Nevada City Victorian Christmas: A California Christmas Town
Victorian Christmas is an annual event held in the historic downtown of Nevada City, California, on Wednesdays and Sundays throughout December.
It feels like stepping into a real-life Hallmark Christmas movie with charming buildings, friendly locals, and a small-town feel! Nevada City is the perfect California Christmas town to visit for the holidays.
The first time I visited Nevada City was for Victorian Christmas, and I completely fell in love with the small town charm. I’ve since been back in the summertime for a weekend getaway from the Bay Area.
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Nevada City Victorian Christmas is a quintessential holiday event with a street fair with booths, all-out Christmas decor throughout the town, and peak holiday cheer.
While I recommend spending a night or two in Nevada City for the best experience, it’s doable as a day trip if you’re a couple of hours away. I did it as a day trip from the Bay Area on a Wednesday!
If you’re looking for Christmas activities to do in California, the Nevada City Victorian Christmas is the perfect festive event.
When is Victorian Christmas in Nevada City?
Victorian Christmas takes place on Sundays and Wednesdays in December each year. Wednesdays are just the evening and go later into the night, while Sundays start earlier in the day and end earlier.
Sundays: December 7, 14, & 21, 2025, from 1:30–6 pm
Wednesdays: December 10 & 17, 2025, from 5–9 pm
We went on a Wednesday and talked to locals who said Sundays are far more crowded. They also said Wednesdays are colloquially called “locals’ night,” though they were incredibly welcoming to us non-locals.
If you want to avoid major crowds and get a better feel for the local culture of Nevada City, Wednesday would be the best day to visit!
Things To Do at Victorian Christmas
Street Fair Booths
The main event at Victorian Christmas in Nevada City is the large outdoor fair with booths lining the streets throughout the historic downtown area.
There are over 100 booths with art, jewelry, home goods, vintage finds, packaged foods, Victorian costumes, and much more!
I went home with a bag of loose-leaf Rooibos Chai tea that I love enjoying in the evenings since it’s caffeine-free. My sister bought an adorable sterling silver ring at a jewelry booth that had the nicest guy working it!
Food Trucks
In addition to all the art and goods booths, there are also over a dozen food and beverage booths, like the Nevada City Chamber Bar Booth, serving hot buttered rum and hot toddies.
You can also grab snacks or even a full meal at one of the many food trucks during the Victorian Christmas event. The Ethiopian food truck was my first experience with Ethiopian food, and I enjoyed the soup I got.
As we were about ready to head home, we noticed a long line for a hot dog cart and lined up after seeing they had vegan hot dog options.
The hot dogs and toppings were absolutely worth the wait! Plus, we got to chatting with some nice locals in line behind us while we waited.
Roasted Chestnuts
I had never eaten a roasted chestnut before coming to Victorian Christmas in Nevada City! My only context of them was the Christmas song (you know the one).
At the fire pit in the center of town, in the same area as all the food trucks, chestnuts are literally roasted on an open fire and given away for free to anyone who wants them.
You may need to hang out for a bit to get one (or two) chestnuts, as they’re a popular attraction. Just enjoy the fire pit until the next round of chestnuts is roasted and passed around!
Christmas Tree
A local, 25-foot tree is covered in red bows and lights each year and displayed in front of the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce at Robinson Plaza.
The small plaza is a great spot to eat your food from the food trucks if there are any tables and chairs available. There are also bathrooms (portables) in this plaza!
Historic Downtown
The real gem of Nevada City is its charming downtown with historic buildings, local shops, and restaurants. Once the heart of a Gold Rush boom town, downtown is still thriving today.
Broad Street is the main historic street, while the streets running parallel on either side—Commercial Street and Spring Street—are just as adorable.
During Victorian Christmas, Broad Street, Commercial Street, South Pine, North Pine, and part of York Street are closed to cars. These streets are where you’ll find the vendors during the street fair.
Department 56 Dickens Village Display
If you, like me, have never heard of the Dickens Village, then the best way to describe it is a collection of small building models arranged into a town.
The Nevada City Chamber of Commerce has a large collection of these Dickens Village models, which were gifted to the town. You can see the display in the windows at 210 Broad Street (across from the National Exchange Hotel).
I wasn’t aware of this collection before visiting, but the Dickens Village display in the window quickly caught my eye as I walked by! It’s adorably set up with mini flocked trees and fake snow.
Know Before You Go
Parking & Shuttle
Parking is extremely limited in Nevada City. The only option is street parking, unless you stay overnight and your accommodations have parking.
If you come early on a Wednesday, you’ll be more likely to find a street spot within walking distance of downtown. Even then, many people come early to find parking.
On Sundays, it’s far more crowded, and it’s highly recommended to utilize the shuttle.
The shuttle picks you up at the Nevada County Rood Center and drops you off right in downtown Nevada City. It costs $7 per person over 15 to ride into town, and the return ride is free.
Depending on when you arrive/leave, there may be a long line to get on a shuttle. Just keep that in mind when you leave, as the shuttle only runs for an hour after the end of the event!
Shuttle Hours:
Wednesdays: 4:30–10 pm
Sundays: 1–7 pm
For more details about the shuttle and event, you can visit the official Nevada City Chamber website.
Victorian Costumes
You do not need to dress up for the Nevada City Victorian Christmas event, but it’s encouraged! I didn’t dress up — I wore jeans, boots, a sweater, and a long coat.
Though the majority of people do not dress up, there are people dressed up in Victorian costumes and booths selling them.
Weather
When we arrived during the day, it was warm walking around while the sun was out. As soon as the sun went down, the cold was biting and felt icy.
Especially if you’re visiting on a Sunday, when the event starts in the afternoon, wear layers so you’re comfortable both during the day and after dark.
Restrooms
There are multiple public restrooms throughout town, including at City Hall and porta-potties in the aforementioned Robinson Plaza.
The Commercial Street Parking Lot is the only other location, aside from City Hall, that has a non-portable restroom.
All other restrooms for the event are porta-potties located throughout town.
Where To Stay in Nevada City
While visiting Nevada City for Victorian Christmas, I went into the National Exchange Hotel and absolutely loved the modern Art Deco design.
You can go onto the patio on the second floor to get a lovely view of all the booths lining Broad Street, even if you aren’t a hotel guest.
We didn’t stay overnight during Victorian Christmas, but I came back to Nevada City in the summer to stay at the National Exchange Hotel after I couldn’t stop thinking about it. It was amazing!
Since the National Exchange Hotel is popular, it can get booked up, especially during Victorian Christmas.
Other accommodations in Nevada City:
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