31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights returns Saturday, Dec. 2; Canine Mayor Buddy Holly to serve as first ever “Canine Grand Marshal” Hannah Wright, Manny the Movie Guy, Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and news reporter Kitty Alvarado named Community Grand Marshals

Canine Mayor Buddy Holly, hometown celebrity Hannah Wright, popular NBC Palm Springs film critic Manny the Movie Guy, and the City’s new Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and his wife, former local news personality Kitty Alvarado, will join residents and visitors downtown the first weekend in December as Palm Springs celebrates the magic of the holidays with the return of the 31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on Saturday, Dec. 2 along world famous Palm Canyon Drive -- and just one day prior for the lighting of the City’s magnificent 22-foot tall Holiday Tree at the Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting on Friday, Dec. 1.

The parade, the City’s signature holiday event which brings as many as 100,000 residents and visitors to downtown annually, kicks off at 5:45 p.m. at Palm Canyon and Ramon Road – and features spectacular twinkling floats, magnificent marching bands, huge holiday balloons, and a visit from Santa Claus of course!

This year’s Community Grand Marshals are Palm Springs High School graduate Hannah Wright, the winner of the popular reality series “Love Island,” who will ride with her fiancée Marco Donatelli, NBC Palm Springs film critic Manny The Movie Guy, and Palm Springs Fire Chief Paul Alvarado and his wife Kitty. In addition, the City’s much loved Canine Mayor, Buddy Holly, the winner of the prestigious 147th annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, will serve as the parade’s first ever “Canine Grand Marshal.” Once again, the Festival of Lights will be broadcast live on NBC Palm Springs. Coverage begins at 6 p.m. For more information about this year’s parade, visit psfestivaloflights.com.

Just one day prior to the parade, residents and their four-legged friends are invited to bring the whole family and join Santa Claus, the City Council -- and Grand Marshals, including Canine Mayor Buddy Holly for the Official City of Palm Springs Holiday Tree Lighting at 5:15 p.m. sharp in Frances Stevens Park, 500 N. Palm Canyon Drive. As always, the event includes caroling by the Palm Springs High School Madrigal Singers, free cookies, hot cocoa, and holiday arts and crafts for children.

Prior to the lighting of the City’s Holiday Tree, Main Street Palm Springs, Mayor Grace Garner and Canine Mayor Buddy Holly will host the City’s annual Holiday Banner Student Awards beginning at 4 p.m. in the park.

“The City of Palm Springs is thrilled to once again celebrate the magic of the holiday season with our residents and visitors at the Official Holiday Tree Lighting and magnificent Festival of Lights Parade,” said Mayor Grace Garner. “The entire Coachella Valley and beyond is invited to bring the whole family and your four-legged friends and come celebrate the holidays in beautiful Palm Springs, California, truly like no place else.”

For more information about a plethora of holiday happenings throughout the month of December in Palm Springs, visit www.PalmSpringsHolidays.org.