Celebrate the Holidays in the North State Family Style

 The North State is bursting with festivities, events and activities to ring in the holidays! We’ve compiled a list of the best – from ice skating to tree lightings and parades to live performances – that families with children of all ages can enjoy together.

May the spirit of the season be filled with wonder and joy!

Check our community calendar for more holiday events and activities. northstateparent.com/calendar.

CHICO

Black American History Pop-up Display

Amma Culture provides a presentation and a pop-up history display which honors Black American History, including Kwanzaa. We are happy to present to businesses, schools and clubs. Includes a colorful and uplifting PowerPoint presentation. Donate to this worthy cause at NVCF.org “Amma Culture Education Fund.”

Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico

Dec. 18, 7:30pm. Laxson Auditorium $17 – $52

Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande invite you to celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico! Named for the beloved Andalusian Christmas carol, this vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a magical story of the season. Through the joyous rhythms of “Bells Upon Bells” and the colorful spectacle of Mexican dance, we capture the heartwarming reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey. You’ll experience the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos and the thrill of breaking piñatas! An unforgettable program where every note and dance step embody the rich cultural tapestry of Christmas in Mexico. chicoperformances.com.

Chico Community Ballet and Chico Creek Dance

“A Very Chico Nutcracker”

Dec. 4 & 5, 7pm; Dec 6, 1pm & 6pm; Dec 7, 7pm. Laxson Auditorium. $17–$32.

Celebrating over four decades of bringing beautifully crafted ballet productions to the North State, CCB continues to create new and inspiring works that honor both local heritage and artistic excellence. This year’s “A Very Chico Nutcracker” is a reimagined holiday classic inspired by Chico’s own Dr. Oscar Stansbury and his daughter Angeline. You’ll be transported back in time through a captivating slideshow of historical Chico photographs, setting the tone for an immersive evening of art, storytelling and holiday magic, including a newly imagined Land of the Snowflakes, a soaring magical Christmas tree, fresh choreography and storytelling inspired by Chico’s Victorian past, beloved community figures Linda Watkins-Bennett as the local dressmaker and district attorney Mike Ramsey as Dr. Oscar Stansbury, dazzling visuals, pre-show entertainment and the timeless charm of Chico’s history woven throughout. Tickets at chicoperformances.com or at (530)898-6333.

Chico Ice Rink

Open daily in downtown Chico Nov. 14-Jan. 4. Check website for hours & pricing.

Experience the joy of ice skating this season at the Chico Ice Rink. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skater, the rink offers a fun and welcoming environment for all ages. Enjoy a day of skating with family and friends and make the most of winter with us on the ice! chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink.

Patrick Ranch Museum

10381 Midway, between Chico and Durham

Gift Shop Holiday Preview Sunday Nov. 16, 4pm-7pm.

Get the first peek at all the fun new things our artisans have in the shop! Treats, hot beverages, music, holiday décor and our warm staff will be there to welcome you.

Artisan’s Faire Dec. 6 & 7, 10am-4pm Saturday, 10am-3pm Sunday.

Enjoy a festive atmosphere with terrific artisans’ crafts and live music. The Midway Café will be open with delicious food and the Glenwood House Museum will be decked out for the season with our knowledgeable docents available for tours. Holiday Pictures by appointment. The Glenwood Farmhouse will be beautifully decorated and there are many picturesque spots for a company or family photo. patrickranchmuseum.org.

Santa at Chico Marketplace

Santa arrives at Chico Marketplace 11am, Nov. 22 by horse and carriage from The North Pole! Stay for local performances following the arrival. Make memories with photos in Santa’s Magical Workshop daily Nov. 22 – Dec. 24. shopchicomarketplace.com/events.

CORNING

Corning Sweet Treat Hometown Christmas and Lighted Parade

Christmas Lighted Trolley Tours: Dec. 12, 6 & 7pm.

Adults $10, kids $5, children 5 and under are free.

See the lighted homes and businesses decorated for the season, from the warmth of a fun and festive trolley. Hot cocoa bar while you wait for your ride.

Lighted Christmas Parade: Dec. 6, 5:30pm-6:30pm

Beginning at Solano Street at Houghton and ending at 3rd Street in

front of the Lighted Christmas tree at City Hall. corningcachamber.org.

GRIDLEY

Gridley Winter Wonderland Festival and Parade of Lights

Dec. 3, 5:30pm-8:30pm. Live music at the Virginia Street Gazebo.

Dadow Park: 5:30pm, Tree lighting ceremony. Parade starts at 6:30.

5:30pm-8:30pm, Olaf and Princesses, vendors, food trucks.

MOUNT SHASTA

Annual Elves Workshop

Dec. 6, 5:30pm-8pm, Mount Shasta Elementary School, 201 Cedar Street,

Mount Shasta. Free.

Pamela Newman, publisher of North State Parent magazine, and other community members sprinkle their festive energy in this special evening. Come spend some quality time with your child in this free evening of enchanting fun. Dress up as an elf! Unique hands-on activity stations will be set up for you and your child to create ornaments and special handmade crafts for your child to give as gifts. Tamales and other goodies will be served. This annual event is typically at the City Park, but it is at Mount Shasta Elementary School this year. For more info: (530)859-2309.

