Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Yuba City
In Yuba City, Santa has his own North Pole on Plumas Street. Each December the downtown stroll fills with vendors, treats and Mrs. Claus reading stories, and the Christmas tree lights up as day turns to night.
2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
We are confirming this season's Christmas events in Yuba City with every host. Subscribe and we'll email you the day they are released.
Free. One email a week with new events in Yuba City. Unsubscribe anytime.
The story of Christmas in Yuba City
How Yuba City celebrates
Christmas in Yuba City centers on the Christmas Stroll along Plumas Street in the downtown district. Families wander past more than 100 street vendors, and Santa waits at a spot organizers call the North Pole, near Colusa Highway. At the Teegarden Event Center, Mrs. Claus reads Christmas stories while children enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and ornament decorating. The Christmas tree lights up during the stroll parade each year, just as day turns to night. Neighbors across the river add their own traditions, including a long-running Christmas parade in Marysville that was in its 71st year in 2022.
Christmas last year in Yuba City
In 2025 the stroll got a new name, the Around the World Christmas Stroll, and ran from 2 to 8 pm on Saturday, December 13, along Plumas Street. It offered food trucks, vendors, live music and a kids' zone. The week before, the Sutter County Museum in Yuba City held Golden Trees and Traditions at 6 pm on December 5. Nearby, Marysville's Candy Cane Lane filled D Street from 5 to 9 pm that same Friday, with a character march, face painting and the Marysville tree lighting. The Marysville parade followed on December 6 with a Blue Christmas theme.
Fun facts about Christmas in Yuba City
One year the Yuba City stroll was canceled because of bad weather, and it returned the next year. Santa's spot near Colusa Highway is called the North Pole. The Olivehurst Christmas Parade, a short drive away, reached its 56th year in 2025 with a theme of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. In 2025 the Sutter County Museum, Marysville and Olivehurst celebrations fell within about a week of the stroll.
Trains and Christmas near Yuba City
We did not find a train tradition tied to Yuba City's own Christmas, but railroad history is within reach. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City is free and built around the narrow gauge line that served the county until 1942, with 1875 Baldwin Engine 5 on display. The California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has 21 restored locomotives and cars and seasonal river excursions. The small Folsom Railroad Museum sits in a Santa Fe passenger car beside the Folsom depot and turntable.
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum: A free museum in Nevada City where kids can see 1875 Baldwin Engine 5 and learn about the local narrow gauge line.
- California State Railroad Museum: Old Sacramento's big state museum, with 21 restored locomotives and cars and a dining car set with railroad china.
- Folsom Railroad Museum: A small museum in a Santa Fe passenger car beside the Folsom depot and turntable.
Traditions today
- Christmas Stroll on Plumas Street: Downtown Yuba City fills with vendors, Santa at the North Pole and a Kid's Zone with crafts and treats.
- Mrs. Claus story time: At the Teegarden Event Center, Mrs. Claus reads Christmas stories to families.
- Ornament decorating: Children decorate ornaments and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies during the stroll.
- Tree lighting at dusk: The Christmas tree lights up during the stroll parade as day turns to night.
- Marysville Candy Cane Lane: On D Street, a character march, face painting and the Marysville tree lighting.
- Hometown Christmas parades: Marysville and Olivehurst hold evening parades with a new theme each year.
A fact for kids
In Yuba City, Santa waits at a place organizers call the North Pole. It is not far from Colusa Highway, and Mrs. Claus reads Christmas stories nearby while kids decorate ornaments.
Questions about Christmas in Yuba City
What is the biggest Christmas tradition in Yuba City?
The Christmas Stroll along Plumas Street in downtown Yuba City is the main tradition. It brings street vendors, Santa at the North Pole, Mrs. Claus story time and a tree lighting during the stroll parade. In 2025 it was called the Around the World Christmas Stroll.
Where does Santa wait at the Yuba City stroll?
Santa waits at a spot organizers call the North Pole, near Colusa Highway on the stroll route. Families line up to meet him there.
What happens at the Teegarden Event Center during the stroll?
Mrs. Claus reads Christmas stories to families at the Teegarden Event Center. Children can also decorate ornaments and have hot chocolate and cookies. It is a quieter stop on a busy street, which may help little ones who need a break from the crowd.
When does the tree light up at the Christmas Stroll?
The Christmas tree lights up during the stroll parade, just as day turns into night. In 2025 the stroll ran from 2 to 8 pm, so arriving in the afternoon lets your kids see the daytime fun and still catch the lights come on.
