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. 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. The switch-on ceremony is the biggest single event on the civic calendar. Come see one of the most beautiful buildings in her holiday best and stick around for some of the other festive fare. The switch–on ceremony will include a dance performance by Kensington Kelly Brown, a concert by Matt Mauser and The Tijuana Dogs, and Richard Goodall, 2024 America’s Got Talent Winner.
Take a Picture With Santa
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.
Downtown Ice Skating
A long-time favorite of festival goers is back again, and you can skate (or watch) in the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture’s 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.
Parking and Event Map
The Festival of Lights Switch on Ceremony is a huge event. It will be crowded and loud. Show up early if you do not want to park far from the event. Here is a map of parking and road closures for Opening Night.
Riverside’s Alternative Gift Fair showcases handmade treasures that support local and global causes, blending creativity with compassion this holiday season.
