For Parking Maps and Activity Map of Downtown Grass Valley during Cornish Christmas scroll towards the bottom of the page.  During the days of the event, if we are not in the office we are setting up the event: Call 530-798-9690 or 1-510-604-1164

Recapture the spirit of Christmas past amid the charming surroundings of historic downtown Grass Valley, California during the annual Cornish Christmas Celebration.  Started in 1967 as a way to preserve Grass Valley’s Cornish heritage and holiday traditions, Cornish Christmas remains one of our most popular events. Mill and West Main Streets are closed to motorized traffic and filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas; carolers, jugglers, musicians, magicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers and of course, Santa Claus. Handmade arts and craft from artists throughout California are displayed on our historic downtown Grass Valley streets. Delicious food and drink can be purchased from a number of Grass Valley restaurants and specialty food vendors.

 

Pause at the steps of the historic Union Building as the Cornish Carol Choir performs traditional homeland Christmas carols. A long-standing Cornish tradition, some members are actually descendants of original Grass Valley Cornish Miners.  Enjoy the wide selection of holiday music offered by local Grass Valley musicians amongst the trappings of an historic gold rush town. Imagine life in another era where men and women worked hard, had little, but cherished the simple pleasures of hearty food and drink, a good song, and a warm fire with family and friends.

 

 

 

At the Grass Valley Cornish Christmas you’ll see kids and adults dressed in period costumes while you discover one of California’s best kept secrets as you shop the amazing collection of merchants that call downtown Grass Valley their home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dine in one of the many world-class restaurants found in downtown Grass Valley. Sample local wines at one of three wine tasting rooms in downtown Grass Valley or just enjoy the simple pleasures of chestnuts roasted on an open fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cornish Christmas celebration is truly an overload of the senses. Stroll down the bustling historic downtown Grass Valley streets as Christmas music fills the air. Hear young and old alike play their rendition your favorite holiday tunes as buildings dressed in Christmas lights sparkle in the December night air. Smell the aroma of your favorite dish while you browse the multitude of gifts and decorations made by some of California’s best crafters and artisans

 

 

Cornish Christmas Entertainment 12/20/19

 

 Location: South Auburn and Main Street near Foggy Mountain Music, 104 W Main St

6:00-8:00 Jody Sweet’s music students on piano at Foggy Mountain Music

6:00-9:00 Free Roasted Chestnuts with Cecil Snow

6:00-9:00 Kettle Corn

 

Location: the Clocktower at corner of Main and Mill Street 130 W Main

6:30-7:30 California Highway Patrol horses

7:00-8:00 Vicki Fortini singing

6:00-9:00 Toys For Tots taking toy donations

6:00-9:00 Grass Valley Downtown Association booth/ Raffle Prize Sheet/

Kano GVPD Police Dog Rüdiger Christmas Ornaments to benefit Rüdiger Foundation/ annual event information

 

Location: Holbrooke Hotel 212 W Main

6:00-7:00 Brandon Stubbs on trumpet

7:00-7:30 Lyman Gilmore Band

7:30-8:30 Jasmine Bailey

6:00-9:00 Fire Pit & S’Mores

6:00-9:00 Bounce House

 

Location: Tofanelli’s 302 W Main

6:00-9:00 and all the time during the week: Letters to Santa that receive a reply

 

Location: Tribal Weaver 105 Mill St

6:30-8:30 Izzi Toinski juggling

6:00-9:00 Face Painting and Balloons nearby

 

Location: Old Town Café

6:00-7:00 Don Baggett horn group

7:00-7:30 Sierra Capella

6:00-9:00 Magicians Guild

6:00-9:00 Fire Pit

 

Location: Foothill Mercantile 121 Mill St

Cornish Christmas Buttons and Annual Downtown Ornament

6:00-9:00 and all week during store hours

 

Location: Bank Building corner of Mill and Bank 131 Mill Street

 7:00-9:00 Jesse Strickman

 

 Location: Crystal Empire Gems 139 Mill Street

 6:00-7:00 Athena and Leander Giuliani

 

Location: The Union Building 151 Mill Street

6:00-6:30 Cornish Choir

7:00-7:30 Cornish Choir

6:00-9:00 Cornish History Booth

 

Location: Tao Te Café and Body Balance Academy 151 Mill Street

 6:30-6:40/ 7:30-7:40 Body Balance Kung Fu Team

7:40-8:10 Hula dancing

 

Location: 125 Neal Street

 Public Restrooms

Open all day until 9pm 125 Neal St

 

 Location: Three Lilies Photography 140 Mill St

6:30-9:00 Santa visits and photography

 

Location: M3 Mall 133 Neal St

6:00-9:00 Free gift wrapping, Cornish Trivia, Cornish King and Queen

photo opportunities & Salvation Army Red Kettle

 

Location: Stucki’s Jewelers 148 Mill St

6:00-9:00 Mrs. Clause on Mill and Main roaming

 

Locations for Mulled Wine

Avanguardia Wines Winery 163 Mill, Cork 49 142 Mill, 128 Mill Lucchesi Vineyards

 

Buskers will pepper open spots for your entertainment!

Extra event parking at Grass Valley Charter School to the right of Diego’s Chilean Inspired South American Restaurant open 5:30-9:30 for the event.

 

 

 

 

2019 Sponsors 

Thank you for your time and donations! We can only do this event with your help!

Click on their logos for links to their websites.  Help support these businesses who support us in producing free community events

 

Title Sponsor, the City of Grass Valley