RedlandsNow: Local news. Local events. Local life, delivered fresh.
Archives
"Redlands Ignites with New Restaurants and Festive Holiday Events: Cultivating Gratitude & Community"
"Redlands Ignites with New Restaurants and Festive Holiday Events: Cultivating Gratitude & Community"
"Redlands Ignites with New Restaurants and Festive Holiday Events: Cultivating Gratitude & Community"
Exciting new restaurants heat up Redlands! Feast of Lights, Christmas Under the Stars, live music at Citrus Plaza. GRATITUDE & COMMUNITY!
Redlands Now
Dec 10, 2025
Redlands Rises: New Dining Hotspots & Festive Events Light Up the Town |
Savor the Season: Discover the latest hotspots in Redlands while enjoying festive holiday events! |
Hey Friends, Mid-December brings a special kind of magic to Redlands. The holiday decorations are up, the weather is perfect for evening strolls(actually a little to warm for me) downtown, and our community calendar is packed with reasons to gather, celebrate, and support local. This weekend features Grammy-winning vocalist Sara Gazarek with the Redlands Symphony's Big Band Holiday concert, the beloved Christmas Block Party returns for its 20+ year tradition, live holiday music fills Citrus Plaza, and Rare Market brings its second Christmas Night celebration to town. Plus, we're excited to share news about Hangar 24's new commercial kitchen that just added eight jobs to our community. Good food, cold beer, and watching planes land, that's Redlands living right there. Let's dive into what's happening around the groves. — Carlos & Liz |
Trivia Question❓In 1887, the Southern Pacific Railroad built a station in Redlands, CA with a unique design that resembled a famous European landmark. What was the design of the station modeled after? Answer at the bottom of the newsletter |
 |
Hangar 24 Redlands is now home to a custom-built commercial kitchen trailer, serving the community seven days a week.
This expansion brings eight new jobs to Redlands, giving locals an opportunity to join the team and neighbors another spot to gather.
The new menu features All-American Smash Burgers, Bomb’er Wings, Carne-A-“Squad”-A Fries, tacos, handhelds, starters, and desserts.
On December 1, the kitchen nearly doubled its offerings, fully aligning with the menus at the brewery’s other locations.
Enjoy a meal or a cold beer on the outdoor benches, with the San Bernardino Mountains as your backdrop and planes landing just beyond the runway.
This launch celebrates the hardworking spirit of Redlands and encourages everyone to pull up, dig in, and enjoy a new local hangout. Read More... |
🌳 AROUND THE GROVES |
Stephen Wormser Photography Holiday Open House – Thursday & Friday, December 12-13
Kick off the weekend early with wine, cheese, and stunning photography at Stephen Wormser Photography's Holiday Open House. This two-day celebration offers the perfect opportunity to find unique holiday gifts while supporting local art and local students. Browse 80 items priced under $30—ideal for everyone on your list. Door prizes will be awarded throughout both days, creating a festive atmosphere that's more than just shopping. It's a genuine holiday celebration with neighbors and friends, complete with wine and cheese to keep the spirit merry. Here's the best part: 10% of all sales benefit the Redlands Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation, which supports local students pursuing higher education. You get beautiful photography for your home or as gifts, and students get help achieving their dreams. That's the Redlands way. Thursday, December 12: 4:00-7:00 PM |
78th Feast of Lights – |
Rare Market Christmas Night – Thursday, December 12
This isn't just shopping—it's a full evening experience with live music, a craft bar, photo booth, and pictures with Santa. The vibe is festive and fun, perfect for finding one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting local vendors and makers. Whether you're still hunting for that perfect present, need stocking stuffers, or just want to soak in holiday atmosphere with friends, this Thursday night delivers. Plus, it's a chance to support the local makers and small businesses that make Redlands special. |
Christmas Under the Stars at the Redlands Bowl – Friday, December 6 |
Redlands Symphony's "Big Band Holiday" with Grammy Winner Sara Gazarek – Saturday, December 14
Saturday night brings something extraordinary to the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel: Grammy-winning jazz vocalist Sara Gazarek joins the Redlands Symphony Orchestra for "Big Band Holiday," and this is a concert you don't want to miss. Picture this: a 17-piece big band ensemble playing jazzy takes on your favorite holiday tunes, conducted by guest conductor Greg Robbins, with one of jazz's most celebrated voices bringing it all together. Sara Gazarek's smooth, sophisticated style combined with classic holiday melodies creates the kind of evening that reminds you why live music matters. This isn't your typical holiday concert. It's swing, it's jazz, it's festive without being predictable. The Memorial Chapel's acoustics make every note shine, and the combination of big band brass with holiday spirit creates an atmosphere that's both elegant and fun. Dress up, bring your date, and experience something special. Saturday, December 14 at 7:30 PM |
Christmas Block Party – Saturday, December 14
For more than 20 years, the Christmas Block Party at Gonzales Community Center has been the place where Redlands families kick off the holiday season together. This Saturday morning tradition continues with everything that makes it special—and it's completely free.
