This California Hotel Transforms Into A Dazzling Christmas Wonderland With Millions Of Twinkling Lights
More than 10 million lights cover one historic hotel every holiday season. That count alone makes my electric bill feel very small and very shy.
The glow wraps castle towers, domes, and a whole city block of old Spanish-style buildings. Then come more than 400 animated figures, giant toy soldiers, and glowing ornaments.
I like how the whole thing started as a gift to the community back in 1992. Seeing the lights is free, and that feels like the most generous kind of Christmas spirit.
Over 500,000 people show up each year to soak it in.
The celebration turns California into a glowing holiday scene that feels straight out of a Christmas movie.
It’s the kind of spectacle that makes an ordinary winter evening feel like something worth remembering.
The Switch-On Night Is Pure Holiday Electricity
One flip of a switch, and a whole city block bursts into light. That moment kicks off the Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa every year.
The grand Switch-On Ceremony comes with fireworks, live entertainment, and a visit from Santa himself. It’s basically the Super Bowl of Christmas lights, minus the helmets.
The festival usually runs from late November into early January. For the 34th annual event, the dates are November 21, 2026, through January 3, 2027.
Duane and Kelly Roberts started the tradition in 1992 as a gift to the community. They had just reopened the hotel after a seven-year renovation, so they clearly knew how to make an entrance.
USA Today has named it one of the Best Public Lights Displays. That’s a big honor for a celebration in sunny California.
Plan your night with a little strategy. Opening night draws the biggest buzz, so arriving early helps you grab a good viewing spot.
Bring a jacket, too, since Riverside evenings can turn chilly in December. Then watch the sky light up and try not to cheer louder than the kids.
Ten Million Lights Need A Lot Of Extension Cords
More than 10 million sparkling lights cover this place. Somewhere, an electrician deserves a very large thank-you card.
The glow climbs over castle towers, Mediterranean domes, and arched walkways. Every corner seems to have something shining, blinking, or waving at you.
Then there’s the cast of characters. Over 400 animated figures fill the scene, moving and posing in festive displays throughout the property.
Oversized toy soldiers stand guard like they take the job very seriously. Decorated Christmas trees and glowing ornaments add even more color to the mix.
My favorite part is how the decorations match the building’s old-world charm. Twinkle lights on a strip mall are cute, but twinkle lights on a castle tower hit differently.
Take your time as you move around. Many of the best details hide in small spots, like corners near doorways or along the walls.
Your phone camera will get a serious workout here. Try shooting slightly before full dark, when the sky still has a blue tint behind the lights.
That little trick makes photos pop. You’ll thank yourself later when your holiday card looks like a movie poster.
The Building Looks Like A Castle Got Lost In Riverside
Even without a single bulb, this hotel would steal the show. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is considered the largest Mission Revival Style building in the United States.
It doesn’t stop at one style, either. The design mixes Mission Revival, Spanish Gothic, Moorish Revival, Spanish Colonial, Renaissance Revival, and Mediterranean Revival.
That’s a lot of revivals for one address. Somehow it all works, and it covers an entire city block.
Look up and you’ll spot castle towers, minarets, flying buttresses, and domes. A pedestrian sky bridge connects parts of the property like something from a storybook.
Down at ground level, narrow passageways lead to courtyards and patios. The Court of Birds, the Oriental Courtyard, and the Spanish Patio each carry their own personality.
There’s even a Cloister Wing with an underground walk. Kids who love secret tunnels will think they’ve struck gold.
Inside, a five-story rotunda wraps around a wrought-iron staircase. Vaulted ceilings, chandeliers, stained leaded glass, and old fireplaces keep the history feeling close.
Add holiday lights to all this, and the effect is unforgettable. It’s like Christmas moved into a castle and decided to stay a while.
History Buffs Get A Bonus Gift Here
Back in 1876, this place started as a humble boarding house called the Glenwood Cottage. Christopher Columbus Miller ran it, and yes, that was really his name.
His son, Frank A. Miller, bought the property in 1880. In 1902, he began a big expansion and renamed it the Glenwood Mission Inn.
Frank kept building in different styles for decades. He also gathered art and antiques from around the world, and many still fill the halls.
One treasure stands out. The Inn houses the oldest bell in Christendom, dating all the way back to 1247.
The St. Francis Chapel is another showstopper. It holds eight stained-glass windows made by Louis Comfort Tiffany in 1906.
Those windows were saved from a New York church. The chapel also features the Rayas Altar, a 25-foot cedar piece covered in gold leaf.
Today the Inn is a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. It’s also a member of Historic Hotels of America.
Want the full story? Docent-led historic tours run weekly and explain the art, architecture, and history in fun detail.
Famous Faces Have Walked These Halls Before You
Presidents, movie stars, and a world-famous scientist all checked in here. Your holiday photo will be in very good company.
