Can you believe it? It’s finally December meaning it’s time to turn up the classic holiday jams and start celebrating! To mark the beginning of the festive season, there’s nothing like heading down to Downtown Chula Vista to watch the South Bay neighborhood transform into a winter wonderland. With family-friendly fun, holiday cheer from the various local businesses and above all, the return of the annual Starlight Parade and Festival, Downtown Chula Vista will be hard at work bringing the festive spirit to everyone who stops by!
NEW BUSINESS UPDATE
Introducing El Cholo’s Kid, the newest addition to the vibrant Downtown Chula Vista community! In 2008, driven by a strong entrepreneurial spirit, Daisy Romero embarked on a journey to curate and sell exquisite, artisan-made bags through her online store. Over the years, this cherished business blossomed, culminating in the grand opening of its very first in-person location right next to Standlee’s in Downtown Chula Vista at the end of October.
At El Cholo’s Kid you’ll find that there is a strong focus on artisan-made bags that blend timeless traditions and a modern aesthetic that appeals to a wide variety of people. With each bag made, Daisy’s meticulous attention to detail and personalization manifests itself into the stunning creations that are loved by everyone. The beloved brand is now known to specialize in crafting uniquely handmade bags by skilled artisans in Mexico who transform recycled plastic, using traditional techniques, in true works of art.
Just in time for the holiday season, these eco-friendly bags are both practical and beautiful, making them perfect for any occasion. With a range of vibrant colors and bold designs, each bag will add a touch of personality to your loved one’s style.
After a three-year hiatus, the Starlight Parade took center stage on Third Avenue. Between H and E Streets the street came alive with the Starlight Festival, which led into the tree lighting ceremony and then the grand finale, the Starlight Parade. The fantastic parade featured over 100 entrants ranging from festive floats and marching bands to dance teams and classic cars.
Did you know that the Starlight Parade has been around for almost 60 years? Once known as the Starlight Yule Parade in 1964, the pinnacle of the holiday season in Chula Vista brought hundreds of residents from all over the South Bay to witness the various floats and participants marching their way down the same Third Avenue as this year! Decades later, the years behind Chula Vista tradition was honored through this year’s Parade while also celebrating the future years that are to come.
Before this year’s parade, attendees were able to enjoy festivities such as the Holiday Market, rides on the Chula Vista Express and free family photos with Santa, all while enjoying live music from the main stage presented by Wyyerd Fiber at Memorial Park. Also returning for the second year was the 25-foot-tall Downtown Chula Vista Christmas tree which was lit as the official kick-off of this year’s Starlight Parade!
The Holiday Market, curated by the San Diego Markets, became the perfect place to shop from local artisanal vendors for holiday gifts and treats. The festive event offered lovely home décor, handmade soaps, candles, bath and body necessities, and accessories attendees were able to purchase as thoughtful gifts for loved ones from local businesses such as 7 Flora Aromas, Bee Safe Honey, Helix Soap Co, Melt Me Scents, AMAHU, A to Z Designs and Popmptilius Jewelry. The Starlight Festival also featured several vendor booths such as Steffey Stitch, Happy Yoyo and Jose’s Light Up Toys that had the perfect holiday accessories like Santa hats, face paint, and festive toys to wear while watching the parade!
Delicious food was also in abundance, with various vendors such as Colibiri Kombucha, Cups & Straws, Nono Jose, El Rey Tacos, and Golden Bear BBQ that offered tasty empanadas, dumplings, tacos along with other tasty dinner options. Bella Bakery, Chuchulucos and It’s in the Filling had all the favorite desserts such as conchas, polvorones, beignets, and more.
Deck the Halls all December long! With plenty to do, shop and enjoy, Downtown Chula Vista is the ultimate destination for a fun-filled holiday season that will go in the books!
For the latest updates on Downtown Chula Vista, please visit us at DowntownChulaVista.com or follow us on Instagram @DowntownChulaVista, TikTok @DowntownChulaVista, Facebook @DowntownChulaVista, and Twitter @DowntownChula.
Dominic Li Mandri is District Manager of the Downtown Chula Vista Association.
