By Tim Bauer | 12/1/2023
The mountains are covered in snow, local stores and boutiques are bustling with holiday shoppers, and hot cocoa is the beverage of choice on those crisp and chilly evenings! It’s December in Redding, California and we’ve got nine group events that will keep the merriment going all month long!
If you are in Redding on Friday, December 1st come to the center of the city to see the Downtown Redding Christmas Tree Lighting hosted by Viva Downtown. This year’s Christmas tree will be larger than life at 72 feet tall and will be decorated with hundreds of brightly colored lights and starts off with a Show n’ Shine with dozens of classic rides. While you’re there you can shop our unique local businesses and even sip some wine at the recently opened New Clairvaux Vineyard tasting room. The tree lighting happens at 7 pm so bring the gang downtown and spend the evening enjoying our beautiful city.
Date: December 1st, 2023 @ 7:00 pm
Location: Downtown Redding at the intersection of Market and Yuba streets.
For more info visit: 2023 Downtown Redding Christmas Tree Lighting
The long-standing tradition of revving-up the holiday spirit starts with Redding’s Lighted Christmas Parade. At 6 pm, the parade starts where dozens of lit up vehicles, bands, and talented people will cruise, march, and dance through the streets of downtown Redding. If you missed the parade, don’t think you missed out, because Redding is full of holiday festivities all month long.
Date: Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: 1500 block of Market Street in downtown Redding. The parade then proceeds onto California from Tehama to South Street, where it turns left, proceeding to Pine.
For more info visit: Redding Christmas Parade
An original Redding must-see! Even if you’ve been in years prior, there are exciting new attractions and features you won’t want to miss out on this year! There’s nothing that gets the holiday season going more than gazing at an array of beautiful, twinkling lights that shine starkly against the night sky. At Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay Exploration Park in the McConnell Botanical Gardens, you’ll feast your eyes on over a million lights spread across ten wonder-filled acres. Your ears are also in for a treat as the lights interact with whimsical, holiday music. Grab some hot cocoa, apple cider, or feed your sweet tooth with s’mores by the firepits. Make sure your camera is ready as there are so many photo-friendly areas like the “Light Tunnels” where thousands of lights fully surround you or the “Glowing Swings” where you get to sit and sway back and forth as the swings light up in a multitude of colors. Looking for the picture-perfect holiday photo spot? Then you love the “Photo Pavilion” which is a chalet-style gazebo covered from floor-to-ceiling in warm and bright white lights. Finally you’ll walk through two sides of towering, illuminated decorative trees in “Holiday Allee” where you’ll be immersed in the final light and sound symphony of the park. Open now until January 7th it’s the best way to kick-off the holiday season with friends and family! Tickets are available for purchase online and are also sold at the entrance but are subject to availability.
Date: December 1st, 2023, to January 7th, 2024. Every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays and these holidays: Christmas Day (Dec 25th), New Year’s Eve (Dec 31st), and New Year’s Day (Jan 1st).
Location: Turtle Bay Exploration Park / McConnell Botanical Gardens.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase.
For more info visit: Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay
Come see Redding’s enchanting take on this timeless winter ballet. Immerse yourself in Tchaikovsky’s world of fantasy as you follow Clara and her Nutcracker prince to a dreamland filled with dazzling snowflakes, scrumptious sweets, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers, and a sinister Rat Queen! You’ll be mesmerized by beautiful costumes, spellbinding music, and immersive backdrops. The play is comprised of all local dancers and is a great way to support your community. Start the holiday season off in a truly fun and uniquely Redding way!
Date: Friday, December 8th, 2023 - 7:00 PM
Saturday, December 9th, 2023 - 1:00 PM
Saturday, December 9th, 2023 - 7:00
Location: Cascade Theatre, 1731 Market Street Redding, CA 96001
For more info visit: Cascade Theatre
It’s last call for “A Cascade Christmas” at the Cascade Theatre. With only a few shows left, make sure you don’t miss out on this fun and charming holiday play. Take a trip down memory lane and learn about how Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus came to be. You’ll also meet a few familiar Christmas faces as well as be treated to delightful singing, dancing, and a deluge of Christmas spirit. A true Redding classic you’ll not see anywhere else so make sure you buy your tickets today!
