Ready for some holiday spirit? Where to find Modesto area parades, lightings, more
Expect a more festive holiday season this year in communities across the Modesto region.
Many of last year’s public celebrations were canceled, held virtually or modified because of the pandemic. But several are ready for a comeback this Christmas season.
Events include parades, festivals and the opening of Christmas Tree Lane in Ceres. Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned:
TURLOCK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Nov. 26: Celebration offers holiday lights and shopping. Downtown businesses open 5 to 9 p.m. Tree lighting in Central Park at 7 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/122975218197/posts/10158708669248198/?d=n.
COWBOY CHRISTMAS – Nov. 26-27: Oakdale Cowboy Museum offers more than 50 booths of western art, jewelry, apparel, cowboy grub and entertainment. Cowboy Santa arrives on horseback at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, available until 1 p.m. for photos. 5 to 8 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. 209-847-7049.
RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – Nov. 27: Holiday craft fair with handmade items will run from noon to 5 p.m. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of Sixth and Santa Fe streets with tree-lighting ceremony following the parade. Downtown Riverbank, 6707 Third St. 209-863-7122.
GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Saturday, Nov. 27: Events begin 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 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 394 Fifth St. Santa’s Workshop will be up at 367 Fifth St. The Christmas tree lighting and entertainment begin at 6 p.m. with a lighted parade to follow. 209-854-6975.
SPIRIT OF WINTER MARKETPLACE – Nov. 27-28: Craft vendors, music, food and drink, photos with Santa and winter characters, more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp. $5, free ages 12 and under.
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 1, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11: Dec. 1 tree lighting with performance by Lathrop High School Choir, visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus. 6:30 p.m. Lathrop Community Center. Dec. 4, drive-through Doughnuts with Santa includes a family photo with Santa, two craft kits and a half-dozen doughnuts. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 16201 Harlan Road. Spaces limited, registration required. Dec. 11, Christmas Parade, 11 a.m. Fifth to J streets. 209-941-7370.
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAY – Dec. 3: Kick off of the ongoing Rockin’ Holiday at Tenth Street Plaza in December that will feature lights, garland, retro decorations, snow machine flurries and music. The Rockin’ Holiday tree will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Rockin’ Holiday nights will be held 6 to 9 p.m. Dec. 9-11, Dec. 16-18 and Dec. 23.
LIVINGSTON COURT OF TREES – Dec. 3: This event displays 50-plus decorated Christmas trees for people to view. The grand lighting is at 6:30 p.m. and trees will remain up through Dec. 25. Court Plaza, Main Street. 209-394-8830.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 3: The city’s annual parade along historic Main Street beginning at Canal Drive starts at 6:30 p.m. with the theme “Christmas in Toyland.” 209-668-5594.
MCHENRY MANSION HOLIDAY TOURS – Dec. 4 and Dec. 11: Guided by docents in period costume, participants can view the mansion decorated in Victorian holiday splendor. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. McHenry Mansion, 906 15th St., Modesto. Free. Tours begin at the mansion’s Visitor Center, 924 15th St. 209-549-0428.
MODESTO CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS HOLIDAY PARADE – Dec. 4: The city holds its parade downtown beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the theme “Hometown Traditions.” The parade starts at 14th and I streets ending at J and 17th streets with Santa on a firetruck. www.modestogov.com/553/Holiday-Parade
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE OPENING – Dec. 4: The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off at 5 p.m. with festivities at Smyrna Park on Moffett Road including crafts, live music, food vendors, pictures with Santa from 5 to 6:30 p.m. and more. Parade begins at 7:15 p.m. as Christmas Tree Lane opens. Free. www.ci.ceres.ca.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=119.
ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN – Dec. 4: The annual Parade of Lights downtown begins at 5:30 p.m. Before and after, booths will be open from 3 to 8 p.m. and there will be live entertainment. Santa arrives at 6 p.m. Main Street, Escalon. www.escalonchamberofcommerce.org.
LIVINGSTON LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 10: Parade at 6:30 p.m. begins at Livingston Middle School and winds through the community before ending at Main and D streets. 209-394-8830.
WATERFORD CELEBRATION – Dec. 11: Vendors on Bentley Street 2:30 to 8:30 p.m. Lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Moon School, ending at Waterford Museum where there will be refreshments and Santa will light the Christmas tree. 209-874-2328.
COLUMBIA MINER’S CHRISTMAS – Dec 18-19: Participants can join in conversations with miners as they roast chestnuts over a campfire. Children can make crafts from the 1850s. Father Christmas will hit the streets on stagecoach. Noon to 3 p.m. Main Street, Columbia. https://friendsofcolumbiashp.com/events/columbia-state-historic-park-events.
This story was originally published November 20, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
