Placerville Recreation and Parks

Celebrate the official holiday season kick-off on November 25 from 5:30-8 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 can’t-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, 75 more trees—donated by the El Dorado County Christmas Tree Growers—also “come to light” after the countdown. The 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) and a hot cocoa booth near Kelsey’s Needle Krafts.

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, Jammin’ Dance and 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/events or call 530-672-3436.

Cameron Park Community Services District

photo courtesy of CPCSD

Looking to buy something special for that hard-to-shop-for person on your holiday list? Head to the annual Old-Fashioned Christmas Craft Faire on November 19 at the Community Center (2502 Country Club Drive) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and peruse (or purchase) a large selection of handmade gifts from 60-plus vendors. Admission is free. 

Youth basketball signups are currently taking place—don’t miss out on this year’s season! There’s also a need for volunteer coaches. A Thanksgiving Volleyball Camp (ages 6-12) on November 21-23 runs from 9 a.m. to noon. One-day futsal clinics on November 27 are open to ages 6-10 (2-3:30 p.m.) and 11-15 (3:30-5 p.m.).

Several classes are available for youth, teens and adults including gymnastics, ballet, tap, jazz, sewing, gardening, guitar, Zumba, yoga and jewelry making. A “Bird Identification” class on November 12 from 8-11 a.m. coincides with the end of the fall migration.

Events for mature adults include a free lunch from Ponte Palmero on November 2 at noon (call to reserve your spot), bingo on November 8 from 1-3 p.m. and a Game Day on November 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. The 50+ Room is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features various activities, games, seminars and more. 

Learn some new culinary skills and have fun doing it at an “Ultimate Truffle-Making” class on November 5 and “Cooking with Kids” class.  

Save the date for the Holiday Kickoff event on December 3, which features a 5K Fun Run/Walk that begins and ends at the Cameron Park Community Center and concludes with the Cameron Park Fire Department Explorer Post 89’s Pancake Breakfast, which runs until noon. 

Are you looking for a place to hold an event or holiday party? Come check out the Community Center—it’s the perfect venue for a celebration! 

— Tina Helm 
 For a complete listing of all activities and events, visit cameronpark.org or call the Cameron Park Community Services District at 530-677-2231.