# Christmas markets and winter wonderlands in Inland Empire, 2026

> We found four Christmas markets and winter events in and around Inland Empire with 2026 dates posted: three holiday markets and one winter wonderland event. One is free to get in. They’re spread over three areas, with the most in Riverside.

- Last checked: 2026-10-30
- 4 markets and winter events with 2026 dates
- Canonical page: https://littlesweekly.com/inland-empire/christmas-markets/
- Santa visits (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/inland-empire/santa/index.md
- This week (Markdown): https://littlesweekly.com/inland-empire/index.md
- City index for agents: https://littlesweekly.com/inland-empire/llms.txt

## Markets and winter events

- **Festival of Lights** at The Mission Inn and downtown Main Street, Riverside, CA · downtown. When: Nov 21 – Jan 3. Time: Switch-on ceremony Nov 21 at 5 p.m. with fireworks; get there by 4:30. Downtown lights run through Dec 31; the hotel display runs to Jan 3. Type: Winter wonderland. Hours: Switch-on ceremony Nov 21 at 5 p.m. with fireworks; get there by 4:30. Downtown lights run through Dec 31; the hotel display runs to Jan 3. For kids: More than 10 million lights on the hotel. Switch-on night is very crowded; a weeknight is calmer with a stroller. Official page: https://riversideca.gov/fol/ (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Holiday Maker's Market in Downtown Riverside** at Main Street between 10th and 12th streets, Riverside. When: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. Time: Sat. Dec. 5, 5–10 p.m. Price: No ticket listed. Type: Holiday market. Hours: Sat. Dec. 5, 5–10 p.m. Strollers: Not listed. About 60 local makers and small businesses, hosted by the city and the Inland Empire SBDC. Official page: https://riversideca.gov/press/city-riverside-and-inland-empire-sbdc-host-holiday-makers-market-downtown-riverside (checked 2026-10-30)
- **YMCA Holiday Boutique & Pantry Bakeshop** at Redlands Family YMCA, 500 E. Citrus Ave., Redlands. When: Dec 5 – Dec 6. Time: Sat. Dec. 5 and Sun. Dec. 6, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Price: Free. Type: Holiday market. Hours: Sat. Dec. 5 and Sun. Dec. 6, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Strollers: Not listed. More than 75 local vendors with handmade crafts and baked goods. Proceeds support the YMCA's legal aid clinic and scholarships. Official page: https://ymcahometour.org/boutique (checked 2026-10-30)
- **Merry Little Market at Promenade Temecula** at Promenade Temecula, 40820 Winchester Rd., Temecula, CA · about 40 miles away. When: Dec 18 – Dec 20. Time: Fri. Dec. 18 through Sun. Dec. 20; daily hours not posted. Price: No ticket listed. Type: Holiday market. Hours: Fri. Dec. 18 through Sun. Dec. 20; daily hours not posted. Strollers: Not listed. Local artisans and handmade goods set up among the mall's holiday decorations. Official page: https://www.inthelooptemecula.com/events/merrylittlemarket (checked 2026-10-30)

## About this list
- Published by Littles Weekly (https://littlesweekly.com/). Free weekly lists for kids ages 0–6, city by city.
- How we choose and check listings, and how to send a correction: https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/ (corrections: hello@littlesweekly.com).
- Sponsored spots are labeled on the HTML pages and are not part of this editorial list.
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## FAQ

### Are there Christmas markets in Inland Empire in 2026?
Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn and downtown Main Street: Nov 21 – Jan 3. Holiday Maker's Market in Downtown Riverside at Main Street between 10th and 12th streets: Sat, Dec 5, 2026. No ticket listed. YMCA Holiday Boutique & Pantry Bakeshop at Redlands Family YMCA, 500 E. Citrus Ave.: Dec 5 – Dec 6. Free. Merry Little Market at Promenade Temecula at Promenade Temecula, 40820 Winchester Rd.: Dec 18 – Dec 20. No ticket listed.

### Where is there a winter wonderland for kids near Inland Empire?
Festival of Lights (Riverside, CA · downtown): Nov 21 – Jan 3.

### Can I bring a stroller?
Holiday Maker's Market in Downtown Riverside: Not listed. YMCA Holiday Boutique & Pantry Bakeshop: Not listed. Merry Little Market at Promenade Temecula: Not listed.

### How do you check these markets?
Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 30, 2026, and we recheck them every week through December. [How we choose and check](https://littlesweekly.com/how-we-choose/).