Worth the Drive: See the Mission Inn's 3.6 Million Lights Turn On Friday

If you're looking for something to do this Black Friday other than shop-- why not get into the holiday spirit and check out what's touted as "one of the nation's largest light displays"?

The Mission Inn in Riverside is widely known for its huge Christmas lights display, and this year it will continue the 20-year-long tradition with a "flipping of the switch" on Friday, Nov. 23.

There will be a welcome ceremony at 4:30 p.m., and the switch will be turned on to the 3.6 million lights at 5:30 p.m., according to hotel representatives.  After that, there will be a fireworks show.

“We are honored that the Festival of Lights is celebrating its 20th year,” said owners Duane and Kelly Roberts. “Festival of Lights has become such a cherished part of the holiday season, with many families making it an annual tradition.”

The festival, which will wrap up Jan. 5, is supported by the city of Riverside, which this year allocated $389,000 to put Christmas lights on the mall, along connecting streets and around municipal buildings.

Funds also went toward a 45-by-90-foot ice skating rink on Main street, between Mission Inn and University avenues, as well as a mini train, visits from Santa and the Dickens carolers, who make the rounds several nights a week singing Christmas favorites.

Horse-drawn carriage rides will be available nightly.

The Mission Inn is the main attraction. A two-story Christmas tree will be on display in front of the hotel, where inn employees will try for a Guinness World Record by creating a garland of mistletoe 15 feet long and 8 feet wide.

Holiday displays in and around the century-old inn will include some 400 animated characters, such as elves, toy soldiers, nutcrackers and angels.

A winter wonderland, packed with real snow, is planned, complete with live reindeer that will accompany Santa during a few of his appearances.

A 20-person crew began stringing lights and decorating in September to get ready for Friday. The festival drew about 250,000 visitiors last year, according to the Mission Inn.

Check out the numbers behind the event:

• Over 3.6 million lights
• 250,000+ Festival of Lights guests in 2011
• 12’ x 8’ Mistletoe
• Over 400 animated figures, including angels, elves and carolers
• 10 weeks of round-the-clock preparations, orchestrated by a crew of 30
• 20 years running / 1992 inaugural year

Hotel rooms for the Inn can sell out far in advance for the weekends as people come to town just for the lights.  Check out room information here.

The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is located at 3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside, CA.

City News Service contributed to this report.