The turkey is barely cold on the plates in the dining room at the Mission Inn in Riverside before the blaze of Christmas lights is switched on. The Friday after Thanksgiving has become the most anticipated night in the Inland Empire. The 108-year-old hotel in Riverside is wrapped in 3.5 million holiday lights, which are switched on the night after Thanksgiving and stay on through the holiday season.
People from around Southern California drive out to the Mission Inn for a day trip, after dark. Opening night is one big street party. Thousands line up on Mission Inn Avenue at sunset to count down to the ceremonial turning of a switch that illuminates millions of bulbs and starts up animated figures on the balconies and roofs. Fireworks top off the night, bathing the Spanish tile roof of Mission Inn in seasonal reds, greens and golds.
The hotel now has top-rate restaurants and a wine bar. Roberts' wife, Kelly, created a spa. His daughter, Casey, opened a gourmet cupcake shop. The Mission Inn has been the centerpiece of a revival of downtown Riverside. The best day each year to see those changes is the beginning of the Festival of Lights.
The Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. 951-784-0300 or www.missioninn.com.
The Festival of Lights ceremonies begin at 3 p.m. with the the "switch-on" of the lights at 5:15 p.m. The festival will run through Jan. 8. festivaloflightsca.com.
Tours: Whether staying at the inn or just passing by, take advantage of the great docent-led tours of the property through the adjacent Mission Inn Museum. For prices and tour times, call 951-788-9556 or go to www.missioninnmuseum.com.
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