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Christmas with kids in Redding
Redding's Christmas tree tradition began in 1919 at the corner of Market and Yuba Streets. More than a century later, that corner kicks off the season again, with a lighted parade and a garden of more than two million lights nearby.
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The story of Christmas in Redding
How Redding celebrates
Redding's signature tradition is the downtown Christmas tree. In 1919 Pacific Gas and Electric cut the first evergreen at McComber Lake and trucked it to Market and Yuba Streets, where a neon star topped it each year. The tree stood there for 51 years, moved to a parking structure in 1970 when the downtown mall was built, and returned to its original corner in 2019 for the 100th anniversary. A Saturday lighted parade, run by the Active 20-30 Club, follows the lighting.
Christmas last year in Redding
The 2025 season brought the 106th annual lighting of the City of Redding Christmas tree at Market and Yuba Streets, with a car show and holiday vendor market starting at 5 p.m. beforehand. The 44th annual Lighted Christmas Parade followed the next evening at 6 p.m. through downtown. At Turtle Bay Exploration Park, the Redding Garden of Lights ran from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026, with over two million lights across ten acres of gardens, glowing swings and fire pits for roasting s'mores.
Fun facts about Christmas in Redding
In 1929 the downtown tree was 73 feet tall, donated by two La Moine residents and lit on December 20. A year later, 2,500 gift boxes were ordered for children in Shasta and Trinity Counties. The parade route winds from Tehama Street down California Street, then up Pine Street to Yuba. At the Garden of Lights, the Sundial Bridge glows green and is lined with white lights, and kids can walk a path through an icy igloo. The garden is stroller friendly.
Trains and Christmas near Redding
Redding's tree story is about a truck rather than a train: the first tree was cut at a lake and trucked to town in 1919. For train fans, our list has museums farther south and west. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City is free and shows 1875 Baldwin Engine 5. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola lets kids climb into locomotives, though it is closed in winter except for special events. The Skunk Train in Fort Bragg carries families into the redwoods on a logging railroad from 1885.
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum: A free museum built around the narrow gauge line that served the county until 1942, with 1875 Baldwin Engine 5 on display.
- Western Pacific Railroad Museum: A hands-on museum in an old diesel shop where kids can climb into dozens of locomotives, though it is closed in winter except for special events.
- Skunk Train: A logging railroad from 1885 that carries families into the Mendocino County redwoods.
Traditions today
- The downtown Christmas tree lighting: A giant tree lights up at Market and Yuba Streets, the same spot where Redding put up its first tree in 1919.
- Lighted Christmas Parade: Floats and entries roll through downtown Redding on a Saturday evening, organized by the Active 20-30 Club.
- Redding Garden of Lights: Over two million lights fill ten acres of gardens at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, with glowing swings, fire pits and an icy igloo path.
- Sundial Bridge in lights: During the Garden of Lights season, the Sundial Bridge glows green and is lined with white lights.
- Kool April Nites car show and holiday vendor market: Classic cars and a holiday market gather downtown before the tree lighting.
- Cascade Christmas at the Cascade Theatre: The historic downtown theatre is part of Redding's holiday season in the Cultural District.
A fact for kids
Redding's first Christmas tree in 1919 was cut at a lake and carried to town on a truck, and in 1929 the tree was 73 feet tall.
Questions about Christmas in Redding
When did Redding's Christmas tree tradition start?
Redding's downtown Christmas tree tradition began in 1919, when Pacific Gas and Electric cut an evergreen at McComber Lake and trucked it to Market and Yuba Streets. The tree has returned most years since, and in 2019 the city marked the 100th anniversary with a dedication on December 6.
Where is the Redding Christmas tree?
The tree stands at the corner of Market and Yuba Streets in downtown Redding, its historic spot since 1919. It was moved to a parking structure on California Street in 1970 and came back to the original corner in 2019. Our Redding Christmas events guide on this page lists this season's lighting date.
How tall was Redding's Christmas tree in 1929?
The tree in 1929 was 73 feet tall, donated by two La Moine residents, and the celebration was held on December 20 of that year. A neon star crowned the tree each year. For a first tree, a truck carried a single evergreen from McComber Lake in 1919.
Why was the Redding tree moved in 1970?
The tree moved to a parking structure on California Street when the downtown Redding Mall was built. It had stood at Market and Yuba for 51 years by then. The mall opened by August 1972, and the tree finally returned to its original corner in 2019.
How many times has Redding lit its Christmas tree?
The 2022 lighting was reported as the 103rd, and local radio called the 2025 lighting the 106th year of lighting the City of Redding Christmas tree. These counts come from local news reports on the lighting editions, so they are not the same as counting every year since 1919. Families can still enjoy the long tradition either way.
