shows
Light show sponsored by PG&E, Thoma Electric, JCC Federation, & Firestone Grill
Light tunnel sponsored by SESLOC
The Broad Street end of Mission Plaza will be home to the walk-through animated light tunnel — stop by in the evenings for a music-synced light show that incorporates both the tunnel and other elements of the Plaza.
48TH ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE: “WHIMSICAL WONDERLAND” • Friday, December 6, 2024 | 7–9 PM
Presented by Friday Night Lights Youth Flag Football;
In partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo
Visitors should prepare to be enchanted by an evening of unforgettable festive fun in charming downtown San Luis Obispo; the 48th Annual Downtown SLO Holiday Parade will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024, at 7 PM. The 2024 theme will be “Whimsical Wonderland”; parade participants are encouraged to decorate their floats with inspirations of enchanted forests, swirly trees, and sparkly snowscapes.
The Annual Downtown SLO Holiday Parade has drawn thousands to downtown San Luis Obispo since 1976. Held on the first Friday in December, the parade has become a much-loved holiday tradition along the Central Coast for locals and visitors alike. Nearly 90 decorated floats, marching bands, vehicles, dancers, and more will march in the parade. Information regarding the route, accommodations, and more can be found at DowntownSLO.com/Parade. The parade will occur rain or shine! Attendees can RSVP and share the event on Facebook.
All downtown parking will be free on December 6, 2024, from 6 PM ‘til midnight — attendees are encouraged to remember that roads will close beginning at 4 PM. A map of road closures along the parade route can be found here.
Leading the 48th Annual Holiday Parade will be Grand Marshal Jeffrey D. Armstrong, President of Cal Poly, and his wife, Sharon. Accompanying President Armstrong is special guest California State University Chancellor Mildred García. Join Downtown SLO in celebrating Cal Poly’s continued investments in the downtown community, including the development of their new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at 1144 Chorro Street.
All parade viewing spots are street-side; attendees are not permitted to be in the street, and Downtown SLO cannot guarantee saved spots from chairs, blankets, or other items left unattended. There will be entries that incorporate loud noises, flashing lights, and animals, so pets are not encouraged. Portable restrooms will be available in staging areas.
Parade announcer booths sponsored by Rate
Parade Major sponsors include American Riviera Bank, ASAP Movers, Astound Business Solutions, Coastal Pediatric Dentistry, New Heights Ventures, NKT Commercial, San Luis Garbage, Studio Prime Architecture & Design, Sunset Honda, Sutter Health, Traffic Management, and Wilde Wealth Management
Special thanks to Harvey’s Honey Huts, Avila Traffic Safety
FREE PARKING GARAGE DAYS
The City of San Luis Obispo is offering free parking in all three downtown parking garages on the following days:
- Thanksgiving Weekend: 11/28, 11/29, 11/30
- Every Sunday in December: 12/1, 12/8, 12/14, 12/22, 12/29
- Christmas Eve/Day: 12/24, 12/25
- New Year’s Eve/Day: 12/31, 1/1
Additionally, on-street and garage parking will be free on December 6 from 6 PM ‘til midnight during the Holiday Parade.
More information about parking downtown can be found at SLOCity.org/Parking.
JOIN IN ON THE FESTIVE FUN
For more information on Downtown SLO Holiday Happenings, please visit SLOHolidays.com, follow @DowntownSLO on Instagram, and like @ExperienceDowntownSLO on Facebook.
A list of volunteer opportunities for the Holiday Parade and Santa’s House can be found here.
A media kit for all Downtown SLO Holiday Happenings can be found here. Please contact Rachel Lackmann, Marketing & Communications Manager, for additional materials and information: marketing@downtownslo.com, or visit DowntownSLO.com.
Poster artwork for the 2024 holiday season was illustrated by Beka Gene Studio.
Media partners include KSBY, New Times, the Sun, American General Media.
About Downtown SLO: Downtown SLO is a 501 (c)(6) nonprofit founded in 1975 whose mission is to foster an economically vibrant Downtown. Downtown SLO serves the community by working on initiatives like parking and beautification efforts, coordinating special events and the weekly Farmers’ Market, supporting economic activities, and examining Downtown issues.
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