An Old Fashioned Christmas in Sutter Creek, California

December 6-7, 2019 

Main Street Sutter Creek
Sutter Creek, California
SutterCreek.org

The spirit of Christmas comes alive  in the streets of Sutter Creekc, transformed to an era gone by with Father Christmas and Charles Dickens characters and carolers in period costume, strolling along this magical Gold Rush Town. Annual Christmas Open House celebration on Friday and Saturday when shops stay open till 9 p.m.

Friday, December 6, 2019
5 p.m. Shops open their doors with Holiday Cheer for all
6 p.m. Santa arrives on Main Street to Light the Tree
6:30-9 p.m. Photos with Santa & Crafts for the children at the Methodist Church
Free Carriage Rides, Father Christmas and other Dickens Characters will stroll Main Street. Shops open until 9 p.m.

Saturday, December 7, 2019
11 a.m. Free Carriage Rides in front of the Visitor Center, 71a Main Street, Father Christmas and Dickens Characters stroll Main Street
1-3 p.m. Music on Main Street
6 p.m. Las Posadas Candle Light Walk
6-8 p.m. Las Posadas Candle Light Walk

Las Posadas candlelight walk reenacting Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Beginning at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church on Spanish Street, the walk proceeds down Spanish Street, lined with flickering luminaries, to Main Street. Narrators will retell the familiar story and musicians lead in singing familiar Christmas carols. Hot beverages and cookies available at the social hall of the Methodist Church after event.

Story & photos by: Berylee Baker

Sutter Creek is filled with ambiance. This little town in the Mother Lode had Mother and Father Christmas walking through town when we visited during the annual Christmas Open House held the first weekend in December. They say, “Happy Christmas” where as Santa says, “Merry Christmas”.

Sutter Creek hosted a beverage night with hot chocolate, cookies, cake, cider and coffee. The town had a wagon pulled by two mules giving rides around the town for free.

It was very chilly there, which is why so many people appreciated the hot beverages. The leaves on the trees are still turning as you can see by the picture that has what looks like one tree that has half green and half reds and gold full of fall color. It is actually two trees.

The City Hall building has small kiosks with paintings, hand crafted jewelry, candles, soaps and postcards made by local people, and many Antique shops.

The only problem was when it came to dinner, no reservations, no dinner so call for reservations at the JD's Steak House, Twisted Fork, or the Mexican Restaurant that has “Fresh Mexican Food” on the window. All of those were booked until 8 p.m. at night. We were hungry NOW so we went to the restaurant called “Pizza Plus”. They make a fantastic pizza! An extra large pizza with your choice of two toppings, your choice of beverage and four glasses, fantastic cheese bread with either parmesan or mozzarella and your choice of Marinara or Ranch dressing to dip it in cost $25. Six of us ate it and were stuffed. YUMMMM! They also have huge Calzones, salads and chicken wings. They were hopping in there. It was definitely a fun time.

The people in Sutter Creek were very nice and accommodating–except, if you needed a restroom. The restaurants have them but there are none in the shops. Fortunately, no matter where you are in the town it's never too far from them. They also have lots of parking lots (free).

About Sutter Creek: The Gold Rush town is located in Sierra Nevada foothills approx. an hour's drive from Sacramento along California State Highway 49, which runs 350 miles through California's historic Gold Country. There are several hotels and inns where you can spend the night, and Sutter Creek Visitors Center is staffed with volunteers to help you plan your trip, exploring Sutter Creek's historic downtown and residential buildings dating from the late 1800s. The Visitors Center is open daily. Location: Sutter Creek Visitors Center, 71A Main Street, Sutter Creek, CA. Call: (209) 267-1344 Web: suttercreek.org