The Mad Hatter Holiday Festival, Parade & Tree Lighting is set to transform historic downtown Vallejo into a whimsical wonderland on Saturday, December 5, 2026. The event, produced by Hyperion Community Partners LLC, will feature a full afternoon and evening of activities culminating in the lighting of a 50-foot holiday tree from the deck of a Victorian Air Ship.
The tree lighting ceremony will be hosted by Vallejo's Mayor alongside the holiday's Grand Marshal, C J Anderson, football coach at Benicia High School and former running back for the Denver Broncos' Super Bowl 50 winning team. The Hatter's holiday songstress Tia Carroll, a blues, soul and R&B singer described as a premier vocalist of San Francisco's music circuit, will also participate in the program.
Festivities begin at 2:00 PM with Wonderland Festival activities and the Queen's Court. The Mad Hatter Holiday Parade steps off at 4:30 PM, followed by the Tree Lighting Program at 6:00 PM and the Lighted Yacht Club Boat Parade at 6:30 PM. The Community Grand Marshal is the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra, recognized for bringing holiday performances and classical music to the masses for decades.
Attendees can expect creations from Obtainium Works, the crowning of Kings, Queens and Princesses by the Queen's Court, a lighted inflatable Unicorn Park, interactive children's wonderland activities, and two 15-foot Flaming Feathers that encircle an area for photo opportunities. The Flaming Feathers are the creation of the Flaming Lotus Girls, award-winning Burning Man recipients, who will also activate SOMA, a beautiful and interactive giant sculpture originally displayed at Burning Man in 2009. Craft and food vendors, continual live performances, interactive Tea Party activities, roaming R2D2 robots, and the 501st Legion's Imperial regiment of Darth Vader and his Storm Troopers will contribute to the whimsical and nonsensical atmosphere.
Hyperion Community Partners LLC, located in the City of Vallejo, has produced a number of events in collaboration with the city to highlight its community creative spirit. The Mad Hatter Holiday Festival and the Mad Hatter's July 4th Waterfront Celebration have attracted thousands of attendees and garnered multiple accolades. The Grand Victorian Homes Tour, also produced in December by Hyperion Community Partners, highlights the impressive architecture of the Heritage District with decorated homes and stories of the past pioneer families. More information is available at HatterVallejo.com.
The festival's blend of local heritage, community participation, and imaginative attractions offers significant impact for the region. By drawing thousands of attendees, it supports local vendors and businesses in the historic downtown, while the involvement of the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra and youth-oriented activities fosters civic pride and family engagement. The event also showcases the creative spirit of Vallejo through collaborations with artists and makers, reinforcing the city's cultural identity and providing an economic boost during the holiday season.
