Riverside Tones Down Annual Festival Of Lights At Mission Inn

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RIVERSIDE (CBSLA) — The annual Festival of Lights has been dimmed just a little this year to discourage crowds at the Mission Inn in Riverside.

(credit: CBS)

The annual Christmas display of thousands of blazing lights at the landmark hotel will be limited to socially-distanced light displays and décor, and there will be no switch-on ceremony this year. The hotel will also not bring in vendors or attractions.

Also missing this year are activities like horse-drawn carriage rides and an outdoor skating rink.

RIVERSIDE, CA - NOVEMBER 29, 2020: Wearing face masks, a family stays close while browsing the holiday decorations during the pandemic at the Festival of Lights on November 29, 2020 in downtown Riverside, California. The festival is very subdued this year due to COVID-19 health restrictions. The streets arent blocked off and among the missing activities are the horse drawn carriage rides and the outdoor skating rink.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The city of Riverside decided to move forward this year with more conservative displays for the holidays due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Riverside County remains in the state's most restrictive purple tier, which does not allow large gatherings.

Downtown Riverside's free Christmas light displays will be up through Dec. 31.

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