We’ve collected some of the most notable events happening in Riverside and San Bernardino counties for the holidays.
Also, if you need even more ideas, check out these stories:
- 70+ Christmas and holiday events and things to do in Southern California
- 16 productions of “The Nutcracker” to see in Southern California in 2018
- 25 ho ho holiday concerts coming to Southern California
- These 12 holiday light shows put on dazzling displays across Southern California
The list below is organized alphabetically by city and then chronologically.
Beaumont
21st Annual Christmas Light Parade: Get into the holiday spirit at Beaumont’s annual holiday parade. Also nearby, the Holiday Craft Extravaganza runs from 4-8 p.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center, 550 E. 6th St., Beaumont.The parade begins at 6 p.m. Dec. 8, Palm Avenue and 12th Street. Free. 951-769-8524, ci.beaumont.ca.us.
“The Farndale Avenue Housing Estate Townswomen’s Guild Dramatic Society’s Production of A Christmas Carol”: Catch a Star Theatrical Players will present this show, which is a comical take on the Charles Dickens classic.7 p.m. Dec. 1 and 8; 2 p.m. Dec. 2, 9 and 16. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. Beaumont Women’s Club Community Center, 306 E. 6th St., Beaumont. $15. 951-315-4253, castplayers.org.
Corona
Holiday Lighting Celebration: Frolic in the snow, take photos with Santa, and make crafts in Santa’s workshop at this fun holiday event. 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dec. 2, City Hall, 400 S. Vicentia Ave., Corona. Free. www.coronaca.gov.
Fontana
Magic of Lights: Take driving to a festive level and cruise through a mile-long tunnel of dazzling lights at the Auto Club Speedway. 5:30-9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 5:30-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday through Dec. 31. Auto Club Speedway, 9300 Cherry Ave., Fontana. $20 per car advance purchase; $25 at the gate; Dash Pass for front of line, $40 in advance, $45 at the gate; $40-$45 for RVs, buses and limos. 800-944-7223, magicoflights.com, autoclubspeedway.com.
Holiday Follies 2018: Tibbies is back with the festive song and dance revue which features holiday classics in addition to traditional tunes. The fun begins Dec. 1 and runs through Dec. 31 on various days. Tickets start at $25. 909-429-7469, centerstagefontana.com
Hemet
Hemet Christmas Parade: The San Jacinto Valley tradition begins at 10 a.m. Dec. 1. Parade starts at Palm and Florida avenues and ends at Gibbel Park in Hemet. 951-765-2300 or cityofhemet.org.
Old Fashioned Holiday: The annual event at the Western Science Center includes crafts, a treasure hunt and hot cocoa. 5-7 p.m. Dec. 4, Western Science Center, 2345 Searl Parkway, Hemet. Free. 951-791-0033, westerncentermuseum.org.
Indio
Brian Setzer Orchestra’s Christmas Rocks!: A night of big band meets holiday classics will light up the Special Events Center when former Stray Cats frontman brings his Christmas extravaganza to town. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21, Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio. $49-$79. 760-342-5000, fantasyspringsresort.com.
Lake Elsinore
Winterfest: A cornucopia of family friendly activities will come to life at Lake Elsinore’s Winterfest. Sled runs, crafts, live entertainment, a tree lighting ceremony and a parade are all in store. 4-9 p.m. Dec. 1, Main Street, Lake Elsinore. Free. www.lake-elsinore.org.
Menifee
Tree Lighting Ceremony: The tree lighting ceremony includes a kid’s zone featuring snow and other activities. 4 – 8p.m. Dec. 1, Mt. San Jacinto Campus 28237 La Piedra Road, Menifee, Free; $5 for a wristband to the kid’s zone, cityofmenifee.us.
Moreno Valley
Snow Day and Tree Lighting Ceremony: Kids ages 12 and younger have a chance to play in the snow at this fun event. The cost is $6 for Moreno Valley residents and $8 for non-residents. Each ticket provides 45 minutes of snow play. The tree lighting ceremony takes place at 5:30 p.m. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, Conference and Recreation Center, 14075 Frederick St., Moreno Valley.
Murrieta
Festival of Trees: Bring the family for an evening that will include carriage rides, a magic show, photos with Santa Claus and a parade. The parade will begin at Washington and B Streets and end at Town Square Park. 5-7 p.m. Dec. 1, Town Square Park, Murrieta. Free, murrietaca.gov.
Gifts: Presented by the California Chamber Orchestra, gifts are the theme of this year’s holiday show. The orchestra will once again be joined by the Temecula Valley Master chorale. 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1. Murrieta United Methodist Church, 24652 Adams Ave., Murrieta. $35 for adults; $30 for seniors; $10 for students; children 10 and under free with an adult. 866-653-8696, calchamberorchestra.org.
