Prepare to be mesmerized by spectacular displays of winter holiday decorations in Stockton. Our mild weather is perfect for enjoying the Season and the many diverse events coming up in December.
Take a drive through the locally renowned Meadow Avenue a.k.a. Stockton’s Christmas Lane. Its residents turn up the art of Christmas decorations to 11! Or step back in time to the pioneer days among dozens of uniquely adorned Christmas trees at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum.
The one local event you should not miss this time of year is the Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade on Stockton’s historic waterfront. Scores of local boaters bedazzle their yachts with colorful, twinkling lights and take them for a ride on the Stockton Deep Water Channel. An insider tip: beat the traffic by taking a number 40 bus on Pacific Avenue at Brubeck Way and get off at the Stockton Arena – the boats will pass right behind the Arena.
Winter holiday celebrations
- Dec. 2 – 4, The annual Festival of Trees at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum features over 60 uniquely decorated Christmas trees, historical exhibits and handcrafts demonstrations with docents dressed in Victorian and pioneer clothes.
- Dec. 3, the inaugural Stockton Holiday Parade will wind down through downtown Stockton culminating in the annual city’s tree lighting ceremony.
- Dec. 3, the annual Delta Reflections Lighted Boat Parade on Stockton’s waterfront has delighted spectators for over 40 years. Bundle up and enjoy the show!
- Dec. 17, “Stockton Sleigh” at the Stockton Arena will feature food and merchandise, live music and an indoor run/dash. Oh, don’t forget your ugly holiday sweater for a chance to win a prize!
If you’re looking for sports and recreation
- Ice skating: Oak Park Ice Arena is the Valley’s premiere ice skating rink.
- Basketball: the Stockton Kings will play on Dec. 3, 7, 9 and 13 in the 12,000-seat Stockton Arena on the downtown waterfront. The team is an affiliate of the Sacramento Kings and a member of the NBA G League, the official minor league of the NBA.
- Golf: From public to private, explore Stockton’s golf courses.
If you prefer arts, food and culture
- Through Dec. 18, Stockton Civic Theatre brings onto the stage Lionel Bart’s musical “Oliver!” The musical is based on Charles Dickens’ beloved novel “Oliver Twist.”
- Through December, Haggin Museum features “Sci-Fi to Superheroes: The Art of Sideshow Collectibles,” a selection of limited-edition fine art prints and three-dimensional figures representing characters from iconic brands such as DC, Marvel and Star Wars.
- Through December, multimedia Art Faculty Exhibition at the Horton Art Gallery, San Joaquin Delta College
- Dec. 1-4, “Lysistrata” is a fast-paced anti-war comedy inspired by Aristophanes’s play by the same title. See it at the Tillie Lewis Theatre, San Joaquin Delta College.
- Dec. 18, “White Christmas” is a musical holiday movie of epic proportions. It will be a treat to watch it in the iconic Bob Hope Theatre.
- Dec. 18, Chanukah Manorah Lighting at Lincoln Center with traditional music and food.
If live entertainment is what you need
- Dec. 3, Bob Hope Theatre presents “UNI-2 Latin Comedy Tour” featuring Teo Gonzalez and Rogelio Ramos, two of Mexico’s biggest stand-up comedy stars together for the first time in the U.S.
- Dec. 3, Stockton Soul Orchestra and guests present “Someday at Christmas,” an evening of music and spoken word at Central United Methodist Church.
- Dec. 4, “Tis the Season” is the Stockton Symphony’s concert featuring mezzo-soprano Monica Danilov and a variety of winter-themed musical favorites at the Warren Atherton Auditorium, San Joaquin Delta College.
- Dec. 8, an evening of holiday-themed jazz music at Take 5 Jazz Club inside the Valley Brew on the Mile. Great music, good eats and a laid-back atmosphere are what draws people to this local destination.
- Dec. 11, the Stockton Chorale presents their annual concert “A Winter Night: Holiday Collage” at Warren Atherton Auditorium, San Joaquin Delta College.
- Dec. 14, Alton Brown brings his hilarious foodie show “Beyond the Eats the Holiday Variant” to the historic Bob Hope Theatre.
- Dec. 15, the Opus Handbell Ensemble presents an evening of unique entertainment at the Haggin Museum. Enjoy a complementary glass of wine!
Check our local farmer’s markets and street fairs
- Dec. 14, A Holiday Market at the Yosemite Street Village
Thursdays
Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays
Saturdays and Sundays
- Year-round Flea Market at Delta College
New events are always added to the Stockton event calendar. Go to the Visit Stockton website to learn more.