Mount Shasta Winter Magic

Nov. 28, 1pm-9pm, Downtown Mount Shasta. Free.

Come to Mount Shasta for some winter magic. Find those special holiday gifts in locally owned stores and from local specialty vendors. Food, fun and celebration. Lighted parade starts at 6pm and culminates in a tree-lighting in the plaza.

Siskiyou Ice Rink

Shastice Park, 800 Rockfellow Drive,

Mount Shasta. Open daily Nov. 15-Feb. 22. Adult $12, 4-17 and seniors over 65 $9, skate rentals $3.

Check website for public skating days and times. Glide over the ice in a beautiful setting on some of the best ice in the North State at the foot of breathtaking Mt. Shasta. Season passes: Youth and seniors $145, adults $175 and family passes which include up to 4 family members who reside at the same address $310. Season passes include free group lessons for beginner and advanced beginners. Daily group skate lessons for beginners are $15 per person.

To purchase season passes and for more info: msrec.org/ice-rink.

ORLAND

Orland Avenue of Lights

Dec. 18-21, 5:30pm-9:00pm at the Glenn County Fairgrounds.  Pre-Sale $15. $20 on-site.

A spectacular one-mile Christmas wonderland illuminated by thousands of twinkling lights. Create lasting memories with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole Lodge while savoring hot cocoa, sweet treats and delightful refreshments. Join us in Orland at this dazzling adventure, where joy and wonder await around every corner. Purchase tickets at the gate or in advance at glenncountyfair.org/getyourtickets.

OROVILLE

Sierra Pointe Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Nov. 30, 1:30pm & 4:30 pm, Historic Orville State Theater,1489 Meyers Street.

Join Sierra Pointe Ballet and the Butte County community for a dazzling holiday tradition filled with wonder, joy and timeless music. Perfect for the whole family. 28833.danceticketing.com/r/events/.

Oroville Parade of Lights

Dec. 13. Craft Fair 2pm-6pm. The parade starts at 6pm in Historic Downtown Oroville. The theme this year is Christmas at the Movies. Think “Home Alone” and “Elf.” Come join the fun and sparkle!

visitoroville.com.

RED BLUFF

Downtown Red Bluff Christmas Parade

Nov. 29, 5:30 pm.

“The Spirit of Christmas” is the parade theme. The parade will start at Madison & Oak Street and will head east on Oak, go east on Oak to Washington, north to Walnut, east to Man, south to Sycamore Street. (530) 527-6220. redbluffchamber.com/events.

DRBBA in Partnership with Spark Dance Tehama & Ignite Your Flare

Dance & Acrobatics presents “Holiday on the Town”

Dec. 13, 4:30-8:30pm, The Historic Red Bluff Courthouse, 633 Washington Street.

Trolley Ticket Booking Costs TBA. Free holiday craft and event market.

Ignite Your Flare Dance & Acrobatics presents “Aurora”

Dec. 6, 11am & 5:30pm, State Theater, 333 Oak Street. Presale tickets until Dec 4 at Zelma’s Awards, 434 Walnut Street. General $21, children under 6 $12 – Cash or Card. Night of: General $27, children under 6 $17 – Cash only. Infants in arms are free.

“A Jubilee Christmas, More than a Story”

Jubilee Performing Arts Co. invites you to a night of dance and storytelling as they celebrate the meaning of Christmas Saturday, December 20th at the State Theatre, 333 Oak Street, Red Bluff. 1:00 pm and 6:00 pm.

Red Bluff High School presents The Wizard of Oz

Nov. 13, 14 & 15, 7pm. Red Bluff High Performing Arts Center, 1515 Douglas St. $10.00.

Red Bluff High School choral director Diane Hassay leads a fantastic team of old and new faces in this heartfelt production. The cast is made up of top academic students, athletes, club advisers and student directors. This magical production is guaranteed to showcase the heart of our hometown because there really is no place like home! Tickets available at PAC box office the nights of the performance or at our student store on campus.

REDDING

Cascade Christmas

Nov. 21, 22, 28 & 29 7pm, 23 & 30 2pm. Cascade Theater, 1731 Market Street. $15-$35

This year’s locally produced production promises a new story featuring classic Christmas characters, blending familiar cheer with unexpected comedy and heart.

The show follows the chaotic escapades of three mischievous elves whose well-

intentioned prank goes wildly wrong, accidentally knocking out Santa Claus!

“A Cascade Christmas” imparts the message that there’s nothing like being

with family during the holidays, but even when you can’t be, you can find holiday cheer and joy in the most unexpected places. Tickets at cascadetheatre.org or the Cascade Theatre Box Office. boxoffice@cascadetheatre.org or (530)243-8877.

A Celtic Christmas

Dec 16,7:30pm. Cascade Theater, 1731 Market Street. $32.50-$62.50.

