Come celebrate the official holiday season kick-off on Friday, November 27, from 5-8 p.m. along Historic Main Street! Featuring local entertainment, a traditional tree lighting near the courthouse and a Merchants’ Open House, the Placerville Downtown Association’s free, family-friendly Festival of Lights is a cant-miss event.

The evening’s “honorary celebrity” is a large, old spruce tree that’s aglow with colorful lights after the public countdown at 6 p.m. The big tree’s lights are installed each year through the generosity of Western Sign Co. In addition to the tree lighting, over 75 other trees—donated by the El Dorado County Christmas Tree Growers and adopted by organizations and individuals through the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce—also “come to light” after the countdown. The tree lighting is followed by a visit from Santa at River City Bank; photos will be available, but are not required to visit the man in red. 

The holiday welcoming ceremony starts around 5:30 p.m. and features a street closure between the courthouse and Sacramento Street to host performers—including the Placerville Gold Rush Chorus, El Dorado High School Band, Cantare Chorale, Jammin’ Dance & Fitness and more—in several locations on Main Street. In addition to the entertainment, enjoy stagecoach rides from Davy “Doc” Wiser and his crew (arrive early, around 4 p.m., to receive a ticket, as there is limited capacity that night) and the first day of the Merchants’ Open House, where visitors can enjoy goodies from vendors (many stay open late for the festivities), view beautifully decorated windows and start their holiday shopping!

—Lisa Crummett 

For a complete calendar of holiday events happening on Placerville’s Main Street, visit placerville-downtown.org or call 530-672-3436.