REDDING HOLIDAY EVENTS GUIDE 2025

The holiday event season promises festive family fun throughout Redding and the surrounding areas this year.

From beloved community traditions to new wintry activities, there are many ways to celebrate the most wonderful time of year.

Redding Community Holiday Events

THIS GUIDE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED FOR 2025. PUBLISHED DATES ARE CURRENT. TBA’S WILL BE UPDATED SOON.

Redding Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

December 5 | Downtown Redding

Join in this cherished community tradition in downtown Redding for the 104th annual lighting of the giant Christmas tree near the intersection of Market and Yuba. Enjoy carolers, classic Christmas car displays, and festivities to celebrate the start of the holiday season.

Redding Lighted Christmas Parade

December 6 | Downtown Redding

This beloved local tradition features vibrant floats, twinkling lights, festive bands, and community groups marching down downtown streets. Grab some hot cocoa and join in the holiday fun!

12 Beers of Christmas

December 3 – 14 | Fall River Brewing Co.

Fall River Brewery taps a new naughty list-themed beer daily from December 3-14 that guests can sample by getting a passport stamped.

Finish the passport and receive an exclusive invitation to Fall River’s 2025 Premiere Party in January, featuring food trucks and festive brews like Son of a Nutcracker Sour and Bad Santa Saison.

Old Time Holiday Celebration

December 6 | Shasta State Historic Park

Shasta State Historic Park’s free Annual Old Time Holiday Celebration will feature engaging arts and crafts, blacksmith demonstrations, light refreshments, candle making, Christmas crackers, and more for visitors of all ages.

For more information, call 530-243-8194. Shasta State Historic Park is located six miles west of Redding on Highway 299W.

Little Explorers: Wonderful Winter

Thursdays in December | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Little Explorers Winter Program at Turtle Bay Exploration Park offers 2-5 year olds and their caregivers a weekly interactive learning experience featuring winter-themed activities, stories, and hands-on exploration.

Science Saturday: Exploring the Wonders of the Cold

December 20 | Turtle Bay Museum

Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s Family 2nd Saturday event on December 14th invites families to explore winter celebrations from around the world through interactive activities.

Art Lab: Holiday Houses

December 27 | Turtle Bay Museum

Let your creativity sparkle this season at Turtle Bay’s Art Lab: Holiday Houses. Drop in to design and decorate your own festive creation using a mix of art materials and imagination. No experience required.

RELATED: DISCOVER 50 CHRISTMAS GIFT EXPERIENCES YOU CAN FIND ONLY IN REDDING

Redding Christmas Lights Displays

 

Redding Garden of Lights

November 21 – January 4 | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Stroll through over two million dazzling lights illuminating 10 acres of stunning botanical gardens during this beloved annual holiday display. Sip on hot cocoa as you walk the sparkling path and celebrate the spirit of the season. This is one of the best holiday events of the year!

Golf Course of Lights

November 27 – January 10 | Oasis Fun Center

Oasis Fun Center has transformed its mini golf courses with festive Christmas lights, LED golf balls, and cozy fire pits for evening play. Local caterers will serve seasonal treats while guests enjoy their rounds, and prices start at $12 per person when booked online.

Redding Lights

Opens November 28 | 2499 El Verano St.

This award-winning, animated Redding Christmas light show features synchronized lights, music, and stunning visual effects against the backdrop of the holidays. Located in east Redding, the Van Gent family has made this dazzling experience a tradition for local and visiting families.

Holiday Concerts & Productions

 

Frozen, the Broadway Musical

November 14-15, 21-22 | David Marr Theater

For the first time in the North State, U-Prep presents Disney’s Frozen, The Broadway Musical! Experience the magic, music, and heart of this beloved story of sisterhood and courage—live on stage.

NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet

November 19, 7 PM | Redding Civic Auditorium

Don’t miss the return of this family-friendly ballet production featuring international dancers. The show brings to life the holiday classic tale of young Clara and her Nutcracker prince with beautiful sets, costumes, and choreography.

Cascade Christmas: Redding’s Holiday Tradition

November 21 – 30 | Cascade Theatre

Enjoy Redding’s long-running variety show filled with Christmas entertainment for the whole family. The production features lively musical numbers, comedy sketches, and dance routines to celebrate the holiday season.

Holiday Double Feature at Schreder Planetarium

December 5, 12, 19, 26 | Schreder Planetarium

Catch a special seasonal show at the Schreder Planetarium every Friday in December. Each evening features A Christmas Star paired with Oasis in Space, blending holiday storytelling with an immersive journey through the cosmos. Programs begin at 7:00 PM with no late entry, so plan to arrive early and settle in under the dome for a festive night of stargazing.

