By far, one of my favorite times of the year is the fall season. For us in Southern California, the fall season does not normally mean the changing of colors or dramatic temperature loss, but it does give way to the many great traditions that make me excited for this time of year. Ever since moving to Riverside four years ago, the Mission Inn Festival of Lights has been one of my main traditions during the fall season. It is an extravagant showing of Christmas lights that combines with the famous and historic California hotel for a unique night out in Riverside. It was even on the top ten destinations for holiday lights this year in the whole United States.
Details
- Free
- Starts the day after Thanksgiving and can be crazy busy for opening night
- Hard to find parking on the weekends
- Some of the dinner places are only open during the weekends and not during the week
History
A little history and info on it is as follows.
“For 19 years, the Festival of Lights has been well known for its nearly three million Christmas lights, and over 400 animated figures. Although the Festival lasts all throughout the holiday season, the day after Thanksgiving is the lighting ceremony. On this day city officials and the owner of the hotel, Duane Roberts, give speeches before fireworks light up the sky and nearly 25,000 people attend annually to view the unique hotel and its holiday decorations. During the festival of lights, decorations including musical angels, carolers on the balconies, and a Santa Claus climbing the chimney are featured.”
Mission Inn
The Mission Inn is of course the standout of the festivities. It has an insane amount of Christmas lights covering every inch of its exterior as well as snowflakes blinking on and off on the massive palm trees in the front of the hotel (A truly California addition). You can walk around the entire hotel multiples times and never see the same thing twice. Here is a short video I took with my phone that shows how awesome the entrance to the hotel is, but believe me you really need to see this in person to grasp it.
Every year it seems like it gets more fantastic and every year it seems like more people show up. Even with all of the people it never seems too crowded though and doesn’t take away from the magic of the decorations, assuming you can find parking. Check out more pictures below.
If you get a chance to go in the Mission Inn you can also see the beautiful tree they have in the lobby which is huge and always very well decorated.
Surrounding Attractions
While the Mission Inn is the reason to come, the surrounding activities allow you to make it into a full night. There are many restaurants around the area at which you can get a meal. I personally would recommend Simple Simons as it is one of my favorites in the area and has great sandwiches but you never know when it is open. If you are just looking for a snack there is a cupcake shop, the Gingerbread House, mini donut and even a funnel cake stands. You can also go to Salted Pig which is amazing but a little bit away from the Mission Inn area.
You can even take a carriage ride around to see the lights in style. You shouldn’t have to wait to long as there were about 6 different carriages running when I was there.
If neither of these sound fun there is also a full ice skating rink next to a statue of Ghandi and many vendors selling light up toys for children.
All in all, the Mission Inn Festival of Lights is one of the best reasons to come to Riverside (along with a light up Halloween house and Mt Rubidoux). If you have never checked it out, do yourself a favor and do it this year. Who knows it may even become one of your Christmas traditions as well.
Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. You can also get directions below.