Riverside’s annual Festival of Lights, the city’s traditional start to the Christmas season, is scheduled to start Friday.
The Switch-On Ceremony, which is produced by the city, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, is scheduled to be held at 4:30 p.m. Friday, according to a statement on the city’s website.
The annual celebration, which USA Today has recognized as one of the best holiday festivals in the United States, draws about 75,000 people from all over Southern California.
It’s held at Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue and features the lighting of millions of holiday lights spread around the Mission Inn and surrounding area. The lighting is followed by a a fireworks show.
This year’s festival, which will feature several new rides and attractions, is scheduled to last through Jan. 7.