Grab your ugly holiday sweater. North State residents from Red Bluff to Redding to Yreka have about a month to check holiday festivals and other celebratory events off their 2025 bucket list.
This year’s November-December calendar is packed with outdoor and indoor Christmas festivals, theater performances, light shows and places to wear that gaudy holiday sweater.
Here’s a list of 26 things to do before Dec. 25. Some events continue through the new year, while others vanish with holidays.
Before you go, check event websites to make sure times, dates and costs haven’t changed.
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Redding Turkey Trot run, walk or dash
Run or walk before you dine on Thanksgiving at the Turkey Trot run/walk from 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 27 along the Sacramento River in Redding. Gather near the Redding Senior Center at 2290 Benton Drive. All ages are welcome. Cost is $38.10 for the 6-mile trot, $22.20 for the 2-mile fun run/walk. There’s also a free young children’s Diestlehorst Dash. Go to sweatrc.com to register or for more information.
Redding Garden of Lights illuminate Turtle Bay
Walk through a holiday exhibit at Turtle Bay Exploration Park’s annual “Redding Garden of Lights” at the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens, 844 Sundial Bridge Drive. Stroll through illuminated gardens, tunnels and sculptures. Parts of the garden and wheelchair accessible. The Turtle Express, a miniature train, takes guests on a scenic journey through glowing tunnels and sparkling forests for $10 per ride. Holiday-themed food and drinks are available for purchase. Ticket prices start at $23 to $25 for adults; $16 to $18 for children ages 4 to 15; free to ages 3 and younger. The gardens are open most days through Jan. 4, 2026. Go to reddinggardenoflights.org.
Thanksgiving Run for Food 5K Run/Walk in Weed
Burn calories before you gobble your Thanksgiving dinner at the 13th annual Thanksgiving Run for Food 5K Run/Walk at 8 a.m. on Nov. 27 in Weed. Check in starts at 7:30 a.m. at the Siskiyou Food Assistance pantry office, 780 S. Davis Road in Weed. Walkers and runners leave at 8:30 a.m. starting at Weed High School at 909 Hillside Drive. The event includes refreshments and music. Registration costs $20 for each participant ages 12 and older. Children ages 11 and younger can join for free. All youths must be accompanied by an adult. Go to siskiyoufoodassistance.org/run-for-food or call 530-408-6115.
Ice skate at Mount Shasta’s Shastice Park
The outdoor Mount Shasta Ice Rink in Shastice Park at 800 Rockfellow Drive in Mount Shasta is scheduled to open daily through Feb. 22, 2026. The rink hosts afternoon public sessions, with additional sessions some Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. Admission cost is $12 for adults; $9 for seniors, active military members and ages 17 and younger. Skate rental costs $3. For more information, call 530-926-2494. Season passes are available. Go to msrec.org for details and special hours.
‘Winter Magic’ festival in Mount Shasta
Mount Shasta hosts its annual “Winter Magic” downtown festival from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 28 along North Mount Shasta Boulevard. Activities include the Holiday Light Parade, the town’s tree lighting, food and vendor booths, music and business open houses. Admission is free. Go to visitmtshasta.com/events/winter-magic-mt-shasta.
Anderson’s Christmas Lighted Parade
Anderson celebrates the holidays with its downtown festival, starting at 4 p.m. on Nov. 30 along E. Center Street. This year’s theme, based on the popular holiday song of the same name, is ‘Rocking Around the Christmas Tree.’ Events include vendors, face painting, balloons, cookie decorating, ice skating on the city’s synthetic rink, letters to Santa and music throughout the evening. The lighted parade marches out at 5:30 p.m. See the Parks and Recreation Department’s Facebook page at AndersonCAParks or call 530-378-6656.
‘Cascade Christmas’ variety show in Redding
The Cascade Theatre hosts its 21st annual family-friendly variety show through Nov. 30 at the theater, 1731 Market St. in Redding. In this year’s story, an unexpected prank by three elves knocks out Santa, who wakes in a strange new world. Tickets cost $15 to $35. Go to cascadetheatre.org or call the box office at 530-243-8877.