What gifts did Redding give children in 1930?
In 1930 organizers ordered 2,500 boxes for children in Shasta and Trinity Counties as part of the tree celebration. A general committee led by Mayor William Menzel planned the festivities. The tree was dedicated on December 15 of that year after PG&E trucked it into town.
What is the Redding Lighted Christmas Parade?
It is a downtown parade held on a Saturday evening in early December, organized by the Active 20-30 Club of Redding. The 44th annual parade started at 6 p.m. and followed a route from Tehama Street down California Street, up Pine Street and east on Yuba Street.
When do the downtown streets close for the Redding parade?
For the 44th annual parade, some downtown streets closed at 4 p.m. for staging, and the full route closed at 5 p.m. Cars left on the route after the posted deadline were towed. Plan to arrive early, park a few blocks away and bring chairs for little ones.
What is the Redding Garden of Lights?
The Redding Garden of Lights is a holiday light display at Turtle Bay Exploration Park and the McConnell Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. It features over two million lights across ten acres, plus glowing swings, fire pits for s'mores, an icy igloo path and food trucks serving holiday treats.
When did the Garden of Lights run in 2025?
The 2025 Redding Garden of Lights ran from November 21, 2025, to January 4, 2026 at Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Tickets were sold through Turtle Bay's ticketing site. Our Redding Christmas events guide on this page lists the current season's dates and prices.
Is the Garden of Lights good for toddlers and strollers?
Yes. The Garden of Lights is described as stroller friendly, and little ones can enjoy glowing swings, an icy igloo path and fire pits where families can warm up. The garden covers ten acres, so bring warm layers for a long evening walk in December and plan a break at the fire pits.
What does the Sundial Bridge look like during the holidays?
During the Garden of Lights season, the Sundial Bridge glows green and is lined with white lights. The bridge is part of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park grounds, which hosted the light display in 2025 from November 21 to January 4, with more than two million lights across ten acres of gardens.
Is there pretend snow in Redding at Christmas?
We did not find a snow event in our sources. What kids can find is the icy igloo path at the Redding Garden of Lights, which they can walk through, along with glowing swings and fire pits for roasting s'mores. It is a playful way to get a wintry feeling at Turtle Bay Exploration Park without any real snow.
What is Kool April Nites?
Kool April Nites is a classic car show that joins the First Friday tree lighting downtown. For the 103rd tree lighting about 30 cars were expected, and a holiday vendor market started at 5 p.m. before the 2025 lighting. Kids can look at the shiny cars while waiting for the countdown.
What is Cascade Christmas?
Cascade Christmas is a holiday show at the Cascade Theatre in downtown Redding. Local reports on the 2022 tree lighting listed it alongside the Riverfront Playhouse holiday special as part of the Redding Cultural District's season. Our Redding Christmas events guide on this page lists current shows.
How can I explain the old tree tradition to young kids?
Tell them that more than 100 years ago, workers cut one big evergreen at a lake and drove it to town on a truck so everyone could gather around a Christmas tree. Kids enjoy hearing about the neon star and picturing a 73-foot tree.
Where can kids see Christmas lights in Redding?
The top spots are the downtown tree at Market and Yuba Streets and the Redding Garden of Lights at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, with over two million lights. The Sundial Bridge also glows during the season. See our Redding Christmas events guide on this page for current dates.
Is there a Christmas parade in Redding this year?
Redding has held a downtown lighted Christmas parade for decades, with the 44th annual one in 2025. It has traditionally followed the tree lighting on a Saturday in early December. Check our Redding Christmas events guide on this page for this season's date and time.
Where can kids see trains near Redding?
The closest options on our list are a drive away. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City is free and shows 1875 Baldwin Engine 5. The Skunk Train in Fort Bragg runs through redwoods on a logging railroad from 1885. Check hours and ride dates before you go.
Can kids climb on trains at the Western Pacific Railroad Museum?
Yes. The Western Pacific Railroad Museum in Portola is hands-on, set in the railroad's old diesel shop, with dozens of locomotives you can climb into. It is closed in winter except for special events, so plan a summer visit or check for a holiday opening before you drive.
Sources
- Redding's Christmas Tree: A Local Tradition Since 1919, Redding Community News Service
- Downtown Redding gears up for 103rd Christmas tree lighting, KRCR
- Redding Garden of Lights, Visit Redding
- 44th Annual Lighted Christmas Parade Is Saturday In Downtown Redding, KQMS
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Skunk Train, Rally Takes the Train