Thousands of bright lights will soon illuminate dark winter nights in Mendocino County and kick off the festival season in Gualala, Ukiah, Fort Bragg and Noyo Harbor.

Tree Festival in Gualala

The first of the district’s annual holiday events begin on Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30. Gualala Arts Center, 2024 Tree Festival Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The free event is one of the nonprofit organization’s main events. The Festival of Trees is a fundraiser where decorated Christmas trees are put up for bid in a silent auction and hundreds of shoppers wait all year long to browse the homemade holiday treats at Mrs. Claus Bake Shop. Later, Uncle Sus’s Attic ornaments were put on sale. And the Forever Tree lot is equipped with artificial trees available for purchase.

Each year, local artisans sell their handmade gifts while shoppers listen to live holiday music, enjoy homemade treats, a puppet show, and take photos with Santa Claus. At 10 a.m. on both days, pianist Don Krieger will perform Christmas carols. The event is expected to generate approximately $15,000 in revenue, which will go towards Gualala Arts Center programs.

Gualala Lions Club Lighted Truck Parade

That same Saturday, the Gualala Lions Club Lighted Truck Parade rolls into town starting at 6 p.m.

“We’ll accept anything with wheels as long as they decorate their floats in a great way,” said longtime parade organizer and Gualala Lion’s Club President Kevin Evans. “We get all-terrain vehicles, huge semis with trailers, antique cars and fire trucks, a friendly gang of motorcycle riders, OHVs, and of course trucks of all kinds, each one outdoing the others with thousands of Christmas lights, decorated floats, and animated figures.

For a small town this size, with around 2000 spectators, the parade starts in front of Bed Rock Construction with horns, sirens and music and moves towards the Gualala Hotel where hot drinks and snacks are served.

Winter Wonderland at Fort Bragg

Fort Bragg’s annual Winter Wonderland It’s an afternoon of family festivities on Saturday, December 7 from noon to 6 p.m. The event will take place downtown, at Franklin and Laurel streets, in front of the Guest House Museum. Seasonal music and hymns will fill the winter air as local nonprofits sell crafts, Christmas gifts and decorations. Children will be able to take a free photo with Santa Claus at the Guesthouse Museum between 15.30-18.00. Adults can try their hand at auction by bidding on elaborately decorated Christmas trees.

As day turns to night, Mayor Bernie Norvell will light the city’s Christmas tree. Then, the annual Lighted Truck Parade begins at 6:15 p.m.

In collaboration between the NorCoast Rodders Car Club and the Fort Bragg Fire Department, the dazzling all-vehicle welcome procession is organized by Fire Prevention Officer Steve Wells.

“The fire department kind of got involved in helping with the parade and then organized it for the last dozen or so years,” he said. “We have a lot of fun getting close to thirty fancy vehicles coming in and out of the parade, from semi-trucks to tractors to motorcycles to people walking in costume and kids on bikes. “There will also be golf carts, pickups and of course some race cars.”

Starting on West Pine Street and moving down Franklin Street, Oak Street, Main Street and Pine Street, each vehicle plays its own music. Some trucks feature inflated characters. No doubt all the trucks will be decorated with thousands of little bulbs twinkling with festive colored lights.

This year, first responders, including Cal Fire and the U.S. Coast Guard, will turn on their car lights and activate the sirens of old and new city fire trucks, Wells said. An ambulance or two will also be in the mix.

“Rain or shine, hundreds of people attend,” Wells added. “We award Best in Show (for the best decorated truck) and everyone goes home with visions of sugar plums.”

Parade of Light in Ukiah

Additionally, on Saturday, December 7, the city of Ukiah welcomes approximately 16,000 vacationers annually. Parade of Lights. The event is one of the largest light parades in Northern California.

Trucks, Jeeps, UTVs, semis and tractors owned by local businesses were decked out with thousands of brightly shining lights as families observed from the sidewalk wearing their most festive and comfortable attire. Santa Claus and his reindeer will definitely appear in the form of lights. Local fire and police vehicles will also participate in the parade.

For those who want to participate; Applications will close on Monday, December 2nd at 17.00. Awards will be given to trucks that are deemed worthy of Grand Champion, Best in Show and Honorable Mention awards.