Ontario
Christmas on Euclid: This holiday tradition transforms Euclid Avenue into a winter wonderland with blocks of twinkling lights while the popular nativity scenes will once again delight crowds on the Euclid Avenue median. A tree lighting ceremony takes place at Ontario Town Square Park at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 30 while a craft fair and family friendly festival featuring ice skating and snow play happens at the park from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Dec. 1. christmasoneuclid.com.
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: A mash-up of holiday cheer and rock operas will combine when the TSO tour returns to Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario for a holiday show. 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1. 4000 E. Ontario Center Parkway, Ontario. $45-$76.50. 909-244-5500 or cbbankarena.com.
Masters of Harmony: The barbershop-style choir will perform its annual holiday concert at Colony High School. 3 p.m. Dec. 15. 3850 E. Riverside Drive, Ontario. $29-39. 800-838-3006 or mastersofharmony.org. The group also performs at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach on Dec. 16.
Palm Desert
Merri-Achi Christmas: Mariachi Sol de Mexico de José Hernàndez will bring upbeat holiday songs, dance and a festive good time to the McCallum Theater. 7 p.m. Dec. 16, McCallum Theatre, Fred Waring Drive. $28-$78. 760-340-2787, mccallumtheatre.com.
Wild Lights: More than 1 million twinkling lights awaits guests at the 26th annual installment of this popular holiday tradition. 6- 9 p.m. Nov. 23 – Dec. 24, The Living Desert Zoo, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert. $10 for adults; $8 for children and military (with ID).760-346-5694, livingdesert.org.
Palm Springs
Robolights: Robotic light art installations create a strange and unique winter wonderland at Kenny Irwin’s home. 4 – 10 p.m. 1077 E. Granvia Valmonte, Palm Springs. Free. www.facebook.com/ROBOLIGHTS
Perris
Train to Santa’s Workshop: This family favorite gives kids and kids-at-heart a chance to ride a train with elves, listen to stories and sing songs. Advance purchase recommended. Nov. 29, 30; Dec. 1,2,7, 8, 9, 13, 14,15,16. Orange Empire Railway Museum, 2201 S. A St., Perris. $20 for 12 and older; $15 for kids 2-11. 951-943-3020, www.oerm.org.
Rancho Cucamonga
Inland Pacific Ballet: More than 80 dancers bring this traditional holiday tale to life with beautiful sets, costumes and delightful music. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1; 2 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 8; 2 p.m. Dec. 9, Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. $37-$62, ipballet.org.
Nutty Nutcracker: This hilarious send-up follows Clara and her offbeat friend, Anita, into the Land of the Sweets where they witness antics and unexpected visitors. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. $40-$46. www.ipballet.org
Rancho Mirage
A Very Barry Christmas: Get into the holiday music mood when singing legend Barry Manilow brings his special Christmas concert to The Show at Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa. Manilow will serenade the crowd with fan favorites along with holiday tunes. 8 p.m. Dec. 15; 7 p.m. Dec. 16, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, 32-250 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. $100-$250. 888-999-1995, hotwatercasino.com.
Redlands
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play”: The Redlands Footlighters give the Frank Capra classic a spin by telling it in the form of a 1940s radio broadcast. 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 7-8, 14-15. 2 p.m. Dec. 2, 9, 16. 1810 Barton Road, Redlands. $15, unless otherwise noted. Students save $5 with ID. 909-793-2909, redlandsfootlighters.org.
‘It’s a Wonderful Life’: It’s a double dose of “It’s a Wonderful Life” in Redlands. LifeHouse Theater is putting on a more traditional production of the holiday favorite about George Bailey and what it truly means to be rich. 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Also, 7 p.m. Dec. 13 and 20. Runs through Dec. 23. The 7 p.m. Dec. 7 performance will also have a deaf interpretation. 1135 N. Church St., Redlands. $20 or $26 for adults and $10 or $13 for children ages 3-11. Tickets increase by $2 on the day of the show. 909-335-3037, lifehousetheater.com
Feast of Lights: It’s the 71st year of the event that uses spoken word, music and tableaux to tell the story of the birth of Jesus. Every service ends with the Ceremony of Candles. 8 p.m. Nov. 30, Dec. 1, and 3, and 4 p.m. Dec. 2. University of Redlands’ Memorial Chapel, 1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands. $10-$25. redlands.edu/events/feastoflights.
Christmas Parade: Presented by the Kiwanis Club of Redlands, the annual event’s theme this year will be “A Citrus Heritage Christmas.” Arrive early to get a good viewing spot. Participants line up starting at 4. Dec. 1; rain date Dec. 8. Downtown Redlands; 6 p.m. Free. 909-748-0637, www.redlands-events.com.
Redlands Symphony: “A Christmas Carol: The Concert” is symphony’s first holiday program in more than 40 years and will include the Inland Master Chorale. 8 p.m. Dec. 15. Memorial Chapel, University of Redlands, 1200 E. Colton Ave., Redlands. $15-$70. 909-587-5565, redlandssymphony.com.
