McCloud's Vintage Christmas Runs Through Two Buildings on Main Street

Last December, a dozen young singers in Victorian clothes played instruments and sang holiday songs, some in Hebrew and French, upstairs at the McCloud River Mercantile. Siskiyou News reported that they sang to a full house. It was the fourth year in a row the VOENA children's choir had come to town for the holidays. Mercantile owner Darlene Mathis brought them in.

VOENA is back on the 2026 calendar, along with everything else the McCloud Chamber of Commerce now calls McCloud Vintage Christmas. The event used to be called Winterfest. The McCloud Hotel at 408 Main Street and the Mercantile up the block at 241 Main host most of the season's indoor events. Those rooms hold a set number of people, and you get in by phone. The street events are open to anyone who walks up.

The season, sorted by how you get in

The free events are spread out over three weekends. The events that need a reservation start a week from today and keep going through the day after Christmas.

The hotel's calendar opens before the town's does

The McCloud Hotel's holiday season starts before December. On Thanksgiving Day, Sage Restaurant at the hotel is serving a five-course feast with two seatings, 2 to 4 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m. You can dine in or take it home. It costs $65 for adults and $29 for children 11 and under, and reservations are required. With Thanksgiving a week away, this is the most urgent call on the list.

Two days later, on Saturday, Nov. 28, the hotel holds a Friendsgiving Tea with seatings at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. In December, Victorian Christmas Afternoon Tea fills every Saturday: Dec. 5, 12, 19 and 26. The hotel's afternoon tea page takes reservations at 530-859-8111. The Chamber's Vintage Christmas page lists 530-964-2822 for the same teas.

The Dec. 12 tea falls on the same day as the Merry Meander. The Chamber lists a Victorian Tea at the McCloud Hotel as one of that day's stops, along with carriage rides and the Sip & Shop. That's likely the hardest tea seat to get all month.

The hotel is also booking holiday parties for private or semi-private dining and catering, through the same 530-859-8111 number. If you're planning a work gathering or a family dinner in December, you'll be booking the same building during the same weekends as the teas.

The Mercantile hosts three Saturdays in a row

The Mercantile is busy on three straight Saturdays, and each one draws a different crowd.

On Dec. 5, from noon to 3 p.m., A Very Merry Kid's Christmas takes over the building with crafts, face painting, cookie decorating, letters to Santa and a visit from Santa. The afternoon then moves to other spots in town. Kids' Christmas Bingo starts at 3 p.m. at the American Legion, and cookie decorating and a movie night start at 4 p.m. at the Squaw Valley Riding Club. No reservations are listed for any of it, so a family can follow the schedule from one stop to the next.

On Dec. 12, the Christmas Faire fills the Great Room upstairs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Chamber invited handmade crafts, holiday gifts, specialty foods and other goods for the fair, and only Chamber-approved vendors could register. Shoppers can come and go all day.

On Dec. 19, VOENA returns to the Mercantile. The Chamber's calendar describes the choir in full Victorian attire and lists the Mercantile's number, 530-964-2330. This is the one event in the building that filled up last year, so call that number for the start time and to find out how seating works.

Main Street stays open to everyone

The Friday night events take place outside, and anyone can come.

The lighted parade on Friday, Dec. 4, lines up at 5 p.m. at Calvary Christian Church and starts at 5:30. Afterward, Santa lights the town tree, then heads to the museum, where he stays until 9 p.m. The Chamber asks people to light up a vehicle, or themselves, and join in. You don't need to sign up first.

The Main Street Rusta & Bonfire on Friday, Dec. 11, runs from 4 to 10 p.m. The Chamber's page says to bring lawn chairs. It lists cold beer and holiday cocktails, Christmas carolers, and a prize for the outfit with the most Christmas spirit. The only part that needs a ticket is dinner. Bam Bam's BBQ is serving roasted Italian sausage on fresh-made rolls, smoked mac and cheese, and Italian baked beans, and the Chamber says tickets will be available soon. Keep an eye on the Chamber's Vintage Christmas page between now and Dec. 11.

The Dec. 12 Merry Meander is a stroll through the whole town. Vendors are at the Mercantile, Christmas boutiques are open around town, and there's a Sip & Shop and horse-drawn carriage rides. Most of the day needs no planning. The tea is the exception.

Your own house can be part of the season

The Merry & Bright Christmas Decorations Contest brings the event out to homes and businesses around town. You can enter through the Squaw Valley Riding Club's entry form, or text your name and address to 530-200-7039. The deadline is Friday, Dec. 18.

Judging is the evening of Dec. 18, and the form asks entrants to have their lights on at dusk. Favorites are announced Dec. 19. The recognitions are Santa's Choice, Best Light Display, Best Old-Fashioned Decor, Best Reason for the Season and Most Festive Business, and prizes are to be determined. By entering, you agree to have your address listed on a roster of contestants published online and on social media such as Instagram and Facebook. That roster is also a ready-made map for anyone who wants to drive around and see the lights.

The calls to make, in order

The last Sunday before Christmas has two events. On Dec. 20, the historic McCloud River Inn hosts a holiday breakfast with favorite Christmas characters, and you reserve a spot by phone. Calvary Christian hosts the community Christmas dinner the same day. Here are the numbers, in date order:

1. Sage Restaurant, Thanksgiving, Nov. 26: 530-859-8111, required for dine-in or takeout.
2. McCloud Hotel Friendsgiving Tea, Nov. 28: 530-859-8111.
3. Victorian Christmas Afternoon Tea, Dec. 5, 12, 19 or 26: 530-859-8111 at the hotel, or 530-964-2822 as listed by the Chamber.
4. Rusta & Bonfire dinner tickets, Dec. 11: through the Chamber once sales open.
5. Merry & Bright entry, by Dec. 18: the online form or a text to 530-200-7039.
6. VOENA at the Mercantile, Dec. 19: 530-964-2330.
7. McCloud River Inn holiday breakfast, Dec. 20: 530-964-2130.
8. Community Christmas dinner at Calvary Christian, Dec. 20: 530-964-2556, the number the Chamber lists for the dinner.

With those calls made, you can just show up for everything else: the parade, the kids' afternoon, the bonfire, the Faire and the carriage rides.

At Sunshine Realty 530, we love seeing Main Street in McCloud light up every December, and we're happy to talk about the town anytime. If you're curious what your McCloud home is worth before the new year, ask us for a Free Home Valuation & Local Market Review.