As a hint of white graces the trees, buildings and roads... the historic downtown areas up and down Hwy 49's Gold Country slip back in time to celebrate Christmas. Come enjoy Christmas right out of Currier and Ives. You will enjoy a holiday shopping experience that will have you making this a family tradition. We will be taking pictures though out the season and updating them on this page so please check back. We always suggest calling or visiting the website of the Chambers and Visitor Bureaus (listed below) in the area you wish to visit, prior traveling, for news on changes or additions to events... don't forget your camera! We invite you to email us photos (JPGs or GIFs) of your favorite Holiday Spot so we can share them on historichwy49.com. Sierra County December For Sierra County information call: 800-200-4949 http://www.sierracounty.org Nevada City December 1st, 8th, 15th, 12th & 19th Victorian Christmas 2010 Victorian Christmas, the old-fashioned celebration held each year in this colorful California Gold Rush town, evokes holiday memories of an earlier era. During the event, Nevada City’s landmark historic district is closed to motorized traffic and transformed back in time. Christmas melodies and costumed characters remind visitors of another time and place. Victorian Christmas 2010 is featured Wednesday nights, Dec. 1, 8, and 15, from 5-9 p.m., and on two Sunday afternoons, Dec. 12 and Dec. 19, from 1:30-6 p.m. There is no admission charge. Holiday celebrants fill the streets, sampling the outdoor fare of friendly hawkers and vendors and food and goods offered by downtown restaurants and specialty shops. Victorian singers, bagpipers, a living nativity scene and visits with Santa Claus are among the attractions. Taste chestnuts roasted on an open fire and enjoy strolling minstrels, brass bands, hay wagon rides and much more. Free parking at the Nevada County Government Center on Hwy. 49 $5 Roundtrip Shuttle to Victorian Christmas 4:30-9:30 on Wed. noon-6:30 on Sun. For information, contact the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at (530) 265-2692 or toll-free (800) 655-NJOY. 9th & 16th - The Candlelight Inn Tour Allow us to invite you into our festively adorned Inns and entreat you to sample refreshments made from some of our own special recipes. Each Inn is uniquely decorated and has it’s own rich history. Staying guest receive free passes and non guest tour participants may purchase tickets at any Inn for $10 or at the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce & the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce. All tour participants may begin the tour at any Inn. For more information call our Inn Referral service at 530-477-6634. For Nevada City information call: 800-655-NJOY or 530-265-2692 http://www.nevadacitychamber.com Grass Valley November - December Friday Nights, Nov. 26 - Dec. 17, 2010 from 6:00 - 9:00pm 44th Annual Cornish Christmas Celebrate the holidays with an old-fashioned Cornish Christmas in Grass Valley and Victorian Christmas in Nevada City. Musicians, merchants, food vendors and more take to the festive downtown streets of Grass Valley for Cornish Christmas on Friday nights November 26 through December 17, 2010.  Finish off the turkey and join us the day after Thanksgiving as residents and visitors begin the Christmas season celebration!   We'll be celebrating every Friday night through December before Christmas! The 44 Annual Cornish Christmas Celebration Mill and Main Streets ~ Downtown Grass Valley Fridays 6 pm - 9 pm November 26 December 3 December 10 December 17Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Santa chuckling with the children, handcrafted gifts for purchase, Cornish Carolers, entertainers,and a variety of  foods to choose from.  There is no better place for the holidays than Christmas in the SIerras!  Admission is your jolly holiday spirit! 9th & 16th - The Candlelight Inn Tour Allow us to invite you into our festively adorned Inns and entreat you to sample refreshments made from some of our own special recipes. Each Inn is uniquely decorated and has it’s own rich history. Staying guest receive free passes and non guest tour participants may purchase tickets at any Inn for $10 or at the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce & the Grass Valley Chamber of Commerce. All tour participants may begin the tour at any Inn. For more information call our Inn Referral service at 530-477-6634. For Grass Valley information call: 800-655-4667 or 530-273-4667 http://www.grassvalleychamber.com Penn Valley Area call: 530-432-1802 Auburn December 4th Festival of Lights Parade Festival of Lights Parade “The Light in a Child’s Eyes”- Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Click Here for printable application or for more info, calll the Chamber Office 885-5616. Saturday, Dec. 18th - 5pm Old Town Auburn 24thAnnual Old Town Country Christmas The whole community is invited to share in the holiday fun. Crafters and artists will have their wares on sale for that special one-of-a-kind Christmas gift. Great food and entertainment, pictures with Santa. Shops  and restaurants open. Holiday Open House in all shops! For more info contact Linda at 888-1585 or visit www.oldtownauburnca.com For Placer County information call: 530-887-2111 http://www.auburnchamber.net http://www.placer.ca.gov Coloma 11th - 12th - Christmas in Coloma An old-fashioned Christmas in the heart of the Gold Country! There's no better way to ring in the holidays. An annual family celebration, and annual fundraiser for Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, local volunteers recreate an 1850s country Christmas. Pick up a freshly-made wreath to decorate your home, or go to the wreath-making booth and build your own. Costumed volunteers will be happy to share the art of cornhusk dollmaking or