FERNDALE
California
Located in the picturesque Eel River Valley, the Victorian Village of Ferndale is located at the end of a beautiful, 5-mile drive from Highway 101 over historic Fernbridge and through verdant dairy land. As you cross the Eel River (one of the few north-flowing rivers in the world!) you step back in time to a kinder, gentler pace where friendly people and old-fashioned service are waiting to share Ferndale with you.
Ferndale is a great place to visit any time of the year but Humboldt County locals have a saying: “It won’t feel like Christmas without a visit to Ferndale” and if you are looking to recapture that old-fashioned Christmas spirit, Ferndale is the place you need to visit during the holidays, and the first weekend in December is the perfect time for a weekend get-away to Ferndale.
On Friday, December 1st, the Victorian Village welcomes friends and neighbors to a lively evening as Main Street merchants serve up cheer along with free beverages and goodies. Hospitality Night hours are from 6P-9P.
The 36th Annual Christmas Celebration in Song with performances at 8PM at Ferndale Community Church and on Saturday, December 2nd and Sunday, December 3rd at the Assumption Church at 3PM. The Ferndale Community Choir with more than 60 voices has entertained three generations of listeners with an eclectic selection of sacred and inspiring music from across the centuries and around the world. Admission is free but get there early in order to get a seat.
The Lighting of America’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree takes place on Sunday, December 3rd at 5:30PM. Decked with colored lights by Ferndale’s intrepid volunteer firemen, the huge, radiant spruce at the end of Main Street is visible for miles, a beacon to herald the Christmas season. The whole town turns out, along with the Booster Band, Chameleon Singers, 4-H, and Scout Troops for a ceremony to rekindle the Christmas spirit, then gathers over free cookies and punch. This has been a Ferndale tradition since 1934. Portuguese Linguica and Beans dinner features food and friendliness on tree lighting night at Portuguese Hall from 5-8PM.
If you can’t visit on the first weekend of December, any weekend will do! Main Street is lined with Christmas trees adorned with ornaments hand-made by local school children, Scouts and 4-H members. America’s Tallest Living Christmas Tree is lit every evening at dusk and Main Street shops offer a unique shopping experience daily during the holiday season.
On Sunday, December 17th, the 14th Annual Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade is a fun-filled family event. The parade starts around 7PM or as participants say: “Whenever we get done milking!” Local farmers and ranchers parade fancifully decorated tractors and tractor-drawn wagons depicting holiday scenes down the Victorian Village’s historic Main Street for a sparkling country Christmas. A special baked chicken and mashed potato dinner with all the fixin’s will be available from 5-7PM at the Ferndale Community Center as a fundraiser for the Assumption Church restoration project.
Ferndale is also home to great restaurants and historic bed and breakfast inns and motels. Please access this information at our website www.victorianferndale.org/chamber and following the lodging link. Or, if you prefer, call 707-786-4477 for further information.
Add the enchantment of the Victorian Village to your holiday wish list and see why locals say:
“It won’t feel like Christmas without a visit to Ferndale.”