Enterprise High School winter concert
Enterprise High School music students perform their winter concert from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 2 at 2200 Eureka Way in Redding. The program features holiday music by instrumental and choral groups. Admission is $5.50. Proceeds benefit the Enterprise High School Music Department. For tickets, go to enterprisemusic.net or buy at the door on event night. Email enterprisehsmusicdepartment@gmail.com.
Anderson Library’s Christmas story hours
The Anderson Library hosts holiday story times for young children and their families from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays in December at 3200 West Center St. Weekly themes include a meet-and-greet with the Grinch, a visit with Santa and DIY Christmas crafts. Admission is free to kids with an accompanying parent or guardian. Call 530-365-7685.
Riverfront Playhouse presents comedy Christmas play
Riverfront Playhouse performs the holiday-themed play “Have Yourself a Crazy Little Christmas” from Dec. 5 to Dec. 21 at the theater, 1950 California St. It’s protagonist Molly’s first time hosting a Christmas Eve gathering. The table is set, the pie is chilling, the turkey is roasting and everyone invited has a beautifully wrapped present under her perfectly decorated tree. What could go wrong? A lot of things. Tickets cost $20-$30. Go to riverfrontplayhouse.net.
Stargaze indoors at Redding’s planetarium
Tickets are on sale for Schreder Planetarium’s family-friendly holiday shows at 1644 Magnolia Ave. in Redding. The planetarium is showing “A Christmas Star; Oasis in Space” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26. Tickets cost $10. Call 530-225-0243 or go to shastacoe.org/programs-services/planetarium.
Holiday Craft Fair at College of the Siskiyous
College of the Siskiyous opens its annual “Holiday Craft Fair” from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 6, in the gym on its Weed campus at 800 College Ave. Vendors include local artists selling handmade jewelry, woodwork, metal art and sewn and knitted creations. Other vendors will sell baked goods and other items. Admission is $3. Call 530-938-5373 or go to siskiyous.edu/foundation/events.htm
Redding Lighted Christmas Parade returns
The 43rd “Redding Lighted Christmas Parade” marches out at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6. Floats, dancers, marching bands and other entries are decked out in bright lights as they make their way through downtown. This year’s theme is Christmas in the wild. Admission is free. Go to ReddingChristmasParade.com or call 530-276-8866.
Country Christmas Fair at Shasta College
Shasta College hosts its “Country Christmas Fair” from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 6 and 7 at the Shasta College Farm on the school’s main Redding campus at 11555 Old Oregon Trail. Activities include a vendor gift fair, a family holiday craft corner, fresh Christmas trees for sale and food vendors. Visit with Santa at lunchtime both days. There are discounts on trees for military and first responders. Go to shastacollege.edu or call 530-242-7500.
Yreka ‘Night of Lights’ celebration
Yreka’s annual downtown celebration is from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 on Miner Street in historic downtown Yreka. Activities include the city’s tree lighting ceremony, live music, caroling and winter treats. Some downtown shops will host open houses during the event. Admission is free. For more information or to sign up for event updates, go to yrekanightoflights.com.
Shasta Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 holiday concert
The Shasta Symphony Orchestra performs a program of holiday and other favorites from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec 7 at the Shasta College Theater, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding. Tickets are $5 to $15. Go to shastacollege.edu/events or call 530- 242-7573.
‘The Nutcracker’ ballet at Cascade Theatre, Shasta College
See a mouse king smackdown when the Redding Ballet Theatre and Shasta Symphony Orchestra present Tchaikovsky’s classic holiday ballet “The Nutcracker” from Dec. 12 to Dec. 14 at the Cascade Theatre, and from Dec. 18 to Dec. 20 at the Shasta College Theater, both in Redding. Go to thereddingartsproject, call the college theater at 530-242-7573 or go to cascadetheatre.org.
