Six Festive Ways to Enjoy A Sparkling Family Christmas

This is the time of the year when we are lavished with tantalizing lights, tastes, smells and the sounds of fellowship. All work together to beckon the hibernating bear in all of us to come out of our dens and to enjoy the bright gifts of the season. Don’t let the cold and wet weather keep you from stepping out – there is is a myriad of creative ways to keep our minds and bodies active and to avoid the winter doldrums.

The North State is always one step ahead to help us in this process and here are six ideas to help you have a bright and merry holiday season.

Take A Refreshing Glide On The Ice

Ice skating has been a cherished winter activity for thousands of years. With excellent rinks from Paradise and Chico, up to Redding, Mt. Shasta, and even Ashland, Oregon, you can find one for great family fun all through the new year!

Siskiyou Ice Rink. Aerial photo by Kevin Martinez, Sunglow Productions

Ashland Ice Rink in Oregon
95 Winburn Way, across from the
Lithia Park playground
Open through February 14, 2022
(541) 552-2258

Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza
Downtown Chico
Open through January 9, 2022
(530) 896-7200

Paradise Ice Rink
6626 Skyway, Paradise
Open through January 17, 2022
(530) 872-6393

Siskiyou Ice Rink
Shastice Park, 800 Rockfellow Dr, Mt. Shasta
Open through February 6, 2022
(530) 926-1715

Experience Holiday Fantasies Coming To Life In Music & Dance

If you can’t get away on a long winter trip, you might enjoy a short escape through your imagination with a live performance of a beloved Christmas story. Here are some of the options this season.

Northern California Ballet, photos by Amber Thompson Photography

“A Very Chico Nutcracker,” performed by the Chico Community Ballet
A traditional Nutcracker ballet with an infusion of rich Chico history.
Friday, December 3, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 4, 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 5, 1 p.m.
Laxson Auditorium, Chico

“Believe,” performed by The Hype Dance Studio
Believe is an original production inspired by the children’s classic book The Polar Express. Created, produced, and directed by brother-and-sister team Jeff and Sarah Schneeweis.
Friday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 11, 1 p.m. & 6 p.m.
Sunday, December 12 , 1 p.m.
Laxson Auditorium, Chico

“Noche Buena, Christmas Eve in Mexico”
Performed by two top Los Angeles dance and music ensembles, celebrates the rich traditions and heritage of Christmas in Mexico.
Friday, December 17, 7:30 p.m.
Laxon Auditioriam, Chico

“The Nutcracker Reimagined,” performed by the Redding City Ballet
The Nutcracker in a whole new way!
Friday, December 10, 7 p.m.
Saturday, December 11, 1 p.m.
Saturday, December 18, 1 p.m.
Saturday, December 18, 7 p.m.
Sheraton Redding Hotel at the Sundial Bridge

“The Nutcracker,” performed by Northern California Ballet
This traditional Nutcracker will capture your imagination and transport you to a magical world of brave toy soldiers and dancing snowflakes.
Friday, December 17, 7:15 p.m.
Saturday, December 18, 2:15 p.m. and 7:15 p.m.
Sunday, December 19, 2:15 p.m.

Wander Through These Winter Wonderlands of Light

It is so refreshing to step out into the crisp, night air and experience countless beautiful lights twinkling all around you. All ages will be mystified by the beauty. Start making this a family tradition and plan to enjoy some hot chocolate or other festive goodies along the way.

Redding Garden of Lights — Open Wed-Sun, 5-9pm through December 31. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Days.
Turtle Bay’s annual light extravaganza has wide, magical pathways that lead strollers through one million twinkling lights in dozens of colors, shapes and sizes. It’s all within the 10-acre McConnell Botanical Gardens next to the Sundial Bridge and Sacramento River. Plant-themed exhibits, synchronized music animations and more celebrate the natural world and display it in a whole new way. There is food, hot chocolate and a fire pit for smores — so plan to spend the evening and soak up all the magic, then visit Turtle Bay’s Holiday shop for festive gifts for the whole family. Tickets range from $11-$20 and kids 0-4 are free. There’s also a special New Year’s Eve performance to help you ring in 2022, with two stages of live music, plus festive bars and food trucks.

Avenue of Lights in Orland at the Glenn County Fairgrounds — Open December 15-19, 5:30-9pm.
Take a family drive along the mile-long route of twinkling lights and Christmas cheer, and make sure you sing a Christmas carol or two. Then visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at the North Pole Lodge for pictures and refreshments. The North Pole Lodge features Christmas trees decorated by businesses in our community.

Bring Out Your Inner Golfing Whiz

Mini Golf might just be a hole-in-one to help teenagers open up and strengthen bonds with parents this season.

Putters at Funland. Photo by Jesse Espinosa.

Putters at Funland, Chico
Putters is Northern California’s premiere miniature golf course, offering 18 fun holes meandering through, around, and even over water features. Featuring mature landscaping and shade trees, it offers fun and challenges for mini-golfers of all ages and abilities.

Remember Your Furry & Feathered Friends

The holiday season is a time to give back and support our local community. Instead of a gift, the people in your life might enjoy helping with the care of a local animal through volunteering or sponsorship.

Barry Kirshner Wildlife Foundation
At Barry R. Kirshner Wildlife Foundation there are several options for sponsoring an animal, and those options include a single person or a family choosing to take on some financial responsibility for an animal’s care. Annual cost can be paid all at once or through a payment plan of your choice, renewable every year and tax deductible. The sponsorship program also includes free entry at the sanctuary for the sponsor’s family or up to 4 guests. Depending on the animal type, the cost can be from $150-$1500 per year.

The Chico Creek Nature Center 
North State Parent and the Nature Center are sponsoring a free event on December 11, 10am-1pm, with local organizations offering hands-on activities, presentations and/or fun giveaways. Make a paper puppet with your child, find lots of nature-themed activities, enter fun raffles and learn all about becoming a volunteer.

Get the Neighbors Together for A Progressive Holiday Dinner

At this point in the pandemic many people are feeling more comfortable about gathering in small groups, especially among the people they see often. Progressive dinners are a great way to gather and be neighborly this Christmas:

Contact your neighbors, including those you may not know well, and suggest a few dates, with a time frame that includes stops at least three households — one each for starters, main dish and dessert. If you have a large group you may want to split into multiple houses after appetizers for the main meal and then come back together for dessert.

Plan for about one hour at each household plus the time it takes to walk or bike between homes. Ask for hosts who will provide the homes and table settings.

Depending on the size of your group, the hosts may or may not also provide food.

Once you know how many neighbors will be participating, assign a course for each neighbor, making sure the starters, main courses and desserts are spread evenly. Ask everyone to provide their own drinks for the evening and arrange for food to be delivered ahead of the start time.

Consider having one additional house designated just for kids and a few babysitters…and food and fun of course.

This is just the tip of the festive holiday snowflake: there are many more wonderful events happening in the North State this December. Check North State Parent’s calendar frequently to find more ways to make memories with your loved ones this holiday season.