The holiday season has arrived, meaning people are donning their homes with Christmas lights, decorating their trees with ornaments and looking for every reason to enjoy America’s favorite holiday. In Northern California, we found the perfect way to celebrate Christmas this year.

In December, the historic town of McCloud transforms its streets into a whimsical Victorian winter wonderland. This monthlong celebration includes carriage rides, arts and crafts for kids, and a tour of locations dressed in their holiday decor. The celebration is a part of a long list of weekly holiday events dubbed Winter Fest, all occurring right under the shadow of Mount Shasta.

Each week will include different activities and new surprises for visitors. Here is a full schedule of events from the McCloud Chamber of Commerce:

Winter Fest

ON GOING EVENTS

HOLIDAY DECORATING CONTEST 2021

On Saturday, December 18th beginning at 5pm, Santa will call in some favors with the sneaky Grinch and clumsy Elf to assist in the judging of the much-anticipated return of McCloud’s Holiday Decorating Contest!  All three will travel by motor-sled around McCloud Proper (contest is reserved for the MCSD only to manage Santa’s tight schedule!) in order to preview all entries in the Holiday Decorating Contest before announcing the winners on the morning of Sunday, December 19th.

IN PERSON EVENTS

KIDS KRAFTS & KANDY KANES– December 4th | 11 AM – 2 PM

Marshmallows on Main! ~ Returns for its 4th year along the historic thoroughfare among glowing storefronts and at the foot of our majestic mountain. Pre-packaged kit for purchase, with individual roasting skewers. This event runs from 11-4PM.

Mix in a Mason ~ Christmas cookie kit workshop for future baking or gift.
   Location: Meat Market | McCloud Mercantile | 241 Main St. McCloud, CA 96057 |
   South end of building

Crafts ~ Grinch popsicle sticks, reindeer necklaces, ceramic painted ornament, foam ornament decorations.
   Location: McCloud Mercantile | 241 Main St, McCloud, CA 96057 | Upstairs

Letters to Santa ~ All letters returned to Santa will be apart of Macy’s *Believe Campaign. For every letter, Macys will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish.
   Location: McCloud Mercantile Hall | 241 Main St. McCloud, CA 96057

Cookie Decorating Kits ~ Purchase your take home holiday sugar cookie decorating kits from the McCloud River B&B here. Each box will contain 8 homemade sugar cookies and all the supplies needed to decorate for $20. 
    Location: McCloud River B&B | 325 Lawndale Ct., McCloud, CA 96057

Horse & Carriage Rides ~ $5 per person

Victorian Christmas- December 11th | 11 AM – 7:30 PM

Yuletide Bazaar ~ Merchants and Vendors along Main Street (weather permitting) ~       10AM – 4PM
   ** Vendors will be moved upstairs, inside the mercantile, if we predict bad weather.

Victorian Tea ~ Hosted by the McCloud Hotel. Register by calling 530-964-2822
   Location: 408 Main St. McCloud, CA 96057

House & Church Tours ~ Enjoy 12 different McCloud locations dressed up in their holiday decor! 

Horse & Carriage Rides ~ $5 per person

Holiday Merriment- December 18th & 19th | 10 AM – 4:30 PM 

Character Breakfast ~ Enjoy breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus, the Grinch, Elves, & Cindy Lou Who at the McCloud River B&B. This event will require pre registration.  Breakfast is $5 for kids 7 and under, $10 for adults. Register online by clicking here. FREE Voena Children’s Choir ~ “To unite the world and empower future leaders       through music”. VOENA Children’s Choir is a professional program, unique because   of its no-audition policy. VOENA teaches children ages 5-18 ethnically diverse music,  instilling in them an appreciation and enthusiasm for different languages and cultures while cultivating, what director Annabelle Marie calls, the VOENA BIG 3: 1) accept the challenge, 2) be self-motivated, and 3) embrace an ethic for hard work. VOENA participants sing music from many countries, all in the native language, promoting peace through the exchange of culture. Want to hear more? Go to their website- https://www.voena.org/  This event is FREE to the public but you must register your attendance by clicking here.

Location: McCloud Mercantile Great Room (upstairs) | 241 Main St. McCloud, CA 96057 | 5PM. 

Movie Matinee ~ Enjoy a holiday movie matinee featuring the 2018 Grinch movie at 
   the McCloud Presbyterian Church from 2 – 4:00PM. The movie is $5/ person and will include…… TBD. Register your family here.