Out Christmas-ing Christmas: Mission Inn Lights

We won't be jetting to The Continent this year, what with the dollar and all, but the Mission Inn in Riverside is really very nearly like calling upon some mysterious, historic chateau deep in France's wine country. And when the famous hotel puts on the Christmas lights, however, it really spectacular-ups the season; in fact, the Mission Inn's light display has become known far outside the reaches of SoCal. 

So is it merely a string here or there? That, times like 50,000, give or take. There are, in fact, some 3,500,000 lights adorning the nook-and-cranny-adorned building starting the Friday after Thanksgiving through the end of the year. It's a picture-postcard book of dazzling vistas and holidays scenes: Nutcracker soldiers, angels, a bevy of ornaments and a charming horse-drawn carriage.

As mentioned, the Mission Inn keeps the merriment going throughout December, but if you want to see Duane Robert, the haute hotel's owner, turn the lights on to great fanfare, be there at sundown on Friday, November 28. Caroling from costumed singers and a joyous, let's-get-this-party-started feeling in the air are all part of the scene. 

Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Starts at sundown, Friday, November 28 (closes Thursday, January 1, 2009)
Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside
951-784-0300

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