The Holiday Trolley Lights Tour will make 35 stops at multiple landmarks, wineries, prominent homes and more throughout Jacksonville.

The twinkling lights, hot apple cider and festive garland are returning to Jacksonville as the town gears up for its annual celebration of Christmas, providing plenty of cheer with events such as a community tree-lighting ceremony, Father Christmas meet-and-greets, a holiday parade and the brand-new Holiday Trolley Lights Tour.

Organized by the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, Jacksonville Victorian Christmas pays homage to the city’s deep history as a mid-1800s gold rush town.

The holiday celebration kicks off with the tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30, outside Jacksonville’s New City Hall, located at 206 N. Fifth St.

“The tree lighting is a touching experience; everyone gathers at the town hall and sings together and we hear where all the people are from,” said Belita Palu-ay, executive director of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. “This year, we are bringing in nonprofits to help us light the tree.”

Perhaps the pinnacle of holiday happenings in Jacksonville will be the annual Holiday Parade, set to start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, throughout downtown.

“It’s one of the traditions that’s quite well known and beloved around the (Rogue) Valley,” Palu-ay said of the parade.

“It reminds me and a lot of people of their own childhood and going back in time to the classic, traditional small town parade, and it’s becoming popular enough now that we actually expanded the parade length to another corridor along Main Street,” said Brian Dunn, president of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce.

The procession will include ample entertainment such as the visiting South Medford High School and Phoenix High School bands, the Southern Oregon University Raider Band, the Southern Oregon Scottish Bagpipe Band, The Storytelling Guild’s Rosabelle the Dragon, plenty of vintage automobiles, local Scouts troops and more.

This year’s parade marshal will be Jacksonville city council member Mike McClain.

“And Father Christmas will be there for the grand finale,” Palu-ay said.

Kids will have the opportunity to meet Father Christmas himself from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Dec. 1-22, at the U.S. Hotel, located at 125 California St. in Jacksonville.

A new event coming to Jacksonville’s Victorian Christmas this year will be the Holiday Trolley Lights Tour.

Participants are invited to take a seat on one of the city’s trolleys and see the sights around Jacksonville.

“During the tour, people are going to see a variety of things in town,” Dunn said. “They’ll see a bunch of landmarks as well as our charming inns, historic homes, wineries, churches, a variety of businesses in the downtown core and showcasing stately homes in the perimeter of town.”

“We have at least 35 different stops,” Dunn added.

The trolleys will run in the evenings throughout December. Tickets are $16.50 per person.

While around 75% of holiday trolley tickets have already been sold, those interested in trying it out can visit jacksonvillechamberofcommerce.ticketspice.com/2024-jacksonville-holiday-lights-tour.

“When we first started this in concept, the idea was to create something classic, elegant and that speaks to family values and traditions,” Dunn said.

The trolley tour includes “hot cocoa and coffee on board; we really want to create a nice environment for friends and families to go around town and round off that whole experience,” Dunn added.

Considering this is the first year of the trolley tours, organizers hope to see it become a long-term program.

“It will be a learning experience and we’re hopeful there’s a big turnout for this. We’d like for it to become an annual tradition,” Dunn said.

Other events going on during the holiday season in Jacksonville include holiday shopping at local businesses with extended hours on certain days, the Festive Quest Bingo program, Victorian Christmas Tours at the Beekman House, the Salvation Army toy drive, festive window displays and more.

Organizers are in need of volunteers to help with Jacksonville Victorian Christmas. Those interested in volunteering can contact organizers by calling 541-899-8118 or emailing info@jacksonvilleoregon.org or belita@jacksonvilleoregon.org.

For more information on Jacksonville Victorian Christmas, visit christmasinjacksonville.com.