For the past 29 years, with a world-class ensemble of musicians, dancers and singers from both sides of the Atlantic, Tomáseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas” has played to packed concert halls and to critical acclaim nationwide, recreating on stage the now-famous Rambling House; that remote cottage in the West of Ireland where the neighbors gather every year for a communal night before Christmas. There, the rafters ring with fiery traditional music, Irish Christmas carols, riveting traditional dance and, of course, stories of life in the remote parish of Teampall an Ghleanntáin, Tomáseen’s birthplace. The show invites its audience to come into that cottage, into that world, into that era, with us and be our neighbors for the night. Tickets at cascadetheatre.orgor the Box Office. box office@cascadetheatre.org or (530)243-8877.

Dance Depot 2025 Holiday Showcase

Dec. 13, 6pm. Redding Civic Auditorium, 17 Auditorium Drive. $20-$30.

Home to home, heart to heart, the warmth and joy of Christmas brings us closer to each other. Dancers of all ages will share the spirit of Christmas while opening their hearts as they sing and dance to the music. This magical moment will bring a wide variety of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, lyrical and Broadway. Let us give you joy at this special time and watch us dance to hear our hearts speak. Tickets on sale Nov. 14 at reddingcivic.com.

Interfaith Solstice & Holiday Candle Lighting Service

Dec. 18, 6:30pm. Pilgrim Congregation United Church of Christ,

2850 Foothill Boulevard Free, donations accepted.

Welcome in the holiday season by experiencing an evening of beauty with a unique interfaith solstice holiday candle lighting service honoring Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah & Bohdi Day. Presented by Rev. Lynn E. Fritz, Ordained Minister, Affiliate, Centers for Spiritual Living. (530)243-8862 (text preferred). pilgrimchurchredding.org.

Redding Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker”

Dec. 18-20, 7pm, Dec. 20, 2pm matinee followed by a children’s Land of Sweets Tea, included in matinee ticket price. Shasta College Theatre, 11555 Old Oregon Trail. $20.13-$27.50. Redding Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker—a treasured North State tradition – returns this holiday season with even more sparkle and magic! For the first time, the Shasta Symphony Orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky’s iconic score live, bringing Clara’s enchanting journey to the Land of Sweets to life like never before. Experience the wonder of live music, dancing snowflakes and tumbling peppermints in this unforgettable holiday event for the whole family. Tickets at thereddingartsproject.simpletix.com/

We are offering a school show opportunity for our local schools with a discounted rate of $6 per student and $14 per chaperone. Request a reservation for the school show at The Nutcracker School Show Reservation or email info@thereddingartsproject.com.

Redding City Ballet presents “The Nutcracker”

Dec. 12, 7pm; Dec. 13, 2pm and 7pm; Dec. 14, 2pm.

Cascade Theatre, 1731 Market Street. $22-$36. Share in this North State holiday tradition as Tchaikovsky’s timeless score takes Clara and her Nutcracker Prince on a journey through sparkling snowflakes to the land of dancing sweets in Redding City Ballet’s 25th presentation of The Nutcracker. From stunning costumes and a beautiful Sugarplum Fairy to toy soldiers, waltzing flowers and an evil Rat Queen, this enchanting ballet will sweep you up in the delight of the holiday season.

reddingcityballet.org/events. Tickets at cascadetheatre.org.

Redding Garden of Lights, Turtle Bay Exploration Park

844 Sundial Bridge, Redding. Open Select Dates Nov. 21 – Jan. 4, 5pm-9pm. $15-$32, free for children ages 0-2.

Join us for a dazzling holiday tradition as the Redding Garden of Lights returns for its sixth year, featuring over 2 million lights across 10 acres of beautifully curated botanical gardens. This festive event includes animated light displays and synchronized music, cozy fire pits for s’mores and holiday-themed food and beverage stations, offering a magical experience for all ages. Enjoy glowing swings, Model Train Town and the new Turtle Express! Tickets and information: reddinggardenoflights.org.

WEED

Alpaca on the Rocks Photos with Santa

Dec. 13, 9-3pm. 5004 Solus Dr., Weed.

Bring your kids out to Alpaca on the Rocks, and make magical memories. Pose for fun and unique photos with Santa and big, soft, friendly alpacas. Shop for beautiful, warm alpaca fiber gifts and other goodies. Meet the other friendly farm animals. A great holiday adventure for the whole family.

allthingsalpaca.com.

2025 Holiday Craft Fair at COS

Dec. 5, 5pm-8pm, Dec. 6, 9am-3pm, College of the Siskiyous, 800 College Drive. $3/pp.

The holiday spirit will be on display at the 28th annual Holiday Craft Fair at the College of the Siskiyous, celebrating beautiful, handcrafted products from local and regional artisans and crafters, perfect for the holiday season or all year-round. The concession stand will be open and serving hungry patrons and Santa Claus will pay us a special visit Dec. 6 from 11am-1pm. For more information call the COS Foundation Office (530)938-5373.

YREKA

Yreka Night of Lights

Dec. 6, 4-7pm. Downtown Yreka.

A festive event full of activities for the whole family. A night of lights, a season of joy!

(Oregon and Miner Streets). yrekanightoflights.com. n