Christmas choirs at Shasta College
The Shasta College Chorale and concert choirs perform a winter and holiday program from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Shasta College Theater, 11555 Old Oregon Trail in Redding. Tickets cost $5-$10. Go to shastacollege.edu/events or call the theater at 530- 242-7573.
‘Candles in the Canyon’ festival in Dunsmuir
Dunsmuir steps out singing and celebrating the arts at the “Candles in the Canyon” festival from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 in the mountain town’s historic center. Activities include caroling, an art walk with gallery open houses, holiday crafts, a bake sale, the town’s tree lighting, visits with Santa, cookie decorating, live music, fire pits with marshmallow roasting and a hot cocoa bar. Call 530-235-2177 or go to dunsmuir.com.
Dance Depot’s ‘2025 Holiday Showcase’ at Redding Civic
The Dance Depot hosts a musical song and dance program at 6 p.m. on Dec. 13 at the Redding Civic Auditorium, 700 Auditorium Drive. The show features ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, acrobatics, lyrical and Broadway dances. Tickets are $26.25. Call 530-229-0022 or go to reddingcivic.com.
‘Winter Fest’ in McCloud
McCloud hosts its “Winter Fest 2025: Yuletide Bazaar and Holiday Merriment” celebration from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 14. Events include historic building tours, a Victorian tea at the McCloud Hotel, a concert by the VOENA Children’s Choir in the McCloud Mercantile Great Room and other events. Go to visitmtshasta.com/events/mccloud-winter-fest-2025-yuletide-bazaar-holiday-merriment for times, tickets, costs and how to register for the tea.
Siskiyou Community Orchestra holiday concert
The Siskiyou Community Orchestra will perform a program called “Magic and Mystery” at two venues: 4 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Yreka High School Performing Arts Center at 431 Knapp St.; and 7 p.m. on Dec. 15 at Mountain Christian Fellowship, 2324 S. Mount Shasta Blvd. in Mount Shasta. The program includes “A Night on Bald Mountain”, music from Harry Potter and from movies “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice,” “The Never Ending Story” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” There’s also a Christmas sing-along. Admission is free; donations are accepted at the door for this volunteer symphony concert. Call 530-249-1148.
‘A Celtic Christmas’ returns to Cascade Theatre
Tomaseen Foley’s “A Celtic Christmas” returns to the Cascade Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 16 at 1735 Market St. in Redding. This annual show recreates Christmas Eve in Ireland, with storytelling and music that celebrate Irish culture and the holiday. Tickets cost $32.50 to $62.50. Go to cascadetheatre.org or call 530-243-8886.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Run/Walk in Yreka
‘Tis the season to get ugly, so turn that fashion faux pas into fab at the Siskiyou Family YMCA’s annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Run/Walk the morning of Dec. 20 in Yreka. Runners sign up for the 5-mile run or 2-mile walk/run. Cost to register for either route is $11.75. Go to siskiyouymca.org or call 530-842-9622.
‘An Electric Christmas’ at Cascade Theatre
The California Dance Company presents “An Electric Christmas” show of holiday dance recitals in four performances on Dec. 20. Dancers from ages 2 to 18 perform against a neon backdrop in styles that include ballet, lyric, contemporary, jazz, hip-hop, tap and music theater. Tickets are $20.50 to $32.50. Go to cascadetheatre.org/performances/an-electric-christmas or call 530-243-8877
Grammy winner Mark O’Connor’s ‘An Appalachian Christmas’ in Redding
Mark O’Connor’s “An Appalachian Christmas”, also featuring Maggie O’Connor, takes the Cascade Theatre stage at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 in downtown Redding. Mark O’Connor melds the styles of his mentors American fiddling legend Benny Thomasson and French jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli. Tickets are $34 to $69. Go to cascadetheatre.org/performances/mark-oconnors-an-appalachian-christmas.
Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica on Record Searchlight Facebook groups Get Out! Nor Cal , Today in Shasta County and Shaping Redding’s Future. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.
This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: 26 holiday things to do before 2026 in Redding, Shasta Cascade region
Reporting by Jessica Skropanic, Redding Record Searchlight / Redding Record Searchlight
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