Riverside County Holiday Events 2021: Christmas Parades & Santa

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Get out your calendars! Time to start planning as the holidays near throughout Riverside County and the Inland Empire.

Christmas this year falls on a Saturday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah 2021 comes a bit early, beginning Sunday, Nov. 28 at sundown and running through Monday, Dec. 6.

Peruse Patch's annual holiday guide, find nearby events and select outings that appeal to you and yours. Many events kick off soon, while several require advance bookings, and space may be limited.

Note: Always confirm with organizers that the listed activities are proceeding as planned when posted.

And to all of our readers, wishing you the happiest of holidays, from Patch!
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BEAUMONT:

DEC. 1: Annual Christmas Tree Festival: St. Stephen's Church. With tea luncheons Dec. 3 & 4.

DEC. 11: Holiday Light Parade: Downtown. A community show of holiday spirit!

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CATHEDRAL CITY:

DEC. 8: North Pole Village & Tree Lighting. With music, carolers & free holiday movie.

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CHERRY VALLEY:

NOV. 3 - JAN. 9, 2022: Christmas Nights: 123 Farm & Highland Springs Ranch. Offering wagon adventure, food, drinks & Santa!

DEC. 3-4: Winterfest - Snow, Sledding & Santa. Parking and admission are free.

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CRESTLINE:

DEC. 11: A Very Bizzy Christmas & Santa: Bizzyland Gardens. With carolers, too!

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DESERT HOT SPRINGS:

DEC. 11: Parade Of Lights, Holiday Festival & Santa. Fun includes free carnival rides & photos with Santa.

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HEMET:

DEC. 4: 'Caroling Nights & Magical Lights' Christmas Parade. With events at Weston Park.

DEC. 12: Tinsel Triathlon & 5K. "The largest & longest running Reverse Sprint Pool Triathlon on the West Coast."

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INDIO:

DEC. 4-5: Annual Tamale Festival: Entertainment & Carnival Rides. "A rich multi-cultural & multi-generational experience complemented by holiday shopping."

DEC. 11: Holiday Craft Fair. Space is limited. With family craft stations, too.

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JOSHUA TREE:

DEC. 18: Full Moon Winter Solstice Event ~ Breathwork SoundLab. "A powerful fusion of rhythmic breathwork and a sound bath."

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LA QUINTA:

DEC. 3: Tree-Lighting Ceremony. Annual event at Civic Center Park.

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LAKE ELSINORE:

DEC. 4: Winterfest: Holiday Parade, Tree Lighting, Sledding & Santa. Parade kicks off at 3 p.m.!

DEC. 8-19: Winter Lights Kingdom. A Christmas drive-thru event at Storm.

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LOMA LINDA:

DEC. 12: Holiday Classic Half Marathon, 5K & Elves Trot. "Elves Trot fun run for children ages 3-6. Every participating elf will receive an adorable Santa medal."

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MENIFEE:

NOV. 30: Hanukkah Menorah Lighting: Central Park. Join in lighting of giant menorah.

DEC. 4: Christmas Tree Lighting, Parade, Snow & Santa. Canned goods or toy donations accepted for snow-area admission.

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MURRIETA:

DEC. 4: Donuts With Santa. Three locations. First-come, first-served.

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NORCO:

NOV. 11: SilverLakes Christmas Market. Live entertainment & artisans galore.

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PALM DESERT:

NOV. 23-DEC. 30: Holiday 'WildLights': Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. Advance reservations needed, so book soon.

NOV. 27-DEC. 18: Holiday 'Merry Movie Nights': Gardens On El Paseo. Family-friendly fun! Don't forget blankets.

DEC. 3: Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Santa: Shops On El Paseo. Event also kicks off toy drive.

DEC. 11: Breakfast With Santa. With craft stations for ornament & cookie decorating.

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PALM SPRINGS:

DEC. 3-4: 'The Skivvies - Say It Ain't Snow!': Purple Room Supper Club. "Perfect combination of naughty and nice with undie-rock at its finest."

DEC. 4: Festival Of Lights Parade. "Voted one of the Top Ten Holiday Parades in the country."

DEC. 9-26: Desert Rose Playhouse 'Christmas With The Crawfords' - "A 90-minute parade of famous movie stars dropping by unannounced to sing, dance & generally toss each other around."

DEC. 18-22: Santa Fly-In & Winter Light Show: Air Museum. "Santa Claus will arrive at the Air Museum in his helicopter to greet all the good little girls and boys who have come to see him."

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PERRIS:

NOV. 24-DEC. 31: 'The Polar Express' & Santa: Southern California Railway Museum. "Relive the magic of the classic story."

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REDLANDS:

NOV. 19: Downtown Holiday Lighting Ceremony & Santa. With carolers, music, free hot cocoa, bounce house & more.

DEC. 4: Annual Downtown Christmas Parade. 2021 theme: "An Unforgettable Christmas."

DEC. 4: Stuff A Plane For Charity. Toy drive to benefit The Salvation Army San Bernardino Corps.

DEC. 4-5: Holiday Boutique Weekend. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of the East Valley Legal Aid Clinic.

DEC. 5: Holiday Home Tour. Tickets are on sale.

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RIVERSIDE:

NOV. 26-JAN. 6: Mission Inn Hotel's 'Festival Of Lights' - No "Switch-On Ceremony" this year, but the holiday display will go on for the season.

DEC. 11-12 & 18-19: The Nutcracker. At Fox Performing Arts Center with critically acclaimed Inland Pacific Ballet.

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SAN BERNARDINO:

DEC. 3-5: Inland Dance Theatre 'Nutcracker': California Theatre. A local family tradition!

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TEMECULA:

NOV. 15-DEC. 31: Peltzer Holiday Ice Skating Rink. Fun includes picnic benches, hot cocoa, snacks, food truck eats & bar serving Peltzer Wine.

NOV. 20: Holiday Hugs Market & Toy Drive. With kids' activities, crafts, Santa & more.

NOV. 26-28: 'The Nutcracker Ballet' - "This extravagant production is ideal for children."

NOV. 28: Tree Lighting Fest, Carriage Rides & Santa: South Coast Winery. Tickets required & on sale.

NOV. 28: Duck Pond Menorah Lighting - Hanukkah. "Light the giant menorah at the duck pond."

NOV. 29: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa: Duck Pond. With treats, festive music & visit from Santa.

DEC. 3: Santa's Electric Light Parade. Bring blankets, chairs & line up for fun holiday extravaganza.

DEC. 4-12: 'A Christmas Carol - The Musical' - "An Old Town Temecula family favorite!"

DEC. 5: Chanukah Car Menorah Parade. Through Old Town & the Mall.

DEC. 9-JAN. 2: 'Temecula On Ice' Skating Rink 2021: Town Square Park. With "its own radio station playing the best ice skating music."

DEC. 12: 'Candlelight Classics' Holiday Concert: The Merc. Seating limited, so book soon.

DEC. 17-23: 'The Nutcracker Ballet' - "One of the best to see in Southern California."

DEC. 18: 'Chilled In The Park' Fest & Holiday Fireworks. Also featuring entertainment, ugly sweater contest & kids' zone.

DEC. 31: BAD CHEMISTRY @ OTBC New Years Eve 2021. At Old Town Blues Club.

DEC. 31-JAN. 1: New Year's Eve Grape Drop. With music, food trucks & kids' zone.

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UPLAND:

DEC. 4: Christmas Parade & Holiday Faire. The Holiday Faire tradition features food and gift vendors and more!

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HEADING OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

• San Diego County Holiday Events
• Orange County Holiday Events