Hundreds of people gathered Saturday night on the sidewalks, curbs and driveways along Hollister Avenue for the annual Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade.

The evening began with Christmas carols from the Santa Barbara Noël Carolers. The group has been together for 35 years, making some of the performers younger than the group itself. The carolers performed in the gazebo at the Goleta Valley Community Center.

The fifth annual Goleta Old Town Holiday Parade included local Boy and Girl Scout troops, bands from local schools, the South Coast Youth Band and numerous local businesses. 

Groups traveled along Hollister Avenue between Orange and Kinman avenues.

This year, there were 70 parade entries and more than 1,400 participants, including Goleta Mayor Paula Perotte and numerous Goleta City Council members leading the parade.

Saturday’s festivities were put on by the Greater Goleta Santa Barbara Lions Club, and this year the parade was presented by Fuel Depot and the Elks Lodge. 

Also this year, the city hosted a holiday window decorating contest for businesses along the parade route. Pictures of the most festive displays will be posted on the city’s Instagram and Facebook pages for residents to look at and vote for their favorites.