Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: Riverside Co.
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — The holidays are nearing in Riverside County!
Christmas this year falls on a Friday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah runs Thursday, Dec. 10 through Friday, Dec. 18. And Kwanzaa is Dec. 26 to Jan. 1.
Celebrations are markedly different for 2020, to be sure. Many annual community extravaganazas were canceled throughout the Inland Empire this year due to the pandemic.
But festivities still abound throughout the area as towns and organizations are getting creative with drive-thrus, virtual and in-person, socially distanced events — many with limited availablity and required reservations.
Check out our annual event guide to see what's going on near you. And Happy Holidays, from Patch!
NOTE: Bookmark this page as additional events will be added when announced. Also, remember to double-check with organizers to confirm activities still are proceeding as originally planned.
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BANNING:
DEC. 3-5: Santa Shoppe. "A place where children can shop, and parents can't peek."
769 N. San Gorgonio Ave., Banning, CA
DEC. 16: Christmas Decorating Contest. Deck your halls for a chance to win!
Residences & businesses throughout Banning, CA
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BEAUMONT:
NOV. 30-DEC. 16: 'Letters To Santa' - "Nice List Certificates" will be issued!
Beaumont Civic Center, 550 E. 6th St., Beaumont, CA
DEC. 5: Annual Christmas Tree Fest: Virtual: St. Stephen's. Fundraiser benefits local charities.
Livestream via Friends of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Beaumont, CA
DEC. 12: Operation Santa. Ol' St. Nick is coming to a neighborhood near you.
City of Beaumont, CA
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CHERRY VALLEY:
Through JAN. 10: Christmas at 123 Farm: Highland Springs. Featuring a Gingerbread Village, Holiday Marketplace, Lover's Lane, Elfville & more.
123 Farm and Highland Springs Ranch & Inn, 10600 Highland Springs Ave., Cherry Valley, CA
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CORONA:
DEC. 5: 'Letters to Santa' Drive-Thru Event. Holiday characters will be ready to take your letters to Santa & toy donations.
City of Corona, 400 S. Vicentia Ave., Corona, CA
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HEMET:
DEC. 13: Tinsel Triathlon & 5K. Canceled.
West Valley High School, 3401 Mustang Way, Hemet , CA
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INLAND EMPIRE:
DEC. 11-13: Jingle Bell Run For Arthritis Foundation. Annual event goes virtual for 2020.
Location: Anytime, anywhere, Inland Empire, CA
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LAKE ELSINORE:
DEC. 5: Holiday Tree Lighting & 'Light Up LE' - After community tree is lit, locals can flip on their lights for citywide view from the sky.
Lake Elsinore Homes & Online via City of Lake Elsinore, CA
DEC. 5-25: 'Decorate LE': Community Holiday Tree. Add an ornament to the town tree!
Community Holiday Tree, Gediman Square, 150 N. Main St., Lake Elsinore, CA.
Through DEC. 11: Fill The Stocking Fill A Heart. Supports officers delivering gifts to underprivileged children.
Online via Cops for Kids, Inc. , Lake Elsinore, CA
Through DEC. 12: 'Light Up LE' Drive-By Map. Get your decked-out home on the map as city compiles a guide for drive-by viewing.
Residences & businesses throughout City of Lake Elsinore, CA
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MENIFEE:
DEC. 5: Holiday Toy & Food Collection Drive-Thru & Santa. Help support those in need & first 500 cars receive an ornament.
Between City Hall & Menifee Police Department, Haun Road, Menifee, CA
DEC. 11: Drive-Thru With Santa. Sign up for one of several sessions.
Kay Ceniceros Senior Center, 29995 Evans Road, Menifee, CA
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MORENO VALLEY:
DEC. 19: Cookie Art Craft Class. Enhance your skills to decorate holiday cookies.
Phearless Art Studio, 22455 Alessandro Blvd., Moreno Valley, CA
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MURRIETA:
NOV. 30-DEC. 5: Holiday Home-Decorating Contest. Drive-by maps will be online Dec. 8.
Residences throughout Murrieta, CA
DEC. 4-6 & 11-13: Holiday Lights Drive-Thru: Town Square Park. A new event & free.
Town Square Park, Murrieta, CA
DEC. 19: Holiday Food & Toy Drive. Easy & safe with drive-thru, drop-off format.
Community Center, 41810 Juniper St., Murrieta, CA
Through DEC. 23: Spark of Love Toy Drive. Organizers report increased need for toys this year.
