California's 8 Most Festive Downtowns For The Holidays
There’s something magical about a California Christmas. Think palm trees wrapped in twinkle lights, downtowns decked out in red, green, and gold, and maybe even a synthetic ice rink or two. Jack Frost might not be nipping at your nose, but the spirit of the season is alive and sparkling from coast to desert. From Solvang’s storybook streets that look straight out of a Christmas movie to Ferndale's tallest living Christmas tree in America, the Golden State knows how to spread holiday cheer. So grab your peppermint latte, crank up the carols, and jingle your way through California’s most festive downtowns this holiday season.
Ferndale
Step into Ferndale, and it’s like wandering into a real-life Christmas village—Victorian storefronts, glowing windows, and all. This Humboldt County town is home to the Tallest Living Christmas Tree Lighting, a beloved annual tradition where locals gather as a radiant spruce tree bursts to life with gorgeous lights. Before the big moment, walk down Main Street, where every porch, lamp post, and storefront is dressed to impress. Bringing the little ones along? Step into Golden Gait Mercantile for nostalgic toys and treats, then warm up with a cocoa from Mind’s Eye Coffee Lounge while the whole town fills with small-town Christmas magic. No Grinch could resist smiling here!
Nevada City
If there were ever a town made for Christmas carols and candlelight, it’s Nevada City. Once a lively Gold Rush town, it now shines each December during the Victorian Christmas Festival, where costumed carolers, horse-drawn carriages, and the scent of mulled cider fill the air. Walk along Broad Street, where historic brick buildings are dressed in colorful lights. Looking for a fresh, holiday beverage? Stop by The National Exchange Hotel for a fireside drink that feels straight out of the Dickens era. Before you go, browse local boutiques that sell handmade goods, perfect gifts for your nice list!
Healdsburg
In Healdsburg, the holidays sparkle as bright as the wine glasses. This Sonoma County favorite turns its downtown plaza into a winter wonderland with the Merry Healdsburg Tree Lighting and visits from Santa himself. Families can sip hot chocolate and wander through the festive Holiday Night Market, where local crafts, sweet treats, and even chestnuts roasting on an open fire set the perfect holiday scene. In nearby Geyserville, the little ones will love the lighted Tractor Parade, where tractors, decorative floats, and marching bands roll through town. End your night back in Healdsburg, check into Healdsburg Inn on the plaza, and fall asleep to holiday lights just outside your window.
Solvang
You won’t find another town that does Christmas quite like Solvang. Known as California’s very own Danish village, this friendly little town shines bright throughout the holiday season. Every December, this storybook downtown transforms into Julefest, a month-long celebration filled with parades, light shows, and enough gløgg (warm mulled wine) to keep spirits bright.
Snap a photo by the Solvang Windmill, then let the kids join the Nisse Adventure, a scavenger hunt to find the cutest little Christmas elves (Danish gnomes) hidden around town. Cap it off with pastries from Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, where the scent of butter and cinnamon practically pulls you in from the street. Never a dull moment here, just pure “hygge” (that cozy Danish kind of joy)!
Calistoga
Located at the top of Napa Valley, Calistoga turns its downtown into a holiday postcard come December. The celebration starts with the Calistoga Holiday Village & Christmas Faire. Here, local vendors, live music, kids’ crafts, and visits from Santa fill the day with cheer. Visitors can also lace up their skates at the newly created synthetic ice rink. It definitely brings an extra touch of winter magic to wine country.
Don’t miss the Lighted Tractor Parade, where glowing tractors and vintage trucks stroll down Lincoln Avenue in a joyful nod to Calistoga’s farming roots. Stay for the weekend and enjoy live music, delicious food, and fun activities that everyone will love. Need a cozy place to wind down? Check into Dr. Wilkinson’s Backyard Resort & Mineral Springs, where you can toast the season with a glass of local Cabernet and a warm Napa Valley glow. Nothing says wine country Christmas like glowing tractors, happy hearts, and Cabernet by the fire!
Half Moon Bay
If Santa traded his sleigh for a surfboard, he’d land right in Half Moon Bay. This gorgeous coastal town kicks off the season with its Night of Lights Parade, where floats and local bands light up Main Street. Stop by Half Moon Bay Bakery for a slice of pumpkin pie that tastes like Christmas in every bite, then browse the boutique windows strung with garland and glowing lights. Out-of-towners can make a weekend of it at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay, where the cliffside hotel glows with holiday decor and ocean views worthy of a Christmas card. And for a little fresh-air festivity, walk the Half Moon Bay Coastal Trail at sunset. Here, holiday hues meet ocean blues in the most magical way possible.
Carmel-by-the-Sea
If ever a town looked like it stepped right out of a Christmas storybook, it’s Carmel-by-the-Sea. Each December, it’s fairytale cottages and cobblestone lanes light up during the Holiday Tree Lighting and Carmel Plaza Celebration. It’s a festive time, complete with carolers, cocoa, and plenty of coastal cheer. Take a walk down Ocean Avenue, where storefront windows glow with elegant decor and local boutiques make holiday shopping feel like a treat. For a romantic finish, Casanova Restaurant sets the stage for the perfect date night. Think candlelight, comfort food, and cozy corners made for wandering hand in hand. All that’s left is a touch of mistletoe to make the night complete.
Palm Springs
Who says Christmas can’t come with sunshine and beaches? In Palm Springs, palm trees shimmer with lights, and Santa trades his sleigh for a shiny red convertible. The downtown strip comes to life during the Festival of Lights Parade, where glowing floats, marching bands, and holiday music fill Palm Canyon Drive. If you’re craving a touch of winter, hop on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. In minutes, you’ll find yourself surrounded by real SoCal snow on top of Mount San Jacinto. Back in town, enjoy the boutiques decorated for the season, or stop by the Palm Springs Art Museum for a dose of festive culture.
Have Yourself a Merry Little (California) Christmas
California proves you don’t need cold weather to feel the holiday glow. From the coastal cliffs of Half Moon Bay to the storybook streets of Solvang and the glowing vineyards of Calistoga, each downtown shines with its own kind of magic. Whether you’re sipping cocoa, skating under palm trees, or catching a lighted parade, these magical places make it easy to have yourself a merry little California Christmas—sunshine and all!
