Nevada City Victorian Christmas
Guests stroll hilly downtown streets lit by authentic gas lamps and decorated with fresh cedar garlands, pine swags, and glowing lights. The festival features wandering Victorian carolers, magic and juggling shows, visits with Santa, and over 100 artisan vendor booths and open boutiques. Attendees can also sample free hot roasted chestnuts at the food court fire pit and enjoy seasonal drinks like hot buttered rum and mulled wine.
What to Expect
Victorian holiday street festival with gas lamps, carolers, and artisan vendors.
Event Details
Ages
All ages
Neighborhood
Downtown Nevada City
Timed Entry
No
Organizer
Nevada City Chamber of Commerce
Food & Drink
Food vendors in the Commercial Street Food Court sell street food and warm drinks; event booths offer hot buttered rum, hot apple toddies, hot chocolate snugglers, and hot mulled wine, plus free roasted chestnuts.
Local Insight & Ratings
Family Friendly
Best For
Families and holiday shoppers
Vibe
Old-fashioned and festive
Energy Level
Moderate
Photo Friendly
High
Weather Sensitivity
Moderate
Location
Know Before You Go
- Hours: Sundays 1:30–6pm; Wednesdays 5–9pm.
- Parking: Downtown parking is extremely limited and mostly street parking. The page encourages attendees to use the shuttles. Broad and Commercial Streets are closed to through traffic, and parking on Highway 49 and 20 on- or off-ramps is prohibited; cars there may be ticketed and towed. Shuttle parking is at Bodhi Hive, 420 Providence Mine Road, and the Eric Rood Government Center, 950 Maidu Avenue. ADA parking is available on Spring Street, or at the Government Center with an accessible shuttle. Shuttle fares are $8 for adults, free for children under 15, free for people wearing Victorian costumes, and return journeys are free for everyone. Shuttles run for one hour after the event ends. Tour buses must use the Broad Street Overcrossing for drop-off/pick-up and park offsite; there is no bus parking at the event.
- Accessibility: ADA and wheelchair-accessible shuttles run from the Eric Rood Government Center, with ADA parking spots available on Spring Street.
- Pets: The City allows dogs on a leash. Small dogs on a leash that can be on a shuttle passenger’s lap are allowed on the shuttle.
Tips & Advice
- Take the shuttle instead of hunting for downtown parking, because Broad and Commercial Streets are closed to traffic and street spaces are extremely limited.
- Never park on the Highway 49 or 20 on- or off-ramps, because cars left there get ticketed and can be towed.
- Dress in Victorian costume to ride the shuttle for free and join the spirit of the event alongside the costumed carolers.
- Check which bus you board: Bodhi Hive uses the long school bus, and the Rood Center uses the short school bus at the top of the hill.
- Come on a Sunday if you want to find Father Christmas, because he only walks the streets on Sundays.
Special Events & Promotions
- New this year: a second shuttle runs from Bodhi Hive, as well as the one from the Eric Rood Government Center.
- Father Christmas walks the streets on Sundays only.
- On Wednesdays only, a free shuttle runs between the Tinloy Street bus stop in Grass Valley and the Broad Street overcrossing.
- Shuttle fares are free if you wear a Victorian costume, and kids under 15 always ride free.
Quick Actions
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I park?
Downtown parking is very limited, so use the shuttles. Park at Bodhi Hive (420 Providence Mine Road) or the Eric Rood Government Center (950 Maidu Avenue). Return rides are free, and the shuttles keep running for an hour after the event ends.
Where is the food and drink?
All the food vendors are in the Food Court on Commercial Street, where you'll also find free roasted chestnuts at the fire pit. Hot Buttered Rum, Hot Apple Toddies and Hot Chocolate Snugglers are at the Chamber Bar Booth, and Hot Mulled Wine is at the VFW Booth. Both booths are on Broad Street near Pine.
What is there for kids?
Kids can visit Santa for a photo, get a balloon animal next to the bounce house, watch magic and juggling shows on the stage at Broad & Pine, and browse the kids' boutiques and toy stores.
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, leashed dogs are allowed. Small leashed dogs that can sit on your lap can ride the shuttle.
Where are the restrooms?
Restrooms are at City Hall (317 Broad St., with a baby changing and feeding station), the Commercial Street parking lot, and Robinson Plaza behind the town tree, which is closest to the food court. There are also portable toilets near the Nevada Theater, in the NY Hotel lot and at the Rood Center shuttle lot.
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Always check the official website for the most current information.
We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.