The Nutcracker by Redding City Ballet

December 12-14 | Cascade Theatre

Celebrate the season with Redding City Ballet’s Nutcracker, a 21-year North State tradition. Follow Clara’s magical Christmas Eve journey filled with dazzling costumes, Tchaikovsky’s score, and local dancers bringing this timeless holiday classic to life.

A Celtic Christmas

December 16 | Cascade Theatre

A Celtic Christmas brings the spirit of an Irish holiday gathering to the Cascade Theatre with traditional music, dance, carols, and storytelling. This beloved production has toured for decades and offers a warm, old-world Christmas experience.

Mark O’Connor’s Appalachian Christmas

December 21 | Cascade Theatre

Mark O’Connor brings his acclaimed Appalachian Christmas tour to the Cascade Theatre for an evening of American roots music, fiddle traditions and holiday classics. Joined by Maggie O’Connor, the duo blends virtuoso string work with stories and songs drawn from decades of award-winning performance.

Holiday Runs & Races

 

2025 Turkey Trot

November 27 | Redding Senior Center

The annual Turkey Trot run/walk takes place on Thanksgiving morning and is sponsored by the SWEAT Running Club.

Participants can pick up their race packets and bibs at the Senior Citizen Hall or on race-day morning before the start.

Jingle Bell Fun Run

December 6 | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Ring in the holidays at this festive fun run starting at the Sundial Bridge. The course winds through the Redding Garden of Lights. Finish the run and enjoy admission and activities at the illuminated gardens.

12Ks of Christmas

December 13 | Lake Redding Park

Tackle the 12K course or opt for the 2-mile option at this festive annual holiday race. Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome. Enjoy music, costumes, and awards plus refreshments to fuel up post-race.

Holiday Bazaars, Craft Fairs, & Art Classes

 

 

Enterprise High School Holiday Bazaar

November 15 | EHS Manatowa Gym

The EHS Holiday Bazaar invites the community to enjoy a festive day of holiday shopping, local crafts, and seasonal eats while supporting the EHS Yearbook program. Shoppers can browse handmade gifts, décor, jewelry, and art from local artisans and food vendors.

Holiday Fine Art & Gifts Boutique

November 27 – December 30 | Old City Hall

Looking for unique gifts for your loved ones? Find meaningful, hand-crafted gifts made by local artists at this seasonal boutique inside Old City Hall.

Christmas Market & Country Swing

December 1 | TBS Ranch

Celebrate the season at The Groove Garden Christmas Market! Enjoy local vendors, a beginner country swing lesson, social dancing, and a giveaway raffle featuring a basket valued at $280 or a cash prize. 18+ event

A Yultetide Artisan Fair

December 13 | Palo Cedro Community Hall (formerly Millville Grange)

Roots Farm EDU is hosting its annual Yuletide Artisan Fair, featuring 40 craft and handmade vendors with additional family-friendly activities like face painting and henna.

Don’t miss out on this indoor festive shopping event for finding unique gifts and supporting youth and community artisans!

New Year’s Eve Events in Redding

 

Noon Year’s Eve Party

December 31, 10 AM – 12 PM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Turtle Bay Exploration Park hosts a family-friendly “Noon Year’s Eve” celebration featuring party hat crafting, resolution sharing, and three daytime countdown celebrations with confetti at 11 AM, 11:30 AM, and noon.

New Year’s Eve at the Redding Garden of Lights

December 31, 6 PM – 10 PM | Turtle Bay Exploration Park

Ring in 2025 at the family-friendly New Year’s Eve celebration at Redding’s Garden of Lights, featuring live music and an “almost midnight” countdown.

Welcome the new year with magic and giving, with proceeds benefiting Turtle Bay’s exhibits, animals, and educational initiatives.

2025 New Year’s Eve Bash

December 31, 7 PM | Win-River Resort & Casino

Ring in 2026 at Win-River Resort & Casino’s Black & White Gala! Enjoy comedy by Erik Griffin, live music from The Fresh Makers, dancing, and a buffet.

 

Nearby Holiday Fun

 

Just a short drive outside Redding, enjoy these additional holiday activities:

Siskiyou Ice Skating Rink in Mt. Shasta – Lace up your ice skates and glide across the ice at this picturesque rink about an hour from Redding. The rink is open for the season beginning November 16th, 2024, through February 23rd, 2025.

Mt. Shasta Ski Park – Make the most of the wintry weather with a day trip to the slopes at Mt. Shasta Ski Park, just over an hour’s drive from Redding. Rent your ski or snowboard gear from one of the local Redding shops, then head up for a day full of fresh powder before returning to Redding to relax and warm up after your outdoor adventure.

However you celebrate the season, Redding offers many ways to brighten spirits!

If you want to add events to the Visit Redding calendar, we invite you to submit them here.