THREE WAYS TO SPEND A HOLIDAY WEEKEND IN REDDING
A weekend itinerary for December 5-7, 2025
December is when Redding leans all the way into twinkle lights, warm drinks, festive crowds, and winter adventures. With the Christmas Tree Lighting on Friday night and the Lighted Christmas Parade on Saturday, the whole weekend is stacked.
Whether you’re here with kids, here to recharge, or here for the shows, we’ve mapped out three ways to do it right.
Photo Credit: Brent Van Auken
Plan Your Perfect Holiday Weekend in Redding, CA
1. The Family Weekend: Carols, Crafts, and Holiday Lights
Friday, December 5
4:30 to 7:30 pm
Start at the Christmas Tree Lighting in Downtown Redding.
Come early so the kids can check out Kool April Nites’ classic Christmas car display on Market Street from 5 to 7. First Friday is happening at the same time, so you can grab cocoa, hot cider, or local treats as you wander the shops.
Find a spot near the tree and count down together at the 7 pm lighting ceremony. It’s pure small-town Christmas magic.
7 to 9 pm
If your crew still has energy, head to the Schreder Planetarium for the holiday double feature.
“A Christmas Star” feels like a cozy storytime with a scientific twist, and “Oasis in Space” keeps the awe going. A great wind-down that still feels special.
RELATED: REDDING HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE
Photo Credit: Redding 20-30 Club
Saturday, December 6
8:30 am to noon
Ease into the day at the Redding Farmers Market. Let the kids choose pastries while you browse plants, winter produce, and local goods.
11 am to 3 pm
Drive over to Shasta State Historic Park for their Old Time Holiday Celebration.
Think crafts, simple games, friendly volunteers in historic dress, and plenty of space for kids to explore the 1800s brick structures. It’s hands-on, low-pressure, and free.
6 to 8 pm
Claim your spot downtown for the Lighted Christmas Parade.
Floats glow. Bands play. Kids love it. Parents love it. It’s one of those events that feels like the whole town shows up.
Photo Credit: Seth McGaha
Sunday, December 7
10 am to 2 pm
Visit Duivenvoorden Farms for a family-friendly morning on the ranch, animals and all!
Sip raw milk hot chocolate, grab fresh stroopwafels and poffertjes, try samples from local vendors, and browse handmade gifts.
After dark
Wrap the weekend with the Redding Garden of Lights.
If you want to avoid the busiest times, go right at opening at 5 pm. Kids will burn off energy racing through tunnels, swings, and pathways.
Photo Credit: Chase Smith
2. The Reset Weekend: Trails, Wellness, and Slow Holiday Moments
Friday, December 5
Late afternoon
Start with the Holiday Fine Art & Craft Boutique at Old City Hall.
Browse at your own pace and pick up handcrafted gifts without the weekend crowds. It’s a calm entry point to the weekend.
5 to 7:30 pm
Stroll through Downtown Redding during the Christmas Tree Lighting.
You can fully join the festivities, or you can use it as a backdrop for a slower evening. Warm drinks. Window shopping. Music drifting between restaurants. Stay for the 7 pm lighting if you want that little hit of nostalgia.
Saturday, December 6
Morning
Pick your reset.
- A quiet walk or ride on the Sacramento River Trail
- A waterfall hike at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area
- A gentle loop at Lema Ranch
- A morning at the Redding Farmers Market
4 to 5 pm
If you’re in the mood for something active and fun, join the Jingle Bell Fun Run. Bells, holiday outfits, and an easy two-mile course starting at the Sundial Bridge.
You finish right at the entrance of the Garden of Lights, and admission is included with registration. Perfect transition.
After dark
Wander through the Redding Garden of Lights while sipping on a warm drink. Slow the pace. Find quiet corners for magical photos. Roast marshmallows for s’mores around a fire pit. Just let the night settle in.
Sunday, December 7
Midday
Choose a wellness style.
Book a massage, sauna, salt cave, or float therapy session. Or visit a yoga or barre studio, depending on your pace.
Afternoon optional add-ons
• Explore Whiskeytown waterfalls
• Relax in a salt cave at Capturing the Essence
• Browse local shops for gifts before heading home
This entire itinerary is built around not rushing anything. It’s meant to give you room to breathe.
RELATED: 48 HOURS IN REDDING: CREATE YOUR CUSTOM WEEKEND ITINERARY
3. The Shows and Nights Out Weekend: Energy, Music, and Holiday Glow
Friday, December 5
4:30 to 7 pm
Start with the Christmas Tree Lighting before your evening show.
Come early, grab a warm drink from a downtown café, wander the classic car display, check out First Friday shops, and enjoy the atmosphere. The tree lights up at 7, which gives you the perfect buffer before your show.
7:30 pm
Walk or drive over to the Redding Civic Auditorium for STOMP.
It’s loud, fun, rhythmic, and a great choice for a date night or a night out with friends. Plan to arrive by 7 to find parking and get settled.
Saturday, December 6
Morning and mid-day
Sleep in or grab brunch, then explore Downtown Redding or Old City Hall’s art boutique. If the weather holds, stroll the Sacramento River Trail or visit Whiskeytown for fresh air.
6 to 8 pm
Head back downtown for the Lighted Christmas Parade.
If you want a lively night, choose a restaurant with outdoor seating or big windows to watch the crowds flow past, then wander to a parade-viewing spot.
After the parade, you can keep the night going at the Redding Garden of Lights or grab drinks at a downtown bar.
Sunday, December 7
Dinner hour
Enjoy a pre-show meal near the Civic Auditorium. Sundial Bridge views at sunset make the night feel extra special.
7 pm
Catch John Crist: Jokes for Humans!
It’s a high-energy show with big-laugh moments. Great way to close out the weekend.
Photo Credit: Avery Rosenthal
Build Your Own Weekend in Redding
If you want to customize your getaway, consider adding any of these unique-to-Redding activities:
• Sledding at Eskimo Hill if conditions allow
• Cold-weather kayaking at Whiskeytown
• A family bike ride across the Sundial Bridge
• A morning hike to Chamise Peak