City sparkles at 39th Annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony
By Camille DeVaul · Thu Dec 04 2025
City park comes alive with holiday cheer as thousands gather for festive celebration
PASO ROBLES — Downtown Paso Robles sparkled on Friday, Nov. 28, as the 39th annual Downtown Lighting Ceremony brought families, friends, and visitors together to celebrate the season. Hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association and the City of Paso Robles, the event kicked off at 5:30 p.m., filling the city park with excitement, music, and the cheerful anticipation of turning on the lights.
Mrs. Santa Claus and local officials greeted attendees at the downtown bandstand. As volunteers distributed candles and songbooks, the crowd began to sing along to traditional holiday carols. At the stroke of 6 p.m., Mrs. Claus flipped the giant switch, and the Paso Robles City Park was instantly transformed.
Mayor John Hamon called the event “a powerful reminder of what makes Paso Robles such a special community.”
"Seeing many thousands of families, friends, and visitors fill our downtown as the lights came on was nothing short of inspiring," he told Paso Robles Press. "I want to thank the Paso Robles Main Street Association and our city staff for delivering another outstanding event that showcased the heart of our city. Their hard work brings our historic downtown to life during this holiday season and creates moments we all can share with pride. Paso Robles shines brightest when we come together, and Friday night proved that once again."
Photos by Camille DeVaul/PRP
Public Works Director Freda Berman shared her enthusiasm for the display, noting the thrill of hearing the crowd’s reaction.
“The Downtown Lighting Ceremony was amazing this year,” she said.
The city first stepped into helping with the downtown lighting in 2023. Berman worked to approve the city to hire a lighting company to fully transform the park lights. The community was immediately obsessed with the lights, and it inspired the city to bring regular-season lights to the park as well — making the park lit all year round.
For the first time in over 10 years, the ceremony did not include the Lights of Hope fundraiser benefiting the Cancer Support Community California Central Coast nonprofit. Despite this change, the event maintained its vibrant energy and continued to draw families from across the region.
Photos by Camille DeVaul/PRP
The city unveiled three new lighted trees, updated some colors, and added an extra photo opportunity area, enhancing the experience for attendees.
Berman highlighted the city’s ongoing #Pasolights and New Year’s Eve Concert & Bonfire sponsorship program, which helps illuminate City Park from November through the first week of January and supports the return of the New Year’s Eve celebration. Donations of any amount are welcome, and a full list of sponsors can be found at prcity.com/pasolights
As the evening concluded, attendees were treated to complimentary coffee and hot chocolate from The Human Bean. The Downtown Lighting Ceremony, hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association, continues to be a cherished tradition, drawing both locals and visitors who plan their family trips around the holiday display.
"The city receives phone calls throughout the year from people from all over asking about the lights, making sure that they will be able to see them," Berman said. "Family trips and events are now planned around the time the park is lit. It really is a wonderful gift to the community and a fantastic way to celebrate Paso Robles and the holidays."
For more information on other seasonal events hosted by the Paso Robles Main Street Association, visit pasoroblesdowntown.org