Many gather for 25th Festival of Lights Parade

The holiday spirit could be felt throughout Downtown Palm Springs Saturday night.

Many gathered for the 25th annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade.

Tonight Show Correspondent and part-time Palm Springs resident Ross Mathews led the desert’s Christmas celebration.

Mathews was joined by HGTV’s Eric and Lindsey Bennett from “Desert Flippers,” local “Community Sweetheart” Bella da Ball and Santa Claus himself as the parade took off down Palm Canyon Drive.

More than 100 floats, marching bands, holiday balloons and 100,000 residents and visitors were expected to be in attendance.

“The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is the biggest and best holiday lights parade in Southern California and beyond,” said Mary Jo Ginther, director of the Palm Springs Board of Tourism. “Over the years, it has truly become one of the region’s most beloved holiday events and an important part of the magic that makes the city of Palm Springs like no place else.”