California Corner: Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

Riverside--About 2 million lights will twinkle throughout downtown Riverside and the historic Mission Inn during the annual Festival of Lights. 5:30 p.m. daily through Jan. 13. Free. (800) 344-4225, www.missioninn.com.

Grass Valley--The Cornish Christmas Street Fair, Dec. 21, honors the people from Cornwall, England, who settled in the area in the 1800s. You can still get Cornish pasties around town. Crafts, food and entertainment will fill Main and Mill streets. 5-9 p.m. Free. (800) 655-4667, www.gvncchamber.org.

Fresno--The Kwanzaa Festival, Dec. 26-Jan. 1, offers arts and crafts, storytelling, speakers and food. African-American Historical and Cultural Museum, 1857 Fulton St. 6 p.m. Free. (559) 268-7102.

San Luis Obispo--Higuera Street closes each Thursday night for a street festival offering food booths, a farmers market, music, dance troupes and entertainment for the kids. Also, in Mission Plaza you can get a picture with Santa Claus ($5) at Santa’s House through Dec. 24 or ride the Christmas Classical Carousel through Dec. 29. Downtown. 6-9 p.m. Free. (805) 781-2777, www.visitslo.com.

Escondido--The Grand Processional Parade kicks off First Night Escondido Dec. 31, followed by street circus performances, music from pop to Polynesian, food and entertainment for all ages. California Center for the Arts and on stages throughout downtown. 5:30 p.m.- midnight. $10 in advance, $15 at the door; 5 and younger free; family discount available. (760) 739-0101, www.firstnightescondido.com.

--Laurie K. Schenden

Schenden’s e-mail address is

Lkschenden@msn.com.