Got Christmas spirit? Your quick guide to Modesto area holiday parades, festivals
Are you ready already?
Thanksgiving came late this year, which means the official celebration of all things Christmas comes later, too. But worry not, communities, groups and organizations have a full slate of yuletide spirit to help make up for lost time.
Here’s a look at some of the events planned to celebrate the holiday season:
TURLOCK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Nov. 29: Turlock’s annual celebration offers holiday lights, entertainment and shopping. Festival is 5 to 8 p.m. 209-202-4323.
SONORA CHRISTMAS CRAFT AND MUSIC FESTIVAL – Nov. 29-Dec. 1: The festival features more than 150 craft artists, music, street performers, costumed elves, carolers, festival kitchens and bake shops. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Adults $8; ages 13-18 $5; 6-12 $2; under age 6 free. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. www.fireonthemountain.com.
COWBOY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW – Nov. 29-30: Oakdale Cowboy Museum holiday event with more than 50 booths, western art, jewelry, apparel, cowboy grub and entertainment. Cowboy Santa arrives on horseback at 11 a.m. Saturday and will be available for photos. 5-8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. 209-847-7049.
MOD SHOP INDIE CRAFTERS MARKET – Nov. 30: Multiple vendors set up at participating downtown businesses including Mod Spot, DragonFly Art for Life, Deva, Concetta, Heart and Soul, Tresettis, Health Plan of San Joaquin Community Room, Mistlin Gallery, The Century, Nine3One. Live street entertainment. 4-9 p.m. J Street, between 10th and I streets, Modesto. www.modshop209.com.
RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – Nov. 30: Craft fair with handmade items beginning at noon. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. with tree-lighting ceremony following the parade. Downtown Riverbank, 6707 Third St. 209-863-7122.
GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Saturday, Nov. 30: A host of events begins with a Breakfast with Santa at the GPS Hall from 8 to 11 a.m. before a craft fair on Fifth Street, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Christmas Tree silent auction 10 to 8 p.m. at 394 Fifth St. Santa’s Workshop will be up at 367 Fifth St. from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. as well as firetruck rides from 1 to 3 p.m. near the Antique Mall. The Christmas tree lighting and entertainment begin at 6 p.m. with a lighted parade right after the lighting. 209-854-6975.
GOLD COUNTRY LIGHTED PARADE AND WINE STROLL – Saturday, Nov. 30: Angels Camp welcomes the holidays with a wine stroll through its historic downtown from 4 to 7 p.m. $10. During and after, downtown businesses serve up treats and wine tasting. At 5 p.m., the community’s annual Lighted Christmas Parade will make its way through downtown. www.angelscampbusiness.com
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 1, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14: Tree lighting Dec. 1 at the Lathrop Community Center at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 breakfast with Santa ($10 in advance only) at 9 a.m. at the Community Center. Dec. 14 Christmas Parade will march starting at Fifth and J streets at 11 a.m. 209-941-7370.
EXPERIENCE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SHOW – Dec. 1-24: Nightly drive-through holiday lights and music show. 6-9 p.m. nightly. Shelter Cove Community Church, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto. Free. 209-567-3200.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 6: The city’s annual lighted parade along historic Main Street beginning at Canal Drive starts at 6:30 p.m. with the theme “Christmas at the Arcade.” 209-668-5594.
LIVINGSTON LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE AND GIFT FAIR – Dec. 6: A gift fair with Christmas carols, entertainment, holiday goodies and more on Main Street begins at 5 p.m. The parade begins at 7 p.m. at Memorial Park and ends at D Street. www.livingstoncity.com.
COLUMBIA LAMPLIGHT TOUR – Dec 6-7: Christmastime in Columbia in the 1850s will be re-created. Participants will be guided through the decorated town during the walking play. Tours are every 15 minutes beginning 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday. $25. friendsofcolumbiashp.com/lamplight.html.
DICKENS FAIRE – Dec. 7: Inside and outside McHenry Mansion. Costumed carolers, street fair with crafts, Modesto farmers market. Carriage rides available with fee. Free children’s activities at the McHenry Museum, 1402 I St., during the festival. Tours of the mansion from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free festival runs 8 a.m.-3 p.m. McHenry Mansion, 906 15th St., Modesto, and along 15th Street. www.mchenrymansion.org.
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAY AND CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS – Dec. 7: The annual Modesto holiday family-friendly extravaganza includes Breakfast with Santa at the Senior Center, 211 Bodem St., from 8:30 to 11 a.m; tickets are $5, free ages 2 and under. Then head to the Dickens Faire. The city’s holiday parade route runs through downtown beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of 14th and I streets. After, trees will be set aglow at Tenth Street Plaza. Then, stay for the kickoff of the ongoing Rockin’ Holiday at Tenth Street Plaza in December that will feature lights, garland, retro decorations, snow machine flurries, the U.S. 191st Army Band and more music. A Rockin’ Holidays tree will be lit after the parade. Call 209-577-5344.
CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL & PARADE – Dec. 7: The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off again as Ceres sets it Christmas Tree Lane aglow. A festival at Smyrna Park on Moffett Road begins the night at 5:30 p.m. featuring holiday activities, including crafts, pictures with Santa, cookies and cocoa, letters to Santa, face painting and carnival games. At around 7:30 p.m., parade begins and Christmas Tree Lane opens. Event is free. 209-538-5648.
WATERFORD CELEBRATION – Dec. 7: Waterford’s annual lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Moon Elementary School and ends at Waterford Museum, where hot chocolate and photos with Santa will be available. 209-874-2328.
LIVE NATIVITY – Dec. 13-15: This community event includes complimentary refreshments as live actors reenact the biblical Christmas story. Reenactments every half-hour from 7-8:30 p.m. Modesto Free Methodist Church, 1520 Rose Ave. Free. www.modestofm.org.
ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN – Dec. 14: The annual Parade of Lights in downtown Escalon begins at 5:30 p.m. Before and after, a vendor fair will take place from 3 to 8 p.m. Main Street, Escalon. Free. www.escalonchamberofcommerce.org
CANDLELIGHT TOURS — Dec. 20 and Dec. 22: Self-guided walk-through tours of the Victorian Christmas decorated McHenry Mansion. Tour by candle and gas light. 19th century activities demonstrated. Musicians will be playing holiday music. Includes dessert served in the basement. 5:30 p.m. with last entrance at 7:30 p.m. 906 15th St., Modesto. $7, tickets at the McHenry Visitor Center & Gift Store, 924 15th St., Modesto.
This story was originally published November 28, 2019 at 8:31 AM.
