The Holiday Season in Murrieta: Christmas Events, Lights, and Winter Family Fun

There is special magic when December arrives in Murrieta. While much of the country is digging out from snow, our town square glows with a towering holiday tree, neighborhoods compete for the year's best lights, and families bundle up for an evening parade that has become a beloved tradition. This guide covers the holiday season in Murrieta: the parades, festivals, lights, and winter fun that make this the most wonderful time of year in the Gem of the Valley.

The weather is on our side, too. December is Murrieta's coolest month, with average highs around 62 and lows in the mid-40s, and it brings our wettest month at about 1.8 inches of rain, usually in brief showers. Snow essentially never falls in the city, so nearly every holiday event stays outdoor friendly. Dress in layers, bring a blanket and a warm drink, and you are set.

Murrieta's Hometown Holiday Children's Parade

If you only circle one date on the calendar, make it this one. Murrieta's Hometown Holiday Children's Parade is a free, non-motorized parade through the streets of historic Old Town Murrieta, typically held on the first Saturday evening of December. It begins near the intersection of Washington Avenue and B Street and winds its way to Town Square Park, where the celebration continues.

Because every entry is walking, pedal-powered, or pulled by hand, the pace is relaxed and wonderfully personal: scout troops, school bands, dance studios, decorated bikes and wagons, and kids in their holiday best. Locals line the route with chairs and blankets, hot cocoa in hand. Murrieta does not do loud, engine-driven floats; it does community, and this parade shows it off beautifully.

Festival of Trees and Tree Lighting at Town Square

Town Square Park and its amphitheater sit at the heart of Murrieta's holiday season. In past years, the Festival of Trees has filled the square with dozens of decorated trees, each sponsored by a local family, business, or organization, surrounded by holiday crafts, story time, live entertainment, vendor booths, and a toy and food drive.

The season also brings the Tree Lighting and Concert, complete with character visits and holiday activities for children, plus Donuts with Santa for early risers. Everything happens within steps of the Murrieta Public Library and the restaurants and shops along Washington Avenue, so it is easy to make an evening of it.

Santa Moments and Family Fun

Families also have the chance to meet Santa right in town. The city's family days at Town Square Park have included the Kids Roll and Stroll, a bike-and-wagon parade where little ones decorate their wheels, followed by free Santa photos. It is the kind of low-key, safe, and welcoming event that defines Murrieta's family scene.

For more everyday ideas, our Murrieta Family Guide collects the best playgrounds, youth programs, and seasonal activities. Grandparents visiting for the holidays will also find gentle, walkable ways to spend time together, from the square to the nearby trails and parks.

Holiday Lights Around Town

One of Murrieta's favorite December traditions is the city's holiday home decorating contest. Homeowners go all out, and the city publishes a viewing map so you can drive the routes, admire the displays, and vote for your favorites. A quick errand often turns into a free family outing that lasts the whole evening.

Master-planned communities and established neighborhoods across Murrieta all get in on the fun, so the viewing map is worth following wherever it leads. Old Town's Washington Avenue gets dressed up too, with glowing shop windows through the month.

Nearby Holiday Cheer in Temecula

Just down the I-15, Old Town Temecula goes all in for the holidays. Santa's Electric Light Parade lights up Front Street on the first Friday evening of December, with glowing floats, bands, and Santa rolling through the crowd; in 2026 it is scheduled for Friday, December 4, at 7 p.m., an easy drive from Murrieta.

If you prefer your holiday sights on foot, the Window Walk turns Old Town's storefront windows into a self-guided gallery of holiday scenes all month. The Holiday Taste of Old Town offers a ticketed evening of restaurant samples and seasonal shopping, and it sells out most years, so book early. For pairing the season with the vines, our Temecula Wine Country guide has you covered.

Winter Days Outdoors in Murrieta

One of the best-kept secrets about winter in Murrieta is how much outdoor time you still get. With afternoon highs in the low 60s, the season is perfect for the Santa Rosa Plateau, Cole Canyon, and the city's miles of walking and riding trails. The low winter sun paints the hills gold, and trails are far quieter than in spring. Our complete parks guide can help you pick a destination for every age and energy level.

If you do want snow, Big Bear is a classic winter day trip, and our day trips guide covers drive times and family tips. Home cold and happy, Murrieta's local coffee shops are waiting with festive lattes and cozy corners, the perfect way to close out a December day.

Hosting the Holidays in Your Murrieta Home

As local brokers, Laura and Cheryl see firsthand how many families choose Murrieta for holiday gatherings. A few practical tips: test your outdoor outlets before stringing lights, put the display on a timer, clean your gutters before the December rains, and clear walkways for evening guests.

And if you are dreaming of hosting next year's holidays in a home of your own, this is a wonderful time to start looking. The relocation guide walks through cost, schools, and neighborhoods, and nothing shows off a community like visiting it when it is dressed for the season.

"December in Murrieta is small-town charm at its best. The children's parade, the Festival of Trees, the lights, the families wrapped in blankets on Washington Avenue, it is everything we love about this community, and we are honored to help people put down roots here."

Laura Holbert & Cheryl Shadden, Team Integrity Realty