CA Festival Of Lights Tops National 'Readers' Choice' Holiday Light Show List

RIVERSIDE, CA — The votes are in, and readers have honored the Riverside Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Annual Festival of Lights as the top light display in the country.

"Newsweek is proud to recognize this year's 10 standout holiday light shows, selected by our expert panelists and contributors and voted on by readers for their exceptional quality and distinctive excellence," a news release stated.

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's annual "Festival of Lights" was officially recognized by Newsweek at the top of its Best Holiday Light Shows of 2026. The festival officially launched last weekend, with much fanfare.

1. The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights | 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA

"Riverside's historic Mission Inn ignites the season with its Festival of Lights, launched by a grand Switch-On ceremony each November. Expect millions of twinkling bulbs, carolers, Santa visits, courtyard displays and festive shopping, plus fireworks on select nights. What began as a hotel tradition now fills downtown with holiday wonder, earning national accolades and returning families year after year to one of California's most photogenic celebrations," according to the review.

The other holiday light shows not to be missed across the country, according to the national Best Holiday Light Shows of 2026 List, include:

2. Winter City Lights | Olney, MD

3. Fairmont Scottsdale Princess | Scottsdale, AZ

4. Holiday Lights at Callaway Resort & Gardens| Pine Mountain, GA

5. Longwood Christmas | Kennett Square, PA

6. Light Up the Holidays: ICE! at Gaylord Texan| Grapevine, TX

7. Austin Trail of Lights | Austin, TX

8. Hersheypark Christmas Candylane| Hershey, PA

9. Brooklyn Botanic Garden | New York, NY

10. St. Augustine Nights of Lights| St. Augustine, FL

About the Festival of Lights in Riverside:

At the Mission Inn, Hotel & Spa, over 50,000 visitors arrived to take in the opening night festivities on Saturday, according to the city of Riverside.

The decor builds year after year, as does the city's buy-in for the overall festival, which lasts through the first week of January 2026.

"For over three decades, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights has captivated the hearts of the Inland Empire Southern California community and is a cherished holiday tradition, earning the title of Readers' Choice: "Best Holiday Light Show" by Newsweek, and of "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.

"Year by year, the festival's popularity grows, attracting an increasing number of visitors to The Historic Mission Inn. Celebrated annually from late November through early January, the event features over 10 million twinkling lights, festive decorations, and a variety of family-friendly activities. Highlights include the grand switch-on ceremony, live entertainment, food vendors, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus."

When you go, consider taking a behind-the-scenes Lights and Delights VIP Tour, available Monday through Thursday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Rates are $65 for adults and $35 for children, and include a complimentary festive drink.

Also, keep the Mission Inn Resort & Spa in mind for the New Year's Eve Gala: All That Glitters.

This year, they'll have an elegant five-course dinner, a champagne toast at midnight, a balloon drop, a live DJ and more. For those 21 and older.

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