Downtown Chico’s holiday season has three dates on the Downtown Chico Business Association calendar for 2026. Christmas Preview is Sunday, November 22, 4 to 8 p.m. Small Business Saturday follows on November 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 48th Community Tree Lighting Ceremony is Friday, December 4, 6 to 8 p.m., with the ceremony itself from 6 to 6:30. All three happen in Downtown Chico, and the tree stands just outside the Chico City Plaza.
At a Glance
- Christmas Preview
- Sunday, November 22, 2026, 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Starts in 22 days
- Small Business Saturday
- Saturday, November 28, 2026, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Starts in 28 days
- Tree Lighting
- Friday, December 4, 2026, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (ceremony 6:00 to 6:30) Starts in 34 days
- Where
- Downtown Chico; DCBA Welcome Center at 338 Broadway
- Price
- Christmas Preview: open to the public. Tree Lighting: free. Small Business Saturday: see event page
- Organizer
- Downtown Chico Business Association, (530) 345-6500
Christmas Preview
The DCBA says Christmas Preview has been a downtown tradition since 1978 and that it officially kicks off the holiday season. Downtown merchants open their doors with decorations and entertainment, and Santa visits for photos. The organizer has posted a street closure map on the event page. It says the 2026 list of participating businesses, activities and entertainment will be added as details are confirmed.
Small Business Saturday
The DCBA lists Small Business Saturday among its signature events, on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It has not posted which shops are taking part.
Community Tree Lighting Ceremony
The 48th annual tree lighting takes place beneath the community tree just outside the Chico City Plaza. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m., and the lighting ceremony is from 6 to 6:30. The organizer’s page still shows its 2025 program, with live holiday music, dance, hot cocoa, shopping booths and a letter-to-Santa station for kids. The 2026 program has not been posted, so treat that list as last year’s.
Schedule as Printed
| Date | Event | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday, November 22, 2026 | Christmas Preview | 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 28, 2026 | Small Business Saturday | 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Friday, December 4, 2026 | 48th Annual Community Tree Lighting Ceremony | 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (ceremony 6:00 to 6:30) |
Around Downtown
Not Confirmed Yet
The organizer had not posted these for 2026 when we checked on October 29, 2026.
- Not confirmedThe 2026 Christmas Preview list of participating businesses, activities and entertainment
- Not confirmedSanta photo times and places during Christmas Preview
- Not confirmedThe 2026 Tree Lighting program; the page shows the 2025 lineup
- Not confirmedWhich shops take part in Small Business Saturday
- Not confirmedWhich streets close and where to park; we could not open the closure map file, so read it on the organizer’s page
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Christmas Preview in Chico in 2026?
Sunday, November 22, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. in Downtown Chico. The Downtown Chico Business Association says it is open to the public.
When is the Chico tree lighting?
Friday, December 4, 2026. The event runs from 6 to 8 p.m. and the lighting ceremony is from 6 to 6:30, at the community tree just outside the Chico City Plaza. The organizer lists it as free.
Is Christmas Preview free?
The organizer lists it as open to the public and does not print an admission price. Shops and vendors set their own prices.
Who runs these events?
The Downtown Chico Business Association (DCBA). Its Welcome Center is at 338 Broadway, phone (530) 345-6500, email events@downtownchico.com.
More Events
Sources
- Christmas Preview, Downtown Chico Business Association. Read October 29, 2026.
- Community Tree Lighting Ceremony, Downtown Chico Business Association. Read October 29, 2026.
- Signature Events (Small Business Saturday date and hours), Downtown Chico Business Association. Read October 29, 2026.
Cite this page: “Downtown Chico Holiday Events 2026.” It’s Chico, checked October 29, 2026. https://itschico.com/events/downtown-chico-holidays/
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