HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE 2024

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NOVEMBER 13, 2024

REDDING HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE 2024

Santa sitting on the Redding sign in downtown Redding, CA
The holiday event season promises festive family fun throughout Redding and the surrounding areas this year.

From beloved community traditions to new wintry activities, there are many ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of year.

Downtown a classic car show christmas
Photo Credit: Brent Van Auken

REDDING COMMUNITY HOLIDAY EVENTS


REDDING CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
December 6, 5 PM – 7 PM | Downtown Redding

Join in this cherished community tradition in downtown Redding for the 104th annual lighting of the giant Christmas tree near the intersection of Market and Yuba. Enjoy carolers, classic Christmas car displays, and festivities to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

REDDING LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE
December 7, 6 PM – 8 PM | Downtown Redding

This beloved local tradition features vibrant floats, twinkling lights, festive bands, and community groups marching down downtown streets. Grab some hot cocoa and join in the holiday fun!

12 BEERS OF CHRISTMAS
December 1 – 12 | Fall River Brewing Co.

Fall River Brewery taps a new holiday movie-themed beer daily from December 1-12 that guests can sample by getting a passport stamped.

Finish the passport and receive an exclusive invitation to Fall River’s 2025 Premiere Party in January, featuring food trucks and festive brews like Son of a Nutcracker Sour and Bad Santa Saison.

OLD TIME HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
December 7, 11 AM – 3 PM | Shasta State Historic Park

Shasta State Historic Park’s free Annual Old Time Holiday Celebration will feature engaging arts and crafts, blacksmith demonstrations, light refreshments, candle making, Christmas crackers, and more for visitors of all ages.

For more information, call 530-243-8194. Shasta State Historic Park is located six miles west of Redding on Highway 299W.

LITTLE EXPLORERS: WONDERFUL WINTER
December 5, 12, 19, 26, 10 AM – 11 AM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Little Explorers Winter Program at Turtle Bay Exploration Park offers 2-5 year olds and their caregivers a weekly interactive learning experience featuring winter-themed activities, stories, and hands-on exploration.

FAMILY 2ND SATURDAY: WINTER CELEBRATIONS
December 14, 11 AM – 2 PM | Turtle Bay Museum

Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s Family 2nd Saturday event on December 14th invites families to explore winter celebrations from around the world through interactive activities.

RELATED: DISCOVER 50 CHRISTMAS GIFT EXPERIENCES YOU CAN FIND ONLY IN REDDING

REDDING CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DISPLAYS



REDDING GARDEN OF LIGHTS
November 22 – January 5 | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Stroll through over 1 million dazzling lights illuminating 10 acres of stunning botanical gardens during this beloved annual holiday display. Sip on hot cocoa as you walk the sparkling path and celebrate the spirit of the season. This is one of the best holiday events of the year!

REDDING LIGHTS
Opens November 29 | 2499 El Verano St.

This award-winning, animated Redding Christmas light show features synchronized lights, music, and stunning visual effects against the backdrop of the holidays. Located in east Redding, the Van Gent family has made this dazzling experience a tradition for local and visiting families.

HOLIDAY CONCERTS & PRODUCTIONS


Cascade front Sign
Photo Credit: Nolan Erickson

NUTCRACKER! MAGICAL CHRISTMAS BALLET
November 10, 3 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

Don’t miss the return of this family-friendly ballet production featuring international dancers. The show brings to life the holiday classic tale of young Clara and her Nutcracker prince with beautiful sets, costumes, and choreography.

STRAIGHT NO CHASER
November 21, 7:30 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

Straight No Chaser, the acclaimed a cappella group with multiple Gold albums and billions of streams, is set to perform a captivating holiday concert. The indoor performance promises an extraordinary musical experience, combining the group’s unadulterated human voices with their signature sense of humor to move and entertain audiences.

CASCADE CHRISTMAS: REDDING’S HOLIDAY TRADITION
November 24 – December 3 | Cascade Theatre

Enjoy Redding’s long-running variety show filled with Christmas entertainment for the whole family. The production features lively musical numbers, comedy sketches, and dance routines to celebrate the holiday season.

MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER CHRISTMAS
November 25, 7 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas by Chip Davis, a beloved holiday tradition for over 35 years, is coming to the Redding Civic Auditorium. The Grammy Award-winning show features classic Christmas music with Mannheim Steamroller’s distinctive sound.

NARNIA: THE MUSICAL
November 29 – December 1; December 5 – 6 (multiple showtimes) | Timbre Theatre

NARNIA: The Musical, a dramatization of C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” is presented by Redding Performing Art Center’s Youth Theatre. This enchanting production follows four siblings as they discover the magical world of Narnia, facing challenges and learning valuable life lessons along the way.

