Your guide to the numerous Christmas parades, tree lightings and more across Modesto region
Goodbye Thanksgiving, hello Christmas — and by that, we mean pretty much immediately.
Communities across the Modesto and Mother Lode regions begin celebrating the yuletide season the day right after many of us stuff ourselves with turkey and dressing.
There are a pair of events set for that Friday, with plenty more festivals, parades, tree lightings and other events planned through the rest of November and well into December.
Notably missing this year will be the annual street fair outside the McHenry Mansion that formerly was known as the Dickens Faire.
But, much in the spirit of the holidays, the previously canceled huge Mod Shop craft fair has been rescued and will go on the Saturday after Thanksgiving under new leadership.
Here’s a look at just some of the community holiday festivities planned across the Modesto and Mother Lode regions:
TURLOCK FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS – Nov. 24: Turlock’s annual celebration offers a tree-lighting ceremony at Central Park, along with food and 100 vendors downtown. 5-8 p.m. 209-668-5594.
COWBOY CHRISTMAS CRAFT SHOW – Nov. 24-25: Oakdale Cowboy Museum holiday event with western art, jewelry, apparel, food and entertainment. Craft fair 5-8 p.m. Nov. 24, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 25. Cowboy Santa available for photos 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Nov. 25. Gene Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., Oakdale. 209-847-7049.
MOD SHOP – Nov. 25: Multiple vendors set up at downtown businesses. Other downtown shops and restaurants also will be open. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Downtown Modesto. downtown-modesto.com/mod-shop.
GOLD COUNTRY LIGHTED PARADE AND OPEN HOUSE – Nov. 25: Angels Camp’s annual lighted Christmas parade will make its way through downtown beginning at 5 p.m., followed by a meet and greet with Santa and Mrs. Claus. www.angelscampbusiness.com.
GUSTINE’S OLD FASHIONED CHRISTMAS – Nov. 25: 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. Christmas Tree silent auction 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at 394 Fifth St. Santa’s Workshop will be up 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. The Christmas tree lighting and entertainment begin at 6 p.m. at Fifth Street and Fourth Avenue, with a parade right after the lighting. gustinechamberofcommerce.com.
SOUTH MODESTO BUSINESS UNITED CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING – Nov. 27: SMBU annual tree lighting with free hot chocolate and sweet bread. 6 p.m. Hatch and Crows Landing roads, Modesto. www.facebook.com/p/South-Modesto-Businesses-United-SMBU-100064488950296
COLUMBIA LAMPLIGHT TOUR – Dec 1-2: Christmastime in Columbia in the 1850s will be re-created. Participants will be guided through the decorated town during the walking play. Tours are every 15 minutes beginning 6:30 p.m. Friday, 5:30 p.m. Saturday. $25, free age 8 and under. friendsofcolumbiashp.com.
TURLOCK DOWNTOWN CHRISTMAS PARADE – Dec. 1: The city’s annual lighted parade along historic Main Street beginning at Canal Drive starts at 6:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Christmas Luau.” 209-668-5594.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA – Dec. 2: City of Modesto and the North Modesto Kiwanis host the event with pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, milk, orange juice and coffee. Photo opportunities with Santa and story time by Mrs. Claus, as well as arts and crafts for children. 8-11:30 a.m. Modesto Senior Citizens Center, 211 Bodem St. $10, free ages 2 and under. 209-577-5344.
CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS PARADE – Dec. 2: The Modesto holiday parade’s theme this year is “Toys, Trains and Candy Canes.” The route runs through downtown beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the corner of 14th and I streets and will travel west on I Street to 10th, north on 10th Street to J Street and east on J street to 17th Street. 209-577-5200.
ROCKIN’ HOLIDAYS – Dec. 2: Stroll the retro, garland-lined street, enjoy the Rockin’ North Pole, snow shows and sit in Santa’s hot rod sleigh. Rockin’ Santa and his Rockin’ Elves also will be there. A tree lighting will be held at 7 p.m., after the Modesto holiday parade. There will be music by Zoey Rae and Company and Funkhaus. The event continues with light and music shows Thursdays-Saturdays, 7-9 p.m. from Dec. 7-23. Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto. Free.
