“Nights of Light,” a downtown Half Moon Bay holiday tradition, celebrates its ninth year with three nights of entertainment, shopping and fun!

“Nights of Light” begins on Saturday, Nov. 29, with “Moonlight Shopping” from 6-9 p.m. on Main Street. All the stores will be open for your shopping pleasure and they can even put things aside for your significant other to come in later and buy for you!

On Friday, Dec. 5, the traditional “Nights of Light” will begin with a tree-lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. followed by a night of family festivities and the parade. The beautiful tree donated by Repetto’s Greenhouse Florist will be on display in the center of town at Mac Dutra Park, on the corner of Main and Kelly streets. 

Hundreds of children twinkling in lights will march down Main Street in the “Parade of Lights” at 7 p.m. Floats and an old-fashioned fire truck will guide Santa to his special seat for photos and wish lists. Other events   include snowflakes on Main Street, roasted chestnuts on an open fire, strolling carolers, and lots of old-fashioned charm. There will be music in several locations; musicians include the Coastside Chorale with the Lutheran Choir, the Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers, the Mariners Church Band, 4th Street Experience, Pamela Bowen and Mary Corcoran, and the Half Moon Bay Sit Down Marching Band. Other entertainment includes the Greg Frisbee Show, Sol Belly Dance, and glass blowing by Douglass C. Brown.

In the children’s area, get ready for some fun with the Boys & Girls Club selling holiday items; coffee, wreaths and face painting from El Granada    Elementary School; balloons or mini trees from Hatch Elementary; cookie decorating from La Honda Elementary; crafts and candles offered by Coastside Children’s Programs; and Millie Golder selling hot cocoa to warm your tummies and raise money for the Half Moon Bay High School’s Interact Club.

And, of course, the dependable American Legion will have a hot dog and Polish dog booth along with waters, coffee and soft drinks.  

The shops and restaurants will be open late for browsers wishing to see and taste the unique holiday treasures Half Moon Bay has to offer. 

Another new event this year will be the “Moonlight Shopping Night” on Friday, Dec. 19, from 5-9 p.m. on Main Street. For all you procrastinators, you have a reprieve! You can still get it done. Enjoy the carolers, and Santa will be there too! 

All three nights are brought to you by the Half Moon Bay Downtown Business Association, Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Bureau, the Half Moon Bay Recreation Division, Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside, and our premier sponsors: Alifano Technologies, The GraphicWorks, CoastViews Magazine, Harbor Seal Co., Casey’s Café, Reece Computer  Systems, and Coastal Comforts.