Christmas lights, parades and more. When, where to be to celebrate across Modesto area
Communities across the Modesto and Mother Lode regions began marking the yuletide season the day after Thanksgiving.
There are plenty of opportunities for local shopping, along with parades, tree lightings and more for your Christmas pleasure. Here’s a look at just some of the community holiday festivities planned across the Modesto and Mother Lode regions:
SOUTH MODESTO BUSINESS UNITED CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING – Dec. 2: The SMBU annual tree lighting will be at 6 p.m. at the southwest corner of Hatch and Crows Landing roads, Modesto.
McHENRY MANSION CHRISTMAS TEA – Dec. 3: Enjoy a holiday tea with sandwiches and desserts at the historic downtown mansion. There is one seating left at 2 p.m. with limited seating available. 906 15th St., Modesto. $40. Reserve at 209-522-1739.
CHRISTMAS POSADA — Dec. 4: South Modesto Businesses United presents its annual Posada. There will be informational booths, food, toys and Santa available for children. 6-10 p.m. Los Amigos Tire, 1700 Crows Landing Road, Modesto. Free.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 6: The city’s annual lighted parade, dubbed “A Neon Night” this year, will be held beginning at the corner of Canal Drive and Main Street, running along Main Street, up Broadway and ending at the Stanislaus County Fairground. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. Rain or shine. 209-668-5594.
COLUMBIA LAMPLIGHT TOUR – Dec 6-7: Christmastime in Columbia in 1855 will be re-created in a walking play. Participants meet at Columbia Museum and will be guided through the decorated town. Tours are every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday. $25, $10 ages 10-14; not recommended for ages under 10. friendsofcolumbiashp.com.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – Dec. 7: City of Modesto hosts the event with pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages, milk, orange juice and coffee. There will be photo opportunities with Santa and story time by Mrs. Claus, live music, as well as arts and crafts for children. 8-11:30 a.m. Modesto Senior Citizens Center, 211 Bodem St. $10, free ages 2 and under. www.modestogov.com/3136/Breakfast-with-Santa.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS PARADE – Dec. 7: The Modesto holiday parade’s theme this year is “Downtown Disco.” The route runs through downtown beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of 14th and I streets and will travel west on I Street to 10th, north on 10th Street to J Street and east on J street to 17th Street. www.modestogov.com/2430/Downtown-Extravaganza-Events.
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAYS – Dec. 7: Stroll the retro, garland-lined street, enjoy the Rockin’ North Pole, snow shows and sit in Santa’s hot-rod sleigh. Rockin’ Santa and his Rockin’ Elves also will be there. A tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m., after the Modesto holiday parade, with a disco dance party. The event continues with lights, snow, music and Santa on Thursdays through Saturdays, 6-9 p.m. from Dec. 12-21. Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto. Free.
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE OPENING AND FESTIVITIES – Dec. 7: The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off as Ceres’ Christmas Tree Lane is set aglow. There will be arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, pictures with Santa and more from 4-6 p.m. Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St. A parade begins at Fowler and Moffett roads at 7 p.m. 209-538-5628.
WATERFORD CELEBRATION – Dec. 7: There will be a Christmas market with more than 60 vendors from 2:30-7 p.m. in downtown Waterford. The annual lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Moon Elementary School and ends at Waterford Junior High, where hot chocolate and photos with Santa will be available. lovewaterford.org.
PATTERSON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – Dec. 7: A candy cane hunt from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. kicks off at Thompson Chevrolet, 701 S. Second St., where kids can get a map to begin. There will be activities for children at Veteran’s Park from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m and a holiday boutique, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Fire Station 1, 344 W. Las Palmas Ave. City trees will be lighted at 5:45 p.m. downtown with an electric light parade downtown at 6 p.m. Pictures with Santa follow the parade at US Bank, 13 Plaza Circle. pattersonwestleychamber.org.
ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN – Dec. 7: A vendor fair will take place from 3-8 p.m. in Main Street Park with food, activities for kids, entertainment and more. The annual parade in downtown begins at 5:30 p.m. Santa will be on hand following the parade. Main Street, Escalon. 209-838-2793.
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 7 and Dec. 14: On Dec. 7, a Christmas parade will start at Fifth and J streets at 5 p.m. with a tree lighting following at 6:30 p.m. at the Senior Center on Fifth Street. On Dec. 14, Donuts with Santa and Mrs. Claus will be held in one-hour time slots from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Community Center, 15557 Fifth St. $30, includes family photo, two craft kits and a half dozen doughnuts. 209-941-7200.
GOLD COUNTRY LIGHTED PARADE AND OPEN HOUSE – Dec. 7: Angels Camp’s annual lighted Christmas parade will make its way through downtown beginning at 5 p.m., There will be visits with Santa from noon-4 p.m. at Next Home Utica Properties, 1239 E. Main St. www.angelscampbusiness.com.
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR – Dec 7: The fair features several vendors with homemade and other items. A homemade lunch and other treats will be available for purchase. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road, Modesto. 209-537-6651.
RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS PARADE & CRAFT FAIR – Dec. 14: There will be an “Action Packed Christmas” craft fair with handmade items from 3-7 p.m. in downtown Riverbank. The parade begins at 5:30 p.m. downtown. Santa, Mrs. Claus and the Grinch will be at a tree-lighting ceremony following the parade. 209-863-7150.
McHENRY MANSION CANDLELIGHT TOURS — Dec. 21-22: Tours by candlelight will be held in the McHenry Mansion, decorated for a Victorian-era Christmas. Tours begin at 5:30 p.m., with the last entrance at 7:30 p.m. 906 15th St., Modesto. $10, $5 age 10 and under. www.mchenrymansion.org/events.html.
MINERS’ CHRISTMAS – Dec. 21-22: Columbia State Historic Park continues it holiday offerings with a demonstration of what Christmas in a Gold Rush town may have looked like in the 1850s. Listen to Christmas stories from miners, taste chestnuts roasted over an open fire and make old-fashioned crafts. Historic buildings of Columbia will be adorned in old-fashioned decorations. Father Christmas arrives by stage at 12:30 p.m. The event is noon-3 p.m. Main Street, Columbia. Free. friendsofcolumbiashp.com.
This story was originally published November 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
