The holiday season has arrived in Auburn, CA and there are plenty of festivities to keep you in good cheer until the first of the year. From tree lighting ceremonies to the Parade of Lights, Old Town’s Country Christmas and more, there’s certainly a holiday event that you and your family will love.
Mark your calendars and prepare to make some memories, because these are the can’t-miss holiday events happening in Auburn this season.
Old Town Auburn Country Christmas
For 31 years, Old Town Auburn’s Country Christmas has been a family tradition steeped in 1800’s holiday cheer. This festive event takes place on the streets of historic Old Town Auburn and offers a festive evening of entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Come take photos with Santa, enjoy the sounds of Victorian carolers, and warm yourself next to the winter bonfire. Discover one-of-a-kind gifts from local artists and craft vendors. Browse through a Holiday Open House at Old Town Auburn’s shops, gallery, and stores; find holiday inspiration and save with special deals. Enjoy festive food and drink from Old Town restaurants and bars or street vendors.
For the 31st annual Old Town Country Christmas, you can also expect to find country music bands and local dance groups. Cowboys dressed in period costumes will be strolling the streets, and firemen will serve chowder out of the historic fire house. It’s a unique celebration of our western heritage and a holiday celebration that could only take place in Old Town Auburn.
A kids zone will provide crafts, old-time carnival games, and pony rides.
Old Town Country Christmas is free to attend and takes place no matter what the weather brings. A free shuttle service from the nearby fairgrounds provides ample parking.
Dates: Saturday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017 from 5pm to 9pm.
Location: Streets of Old Town Auburn, take the Maple exit off I-80.
Festival of Lights Parade
The Festival of Lights Parade is an Auburn family-favorite. Thousands of spectators line the streets to take in the magic of the holiday season and to cheer at festive costumes, bands, animals, delightfully decorated floats, and of course, Santa Claus. Each year the Festival of Light Parade features a unique theme, and this year the parade will celebrate “The Magic of Lights.”
The parade route runs just over five blocks, or approximately half a mile. The parade officially begins at Cherry Ave. and Lincoln Way in Auburn and ends at the Gold Country Fairgrounds with the Delights of December event.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017 at 5:30pm
Location: Parade route begins on Lincoln Way and ends at Gold Country Fairgrounds.
Delights of December
Come enjoy a magical light display at the 2017 Delights of December event at the Gold Country Fairgrounds, featuring over 100,000 dazzling lights. Enjoy a family-friendly holiday event with live music, food, hot cocoa, visits from Santa, and incredible displays of light.
This year the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and Gold Country Fairgrounds have teamed up to end the Festival of Lights Parade at the fairgrounds during the Delights of December. Event attendees can watch the parade procession as it concludes through the fairgrounds on Saturday, December 2.
Admission to Delights of December is $5 per person, free for children under 2. Saturday parking is $6 per vehicle (parking is free Friday and Sunday). A portion of the proceeds will go to benefit those affected by the NorCal fires.
Dates: December 1-3, 2017 from 4pm to 10pm.
Location: Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High Street
Downtown Tree Lighting
Two days after Thanksgiving, start the holiday season by attending the Downtown Auburn tree lighting ceremony in Central Square. On November 25th, come be a part of the tree lighting festivities. Enjoy live music, hot cocoa, and cookie decorating. Santa makes a grand entrance via Auburn fire truck and will be available to visit with kids young and old after he lights the tree at 5:30pm. Admission is free.
Date: November 25, 2017 from 4pm to 6pm.
Location: Downtown Auburn Central Square
Christmas Arts and Craft Faire
The 2017 Christmas Arts and Craft Faire at the Gold Country Fairgrounds features more than 100 regional artisans with a stunning array of gifts; find something for everyone on your list! Kick off the holiday season by attending this free event at the fairground and find fine art, quality hand-made crafts, specialty gourmet foods, music, and plenty of holiday cheer.
There will be plenty of photo opportunities at this year’s arts and craft faire. Not only will Santa be there ready to take pictures, but you can also commemorate the event with a photo in front of a Paris skyline and Eiffel Tower painting by artist Serge Pavlovski in the “Paris Photo Boutique.”
Admission and parking are free.
Dates: November 25 and 26 from 10am to 6pm
Location: Gold Country Fairgrounds, 1273 High Street
Family Christmas Festival
Enjoy a magical Christmas experience for children and adults alike at the 4th annual Downtown Family Christmas Festival. This community holiday festival features The Grinch, Frozen’s Anna, Elsa, and Olaf, and of course, Santa himself.
Experience wonderful holiday activities such as scavenger hunts, crafts and games booths, train rides, Christmas storytelling, live music, food, craft and gift vendors, and more. Artisans and vendors will be selling their unique and handmade goods and local restaurants and food vendors will have plenty of delectable bites to offer.
You can find Santa on the porch of the Auburn Promenade for photos and Christmas well wishes during the Family Christmas Festival.
Santa’s Visiting Hours
During the Family Christmas Festival: Dec. 10 from 11am to 4pm
Other times to visit Santa: Dec. 9, 16, 17 from 11am to 3pm
Admission is free.
Date: Sunday, December 10, 2017 from 11am to 4pm
Location: Auburn Promenade, 853 Lincoln Way
Whether it’s a family tradition that you never miss or an event you’ll be attending for the first time this year, you’re bound to make some magical holiday memories this season in Auburn.