Each year, the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa gets dressed up for the holiday season with over 10 million lights and decorations. The Main Street Pedestrian Mall has been transformed into a Christmas Bazaar with food, music, and holiday craft vendors. Whether you like the big names and fireworks of the switch-on ceremony or the quiet midweek stroll among the decorations, the month-long Festival is sure to please. The Mission Inn Festival of Lights has become a premier holiday event garnering attention from across the nation as one of the best and biggest displays in the country. Come see one of the most beautiful buildings in her holiday best and stick around for some of the other festive fare.
Santa takes a break from his busy holiday schedule to spend some time in sunny Riverside before his big day. Bring the family and pay him a visit. Ask him for a pony or partridge, or just plead your case for a last-minute nice-list addition. Bring your camera because this year, all photos will be do-it-yourself; there will be no professional photographer on site.
A long-time favorite of festival goers is back again, and you can skate (or watch) in the Cheech parking lot on Orange and 6th this holiday season. There is a little magic in watching someone who knows what they’re doing glide and cut across the ice. There may be a little bit of magic in watching the people who don’t know what they’re doing, too.
Aside from the fireworks on the first night, the Festival of Trees might be the biggest event during the Festival of Lights. The Riverside Convention Center hosts an arts and crafts fair on November 25th and 26th. Festivities include children’s activities, pictures with Santa, and a Christmas tree decorating competition. The Festival of Trees attracts thousands of visitors and is a treasured annual holiday event for Riverside.
The Riverside Arts Council hosts an ArtsWalk on the first Thursday of each month. The December edition features holiday-themed arts and crafts vendors and holiday-themed activities in many of the downtown museums, which are open free of charge for the event. ArtsWalk is a great way to see Riverside’s commitment to the arts, and all of the extra holiday cheer is a festive bonus.
While not an official part of the festival schedule, Metrolink offers Holiday Express service from several stations, including Downtown Riverside. On December 7th, you can leave on an out-and-back train ride from Riverside to Anaheim. The Holiday Express train will be decorated for Christmas, and activities will be held for the kids and special guest riders. Find more information and make reservations here.
The Ben Franklin stage on 9th and Main will host festive bands and community performers from Thursday through Sunday, 5- 9 p.m. Grab a hot chocolate and a holiday treat, and come see what’s going on. Music is always a part of the holiday season, from yuletide carols to rocking around the Christmas tree.
Santa will be in the Bahamas recovering from Christmas, but the decorations downtown will still be up. Chabad Jewish Community Center of Riverside hosts Chanukah, on December 30th in front of the Historic Courthouse. There will be bands, singing, candle making, and, most importantly, jelly donuts!
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