ESCALON CHRISTMAS ON MAIN – Dec. 2: The annual Parade of Lights in downtown Escalon begins at 5:30 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be on hand following the parade. Before and after, a vendor fair will take place from 3-8 p.m. Main Street, Escalon. 209-838-2793.
CHRISTMAS TREE LANE OPENING AND FESTIVITIES – Dec. 2: The region’s largest nightly neighborhood display kicks off as Ceres’ Christmas Tree Lane is set aglow. There will be arts and crafts, live music, food vendors, pictures with Santa and more. 4-6 p.m. Ceres Community Center, 2701 Fourth St. A parade begins at Fowler and Moffett roads at 7 p.m. 209-538-5628.
PATTERSON CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL – Dec. 2: A candy cane hunt from 10 am.-1 p.m. kicks off at Thompson Chevrolet, 701 S. Second St., where kids can get a map to begin. A holiday boutique will be held 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at Patterson Fire Station No. 1, 344 W. Las Palmas Ave. There will be a lighting of trees at the downtown circle at 5:45 p.m. with an electrical light parade at 6 p.m. Pictures with Santa available after the parade at US Bank, 13 Plaza Circle. pattersonwestleychamber.org.
LATHROP CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS – Dec. 2 and Dec. 9: Dec. 2, Donuts with Santa and Mrs. Claus in one-hour time slots from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Community Center, 15557 Fifth St. $30, includes family photo, two craft kits and half dozen doughnuts. Dec. 9 Christmas Parade will start at Fifth and J streets at 11 a.m. 209-941-7200.
McHENRY MANSION CHRISTMAS TEA – Dec. 5: Enjoy a holiday tea at the historic downtown mansion. There will be two seatings, 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. 906 15th St., Modesto. $40. Seating is limited; reserve at 209-522-1739.
CHRISTMAS POSADA AND GIVEAWAY — Dec. 6: South Modesto Businesses United presents annual Posada and free toy giveaway. Pictures with Santa, free hot chocolate, Mexican pastry, free tamales, and a grocery bag that includes a whole frozen chicken, cake, mix, rice and beans and other grocery items. 6 p.m. 1700 Crows Landing Road, Modesto. Free.
RIVERBANK CHRISTMAS PARADE & CRAFT FAIR – Dec. 9: There will be a Country Christmas craft fair with handmade items from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. in downtown, with vendors also there from 3-7 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be at a tree-lighting ceremony following the parade. 209-863-7150.
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA — Dec. 9: Fundraiser to establish Grace Academy Christian Preschool in Turlock. Buffet breakfast, cookie decorating station, craft corner, coloring station. Children can take a photo with Santa and receive a digital and Polaroid photo. 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Larsa Banquet Hall, 2107 E. Monte Vista Ave., Denair. $20 adults, $15 for ages 2 years and up, free ages under 2 years. Reservations are required at my.cheddarup.com/c/santabreakfast2023.
WATERFORD CELEBRATION – Dec. 9: There will be a Christmas market with more than 60 vendors from 2:30-7 p.m. downtown on Bentley Street. Waterford’s annual lighted parade begins at 5:30 p.m. at Moon Elementary School and ends at Waterford Junior High, where hot chocolate and photos with Santa will be available. lovewaterford.org.
CANDLELIGHT TOURS — Dec. 15-16: Tours by candlelight will be held inside the McHenry Mansion, decorated for a Victorian-era Christmas. Beginning 5 p.m. with last entrance at 8:30 p.m. 906 15th St., Modesto. $10, $5 age 10 and under. www.mchenrymansion.org/events.html.
MINERS’ CHRISTMAS – Dec. 16-17: Columbia State Historic Park continues it 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 the open fire and make old-fashioned crafts. Historic buildings of Columbia will be adorned with 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.