THE WICHAMS CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY
December 5-7, 11-14 | Hillside Theatre Venue

“The Wickhams Christmas at Pemberley,” performed by Bethel Conservatory of the Arts, offers a festive downstairs perspective of Pride & Prejudice’s beloved Pemberley estate, where Mr. Wickham’s unexpected arrival disrupts three servants’ holiday preparations.

REDDING CITY BALLET PRESENTS: THE NUTCRACKER
December 6-8 | Cascade Theatre

The Redding City Ballet Company performs this beloved holiday tradition featuring Clara’s magical adventures with the Nutcracker Prince. Enjoy gorgeous sets and costumes as you experience this Christmas classic brought to life through dance.

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS
December 8, 3-5 PM | James Grant Student Life Center, Simpson University

The Shasta Symphony Orchestra and Simpson University Music Department present “The Joy of Christmas,” a holiday concert celebrating the season through festive music and honoring the reason for the season.

IMMANUEL: A CHRISTMAS STORY
December 11-15 | The Stirring

“Immanuel: A Christmas Story” is a new family-friendly musical that reimagines the nativity through original songs and choreography by Mischief Story House and Commūne Dance Company.

ELF: THE MUSICAL
December 12 – 15, 19 – 21 (multiple showtimes) | Timbre Theatre

Redding Performing Arts Center presents ELF: THE MUSICAL, a heartwarming holiday story about Buddy, a human raised as an elf at the North Pole, who travels to New York City to find his birth father and spread Christmas cheer.

CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE
December 12, 7 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

This dazzling family holiday spectacular combines contemporary circus arts with Broadway-style production. See aerialists, acrobats, jugglers and more perform to holiday music and delight audiences of all ages.

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL
December 15, 6 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

Based on the classic TV special, this beloved holiday show features Rudolph and a cast of iconic characters in a musical adventure to help Santa save Christmas.

WINTER CANDLELIGHT CONCERT
December 19, 7:30 PM | Donaldson Fine Arts Center

Join Rebekah van Tinteren and a talented ensemble for an intimate Winter Solstice celebration featuring strings, piano, harp, percussion, and voices in a magical candlelit setting with seasonal refreshments at the Donaldson Fine Arts Center.

TOMÁSEEN FOLEY’S A CELTIC CHRISTMAS
December 21, 7:30 PM | Cascade Theatre

Ring in the holiday season with beloved Irish storyteller Tomáseen Foley through Celtic music, dancing and tales. The show captures the spirit of Christmas in Ireland through humor and heart.

HOLIDAY RUNS & RACES


Lake Redding

2024 TURKEY TROT
November 28, 8 AM | Redding Senior Center

The annual Turkey Trot run/walk takes place on Thanksgiving morning and is sponsored by the SWEAT Running Club.

Participants can pick up their race packets and bibs at the Senior Citizen Hall or on race day morning before the start.

12KS OF CHRISTMAS
December 9, 9 AM – 12 PM | Lake Redding Park

Tackle the 12K course or opt for the 2-mile option at this festive annual holiday race. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Enjoy music, costumes, and awards plus refreshments to fuel up post-race.

JINGLE BELL FUN RUN
December 7, 4 PM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Ring in the holidays at this festive fun run starting at the Sundial Bridge. The course winds through the Redding Garden of Lights. Finish the run and enjoy admission and activities at the illuminated gardens.

HOLIDAY BAZAARS, CRAFT FAIRS, & ART CLASSES


a Christmas tree with a handmade ornament



RIVERFRONT PLAYHOUSE HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
November 17, 11 AM – 3 PM | Riverfront Playhouse

The 2nd Annual Riverfront Playhouse Holiday Craft Fair returns with free admission, offering holiday shopping from local vendors and a raffle to support the theater.

A YULTETIDE ARTISAN FAIR
December 14, 9 AM – 4 PM | Palo Cedro Community Hall (formerly Millville Grange)

Roots Farm EDU is hosting its annual Yuletide Artisan Fair, featuring 40 craft and handmade vendors with additional family-friendly activities like face painting and henna.

Don’t miss out on this indoor festive shopping event for finding unique gifts and supporting youth and community artisans!

NEW YEAR’S EVE EVENTS IN REDDING


two hands holding sparklers for new year's eve in redding ca
Photo Credit: Ian Schneider

NOON YEAR’S EVE PARTY
December 31, 10 AM – 12 PM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Turtle Bay Exploration Park hosts a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration featuring party hat crafting, resolution sharing, and three daytime countdown celebrations with confetti at 11 AM, 11:30 AM, and noon.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE REDDING GARDEN OF LIGHTS
December 31, 6 PM – 10 PM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Ring in 2024 at the family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration at Redding’s Garden of Lights, featuring live music and an “almost midnight” countdown.

