From tree lightings and parades to monthlong festivals, there’s no shortage of free holiday events happening in Riverside County this month.

Tree lighting ceremonies 

Dec. 1

The city of Banning will have a tree lighting ceremony downtown at 6 p.m. as part of the city’s annual Light Up Your Holidays Light Exchange event. Details here.

The city of La Quinta will have a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at Civic Center Park. There will also be a visit from Santa. Details here.

The city of Perris will have a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at city hall with performances by community groups afterward. Details here.

The city of Blythe will have a tree lighting ceremony at the intersection of Spring and Hobsonway starting at 6:30 p.m. There will also be carolers and photos with Santa. Details here.

Dec. 2

The city of Menifee will have a tree lighting ceremony starting at 4 p.m. at Mt. San Jacinto College. The event will also feature a parade and community performances. Details here.

The city of Moreno Valley will have a tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. at city hall. There will be live entertainment and photos with Santa. Details here.

The city of Murrieta will have a tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. at Town Square Park & Amphitheater. The event will feature food vendors and photos with Santa. Details here.

Parades

Dec. 1

The city of Temecula’s annual Electric Light Parade will start at 7 p.m. in Old Town Temecula. Details here.

Dec. 2

The city of Calimesa’s Christmas Parade will start at 5 p.m. on Calimesa Boulevard between Avenue K and Myrtlewood Drive. Details here.

The city of Hemet’s annual Christmas Parade and Christmas in the Park event will start at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Gilbert Street and Florida Avenue. Details here.

The city of Palm Springs’ 31st annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade will start at 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of Palm Canyon Drive and Ramon Road. Details here.

Dec. 8

The city of Coachella’s Whoville Holiday Parade will start at 6 p.m. at the intersection of Cesar Chavez Street and Westerfield Way. Details here.

Dec. 9

The city of Perris’ 33rd annual Christmas Parade will start at 10 a.m. at Downtown D Street. Details here.

Dec. 16

The city of Banning will start at 5 p.m. at the intersection of Ramsey and 12th streets. Entries for the parade will be accepted up until Dec. 14. For more information, email stagecoachparade@gmail.com. 

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Festivals

Dec. 2

The city of Perris will hold its Winter Wonderland event from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. at city hall. The event will feature face painting, horse drawn carriage rides and a vendor village. Details here.

The city of Blythe will hold its Winter Wonderfest from 1-10 p.m. at the intersection of Spring and Murphy streets. A holiday parade will take place on Hobsonway from 5-6:30 p.m. followed by a concert. 

The city of Canyon Lake will hold its annual Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting event from 3-7 p.m. at Canyon Lake Towne Center. Details here.

The city of Lake Elsinore’s Winterfest event will take place from 3-8 p.m. downtown on Main Street. The event will feature a parade, a tree lighting and photos with Santa. Details here.

Dec. 3

The city of Corona will hold its Holiday Lighting Celebration from 4-7 p.m. on the Civic Center front lawn. The event will feature live entertainment, food vendors and photos with Santa. Details here.

Dec. 6

The city of San Jacinto’s Candy Cane Lane event will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Main Street between Jordan and San Jacinto avenues. The event will feature a tree lighting ceremony and live music. Details here.

Dec. 9

The city of Wildomar will host a Breakfast with Santa event from 8-11 a.m. at Marna O’Brien Park featuring live music and photos with Santa. Details here.

The city of Norco’s Christmas Festival and Parade will take place from 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. at Ingalls Event Center, starting with a Breakfast with Santa event (advanced registration required). The parade will start at 5 p.m. at Corona Avenue and Sixth Street and end at the event center. Details here.

The city of Cathedral City’s North Pole Village at SnowFest will take place from 1-8 p.m. at city hall and will feature a tree lighting ceremony, holiday music and a visit from Santa. Details here.

The city of Beaumont will hold its inaugural Blizzard Bash event from 12-5 p.m. at the Beaumont Civic Center. The event will feature live music, ice skating and local vendors. The event ends with the city’s annual Holiday Light Parade in downtown Beaumont. Details here.

The city of Desert Hot Springs’ Parade of Lights and Holiday Festival will start with the parade at 5:45 p.m. at the intersection of Palm and Mission Lakes Boulevard and end with a festival featuring tree lighting ceremony, carnival rides and photos with Santa at the intersection of Palm and Pierson. Details here.

Dec. 16

The city of Eastvale’s Miracle at Riverview weekend event will be held Dec. 16-17 from 3-9 p.m. both days. The event will feature a field of snow, live entertainment and local vendors. Details here.

Ongoing

The Festival of Lights kicked off last month at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside. The event runs through Dec. 31 and features an ice rink, photos with Santa and food vendors. Details here.

This is not a comprehensive list of all of the events happening across the county, but we would love to hear about all of the holiday happenings you’re most excited about. Feel free to drop them in the comments or send publisher Alicia Ramirez an email at Alicia.Ramirez@RiversideRecord.org.