Drop-offs at fire stations, Murrieta, CA
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PALM DESERT:
DEC. 4: Light Up El Paseo. Socially distanced evening of holiday spirit!
El Paseo Shopping District, Palm Desert, CA
DEC. 12: Holiday Toy Donation Drive. Supports multiple local agencies.
City Hall, 73510 Fred Waring Drive, Palm Desert, CA
Through DEC. 27: Holiday 'WildLights': Living Desert Zoo. Heads up: Advanced registration required & expected to sell out.
The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens, 47900 Portola Ave., Palm Desert, CA
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PALM SPRINGS:
DEC. 5: Festival of Lights Parade. Canceled.
Palm Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, CA
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PERRIS:
DEC. 11-13: Holiday 'Trolley, Twinkles & Treats': Railway Museum. A fun & festive family outing.
Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 S. A St., Perris, CA
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REDLANDS:
NOV. 30-DEC. 16: Winter Wonderland - A Virtual Theater Experience. For ages 6-16.
Online via Stars of Tomorrow Children's Theater, 100 Cajon St., Redlands, CA
DEC. 11-13: 'Horns For The Holidays' Concert: Redlands Symphony. Free, with awesome line-up of holiday favorites.
Online via Redlands Symphony, 112 East Olive Ave., Redlands, CA
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RIVERSIDE:
NOV. 27-JAN. 6: Christmas Lights At The Inn: Mission Inn Hotel. Scaled back for 2020, and no switch-on ceremony this year.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA
DEC. 13: Holiday Treasure Hunt: Riverside Plaza. Join in & complete the flyer for $10 gift card.
Riverside Plaza, 3639 Riverside Plaza Drive, Riverside, CA
DEC. 14: Drive-In Chanukah Fest & Menorah Lighting. COVID-safe, family fun with music & Chanukah boxes.
Riverside City College, 4800 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA
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TEMECULA:
NOV. 30: Christmas Tree Lighting At The Duck Pond. Tune in for annual tradition!
Online via Facebook with City of Temecula, CA
DEC. 2-13: Santa, Frosty & Rudolph Visits By Neighborhood. See if your area is on list for drive-by visit.
Various communities, Temecula, CA
DEC. 3-5: Nutcracker & Christmas Market: Europa Village. Seating is limited, so book soon.
Europa Village Winery, 41150 Via Europa, Temecula, CA
DEC. 4: Santa's Electric Light Parade. Canceled.
Old Town Temecula, CA
Through DEC. 4: 'Twas The Lights Before Christmas Home-Decorating Contest & Drive-By Maps. Maps will be available online Dec. 7.
Residences within city limits, Temecula, CA
DEC. 5-27: Santa's Electric Light Parade Reruns. Enjoy parades from Christmases past.
Online via City of Temecula, CA
DEC. 10: Duck Pond Menorah Lighting. Join in for lighting of giant menorah.
Online via Chabad of Temecula, Temecula, CA
DEC. 13: Hanukkah Car Menorah Parade. Led by Chabad of Temecula.
City Hall, 41000 Main St. through Old Town, Mall, Temecula, CA
DEC. 13: Sunday Funday Christmas Shop: Vail Headquarters. Shop local with fun activities planned.
Vail Headquarters, 32115 Temecula Pkwy., Temecula, CA
DEC. 13 & 20: Holiday Drive-In Movies. Registration underway.
Dirt lot at Santiago & Ynez Roads, Temecula, CA
Through DEC. 14: Letters to Santa. "If you send it in early, you might even get a letter back!"
Via North Pole, City of Temecula, CA
Through DEC. 23: Spark of Love Toy Drive. Organizers report increased need for toys this year.
Drop-offs at City Hall & fire stations, Temecula, CA
DEC. 31: New Year’s Eve Grape Drop & Concert. Ring in 2021 from comfort of home.
Online via Facebook with City of Temecula, CA
Through JAN. 10: Holiday Outdoor Ice Rink 2020-21: Peltzer Winery. Advance reservations advised.
Peltzer Winery, 40275 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA
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WILDOMAR:
Through DEC. 8: Holiday Home-Decorating Contest. Are you "traditional" or "Clark Griswold"?
Homes throughout City of Wildomar, CA
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FROM OTHER CA REGIONS:
Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: San Diego Co.
Holiday Events: Christmas, Hanukkah & Santa 2020: SF Bay Area
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ALSO SEE: Holiday Cocktail Recipes To Make The Season Merry & Bright
This article originally appeared on the Temecula Patch
