Festival of Lights – Riverside

Festival of Lights is an amazing Southern California holiday event, dare I say tradition? Located in the Inland Empire, it’s a chance to walk around historic downtown Riverside while enjoying the Mission Inn’s holiday lights and decor. Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, it’s a great winter activity, one of the best Christmas lights in Southern California – and it’s free!

Festival of Lights Guide

There are a ton of fun things to do at this approximately six week long festival. Fun things like: an artisans collective, food vendors, Santa Claus, entertainment, horse carriage rides, a bouncy house, kids train rides, LED swings, LED seesaw, a carousel and new this year – a ferris wheel! As you can see there is a ton to do and it is an extremely family friendly event. Please note that if you’ve been to the festival before, the footprint has expanded from across the Riverside Municipal Auditorium all the way down to Main St. approximately four blocks. Then it expands to the right and left of Main St., approximately 2-3 blocks on either side.

You kind of go where ever you want, there is no right now. It’s fun to walk all the way around the Mission Inn to see the lights and decor without a line. However, you’ll notice a line at the Mission Inn’s entrance to go inside the outside portions of the Mission Inn to check out more decor and the follow: the North Pole walkway, a Christmas tree, a glimpse of the giant gingerbread house, a roaming Santa Clause and elves. It’s free to go check out, but beware. The line on the weekend gets extremely long so head over first thing if you’re interested. If you go on an “off day”, Monday – Thursday there should be little to no line. I went on an off day and I meandered through. I’m not certain though, I’d wait in a giant line to see two outdoor hallways. Please note that only restaurant and hotel guests are allowed inside the Mission Inn during the Festival of Lights. They have people watching the door.

So yes, it is a free event. If you can avoid the food, artisans and rides you can walk out paying nothing. But I love all the things. Hot chocolate, a carousel ride for my kids and a pretty thing from a vendor isn’t going to break the bank. Of course, the more things you do, eat and shop for, the more you’ll spend. FYI rides are $5 per ride or $20 for an all day pass.

The event does seem to be getting larger and larger each year so that means, there will be lines for everything. Be patient, chill and remember the holiday spirit. Make sure to remind yourself you’re at a large, popular event so get in the correct mindset before you head over!

2018 Hours

The Festival of Lights are below. All vendors are open Thursday – Sunday.

Monday – Thursday: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday: 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Saturday: 3:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Sunday: 3:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

The hours vary for Christmas Eve and they are closed on Christmas. After Christmas the hours become extended until the Festival’s close on January 6th.

Best times to go? All vendors are open Thursday – Sunday so for the entire experience head over on those days. But if you can’t stand crowds, I’d recommend going down on an “off days”, Monday – Wednesday. During the off days everything is open except the Artisans collective. If you opt for the busier days, Thursdays – Sundays, I’d recommend going over early around 5pm. And if you’re going on the weekend, or a Friday night, it will be crowded so just remember – holiday spirit. It’s still worth it though.

I know this map is bad, it lives on the ground near the Mission Inn, but I thought you’d like a visual. Head to my Instagram Festival of Lights highlights for more photos and my map guide.

Parking

Let’s talk parking. I would suggest you take a look at the festival’s parking map to get acquainted with the downtown. And let’s all get on the same page now. Parking is probably going to suck, so take a breath and get that into your head. You might end up parking quite far away, so bring your walking shoes. Some parking spots you’ll have to pay for, but others you can find for free. We suggest exiting fourteenth street, and not Mission Inn street off the 91 freeway. If you’re coming from other directions I think you’re in a better position. Don’t go down Mission Inn Street ,it’s a mess because it’s either blocked off during the weekends or being gobbed up by the carriage rides and pedestrian crossings on the weekdays. Be patient y’all.

Weather

Believe it or not, the weather might be chilly when you go so plan accordingly. We’re Southern Californians, so if it dips below 60 we’re breaking out the scarves, hats and gloves. Feel free y’all. There are no lockers, no places to store your items, so make sure you bring a bag or wear it all. You won’t be going inside and outside a lot so what you have on, you’ll probably keep on.

Food

There are some great food vendors, like the pink Gingerbread House from the L.A. County Fair. I like their cookies and giant mugs of hot cocoa! Most of the pop-up vendors are desserts – so bring your sweet tooth. That means your best bet for dinner would be the Food Lab, a quick-service restaurant off the pedestrian walkway near the Mission Inn, or a sit down restaurant. If you’d like to really plan ahead, I would make a reservation at your favorite restaurant or plan to wait in line. A lot of the pricer restaurants will be booked or have an hour plus wait. You can also walk a couple blocks down and head to the new Riverside Food Lab. They launched a holiday express menu just for the event too. Honestly, if you have kids do the Food Lab. If you would like to sit down and even dress up, head to a restaurant. For more food options, that aren’t a part of the festival, check out my Riverside to do post with a list of downtown eateries.

Let’s talk restrooms and children. I have a potty trained child and a baby in diapers, so I know it’s important to have a restroom nearby. The news isn’t good. There are porto-potties throughout the event. But what if your kids are scared of them and you sure as heck can’t change a diaper in there?! Your best bet is the Food Lab, which is near the Fox Theater, basically at the end of the Festival of Lights. They have nice restrooms and changing tables in both the men and woman’s restrooms! If you’re near the Mission Inn you can try to go inside the Mission Inn, if they let you, but there are no changing tables. Molino’s Coffee is across from the Mission Inn. Go grab a coffee, it’s good, go downstairs and use the restrooms. I am not sure if there are changing tables in there – sorry guys. The changing table situation is dire, so your best bet is to change in the car before you walk around, go to the Food Lab or find a dark corner!

The city of Riverside’s website for the Festival of Lights is a great information source for even more details. You can also head over to the Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights website to see what the hotel offers during the festival as well.

Want to make your Riverside visit a full or half day? Check out my itinerary on what else to do, and eat in Riverside and make it a entire fun day! I have a family and shopping itinerary on the post, as well as a list of food eateries, things to do, eat and shop for.

Interested in staying at the Mission Inn? Check out my post about our stay at the Mission Inn. It’s a beautiful hotel and during the holiday you’ll receive extra access to the decor inside the Mission Inn.

Happy Holidays and enjoy the Festival of Lights!