Palm Springs announces grand marshals for 33rd annual Festival of Lights Parade ⋆ The Palm Springs Post

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Grand marshals for this year’s parade include Palm Springs High School graduate Jada McLean, Matt Sorum, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer from Guns N’ Roses; and Scheana Shay, star of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules.”

The City of Palm Springs will host its 33rd Annual Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 5:45 p.m. along Palm Canyon Drive, featuring a lineup of celebrity grand marshals and a special 50th anniversary Sunrise Park float.

Grand marshals for this year’s parade include Palm Springs High School graduate Jada McLean, who stars in the Netflix show about Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and successfully advocated for a 400% pay increase for the squad.

Also serving as grand marshals are Scheana Shay, star of Bravo’s “Vanderpump Rules;” Matt Sorum, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer from Guns N’ Roses; actress and part-time resident Mädchen Amick, best known for her role in “Twin Peaks,”; and Nelda Linsk, known as the First Lady of Modernism Week and featured in the Slim Aarons photograph “Poolside Gossip.”

Grammy Award-winning singer Thelma Houston will participate as a special guest star.

The parade will feature floats, marching bands from throughout the western U.S. and southern California, giant inflatable balloons of characters including Smurfette, Daniel Tiger, the Cat in the Hat, and Mr. Potato Head. Santa Claus will also appear in the parade.

Performances will include the Changels Choir from Adopt the Arts, the Coachella Valley High School EXLP Dancers, and the Cathedral City High School Ballet Folklorico.

NBC Palm Springs will broadcast the parade live starting at 6 p.m., with an appearance by actor, singer, and producer John Stamos.

Ahead of the parade, get ready for the season with the official holiday tree lighting ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, at 5:15 p.m. with Mayor Ron deHarte, city councilmembers, and Santa Clause.

The tree lighting event will include a meet-and-greet with Santa, cookies and cocoa, and arts and crafts activities. The Holiday Student Banner Awards ceremony will take place at 4 p.m.

“The holiday season shines even brighter in Palm Springs with the Festival of Lights Parade, a dazzling tradition that captures the true spirit and sparkle of the holidays,” said deHarte. “We’re thrilled to welcome our incredible Grand Marshals and invite residents and visitors from across the Coachella Valley to experience the magic along Palm Canyon Drive.”