Communities ready to ring in holidays across Merced County, Mother Lode regions
First, give thanks. Then, give yourself a chance to bask in the community yuletide glow.
Cities and towns across the greater Merced region and the Mother Lode will begin making merry right after Thanksgiving.
There are a few community holiday events set for that weekend, with plenty more festivals, parades, tree lightings and other celebrations planned well into December.
There’s even one event set for the day before Thanksgiving.
While not an exhaustive list, here’s a look at some of the festivities planned:
CHRISTMAS TOWN SONORA — Nov. 26-December: The celebration begins with a lighting ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 26, viewable from the Sonora Fire Museum and Senior Lounge parking lot, 125 N. Washington St. The Sonora Christmas Parade will be held Friday, Nov. 28, beginning at 6 p.m. from the Red Church (St. James Episcopal, 42 Snell St.) to Restano Way. Also planned through December are visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse-drawn holiday carriage rides, a concert and more. For more details, specific dates and times, see christmastownsonora.org.
TURLOCK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS — Nov. 28: Turlock’s annual celebration offers a tree-lighting ceremony at Central Park with music, nearly 200 vendors and a drone show in downtown. 5-9 p.m. event; tree lighting at 6:30 p.m.; drone show 8:30 p.m. 209-634-6459.
GUSTINE’S OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS — Nov. 29: A host of events begins with breakfast with Santa at the GPS Hall from 8-11 a.m. before a craft fair on Fifth Street, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. There will be a Christmas decor silent auction, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at 394 Fifth St. Santa’s Workshop with crafts for children will be at 367 Fifth St. from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Santa will offer a book reading in front of the city Christmas tree at 1 p.m., followed by pictures with Santa at Lions Park on Main Street. Free s’mores, hot cocoa and coffee downtown, 5-6:30 p.m. The Christmas tree lighting and entertainment begin at 6 p.m. at Fifth Street and Fourth Avenue, with a parade right after the lighting. www.cityofgustine.com/calendar.aspx.
DOWNTOWN MERCED CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING — Nov. 30: Live music, caroling and activities for the kids are planned. 5 p.m. with tree lighting 6 p.m. at Bob Hart Square. www.downtownmerced.org/events
DOS PALOS CHRISTMAS PARADE – DEC. 4: “A Candy Land Christmas”-themed parade is planned beginning at 6 p.m. on Blossom Street in downtown. 209-392-2174.
ATWATER CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 5: The theme for this year’s parade is “Candyland Christmas.” It will be held at 7 p.m. on Broadway Avenue. www.atwater.org/event/atwater-christmas-parade.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE — Dec. 5: The city’s annual lighted parade, with the theme “Dreamland” this year, will be held beginning at the corner of Canal Drive and Main Street, running along Main Street, up Broadway and ending at the Stanislaus County Fairground. The parade starts at 6:30 p.m. 209-668-5594.
COLUMBIA LAMPLIGHT TOUR — Dec 5-6: Christmastime in Columbia in 1855 will be re-created in a walking play. Participants meet at Columbia Museum and walk through the decorated town led by lantern-carrying guides. Tours are every 15 minutes beginning at 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday. $30, $10 ages 10-14; not recommended for children under 10. friendsofcolumbiashp.com.
SPIRIT OF WINTER FESTIVAL & HOLIDAY MARKETPLACE — Dec. 5-7: Craft vendors, entertainment including music by Golden Bough, food, drinks and more will be available at this event in the Mother Lode. 2-8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday. $5-$10. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp. spiritofwinterfestival.com.
DOWNTOWN MERCED CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 6: “Holiday HIT Parade!” is the theme for this year’s jaunt on Main Street, which begins at 2 p.m. There will be a Downtown Merced Holiday Mercado before and after from 1-6 p.m. at 18th and Canal streets with vendors, food and more. www.downtownmerced.org/events.
CHRISTMAS AT THE PLAZA – Dec. 6: Los Banos will mark the season with an event from 5-10 p.m. featuring arts and crafts, choirs, food vendors and a tree lighting at Henry Miller Plaza, 600 H St. A parade begins at 6 p.m. www.losbanos.com/projects.
PATTERSON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL - Dec. 6: A candy cane hunt from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. kicks off at Thompson Chevrolet, 701 S. Second St., where kids can get a map to begin. There will be Reindeer Games for children at Plaza Circle from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m and a holiday market, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at Fire Station 1, 344 W. Las Palmas Ave. City trees will be lighted at 5:45 p.m. downtown with an electric light parade downtown at 6 p.m. Pictures with Santa follow the parade at US Bank, 13 Plaza Circle. pattersonwestleychamber.org.
GOLD COUNTRY PARADE — Dec. 6: Angels Camp’s annual Christmas parade will make its way through downtown from St. Patrick’s Church, 820 S. Main St. to downtown beginning at 5 p.m., There will be visits with Santa following the parade until 7:30 p.m. at Next Home Utica Properties, 1239 E. Main St. 209-736-1333.
LINE OF CHRISTMAS TREES – Dec. 12: People purchase trees in advance and decorate them before the community lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the Winton Fire Department, 6825 N. Winton Way. The trees will remain on display through Dec. 28. 209-643-5347.
LIVINGSTON CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 12: The “Christmas Night of Lights” parade will be held on Main Street from Peach to D streets. There will be food trucks available starting at 5 p.m. and the parade starts at 6:30 p.m. www.cityoflivingston.org/recreation/page/christmas-parade.
MINERS CHRISTMAS — Dec. 20-21: Columbia State Historic Park continues its holiday offerings with a demonstration of what Christmas in a Gold Rush town may have looked like in the 1850s. Listen to Christmas stories from miners, taste chestnuts roasted over an open fire and make old-fashioned crafts. Historic buildings of Columbia will be adorned in old-fashioned decorations. Father Christmas arrives by stage at 12:30 p.m. The event is noon-3 p.m. Main Street, Columbia. Free. friendsofcolumbiashp.com.
