Riverside's Festival of Lights
ABC Good Morning America Video of the Festival of Lights Lighting Ceremony
Millions of lights. Thousands of people. Dozens of events. One month-long festival you’ll never forget.
What began as a small lighting ceremony with just over 500,000 lights in 1992 is now the crown jewel of holiday festivals in Southern California, and one of the most impressive Christmas light displays in the country.
Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, downtown Riverside unleashes its holiday spirit with a lighting ceremony featuring more than 3.5 million shimmering lights. One flip of the switch illuminates the buildings and street-side palm trees of Main Street Riverside, with the famous Mission Inn and Spa at the center of it all.
Thousands of Southern Californians congregate for the lighting ceremony, and many downtown events make it a great family outing.
More than Just Lights
There is more to the Festival of Lights than the millions of brilliant bulbs.
During the entire month of December, visitors to Riverside can enjoy festival events ranging from skating under the stars at an outdoor ice skating rink to carriage rides, free live bands and even nightly appearances by Santa Claus.
The Riverside Festival of Lights draws more than 150,000 visitors annually and is considered an annual family tradition for local Southern California and national visitors alike.