The Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside was voted “Best Public Lights in the United States” in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers Poll for 2018 – which should just be wonderful news for those who thought the festival wasn’t nearly crowded enough this year.
The light display celebrated its 26th year with 5 million lights in 2018. That’s in addition to 400 animated figures, a life-size gingerbread house, and the “world’s largest mistletoe” because, sure, why not.
“We want to thank USA Today’s 10 Best experts for bestowing such a tremendous distinction to our annual Festival of Lights,” Mission Inn Owner and COO Kelly Roberts said in a news release (via Press Enterprise). “We are honored as the award speaks to the beloved tradition the festival has become for not only the community but for visitors nationwide.”
The event runs through January 6 in downtown Riverside – which is good news for those who chose to wait a bit to check it out as the crowds around Christmas, were, ummm…
So I made it to the mission inn and it’s freaking packed .-.
— Devin Heredia (@theepapichulo69) December 9, 2018
Went to riverside light festival and it was so crowded. Got hit by two strollers pic.twitter.com/clc8NJSrgp
— Sonya (@Sonya324) December 9, 2018
mission inn was stupid packed ??
— sabrina (@_sabrinaggarcia) November 24, 2018
Why didn’t anyone tell me there would be a line like 1000 people deep at the mission inn thing?
— Adriana (@adrianananah) December 10, 2018
If you are headed out to it, here are some tips.