Riverside
Festival of Lights: Lighting up the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, the 26th annual event kicks off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving with a switch-on ceremony and fireworks display. One of America’s largest holiday light collections (5 million-plus!), the local tradition lures more than 500,000 visitors over a six-week period to see and experience animated figures, horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday confections, artisan crafts, live music, Santa Claus and more. Nov. 23-Jan. 6; Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., the Main Street pedestrian mall and surrounding area, Riverside. Free. 951-784-0300, www.missioninn.com/festival- of-lights
Bring Your Own Menorah: Happening during the eight-day observance of Hanukkah, the BYOM-Shabbat service is a “festive, family friendly event” that involves singing from the cantor and rabbi, says Susan Tenenbaum, clergy assistant at Riverside Temple Beth El. Everyone is welcome. Refreshments, coffee, fruit and desserts will be available. 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7; Temple Beth El, 2675 Central Ave., Riverside. Free. 951-684-4511, www.tberiv.org
Riverside County Philharmonic Holiday Concert: The orchestra, conducted by Tomasz Golka, will perform Christmas and Hanukkah music (including works from Tchaikovsky, Strauss and Wendel), plus other seasonal favorites and sing-along carols. Program subject to change. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; Coil School for the Arts, 3890 University Ave., Riverside. $50 at door. 951-787-0251, riversidephilharmonic.org.
Inland Pacific Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”: Clara’s journey to the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets in the company of her Nutcracker doll comes alive with beautiful sets and dazzling costumes. Toy soldiers, battling mice, waltzing flowers and one Sugar Plum Fairy round out this cast of 80 dancers. 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 15; 2 p.m. Dec. 16. Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. $23-$66. ipballet.org.
“David Allan’s Nutcracker” by BRAVA: Andrew Veyette and Lauren Lovette, principal dancers with New York City Ballet, are special guest artists for this “Nutcracker,” which also features Riverside Ballet Arts dancers. Lovette is “outstanding” and “the talk of the New York ballet world,” says Craig Yamasaki, president of BRAVA Productions. Since this is the pair’s only Southern California appearance, Yamasaki expects the “spectacular show to be a big draw.” 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21, 1 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 22, 1 p.m. Dec. 23; Landis Performing Arts Center, Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside. $18-$40; 800-870-6069, brava-arts.org.
“Nutty Nutcracker”: This hilarious send-up follows Clara and her offbeat friend, Anita, into the Land of the Sweets where they witness antics and unexpected visitors. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21. Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. $40-$46. ipballet.org
San Bernardino
Holiday Concert: The concert features the San Bernardino Symphony, guest conductor Dean Anderson and “American Idol” contestant David Archuleta. 7:30 p.m., Dec. 1. California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. 4th St., San Bernardino. $30-$65. 951-381-5388, sanbernardinosymphony.org.
“The Nutcracker”: The Inland Dance Theatre welcomes in the holiday season with a production on this seasonal favorite. 7 p.m. Dec. 7, 8; 2:15 Dec. 9, California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. Fourth St., San Bernardino. $25-$35. 909-885-5152, californiatheatre.net.
San Bernardino Community Ho Ho Parade: The popular nighttime parade travels through the streets of the city on four different routes over four different nights. 5 p.m. nightly Dec. 10-13. Free. facebook.com/TheCommunityHoHoParade.
Skyforest
SkyPark at Santa’s Village: Journey to the mountains for a trip to Santa’s Village with a variety of activities including ziplining, archery and fishing. Daily through Jan. 6. 28950 Highway 18, Skyforest. $69.50 ages 13-59; $51.95 ages 4-12 and ages 60-74; parking is $10, 909-744-9373, skyparksantasvillage.com.
Temecula
Santa’s Electric Light Parade: This festive holiday parade begins at Del Rio Road and Jefferson Avenue in Old Town. This year’s theme is “Storybook Christmas.” 7 p.m. Nov. 30, Old Town Temecula. Free. 951-694-6480 or temeculaca.gov.
“A Christmas Carol”: 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 4, 5, 6, 7,8; 2 p.m. Dec. 1, 8, 9; 6 p.m. Dec. 2. Old Town Temecula Community Theater, 42051 Main St., Temecula. $12-$27, 866-653-8696, temeculatheater.org.
Temecula on Ice: This ice skating rink in front of the Temecula Civic Center returns again this year. Daily Dec. 14 through Jan. 6. 41000 Main St., Temecula. Entry is $12; skate rentals are $5; “Bobby,” the seal-shaped skating aid, rentals are $8. facebook.com/TemeculaOnIce.
“Irving Berlin’s White Christmas”: This holiday musical from the movie version of which starred Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, is presented by Theatre Royal at Pechanga Resort and Casino. 8 p.m. Dec. 21 and 22; 2 p.m. Dec. 22 and 23, Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Parkway, Temecula. $64-$85. 877-711-2946, pechanga.com.
