Christmas community celebrations ready to go across the Modesto, Mother Lode regions
Come Friday, it will be time to put down the leftover turkey and grab on to your yuletide spirit.
That’s when communities across the Modesto and Mother Lode regions begin celebrating the Christmas season, with plenty of festivals, parades and tree lightings planned.
In Modesto, there’s a slight change this year. The traditional Dickens Faire is – kind of – no more. The event has drawn big crowds and was held on the same day as the city’s Celebration of Lights Parade.
Instead, it’s been “rebranded and changed ... to align with Small Business Saturday,” according to an email from Diana Ruiz-Del Re, communications and media relations officer for the city.
Christmas lovers will be able to enjoy what’s now called the McHenry Mansion Christmas Faire in its place, moved up to Nov. 26. That’s Small Business Saturday, when local shops get a shot at a post-Black Friday boost.
Modesto’s parade and other celebrations will be held Dec. 3.
Here’s a look at just some of the community holiday festivities planned:
TURLOCK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Nov. 25: Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association presents the annual celebration with vendors, activities for children, photos with Santa, entertainment and more at Central Park. Festival is 5-8 p.m. Tree lighting begins at 6:30 p.m. 209-634-6459.
McHENRY MANSION CHRISTMAS FAIR – Nov. 26: Formerly the Dickens Faire, vendors offer an assortment of Christmas items, jewelry, food, crafts and more outside the mansion. Musical entertainment and activities for children. The mansion also will be open for tours 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Father Christmas will hand out candy canes. Horse-drawn wagon rides for $6. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 15th Street, Modesto. www.mchenrymansion.org.
GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Nov. 26: Events begin with Breakfast with Santa at the GPS Hall from 8-11 a.m. before a craft fair on Fifth Street, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. A Christmas tree silent auction is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 394 Fifth St. Santa’s Workshop will be up at 367 Fifth St. from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., then pictures with Santa from 3:30-5 p.m. at 498 Fifth St. The Christmas tree lighting begins at 6 p.m. at Fourth and Fifth streets, with a parade following. www.gustinechamberofcommerce.com.
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 1, Dec. 3 and Dec. 10: Tree lighting Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m. at the Lathrop Community Center. Dec. 3, Donuts with Santa includes pictures with St. Nick and craft kits. Time slots 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Lathrop Generation Center, $25. Dec. 10, the Christmas Parade will march along Fifth and J streets at 11 a.m. 209-941-7370.
COLUMBIA LAMPLIGHT TOUR – Dec 2-3: Historic Christmastime in Columbia will be re-created. Participants will be guided through the decorated town during the walking play. 5-10 p.m. Meet at Columbia Museum, Columbia State Historic Park. $25. 209-588-9128.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 2: The city’s annual lighted parade along historic Main Street beginning at Canal Drive starts at 6:30 p.m. with the theme “Sweets & Treats.” 209-668-5594.
MODESTO CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 3: The day begins with Breakfast with Santa, 8-11:30 a.m. at the Modesto Senior Citizens Center, 211 Bodem St. Tickets are $10. The Celebration of Lights Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at I and 14th streets. Then stay for the kickoff of the ongoing Rockin’ Holiday at Tenth Street Plaza. The Rockin’ Holiday tree will be lighted after the parade. The event also will feature lights, garland, retro decorations, snow machine flurries, music by Gravel & Grace and free pictures with Santa and his elves. Rockin’ Holiday continues Thursdays-Saturdays through Dec. 23, 6-9 p.m. www.modestogov.com/553/Holiday-Parade.
CERES CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & PARADE – Dec. 3: The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off at Ceres’ Christmas Tree Lane. A festival at Costa Fields at Smyrna Park on Moffett Road begins the night from 5-7 p.m. featuring holiday activities, Santa, entertainment, food and craft vendors and more. The parade begins at 7:15 p.m. at the park and runs through Christmas Tree Lane. 209-538-5648.
OAKDALE CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 3: The parade will begin at 5 p.m. at the intersection of South Oak Avenue and Poplar Street before ending at E and Second streets. oakdaleoes.com.
A MAGICAL CHRISTMAS IN PATTERSON – Dec. 3: A candy cane hunt from 10 am.-1 p.m. kicks off at Thompson Chevrolet, 701 S. Second St., where kids can get a map to begin. A holiday boutique will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Patterson Fire Station No. 1, 344 W. Las Palmas Ave. There will be a lighting of trees at the downtown Plaza Circle at 5:45 p.m. with an electrical light parade at 6 p.m. running through downtown. Pictures with Santa available after the parade at US Bank, 13 Plaza Circle. 209-895-8000.
LIVINGSTON LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE AND GIFT FAIR – Dec. 9: A gift fair on Main Street begins at 5 p.m. downtown between B and D streets. The parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Main Street from Peach to D streets. 209-394-8041.
RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – Dec. 10: A craft fair with handmade items begins at noon. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by a tree-lighting ceremony. Downtown Riverbank. 209-863-7122.
GOLD COUNTRY LIGHTED PARADE – Dec. 10: Angels Camp welcomes the holidays with its annual parade through downtown beginning at 5 p.m. There will be photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus afterward at the Mercantile Building, 1267 S. Main St., along with vendors and food. 209-736-0049.
WATERFORD CHRISTMAS PARADE & MARKET – Dec. 10: Waterford’s annual parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Waterford High School and ends at Waterford Junior High. The market runs 2:30-7:30 p.m. in downtown with vendors and food. 209-874-2328.
This story was originally published November 21, 2022 at 7:00 AM.