ropemaking with you and your children, and vendors will sell you beautiful hand-made crafts and products -- great for gifts and for your own house. Of course our old-fashioned Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to talk with your children. This is the place to get your photographs with Santa! Your kids can enjoy trying out old-fashioned children's games, including our pioneer bowling lane. They can also play on our hill of snow brought fresh from the mountains for their enjoyment!Enjoy 19th century Christmas programs and plays, and visit the Park's historic buildings including the blacksmith shop's live demonstrations of creating ironware. When you get hungry, visit the food vendors for pioneer cooking or old-fashioned goodies, or try some fresh, hot roasted chestnuts. All funds raised over the weekend go right back into programs at the Park - come back all year round!The event runs from 10am - 4pm both days. Parking is $7 for an entire carload. For more information about the event or the Park, call 530-295-2170 or 530-622-3470. If you'd like to volunteer for decorating or the event, or inquire about vendor spots, call the Gold Discovery Park Association at 530-622-6198. For additional information on Christmas in Coloma visit http://www.coloma.com For El Dorado County information call: 530-621-5885 http://www.eldoradocounty.org Placerville December 5th - 33rd Annual Christmas Parade For old fashioned holiday fun join us for the 33rd Annual Christmas Parade. This year's theme "The 12 days of Christmas" is sure to attract some unique and playful entries. Classic Cars, Marching Bands, Carolers, Floats and Fire Engines will all be on hand rain or shine. The parade starts at the Mountain Democrat parking lot on upper Broadway in Placerville at 1pm and makes its way down Main Street. For info call (530) 621-5885. 11th - Tea in Toyland The 12th annual Tea in Toyland will be presented by the Friends of Old Hangtown on at the Town Hall in Placerville from 12:30 - 3:00pm. This event relates the Christmas story of the Cinnamon Bear, who enjoyed a long run on the radio in the late 1930's. All Friends are in costumes of Nursery Rhyme characters. Tea and cookies are served. Advance purchase only $5 Children, $8 Adults. Tickets available at the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce, 530-621-5885, and at the Bookery, 530-626-6454. 11th & 12th - Christmas in Coloma Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park volunteers recreate an 1850's country Christmas. From 10am to 4pm Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park comes alive with crafts, living history, old-fashioned games and food. And of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there to talk with the children and photos are welcome. Parking is just $7 for an entire carload. For more information about the event, call 530-295-2170 or 530-622-3470. For El Dorado County information call: 530-621-5885 http://www.visit-eldorado.com Amador City, Sutter Creek and Jackson December 4 - Calico Christmas 11:00 am Location: Downtown Amador City Experience and old-fashioned Christmas! Merchants offer goodies and refreshments. Santa will be in town all afternoon. A candlelight walk starts at 5:30pm. The Christmas Tree is lit at 6:00 p.m. followed by caroling. Stores are open until 8:00 p.m. 11 - Parade of Lights 6:30 pm Location: Main Street, Sutter Creek, CA Come to Sutter Creek's Main Street for this spectacular parade! Every entry must have lights, whether it be a vehicle, bike, dog, or a person! To download the Parade Entry Form, go to http://www.suttercreek.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/ParadeOfLights2010photoandapp.pdf For Amador County information call: 209-223-0350 Alpine County call: 530-694-2475 http://www.suttercreek.org http://www.amadorcountychamber.com http://www.amador-city.com Angels Camp December For Angels Camp information call: 209-736-0049 http://www.calaveras.org Sonora December 1 - Tree Of Lights - Red Church in Sonora - (209) 533-6800 1 - 12 - Columbia City Hotels - 28th Annual Victorian Christmas Feast - 209-532-1479 3 - Twain Harte "Winter Wonderland Christmas Parade" - (209) 586-5197 3 - 4 - Columbia State Historic Park: Lamp Light Tour- Park Docents - (209) 588-9128 3 - 4 - Groveland Hotel - Feast of the Season - "Christmas Through the Ages" - (209)-962-4000 3 - 4 - Dodge Ridge Wintersports - December Schedule - 209-965-3474 3 - 5 - Columbia College Community Chorus -Sounds of the Season - 209-586-5965 4 - 20 - Jamestown Christmas Celebration - (209) 984-3370 9 - Columbia State Historic Park "Merry Merchants" - (209) 588-5144 11 - Ornaments with Santa - 533-1309 11 - Columbia State Historic Park: Las Posadas Nativity Procession - 209-536-1672 12 - Columbia State Historic Park: Christmas Equestrian Parade - 209-599-2620 18 - Milk and Cookies with Santa - 533-4709 18 - Black Irish Christmas - 18 - 19 - Railtown 1897 - Santa by Daylight - Dec - (209) 984-3953 For Sonora information call: 209-533-4420 http://www.tcchamber.com http://www.thegreatunfenced.com Mariposa December 4th - The Merry Mountain Christmas Festival and Parade Lighted Christmas Parade starts at 5pm Art Park Lights up at 7:00 pm  Parade Trophy Ceremony, Vendor booths, and lights, lights, lights all fill the evening with spirit and joy Click the tree for parade details and forms For Mariposa County information call: 209-966-3685 http://www.mariposa.org Oakhurst December 4 - Oakhurst Community Tree Lighting Ceremony Date: December 4, 2010 Time: 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm 5 - Christmas at Fresno Flats Date: December 5, 2010 Time: 11:00 am - 4:00 pm 13 - Christmas Home Tour http://www.oakhurstchamber.com/ or call: 559-683-7766 or, the Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau at www.YosemiteThisYear.com or call: 559.683.4636