Now that Thanksgiving's behind us, Christmas is in the air - and nowhere will that air be more festive than in Courthouse Square this Saturday, as Redwood City kicks off its annual Hometown Holidays Festival!
Entering downtown Redwood City this Saturday will feel like Jack Skellington walking into Christmas Land, as one is greeted by homemade snow to jump, roll around and make snow angels in; Santa beckoning for little ones to sit on his lap and describe everything they want to find in their stockings; a lively Carnival; artists and food vendors showing off their holiday wares; live musical acts tempting all to get up and dance; and even Caltrain riding by, all decked up like a Christmas train.
Two of the event's highlights will surely be the lighting of the holiday tree at 5:45 p.m., and the Fireworks Spectacular from 5:50-6:00 p.m.
A long list of performers is scheduled to appear this year, including Sequoia High School's marching band and dance team, Woodside High School's orchestra and jazz band, the North Star Academy chorus, John Gill Elementary's advanced dance group. the Peninsula Girls' Choir, and many more. There will also be a "Rock Star Stage" with professional bands.
Hometown Holidays is presented by the Downtown Business Group and supported by the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission and the City of Redwood City.
See a list of activities below, and download a map of the festival area in the photos section of this article.
BE SURE TO STOP BY PATCH'S BOOTH! We'll be set up on Middlefield Road (Theatre Way) with our prize wheel ready to go and goodies to give out! Come by and meet your friendly local Peninsula editors, including RedwoodCity-Woodside Patch Editor Jennifer van der Kleut.
For more information, visit www.hometownholidays.org.
- Play in the Snow! - 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Watch professional ice carving - beginning at 9 a.m.
- Photos With Santa - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Musical Entertainment - throughout the day
- Carnival - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Vendor Booths - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (look for Patch's booth on Middlefield!)
- Children's Parade - 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- City Tree Lighting - 5:45 p.m.
- Fireworks Spectacular! - 5:50-6:00 p.m.
- Caltrain Holiday Train rides - 6:15-6:35 p.m.
- Movie at Courthouse Square (weather permitting)
ROAD CLOSURES TO BE AWARE OF ON FESTIVAL DAY
See the roadblock symbols on the event map in the photos section. Roadblocks will be set up at several intersections and spots throughout downtown:
- Hamilton Street, at the intersections of Winslow Street and Marshall Street
- Theatre Way (Middlefield) at the intersections of Marshall Street and Winslow Street
- Jefferson Avenue, on either side of Broadway
- Off Broadway between the Marshall and Main Street garages, where the Rock Star Stage will be set up (Marshall garage can still be accessed from Marshall Street and Main Street garage can still be accessed from Main Street, but not accessible from Broadway during the event)
- Broadway, at the intersections of Winslow Street and Main Street
PATCH WANTS TO KNOW - Do you plan to attend Hometown Holidays? Have you been in past years, and if so, what did you think of the event? Tell us in the comments below.
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