From 10:00 AM to noon, the Gonzales Community Center (111 W Lugonia Ave) transforms into holiday headquarters. Kids can enjoy activities and crafts, live entertainment, carnival games, a climbing wall, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and of course, free pictures with Santa.
Parents can relax knowing there's something for every age, and the whole morning is designed for maximum family fun with minimal stress. This event represents everything we love about Redlands: community-focused, family-friendly, genuinely welcoming, and organized by people who care about creating memories for local kids. It's free, it's fun, and it's become a tradition for a reason. Bring the whole family.
Saturday, December 14, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM |
Holiday Live Music at Citrus Plaza – Saturday, December 14 |
Saturday evening, Citrus Plaza brings the holiday spirit with live music from Danielle Taylor. From 6:00 to 8:00 PM, enjoy festive tunes while you shop, dine, or just soak in the holiday atmosphere at one of Redlands' favorite gathering spots.
Danielle Taylor's performances always draw a crowd, and her holiday set promises to be special. It's the perfect way to cap off a busy Saturday—grab dinner at one of the plaza's restaurants, listen to great music, and enjoy the relaxed, festive vibe. Plus, Santa will be making appearances!
Saturday, December 14, 6:00-8:00 PM |
Quote Of The Day |
"Clear skies, full hearts, can't lose in the beautiful city of Redlands, CA." |
Trending | ||
🍊 GROVE STREET HEADLINES |
GROVE STREET HEADLINESGrammy Winner Sara Gazarek Brings Jazz Sophistication to Redlands – The acclaimed jazz vocalist joins the Redlands Symphony Orchestra this Saturday for a big band holiday concert featuring a 17-piece ensemble and guest conductor Greg Robbins at Memorial Chapel. Christmas Block Party Celebrates 20+ Years of Holiday Tradition – The beloved free family event returns Saturday morning to Gonzales Community Center, offering activities, entertainment, and Santa photos that have made it a Redlands tradition for more than two decades. Local Photographer Opens Studio to Benefit Student Scholarships – Stephen Wormser Photography hosts a two-day holiday open house Thursday and Friday, with 10% of all sales supporting the Redlands Kiwanis Scholarship Foundation. Downtown Saturday Farmers Market Thrives Through Holiday Season – The certified organic farmers market continues every Saturday morning from 9 AM to 1 PM on State Street, bringing fresh produce and artisan goods to downtown throughout December. |
Trending | ||
🍊 Live Music Events |
Citrone Resterurant
|
🎯 YOUR REDLANDS WEEKEND |
|
GRATITUDE & COMMUNITY |
Mid-December brings a special energy to Redlands. The holiday season is in full swing, yet there's still time to enjoy everything without the last-minute rush.
This weekend perfectly captures what makes our community extraordinary. We've got Grammy-winning talent choosing to perform in Redlands.
We've got a 20+ year tradition of free family fun at the Christmas Block Party. We've got local photographers opening their studios to benefit student scholarships. We've got vendors and makers gathering to support each other and serve our community. We've got local businesses like Hangar 24 expanding and creating jobs for our neighbors. This is Redlands in action, celebrating excellence, honoring tradition, supporting local, creating opportunities, and making space for everyone to participate.
What makes this town special isn't just the Victorian architecture or the orange groves (though we love those too). It's the people who show up. The Symphony volunteers who make world-class music accessible. The Recreation Division staff who've kept the Christmas Block Party going for two decades. The local photographers and artists who give back to students. The brewers and restaurateurs who invest in our community and create jobs.
This weekend offers multiple chances to show up, to see each other, to support local artists and musicians and businesses, to create memories with our families, and to be part of something bigger than ourselves. Whether you're attending the Big Band Holiday concert or the Christmas Block Party, shopping at Rare Market or listening to live music at Citrus Plaza, grabbing a burger at Hangar 24 or browsing the Saturday farmers market—you're part of this community. You're part of what makes Redlands special.
See you around the groves. |
💡 Answer to Trivia Question: The Redlands Santa Fe Depot was modeled after the Chalet in the Alps. |
Sponsorship OpportunitiesReady to connect with engaged Redlands residents? Our newsletter reaches dedicated community members who support local businesses.
Contact us at info@redlandsnow.com to learn about sponsorship opportunities and tell us about your upcoming events. That's all for this week! Thanks for reading, and we'll see you around the groves. Stay connected, stay local, The RedlandsNow.com Team |