Starlight Parade brings Dr. Seuss–themed glow to downtown The Dalles

Dec 1

Written By Columbia Community Connection

By Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 28, 2025 — Downtown The Dalles glowed with color, creativity and holiday cheer Friday night as the 36th Annual Starlight Parade rolled through town, kicking off the Christmas season under clear skies and chilly temperatures.

Presented by Underriner Ford of The Dalles and the The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, this year’s parade embraced a Dr. Seuss–inspired theme, blending playful imagination with bright illumination. Floats, trucks and trailers were wrapped in strands of lights and decorated with whimsical characters, oversized props and bold colors, transforming familiar streets into a moving spectacle of “seussical” scenes.

Despite the cold — temperatures hovered around 42 degrees — families lined the parade route, bundled in coats and hats, as community groups, businesses and organizations made their way downtown. Many floats featured holiday music, waving riders and glowing details that reflected off the pavement, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Entries ranged from elaborately lit sleighs and reindeer displays to construction equipment, classic vehicles and kid-filled trailers reimagined with storybook flair. Marchers and riders tossed candy, waved to the crowd and paused for photos, drawing cheers from onlookers as each entry passed.

The Starlight Parade has long been a signature start to the holiday season in The Dalles, and Friday’s event continued that tradition with strong community participation and a steady crowd that braved the brisk evening. Following the parade, many attendees remained downtown for hot cocoa, cookies and the annual community tree lighting hosted by the chamber.

As the final floats cleared the route and lights dimmed, downtown slowly returned to quiet, leaving behind the glow of decorations and the sense that the holiday season had officially begun.