Best Western Worldwide!
Save now on hotel rooms worldwide!

Christmas is one of the two most sacred of Christian religious holidays. It commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, The Son of God, who came to earth to save all people from punishment for their sins. It is marked by group gatherings, caroling, feasts, concerts, gift giving, and public display of religous symbals (decorations). Of all holidays it has the biggest selection of its own special music.

Many communities, civic groups and commercial operations attempt to celebrate Christmas under the secular heading of Holiday Celebration by doing activities that are inclusive of other religious and non-religious groups. Unfortunately, these types of secular holidays drop many of the most revered symbols and festivities otherwise celebrated worldwide by Christians.

Fortunately there are many Christian groups in California that come from a wide range of ethnic, sectarian, and nationality backgrounds. And they host open to the public a number of Christmas festivities that retain the grand spirit of their native ancestral traditions.

California Christmas Concert Calendar

Christmas Celebrations of California

Christmas Festivals
Crafts and Music of Christmas:
Sonora Christmas Crafts and Music Festival - Last Weekend in Nov - Sonora CA

California Harbor Christmas Parades
A Uniquely California Christmas tradition - many thousands watch beautifully decorated and lighted yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor front celebrating the Christmas Spirit:
San Diego Bay Parade of Lights - 2nd and 3rd Sunday evenings in Dec.
Newport Harbor Boat Parade - Annual event Since 1908.
Jack London Square Boat Parade - 1st weekend in Dec. - Oakland Harbor
Marina Del Rey Christmas Boat Parade - Christmas in Paradise
Naples Island Boat Parade - Long Beach CA
Huntington Harbor Boat Parade - Orange Co
Dana Point Boat Parade - Orange Co
Monterey Bay Boat Parade

Mormon Temple Christmas Lights
Many of the sacred temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are richly adorned with holiday lights and hosts nightly outdoor christmas concerts. Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, Fresno and more. Check listings for details.

Cultural Traditional Celebrations
Christmas Traditions from near and far.
Pasko Expo -Phillipino Christmas - Solano Fairgrounds - 1st Weekend in Dec.

Traditional Christmas Celebrations
Fremont Presbyterian Church - Choir and Orchestra Christmas Concert

California Christmas Poinsettias
This bright colorful red flower is grown almost exclusively on the Ecke Ranch in Southern California.
Ecke Farm Website

Northern California Festivals

* Clear Lake * Humboldt * Lassen * Mendocino * Modoc * Mt Shasta * Redwood Coast * Shasta Lakes

---

Bay Area Festivals

* Contra Costa * Marin * Napa Valley * Oakland * San Francisco * San Jose * San Mateo * Solano * Sonoma Valley

---

Gold Country Festivals

* Amador * Calaveras * Colusa * Inyo * Lake Tahoe * Mono * Oroville * Placerville * Plumas * Roseville * Sacramento * Sonora * Yolo * Yuba City

---



---

Central California Festivals

* Bakersfield * Central Coast * Fresno * Marysville * Merced * Modesto * Monterey Bay * Santa Barbara * Stockton * Ventura * Visalia

---

Southern California Festivals

* Antelope Valley * Imperial Valley * Inland Empire * Long Beach * Los Angeles * Mojave Desert * Orange Co * Palm Springs * San Diego Metro * San Diego North * San Fernando Valley * San Gabriel Valley * Sta Clarita

---

California Forests Looking for a Unique Christmas Tree? Visit some of California's most spectacular woodlands.

The Wonder of Christmas Mormon Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra Be a part of their annual Christmas music tradition - Featuring special guests such as Angela Lansbury and Frederica von Stade

Carpenter's Christmas Portrait This version--the Special Edition--features almost 40 songs, including their christmas superhit - Merry Christmas, Darling.