Last year, the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside was named America’s Best Public Lights Display by a national news organization.
Fortunately for Orange County residents, this magical free event is only a few blocks from the Metrolink station.
The Riverside Festival of Lights will begin Nov. 27 at noon followed by the 23rd Annual Festival of Lights Switch-On Ceremony at 4:30 p.m. In one swift move, Riverside’s downtown will be instantly illuminated with more than 3.5 million twinkling lights and spectacular fireworks.
Photo Credit: 10best.com
The lights will be on every day through Jan. 2, 2016. But that’s not all. The festival also features an outdoor ice rink and Santa’s Workshop. Both will be closed on Christmas.
For a great family holiday outing, take the train to the event using the affordable Metrolink Weekend Day Pass. Only $10, it offers travel system-wide on either Saturday or Sunday and is available for purchase at all Metrolink station ticket vending machines.
Other Metrolink discounts are available. Children 5 and under ride free (three children can ride free with an adult who is using a valid ticket; each additional child pays a discounted youth fare). Students of all ages and riders 6 to 18 and younger can receive a 25 percent Metrolink discount on one-way and round-trip tickets and 7-day and monthly passes.