Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade

By the 1969 Caddy team · Updated November 8, 2026

Photo: Ageofultron, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Temecula wears the holidays well. Old Town’s Western storefronts glow with lights, wineries host festive events and the City brings the community together with two beloved traditions: the Christmas Tree Lighting and Santa’s Electric Light Parade.

Christmas Tree Lighting

The City’s official calendar lists the 2026 Christmas Tree Lighting on Monday, November 30, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The lighting is a family-friendly evening of holiday cheer that officially kicks off the season in Temecula. Check the City’s event page for the location, entertainment and any changes.

Santa’s Electric Light Parade

Santa’s Electric Light Parade takes place on Friday, December 4, 2026, starting at 7 p.m. According to the City, the parade begins at Jefferson Avenue and Del Rio Road and travels into Old Town. Expect floats covered in lights, community groups, music and, of course, Santa himself. Families line the route early with blankets and warm drinks.

More holiday cheer

Beyond the City’s events, the holiday season in Temecula includes festive shopping in Old Town, holiday productions at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater and seasonal events at many wineries and at Pechanga. December evenings are cool and crisp, perfect for strolling Front Street with a hot drink.

Tips for visiting

• Arrive early for parade viewing along the route.
• Dress warmly — December evenings get chilly.
• Check the City’s pages for road closures and parking.
• Make dinner reservations in Old Town on parade night.

A holiday ride in a classic

There is something timeless about a red 1969 Cadillac during the holidays. Book a chauffeured evening to tour the lights, attend a winery holiday party or arrive in style for a family celebration. Your driver handles the holiday traffic and parking, and the Cadillac’s cozy rear bench makes for unforgettable family photos.

Who will love it

Families, couples and visitors looking for small-town holiday charm will love Temecula’s celebrations. They are also a lovely backdrop for holiday proposals, company parties and family reunions — and because December weekends are popular, reserve the Cadillac on DriveShare early.

Planning your visit

Temecula’s festivals and events draw big crowds, so plan early: buy tickets as soon as they go on sale, reserve dinner nearby and book hotels well in advance for major weekends. Check the organizer’s official website for the latest schedule, parking, shuttle and road-closure information, and arrive early to beat traffic. Dress in layers, since Temecula’s days can be warm and evenings cool, and bring water and sun protection for outdoor events. If you plan to taste wine, arrange a ride or designated driver — and because classic-car rentals book up quickly on event weekends, reserve the 1969 Cadillac on DriveShare as soon as your plans are set.

Best time to go

Events draw crowds and fill nearby hotels and restaurants, so book accommodation, dinners and transportation well in advance, and arrive early.

Make a day of it

A sample Temecula day built around Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade:

1. Late morning — chauffeured pickup at your hotel and a slow cruise up Rancho California Road.
2. Afternoon — two winery tastings with a lunch stop in wine country.
3. Golden hour — drop-off on Old Town Front Street for photos with the car.
4. Evening — Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade, then a ride back to your hotel with the top down.

Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade at a glance

Details from official and Visit Temecula Valley sources, November 2026. Hours, menus, prices and dates change — confirm on the official website before you go.

Getting to Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade in a 1969 Cadillac

Old Town Temecula is compact and walkable, but parking on Front Street fills quickly on weekends and during events. Arriving by chauffeured 1969 Cadillac solves that neatly: your driver drops you at the door, waits or circles back, and collects you when you are ready — and a red convertible on Front Street’s Western boardwalks makes for the most photographed arrival in town.

Chauffeured hire is $325 per hour with a three-hour minimum, booked and protected through DriveShare. Tell us where you want to go and we will build the route — Holidays in Temecula: Tree Lighting & Santa’s Electric Light Parade plus a winery or two, a sunset stop and a ride home.

Book the '69 Cadillac on DriveShare

More things to do nearby

• 1909 — restaurants
• Baily's Old Town Temecula — restaurants
• Luke's On Front — restaurants
• Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse — restaurants
• E.A.T. Marketplace — restaurants

All things to do in Temecula → · Month-by-month events calendar → · Temecula wineries →

Frequently asked questions