Date: Friday December 1st at 7:30PM
Saturday December 2nd at 12:00PM (Meet and Greet and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage after matinee.)
Sunday December 3rd at 2:00PM (Meet and Greet and photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus on stage after matinee.)
Location: Cascade Theatre, 1731 Market Street Redding, CA 96001
For more info visit: Cascade Theatre
All aboard for some holiday fun! Come and ride on a Christmas train through the heart of Hawes Farms where you’ll see dazzling holiday displays around every twist and turn of the track. Gaze upon the towering 50-foot-tall Christmas tree covered in hundreds of decorative lights as it shines like a beacon in the starry night sky. Let the sounds of the holidays dance upon your ears through festive music timed to the wondrous assemblage of spirited displays. Practice your figure eights when you strap on a pair of ice skates and glide around their very own ice-skating rink. End the evening by taking a keepsake photo with none other than Santa Claus! It truly is a winter wonderland at “Lights on the Farm” this December.
Dates: December 1st, Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
December 2nd - 3rd, Saturday - Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
December 7th - 8th, Thursday - Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
December 9th - 10th, Saturday - Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
December 14th - 15th, Thursday - Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
December 16th - 17th, Saturday - Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
December 21st - 22nd, Thursday- Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
December 23rd - 24th, Saturday - Sunday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
December 28th - 29th, Thursday- Friday, 5:00 PM - 8:30 PM
December 30th, Saturday, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Hawes Farms, 6465 Deschutes Road Anderson, CA 96007
For more info visit: Historic Hawes Farms
From December 8 – 23, 2023, Axiom Repertory Theatre presents the classic tale of A Christmas Carole with a new twist. Ebenezer Scrooge is still visited by the ghosts of Christmas past, present, and future, but Broadway hitters Alan Menken (of some of Disney’s favorites) and Lynn Ahrens (of Ragtime, and Seussical) have added their special creative touch to this sure fire classic.
Date: December 8 – 23, 2023 – Friday and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 PM
Location: Axion Repertory Theatre, 2613 Bechelli Lane, Redding, CA 96002
For more info visit: Axiom Theatre
From December 1 – 17, 2023, Riverfront Playhouse presents a story that every family can relate to in fashion or another. The perfect family get-together is put to the test as everyone tries to be on their best behavior. Walk-in tickets can be purchased at Enjoy The Store, 1261 Market Street, Redding, CA 96001.
Date: December 1 – 17, 2023 – Friday and Saturday evening shows with a Sunday matinee
Location: Riverfront Playhouse, 1950 California Street, Redding, CA 96001
For more info visit: Riverfront Playhouse
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a spectacular Broadway-style production that involves incredible acrobatics, gravity defying aerial feats, and a fantastical cast of lovable characters. Just in time for the holidays, you'll be delighted to an entourage of familiar storybook characters that come to life right on stage. Featuring an original musical score and some twists on your favorite holiday songs, you'll be dancing the night away while you enjoy joyful jugglers, slap-stick skippers, and silly circus performers in what's sure to be a fun and fancy-free experience. Bring the family as this is an all-ages event that will be sure to dazzle you all night long.
Date: Sunday, December 17, 2023.
Doors open at 5:30 PM for the show starting at 7:00 PM.
Location: Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive, Redding, CA 96001
For more info: CIRQUE DREAMS HOLIDAZE — Redding Civic
Calling all 18+ audiences to come and see “A Drag Queen Christmas”, presented by Murray & Peter. It's the longest running drag tour in America and all your favorite queens will be performing live on stage. Judging will be held in categories of Winners, Fan Favorites, OGs, and Miss Congeniality. VIP Meet & Greet tickets are available and will start at 6pm. Show starts at 8pm with a 20-minute intermission.
Date: Sunday, December 10th, 2023. Show starts at 8:00 PM.
Location: Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive, Redding, CA 96001
For more info: A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS — Redding Civic
Want to be featured in a future blog post? Reach out to us at: Tim@ChooseRedding.com