When was the Christmas Stroll held in 2025?
The 2025 Around the World Christmas Stroll ran from 2 to 8 pm on Saturday, December 13, on Plumas Street in Yuba City. It offered food trucks, vendors, live music and a kids' zone. Check our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page for this year's dates.
Has the Yuba City stroll ever been canceled?
Yes, one year it was canceled because of bad weather and returned the next year. Weather can change plans. Check the latest details in our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page before you go.
What is Candy Cane Lane in Marysville?
Candy Cane Lane is a Marysville evening on D Street. In 2025 it ran from 5 to 9 pm on Friday, December 5, with a character march, face painting and the Marysville Christmas tree lighting. Marysville is across the river from Yuba City.
When is the Marysville Christmas Parade?
In 2025 the Marysville Christmas Parade started at 5 pm on Saturday, December 6, on D Street in downtown Marysville, with a Blue Christmas theme. In 2022 it was the 71st annual parade and included a Kid's Zone. Our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page lists current dates.
What is the Olivehurst Christmas Parade?
The Olivehurst Christmas Parade is a hometown parade that reached its 56th year in 2025. It started at 5 pm on Saturday, December 13, at the Olivehurst Fire Department on 9th Avenue, with a How the Grinch Stole Christmas theme. It is a short drive from Yuba City.
What did the Sutter County Museum offer at Christmas in 2025?
The Sutter County Museum in Yuba City held Golden Trees and Traditions at 6 pm on Friday, December 5, 2025, featuring holiday trees and traditions. Check the details before bringing young children, since our sources do not say how family friendly it is. Our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page has kid-focused options.
How many vendors are at the Yuba City Christmas Stroll?
One news report said more than 100 street vendors were present along Plumas Street. With that many vendors, expect crowds, so a baby carrier can be easier than a stroller when the sidewalks fill up.
Is the Yuba City Christmas Stroll good for toddlers?
Yes, with a plan. Toddlers can enjoy ornament decorating, cookies and Mrs. Claus story time, and the Kid's Zone in past years had crafts and treats. Go earlier in the afternoon to avoid evening crowds, and see our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page for times.
How can I explain the North Pole to my kids?
You can tell kids that the stroll has its own pretend North Pole, a special spot where Santa sits and waits for families. It is a fun way to explain that Santa does not live in downtown, but he likes to visit Yuba City in December.
Do Yuba City families only celebrate in one town?
No, nearby towns hold celebrations too. Yuba City's stroll, Marysville's Candy Cane Lane and parade, and Olivehurst's parade all fell within about a week of each other in December 2025. Our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page helps you plan.
What food is part of the Yuba City stroll?
Past strolls offered hot chocolate and cookies for children, and the 2025 version had food trucks and vendors. Bring a little cash or a card for snacks, and plan to eat on the go as you walk Plumas Street with your family.
What is the Visit Yuba-Sutter site?
Visit Yuba-Sutter is the local tourism site that listed past Christmas events, such as the Marysville Christmas Parade and the stroll with its Kid's Zone. It is a good place to look for current listings, but always confirm dates with the host before you drive.
What did Mrs. Claus do at the 2022 stroll?
At the December 10, 2022 stroll, listings said children could meet Santa in a Kid's Zone with holiday treats and crafts, and Mrs. Claus read a holiday story. The stroll ran from 2 to 8 pm, the same hours as in 2025.
How do I explain a Christmas parade to a small child?
Tell them a parade is a moving party: people walk or ride past, wave, and share the holiday mood. Mention that it starts around 5 pm in nearby towns, so it will be dark and lights will look bright. Bring a blanket and a warm jacket.
Are there railroad museums near Yuba City?
Yes. The Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum in Nevada City is free and features 1875 Baldwin Engine 5, and the California State Railroad Museum in Old Sacramento has 21 restored locomotives and cars. Both are a drive from Yuba City, so check hours first.
Where can I find this year's Yuba City Christmas dates?
See our Yuba City Christmas events guide on this page for dates we have confirmed this season. Dates for the stroll and for nearby parades change each year, so check the host before you drive, especially if the weather looks rainy.
Sources
- Christmas Stroll returns to Yuba City, Appeal-Democrat
- A holiday celebration guide for the tri-county region, Appeal-Democrat
- Tis the Season in Yuba Sutter (Dec 2022 listings), Visit Yuba-Sutter
- Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- California State Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Folsom Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train