Redding Lights and Silent Nights

Holiday Getaway to Redding

10.29.2025

Give your holiday events calendar a major glow up this winter in California’s sunniest city. Redding is a revelation: Surrounded by iconic scenery like Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic National Park, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, Redding is all set for winter group activities—from snowshoeing around Lake Manzanita to checking out the stellar Redding Garden of Lights, named a Top 10 Reader’s Choice event by USA Today.

Garden of Lights

Take your merry and bright to 11 at the phenomenal Redding Garden of Lights (November 21 – January 4). There’s a reason USA Today named it a Top 10 Reader’s Choice event. Located where the famed Sundial Bridge overlooks the Sacramento River, Redding’s Turtle Bay Exploration Park gets glowing reviews for its festive, vibrant, and immersive 10-acre wonderland of holiday lights.

Stroll through sparkling trees and colorful tunnels, past shimmering gardens, and across the glittering Sundial Bridge. More than two million lights are used to illuminate this incredible exhibition. Ambient music travels along the pathways with you. Stop at one of the fire pits for some s’mores and enjoy holiday-themed food & drink stations. New! Hop on board the mini train to tour the Redding Garden of Lights.

BONUS: Reserve a Private Igloo Experience for up to 8 people (includes 2 large gourmet pizzas from Mosaic and unlimited non-alcohol beverages; additional food and beverages also available for purchase).

Choose Redding: Events Calendar

Meet in Redding: Discover lodging and deals plus venues, all ready to impress and ensure your group gathering or special event is ideal.

Snowshoe Fir Sure!

It’s one of California’s less-traveled national parks, and in winter it’s a snowy wonderland. Make your basecamp Redding for great lodging and outstanding dining options, then make the easy daytrip to Lassen Volcanic National Park for snowshoe and cross-country ski adventures.

Depending on the weather, lace up your hiking boots or strap on some snowshoes and explore the majestic red fir forest around Manzanita Lake. Check out Lassen’s Winter Activity Guide.

Extra-Celestial

Does the idea of traveling out of this world make you starry-eyed? Head to Redding’s Schreder Planetarium for one of their holiday-themed evening programs. The beautiful domed theater combines education and entertainment with its 3D immersion technology. Upcoming shows include the Special Holiday Event: A Christmas Star.

See Schreder Planetarium’s calendar of upcoming shows and special holiday events.

Choose Redding: Events Calendar

Meet in Redding: Discover lodging and deals plus venues, all ready to impress and ensure your group gathering or special event is ideal.

Choco-Palooza!

As if you need an excuse to eat chocolate, we’ve got one for you anyway! The California Chocolate Expo in Redding has so much variety even Willy Wonka would be jealous.

Explore a decadent world of chocolate bakeries, boutique booths, and a bevy of restaurants dishing out endless sweet moments. Big bold dark, creamy milk, or something in between…have fun tasting all the fine creations at this family-friendly event with live entertainment.

Know what else is sweet? The price—just $15 per person (late day fee is $10). Splurge on a VIP package for extra perks.

Choose Redding: Events Calendar

Meet in Redding: Discover lodging and deals plus venues, all ready to impress and ensure your group gathering or special event is ideal.

Redding to Run a New Year’s Marathon

It’s not too early to start planning (and training!) for a New Year’s Resolution. Get your 2026 off and running at the Redding Marathon (January 18, 2026).

Let the gorgeous scenery be your motivation as you make your way from the Shasta Dam to the Sundial Bridge—two absolute icons of California’s landscape.

TIP: If a marathon feels a bit too ambitious, bridge the gap and consider doing the event’s Sundial 5K.

Choose Redding: Events Calendar

Meet in Redding: Discover lodging and deals plus venues, all ready to impress and ensure your group gathering or special event is ideal.

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) standing in front of his wood-fire oven at the Sonoma Valley Farmers' Market

    NEW! Walkin' and Talkin': Break Bread, Go On a Panoramic Hike

    What’s a world-traveling, medal-winning baker’s favorite local hike? Weekend Sherpa co-founder Brad Day caught up with Mike Zakowski (aka Mike the Baker) at Sonoma’s Friday farmers' market, where his wood-fired loaves draw loyal crowds. Between bites of fresh-baked bread, they talk baking, travel, and why Sonoma's Overlook Trail is one of his favorite quick, panoramic hikes.

    View

  2. Hidden Botanical Garden

    Forget a dozen roses. Give your love a botanical garden. Hidden on the western slope of Sonoma Valley’s Mayacamas Mountains, Sonoma Botanical Garden has one of the Bay Area’s best displays of Asian flora—and it’s a brilliant place for a quiet picnic and some calming contemplations.

    View

  3. Sunnyvale and Salty

    For up-close bird watching, it’s hard to beat a walk along the San Francisco Bay. This 5-mile loop on the Sunnyvale coast is a favorite of local wildlife photographers.

    View
  4. A man takes a break at a temple spot on a hike at Dragon Mountain in Milptas

    Dragon Quest

    The newly reopened, 4-mile out-and-back hike at Dragon Mountain in Milpitas mixes the physical with the spiritual for a serene hiking experience.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Warm Up to Winter in Reno Tahoe

    2026 is just getting started, but there’s one place already rising to the top as the best for adventure and relaxation: Reno Tahoe. The awe—and ahhhs—begin as soon as you arrive. G

    View
  2. A woman stands at Dante's View in Death Valley, looking out to Telescope Peak and Manly Lake, Badwater Basin below.

    Sunset Hike at Dante's View

    It’s one of the world’s best places to watch a sunset. Dante’s View is a 5,476-foot vantage of the whole southern basin of Death Valley from the top of the Black Mountains. Right now there's a banner and bonus view of a rare lake formation that appears only after big rains.

    View

  3. It's a Waterfall Life

    Tahquitz Canyon’s crystalline stream and lush stands of desert lavender, honey mesquite, and leafy sycamores is home to an easy day hike with a big bonus: a 60-foot waterfall that runs with remarkable gusto after winter rains.

    View

  4. Oh Snow Nice

    Live in California long enough, and you’ll come to know the rite of passage called “going to the snow”–when we ditch our fair-weather cities and towns in search of winter weather. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks deliver a winter wonderland worth a visit if there’s been a good dose of snow.

    View