12 California Towns With Hallmark-Movie Christmas Lights (and Holiday Charm!)
- calivelist
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you’ve ever watched a Hallmark Christmas movie and secretly wished you could step right into the glowing small-town magic—twinkle lights, historic main streets, cozy shops, and carolers—good news: California has towns that absolutely deliver the festive fairytale vibes.
Whether you’re planning a December weekend getaway or simply want to wander somewhere that feels merry and magical, these charming California towns go all-in on holiday lights and Christmas cheer.
Here are 12 California towns that look straight out of a Hallmark movie.
1. Nevada City
Gold Country
Nevada City is California’s holiday superstar. Every December, this Victorian Gold Rush town transforms into a glowing postcard during its Victorian Christmas Festival, complete with costumed vendors, roasted chestnuts, carolers, and old-fashioned lanterns lighting up the streets.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Stroll Broad Street as storefronts sparkle with lights
Sip hot cider while browsing local artisan booths
Listen to brass bands and carolers echoing through the streets
Most Magical Spot:
Broad Street at dusk when all the lights flicker on.
2. Grass Valley
Gold Country
Just minutes from Nevada City, Grass Valley puts on its own festive spectacle with Cornish Christmas—a community celebration featuring lights, live music, vendors, and the charm of a historic downtown decked out head to toe.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Explore the downtown decked in garland and twinkle lights
Shop for handmade gifts at the holiday street fair
Warm up with mulled wine or hot cocoa
Most Magical Spot:
Main Street’s hanging lights glowing above the crowd.
3. Solvang
Santa Barbara County
Solvang already looks like a movie set year-round—add twinkle lights and it’s a full-blown winter wonderland. The Danish-style village hosts Julefest, a month-long holiday celebration complete with a tree lighting ceremony, candlelight tours, and Scandinavian Christmas décor.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Enjoy the Christmas Market Light Show
Wander Copenhagen Drive glowing in Danish-inspired lights
Visit the giant Christmas tree in Solvang Park
Most Magical Spot:
The windmill on Copenhagen Drive lit up at night.
4. Ferndale
Humboldt County
This Victorian coastal village is one of California’s most charming holiday destinations—and home to one of the tallest lighted Christmas trees in America. The entire Main Street glows with vintage storefronts wrapped in garland and holiday cheer.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Watch the annual Christmas tree lighting
Stroll down Main Street to admire Victorian holiday displays
Visit local bakeries decorated like holiday storybooks
Most Magical Spot:
The 150-foot Ferndale Christmas tree towering over town.
5. Mendocino
North Coast
Mendocino’s dramatic cliffs meet cozy, candle-lit charm. December brings misty mornings, quaint inns draped in lights, and the beloved Festival of Lights at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens—one of the most magical holiday experiences in Northern California.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Wander the Botanical Gardens’ glowing tunnels of light
Stroll the historic village of Mendocino lined with white lights
Warm up in front of a fire at a cliffside inn
Most Magical Spot:
The light tunnel at the Botanical Gardens—a photographer’s dream.
6.Napa / Yountville
Wine Country
Yountville transforms into a luxurious Hallmark set during the Yountville Festival of Lights, with twinkling trees, glowing tasting rooms, and wine-country hospitality that feels magical.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Wander the illuminated Washington Street boutiques
Enjoy holiday wine tasting in glowing tasting rooms
Attend the tree lighting ceremony
Most Magical Spot:
Washington Street’s tree-lined sidewalks glowing gold.
7. Healdsburg
Sonoma County
Healdsburg is already charming—but December adds thousands of lights to its downtown plaza, creating a dreamy winter scene with fire pits, festive tastings, and boutique shops dressed for the season.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Attend the annual tree lighting
Sip holiday blends at local tasting rooms
Shop boutiques with old-fashioned holiday displays
Most Magical Spot:
Healdsburg Plaza with its glowing canopy of lights.
8. Carmel-by-the-Sea
Monterey County
Carmel is a fairytale any time of year, but December brings Dickens-style caroling, glowing cottages, and beautifully decorated storefronts that look ripped from a Hallmark romance plot.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Watch the Carmel tree lighting ceremony
Wander Ocean Avenue’s festive cottages
Grab a peppermint latte from a decorated local café
Most Magical Spot:
Ocean Avenue illuminated under sparkling garland.
9. Julian
San Diego County Mountains
Looking for real snow? Julian is your Hallmark snow-globe moment. This historic mountain town celebrates with festive lights, holiday treats, and cozy mountain magic.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Attend the Julian Country Christmas Tree Lighting
Wander decorated Main Street with fresh apple cider
Explore shops trimmed in classic Christmas décor
Most Magical Spot:
Main Street after a snowfall—pure Christmas postcard.
10. Sutter Creek
Gold Country
One of the most underrated Christmas towns in California, Sutter Creek lights up with Victorian charm, cozy tasting rooms, and shops decorated like holiday storybooks.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Wander down Main Street’s vintage lamp-lit sidewalks
Pop into local boutiques for festive gifts
Warm up with wine tasting at charming cellars
Most Magical Spot:
Main Street’s glowing holiday lamp posts.
11. Winters
Yolo County
Winters is one of Northern California’s most charming small towns—and during the holidays, it transforms into a warm, glowing Hallmark-style wonderland. Historic Main Street drapes itself in twinkle lights, shops decorate their windows like festive storybooks, and the town’s Holiday Tractor Parade draws thousands of visitors each year with its whimsical, light-covered floats.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Stroll through Historic Downtown Winters as the buildings glow with lights
Sip mulled wine, hot cocoa, or seasonal cocktails at local restaurants
Browse holiday gifts at local boutiques and artisan shops
Most Magical Spot:
The Downtown Winters archway and Main Street lit up with twinkle lights—perfect for a movie-worthy holiday photo.
12. Riverside (Mission Inn)
Inland Empire
The Mission Inn's Festival of Lights is one of the most spectacular holiday displays in the country—over 5 million lights, carriage rides, giant ornaments, and fireworks. Not technically a small town, but it feels like the town square of a holiday romance movie.
Hallmark-Movie Things to Do
Walk the glowing Mission Inn streets
See the giant illuminated ornaments
Enjoy holiday treats from street vendors
Most Magical Spot:
The light canopy at the hotel entrance—iconic.
Ready to Plan Your Hallmark-Style Holiday Getaway?
From Victorian villages to glowing wine country towns, California offers endless festive charm. Whether you want snow-dusted small towns, coastal lights, or cozy wine country romance, these destinations bring movie magic to life.