Holiday fairs and festivals in Grass Valley and Nevada City

CORNISH CHRISTMAS IN GRASS VALLEY
Fridays, Nov. 28-Dec. 19, 6-9 p.m.

Recapture the spirit of Christmas past in historic downtown Grass Valley during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration. Started in 1967 to preserve Grass Valley’s Cornish heritage and holiday traditions, Cornish Christmas remains one of the region’s most popular events.

Mill and West Main Streets are closed to motorized traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas: carolers, jugglers, musicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers and Santa Claus.

Handmade arts and crafts from artists throughout California are displayed in historic downtown Grass Valley streets. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from Grass Valley restaurants and specialty food vendors.

Free gift-wrapping for downtown purchases at Santa’s Workshop. New this year: Park at the County Fairgrounds and ride a free shuttle to Cornish Christmas.
HistoricGrassValley.com

VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS IN NEVADA CITY
Wednesdays, Dec. 10, 17, 5-9 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 7, 14, 21, 1:30-6 p.m.

Welcome the holiday season in style in historic Nevada City, where each year the town’s picturesque downtown transforms into a Christmas card come to life.

The annual, family tradition features holiday activities for all ages: carriage rides, live entertainment, savory yuletide treats and libations, and Father Christmas.

It’s a magical setting of hilly streets outlined with twinkling white lights and authentic gas lamps, wandering minstrels, carolers dressed in Victorian attire and visitors sharing holiday cheer and good tidings.

The enticing aromas of roasted chestnuts and hearty holiday foods fill the air, along with cries of street vendors hawking their wares and streets filled to overflowing with authentic Christmas treasures.
NevadaCityChamber.com

WILD & SCENIC FILM FESTIVAL
Jan. 15-18
Now in its 13th year, the Wild & Scenic Film Festival returns to Nevada City and Grass Valley, celebrating the natural and wild world through environmental and adventure films. Festival-goers can look forward to exciting and informative speaker content related to the theme, “A Wild Life.” Workshops, art exhibits, live music and wine tasting.
WildAndScenicFilmFestival.org

(Photo: Kial James)