When the holiday season rolls around, Riverside truly shines. Each year, Downtown Riverside transforms into a breathtaking winter wonderland, bringing the community together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Through a spectacular mix of glowing decorations, joyful performances, and sweet seasonal treats, the city creates an unforgettable experience for locals and visitors alike.

If you plan to visit, you can expect an evening packed with holiday cheer. We want to share what makes this annual celebration so special, from the legendary light displays to the behind-the-scenes work that makes the streets look so festive.

A Winter Wonderland in Downtown Riverside

The Riverside Festival of Lights is the crown jewel of the city's winter festivities. Throughout the month of December, the downtown area buzzes with energy, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

You can strap on a pair of skates and glide across the outdoor ice skating rink, grab a hot drink from one of the many local food stands, or watch live street performances. Whether you are planning a romantic date night or a fun evening out with friends and family, the festival delivers a perfect holiday atmosphere.

The Mission Inn and Spa's Dazzling Transformation

At the heart of the celebration sits The Mission Inn and Spa. This historic landmark receives incredible recognition every year for its jaw-dropping holiday display. The property is decorated with over four million lights, turning the stunning architecture into a glowing beacon of holiday spirit.

As you walk the main streets, you will also spot beautiful decorations and the famous giant mistletoe. The sheer scale of the lighting display creates a magical backdrop that you simply have to see in person.

The Thrill of the Switch-On Ceremony

You definitely do not want to miss the annual switch-on ceremony. This highly anticipated moment marks the official start of the season. During the ceremony, the entire downtown area lights up all at once, followed by a spectacular fireworks show. The sudden burst of color and light across the city sky is a beloved tradition that perfectly captures the joy of the holidays.

Bringing the Festival to Life: Our Behind-the-Scenes Role

As a local business based right here in Riverside, California, our team at Monster Media Inc. gets the incredible opportunity to help decorate the Festival of Lights. We take deep pride in creating the vibrant street pole banners and signage that guide you through the event.

Signage serves as the cherry on top for any large-scale community event, providing both helpful information and festive decoration. To ensure everything looks perfect for opening day, our team works hard to produce several key visual elements:

• Custom Street Pole Banners: We design and print a variety of vibrant banners featuring different holiday images. To ensure they stay securely fastened to the downtown street poles, we install heavy-duty grommets on one side of each banner.
• The Main Entrance Sign: We print the large, welcoming "Santa is Here" sign that serves as a focal point for families and children visiting the festival.
• Ice Rink Signage: We create durable aluminum signs that clearly display the ice rink's operating hours and safety rules, ensuring everyone has a safe and fun time on the ice.

By keeping a consistent, festive theme across all our printed materials, we help tie the entire visual experience together. Seeing the finished product lining the streets of Downtown Riverside brings our team immense joy.

Plan Your Holiday Visit

The Riverside Festival of Lights remains a shining example of what makes our community so special. Bundle up, grab your loved ones, and take a stroll down the brilliantly lit streets of Downtown Riverside this winter. We cannot wait to see you there, enjoying the lights, the food, and the beautiful banners that we are so proud to create.