Christmas Eve Services in Riverside (2026)

Christmas Eve Services
Written by Kelsey Cecil

Updated November 7, 2026 · Checked weekly

7 churches in the Riverside area with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 4 have posted 2026 times so far; the others held Christmas Eve services in recent years and usually post their times in late November or December. Every listing links to the church's own page, so you can check the latest schedule before you go.

The short version

  • 7 churches with Christmas Eve services on Thursday, December 24, 2026. 4 have posted 2026 times so far.
  • Earliest family service: 2:00 PM at Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus.
  • Latest service posted: 8:00 PM at Harvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), Riverside.
  • 2 church traditions, listed in the same format, alphabetically.

Planning the rest of the season? See Christmas events for kids in Riverside and Christmas train rides in California.

Kelsey Lizee Cecil with Rally, the real corgi

Why we made this

A story my mom wanted to write. So I wrote it for her.

On Christmas morning in 2020, I found out I was pregnant with my son, Holden.

Read Kelsey’s story

That same day, my mom went into a coma. She never woke up. Two months after her memorial, I lost my dad too.

My mom had spent years telling me about a story she wanted to write: a little corgi named Rally who rides the train to visit his "grand-paw-rents." She never got the chance. So I wrote it for her.

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about Rally's first train ride. He packs his turtle toy, his green bone and his orange ball, and meets the conductor. Then he goes through a dark, scary tunnel and finds the light on the other side. Every page is hand-painted in real watercolor. My kids will never meet their grandparents, but this book is how they get to know them.

In college I was a religion minor, and I believe Rally Takes the Train was made for all children, from all religions in the world.

Christmas could have become the hardest day of my year. Instead, I decided to use Rally to bring Christmas magic to as many families as I can.

Kelsey Lizee CecilLearn more about the book (opens in a new tab) →

Christmas Eve service times in Riverside

Thursday, December 24, 2026. Times from each church's own page.
TimeChurchService
11:00 AMSandals Church, Woodcrest campusService
NoonSandals Church, Palm Avenue campusService
12:30 PMSandals Church, Woodcrest campusService
1:30 PMSandals Church, Palm Avenue campusService
2:00 PMHarvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), RiversideService
2:00 PMSandals Church, Hunter Park campusService
2:00 PMSandals Church, Woodcrest campusFamily
3:00 PMSandals Church, Palm Avenue campusService
3:30 PMSandals Church, Hunter Park campusService
4:00 PMHarvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), RiversideService
5:00 PMSandals Church, Hunter Park campusService
6:00 PMHarvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), RiversideService
8:00 PMHarvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), RiversideService

Churches with Christmas Eve services in Riverside

Showing all 7 churches. Filters, calendar, directions and church links unlock free with your email.

Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus

Woodcrest

  • 11:00 AMChristmas Eve Service
  • 12:30 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 2:00 PMFamily Service (Listed as a family service)
    Family

17421 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92504

(free with email) Directions to Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus (opens in a new tab)

Sandals Church, Palm Avenue campus

Palm Avenue

  • NoonChristmas Eve Service
  • 1:30 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 3:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • Midnight (Dec 25)Midnight & Family Service
    Family

6807 Palm Ave, Riverside, CA 92506

(free with email) Directions to Sandals Church, Palm Avenue campus (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for Sandals Church, Palm Avenue campus (opens in a new tab)

Harvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), Riverside

Arlington

  • 2:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 4:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 6:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 8:00 PMChristmas Eve Service

6115 Arlington Ave, Riverside, CA 92504

(free with email) Directions to Harvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), Riverside (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for Harvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), Riverside (opens in a new tab)

Sandals Church, Hunter Park campus

Hunter Park

  • 2:00 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 3:30 PMChristmas Eve Service
  • 5:00 PMChristmas Eve Service

150 Palmyrita Ave, Riverside, CA 92507

(free with email) Directions to Sandals Church, Hunter Park campus (opens in a new tab)(free with email) Church schedule for Sandals Church, Hunter Park campus (opens in a new tab)

More Riverside area churches with Christmas Eve services

These churches held Christmas Eve services in past years. Most post 2026 times in late November and December; we check every week.

Christmas Eve services by tradition in Riverside

Churches whose tradition we have confirmed, grouped by tradition in alphabetical order, in the same format.

Congregational Christmas Eve services in Riverside (1)

Congregational services in other cities

Methodist Christmas Eve services in Riverside (1)

Methodist services across CaliforniaMethodist services in other cities

Rally’s Christmas research

Rally the corgi researches Christmas events for kids in Riverside.

