Actor Chris Witaske has been named the Grand Marshal for the 2025 St. Charles Electric Christmas Parade, set to take place on Saturday, November 29, in downtown St. Charles. This festive event is part of the St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, a two-day celebration kicking off with a Lighting of the Lights Ceremony on Friday, November 28.
A proud St. Charles native, Witaske graduated from St. Charles East High School in 2001 and pursued a degree in Theater Arts at the University of Iowa. He began his career in Chicago, performing at various comedy venues, including the renowned Second City Theater. In 2013, he made a successful transition to Los Angeles, where he landed his television debut in Fox’s popular series “New Girl.” This role opened doors to numerous subsequent appearances on notable shows such as HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Netflix’s “Love,” and the Emmy-winning series “The Bear.”
In addition to his television work, Witaske is known for his humorous portrayal in the “Turning into Your Parents” commercials for Progressive Insurance, and for co-creating the animated series “Chicago Party Aunt” on Netflix.
Proudly expressing his connection to his hometown, Witaske stated, “I’m incredibly proud to be from St. Charles – it’s such a wonderful community that has given me so much support throughout the years. Although I now live in Los Angeles, St. Charles will always be home to me, and I’m truly honored to be part of this holiday tradition.”
For further details about the Electric Christmas Parade and the St. Charles Holiday Homecoming, interested attendees can visit stcholidayhomecoming.com or reach out to the St. Charles Business Alliance at 630-443-3967. This year’s event promises to be a festive celebration, highlighting community spirit and local pride.