Welcome the new year with magic and giving, with proceeds benefiting Turtle Bay’s exhibits, animals, and educational initiatives.

NEARBY HOLIDAY FUN


three women skiing at mt shasta ski park north of redding, CA

Just a short drive outside Redding, enjoy these additional holiday activities:

Siskiyou Ice Skating Rink in Mt. Shasta – Lace up your ice skates and glide across the ice at this picturesque rink about an hour from Redding. The rink is open for the season beginning November 16th, 2024, through February 23rd, 2025.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park – Make the most of the wintry weather with a day trip to the slopes at Mt. Shasta Ski Park, just over an hour’s drive from Redding. Rent your ski or snowboard gear from one of the local Redding shops, then head up for a day full of fresh powder before returning to Redding to relax and warm up after your outdoor adventure.

However you celebrate the season, Redding offers many ways to brighten spirits!

If you want to add events to the Visit Redding calendar, we invite you to submit them here.

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NOVEMBER 15, 2024

TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT THE REDDING GARDEN OF LIGHTS
A family enjoying the Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay in Redding, CA.

It’s the most magical time of the year, and if you’re looking to immerse yourself in holiday cheer, the Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay is for you.

Whether you’re looking for a family night out or the perfect date night, this spectacular light display transforms the gardens into a shimmering winter wonderland.

10 THINGS TO DO AT REDDING GARDEN OF LIGHTS


Sundial Bridge Garden of Lights
1) WALK ACROSS THE GLOWING SUNDIAL BRIDGE
Stroll the iconic Sundial Bridge, magically glowing green and lined with shimmering white lights. This glass-decked bridge spanning the Sacramento River becomes the perfect fairytale entrance into the illuminated gardens.

Close-up of a teenage girl's face through white redding christmas lights
2) SEE OVER TWO MILLION TWINKLING LIGHTS
Witness the magic of over two million twinkling holiday lights illuminating ten full acres of botanical gardens. You’ll swear you’ve stepped right into Disneyland with the sheer number and variety of colorful, dancing lights set to music.

Garden of Lights Botanical Garden

3) EXPERIENCE HOLIDAY-THEMED BOTANICAL GARDENS
The McConnell Arboretum & Botanical Gardens has never looked so good! You can expect to see playful Wintry Wildlife, enchanting Prismatic Pollinators, and cheery Meadow Merriment. The sparkling Polar Path even leads you through an icy igloo!

A woman sitting on her husband's lap on a glowing LED swing at the Garden of Lights in Redding CA

4) SWING ON THE GLOWING SWINGS
Sway into the holiday spirit on the new glowing swings, perfect for photos and delighting kids (and kids at heart) of all ages.



5) HOST YOUR PARTY IN THE COZY REDDING GARDEN OF LIGHTS VIP IGLOOS
Gather your people and snuggle up in the new VIP igloos! Choose from one of two exclusive igloos, each equipped with firepits, pillows, and blankets for the ultimate cozy experience.

6) SIP ON HOLIDAY TREATS AND DRINKS
As if the Garden of Lights couldn’t get any better, the food trucks and beverage stations provide multiple opportunities to warm up and refuel with holiday drinks and treats. The menu includes festive favorites like spiced cider, hot chocolate, spiked drinks for adults, beer and wine, cookies, and more. You can even order dinner!

A family warming their hands around a fire pit at the Garden of Lights in Redding

7) WARM UP AT THE FIRE PITS
No need to rush through the illuminated gardens to beat the cold. Stop at any number of cozy fire pits along the way to warm your hands, snuggle up with your loved ones, or even roast s’mores. The glow of the fire will warm your hearts and your hands.

8) CAPTURE FESTIVE PHOTOS
Still need a photo for your Christmas card this year? Capture those smiles for holiday photos against the brilliant backdrop of the gardens. The magical ambiance provides endless festive photo ops.

9) SUPPORT TURTLE BAY EXPLORATION PARK
It feels good to do good! Giving back to Turtle Bay Exploration Park helps provide for the animals who call it home. Your attendance helps fund this valuable community resource.

A family posing together in front of the Redding Garden of Lights sign

10) MAKE MAGICAL FAMILY MEMORIES
The Garden of Lights makes for a memorable and festive family outing that will create magical memories. From kids to grandparents, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at this accessible venue. The entire path is friendly for strollers and wheelchairs.

Share this top 10 list to get your family and friends excited about this special annual event that captures the magic of the holidays. Let the glow of the lights brighten your spirits this season!

Redding Garden of Lights is open November 22, 2024 – January 5, 2025.
>> GET YOUR TICKETS HERE <<

Looking for more fun things to do in Redding during the holidays?

See the complete 2024 Redding Holiday Events Guide.

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We love ❤️ Christmas 🌲here and go all out for it here.