  • New events every weekWe research new events daily and send you one email a week with the new ones we find in Riverside.
  • Exclusive access to free eventsFind the free Christmas events in Riverside before they fill up.
  • Every button on this pageFilters, add to calendar, directions and every church link open right away.
  • Rally’s Christmas Eve Express and a free advent calendarEarly access to Rally the corgi’s Christmas Eve tracker, plus a free digital advent calendar to count down to Christmas.
  • One-tap add to calendarSave any service or event to your Google, Apple or Outlook calendar so you never miss it.

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More Christmas Eve services near Riverside

All Christmas Eve services in CaliforniaAll Christmas Eve services in the United States

More Christmas for families in Riverside

Family Christmas plans in and around Riverside, from Rally’s own guides.

Questions about Christmas Eve services in Riverside

What day is Christmas Eve in 2026?

Christmas Eve is Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most churches in the Riverside area hold services from the afternoon into the evening, and some hold a service at or near midnight.

How many churches in the Riverside area hold Christmas Eve services?

This page lists 7 churches in the Riverside area with Christmas Eve services. 4 have posted 2026 times so far; the rest held Christmas Eve services in past years and usually post times in late November or December.

What is the earliest Christmas Eve service in Riverside?

Of the times posted so far, the earliest is 11:00 AM at Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus.

What is the latest Christmas Eve service in Riverside?

Of the times posted so far, the latest is 8:00 PM at Harvest Christian Fellowship (Harvest Church), Riverside.

Which churches in Riverside have a family or children's Christmas Eve service?

Churches with a family or children's service posted for 2026 include Sandals Church, Palm Avenue campus and Sandals Church, Woodcrest campus. Family services are usually earlier and shorter, often with a children's pageant or simple songs.

Are there Christmas Day services in Riverside?

Yes. Sandals Church, Palm Avenue campus also lists a Christmas Day service on Friday, December 25, 2026.

Which parts of the Riverside area have Christmas Eve services?

Churches on this page are in Arlington, Brockton Avenue, Downtown, Hunter Park, Orangecrest, Palm Avenue and Woodcrest. Each listing has its address and a map link.

Which Riverside churches have not posted 2026 Christmas Eve times yet?

First Congregational Church of Riverside, First United Methodist Church of Riverside and The Grove Community Church held Christmas Eve services in recent years but have not posted 2026 times. We check their pages each week.

Which Riverside churches had a family Christmas Eve service last year?

First United Methodist Church of Riverside and The Grove Community Church held a family or children's Christmas Eve service last year. Their 2026 times are not posted yet.

When do churches in Riverside post their Christmas Eve times?

Most churches post between late November and mid December. We check every church on this page each week and add 2026 times as soon as they appear on the church's own page.

Is there a Congregational Christmas Eve service in Riverside?

Yes. This page lists 1 Congregational (UCC) church in Riverside with Christmas Eve services, including First Congregational Church of Riverside (Downtown). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

Is there a Methodist Christmas Eve service in Riverside?

Yes. This page lists 1 Methodist church in Riverside with Christmas Eve services, including First United Methodist Church of Riverside (Brockton Avenue). Its 2026 times are not posted yet.

How is this list put together?

We list every church we find in Riverside that holds a Christmas Eve service, in the same format. Churches with 2026 times come first, with family services at the top and then by start time. No church pays to be listed or to be placed higher.

Is this page connected to any church or faith?

No. Rally Takes the Train is a children's book. This is a free public listing of Christmas Eve service times and addresses, and it does not endorse any church or faith.

How can a church add or correct its listing?

Church staff can email kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com with the church's name and a link to its Christmas Eve page. We check corrections against the church's own page, usually within 24 hours.

Where can I find Christmas Eve services elsewhere in California?

Our page for California lists every city we cover in the state, with Christmas Eve services by city and by tradition.

Where can I find Christmas events for kids in Riverside?

Our guide to Christmas events for kids in Riverside lists Santa visits, holiday lights, shows and free events for 2026, each checked on the host's own website.

How early should we arrive for a Christmas Eve service?

Family and candlelight services are usually the busiest of the year. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes early helps with parking and seating together, especially with young children.

Are Christmas Eve services okay for young children?

Yes. Family and children's services are planned with kids in mind, and many churches welcome little ones at every service. Some offer a nursery or a family room; each church's page has the details.

Rally Takes the Train book cover

Rally Takes the Train is a picture book about a corgi’s first train ride to visit his grand-paw-rents. Our story

A free public listing. Rally Takes the Train is a children’s book and does not endorse any church or faith. Every church is listed the same way, and no church pays to be listed or placed higher. Times come only from each church’s own page; check it before you go. Church staff: send corrections to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com.

Kelsey Cecil
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