Theodore Roosevelt visited the Inn. So did Albert Einstein, which means some serious brainpower once strolled these courtyards.
Harry Houdini came through, too. Thankfully, he didn’t make the building disappear.
Hollywood legends Judy Garland and Clark Gable also spent time at the hotel. That’s a guest list most party planners can only dream about.
Some visitors made huge life moments happen here. Richard and Pat Nixon were married at the Inn.
Ronald and Nancy Reagan chose it for their honeymoon. Clearly, this spot knows how to make memories feel extra special.
The hotel even has a Presidential Lounge, which nods to that famous history. It offers a light dining menu and sometimes live entertainment.
I love knowing that holiday visitors walk the same paths as these well-known names. It turns a light display into something more meaningful.
So when you wander through, slow down a bit. Somewhere nearby, a piece of American history probably shared that same view.
Your Stomach Has Six Different Places To Celebrate
All that walking under twinkling lights builds an appetite fast. Luckily, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa offers six restaurants and lounges.
The Mission Inn Restaurant serves California cuisine in a room with colorful tiles and vaulted ceilings. It also has a display kitchen and an award-winning Sunday brunch.
Craving something hearty? Mission Inn Steakhouse focuses on prime steaks and fresh seafood in a fine-dining setting.
Las Campanas brings Mexican cuisine to an outdoor setting. Bella Trattoria serves homemade pasta and pizzas, with sidewalk and patio seating.
For lighter bites, the California Lounge offers small plates with sleek art deco touches. The historic Presidential Lounge serves a light menu too.
Afternoon Tea is another lovely choice. It takes place in a sunlit courtyard, which feels perfect before the evening glow begins.
During the festival season, it helps to plan meals ahead of time. Holiday evenings get busy, and nobody enjoys hunting for dinner with hungry kids.
Booking a table early is a smart move. Then you can enjoy the lights with a full belly and a happy crew.
Staying Overnight Turns The Magic Into A Mini Vacation
Sleeping inside a holiday light show sounds like a kid’s dream. At this hotel, grown-ups get to live it too.
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa has 238 rooms and suites. Each one is individually designed with custom furnishings and period-inspired decor.
That means no two stays feel exactly alike. Your room might look nothing like your neighbor’s, which is half the fun.
Kelly’s Spa offers a calm break from the festive bustle. The Tuscan-inspired spa has won a Conde Nast award and features a eucalyptus steam room.
Relaxation lounges and a spa boutique round things out. Day visitors can book treatments too, as long as they reserve ahead.
There’s also an outdoor heated pool and Jacuzzi. A fitness center helps balance out all that holiday snacking.
Overnight guests get the bonus of exploring the property’s many corridors and courtyards. During the festival, guests use a separate entry, which can make coming and going easier.
Holiday dates fill up, so reserve early if this sounds tempting. Waking up to Christmas decorations right outside your door feels like a gift you can unwrap twice.
Downtown Riverside Joins The Party Too
The sparkle doesn’t stop at the hotel doors. During the festival, downtown Riverside turns into one big holiday celebration.
A street fair brings food vendors, local artisans, and community performers. Shows take place on the Benjamin Franklin Stage, so there’s often something fun to watch.
Kiddie carnival rides add extra excitement for younger visitors. Holiday shopping and seasonal treats keep everyone else busy.
For 2026, Albert S. White Park hosts a festive area called Candy Land. It includes an immersive Holiday Light Maze and an illuminated Holiday Photo Trail.
A Holiday Games Village offers oversized lawn games. There’s also a Snowball Arena for snow-free fun, which is very Southern California of it.
Don’t miss the Holiday Art Trail. It features original glowing installations made by local artists.
Broader downtown programming runs from November 27 to December 27, 2026. That window is a little shorter than the hotel’s light display, so plan around it.
Comfortable shoes are a must for all this exploring. You’ll cover plenty of ground, and your feet deserve some holiday kindness too.
A Few Smart Moves Make Your Visit Sparkle Even More
Getting there is the easy part. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa sits at 3649 Mission Inn Ave, Riverside, CA 92501, right in the heart of downtown.
Riverside is about 55 miles east of Los Angeles. That makes it an easy holiday road trip for plenty of California families.
The best part? Viewing the lights costs nothing, so your budget can go toward cocoa and treats instead.
Timing matters with a festival this popular. More than 500,000 people visit each year, so weeknights can feel more relaxed than weekends.
Arriving earlier in the evening also gives you more breathing room. You’ll get better photos with fewer heads in the frame.
Make a day of it, too. The Riverside Art Museum and the Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art and Culture are both nearby.
The Fox Performing Arts Center sits nearby as well. Pairing a show with the lights could make for one very merry evening.
However you plan it, give yourself time to wander. A castle wrapped in millions of lights is worth slowing down for.
