CALIFORNIA: Christmas in the Missions

If you want to experience the holidays in a unique manner the California missions are not only steeped in history but also in tradition. Here are a few items of interest for the special time of year.

CARMEL: Carmel Mission  Christmas Marketplace Craft Fair December 10-11, 2016.  December 8, 2016 is Feast day of the Immaculate Conception, Holy Day of Obligation All Masses in the Basilica: 8:15 am, 12 noon, 5:30 pm
Saturday, December 10, 2016 Camerata Singers, Basilica: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, December 10 & 11, Christmas Fair Carmel Mission Central Courtyard: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. carmelmission.org

FREMONT: Mission San Jose Las Posadas December 15-23, 2016
missionsanjose.org/lasposadas.html
Join Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. Since 1982 Old Mission San Jose and Fremont Cultural Arts provides an opportunity for families to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Each evening at 6 p.m. we will meet on the front porch of the Mission San Jose Museum, 43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont, to process while singing Christmas carols to a local business or site within two blocks of the Mission. A family is selected to carry the beautifully hand-carved statue of Mary and Joseph. Once inside the host business or site, Fremont Cultural Arts Council has arranged for a short musical program and then we will enjoy light refreshments courtesy of our host. Wear warm clothing and bring a flashlight to read the music sheets as we process. No-cost celebration during the Christmas season. 

JOLON: December 24, 2016 Mission San Antonio Las Posadas - Confirm before going as year was not included in date
Mission San Antonio de Padua
End of Mission Road
Jolon, CA 93928
missionsanantonio.net
Las Posadas in the Padre's Garden at 5:30pm. Sing Christmas carols by candlelight in the evening's frosty air at this beautiful historic Mission. Christmas Eve Mass celebration follows at 6pm. There will be NO Mass celebrated on Christmas Day and the Mission will be closed so that the staff can celebrate Christmas with their families.

LOMPOC: Mission La Purisima Concepcion Founding Day Mass (noon) & Concert (7 p.m.)  December 8, 2016
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
2295 Purisima Road
Lompoc, CA 93436
lapurisimamission.org
A mass at noon celebrates the founding of the mission. The public is invited to attend.  Concert December 8, 2016 7 p.m. $6 tickets sold on eventbrite.com
Over 500 luminaries lead the way to an evening of candlelight and music observing the  anniversary of the founding of La Purisima Mission in 1787. Enjoy the musical performance by the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale in the setting of the historic church by candlelight. After the performance, guests are invited to La Sala to enjoy fellowship and refreshments. Attendance is limited to 6 years or older.
Las Posadas December 17, 2016, 2-4 p.m. Las Posadas. Join costumed docents as they lead the Las Posadas procession through the mission grounds with songs in Spanish and English. This tradition dates back over 400 years in Mexico and reenacts the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter in Bethlehem.

OCEANSIDE: Mission San Luis Rey Feast of San Juan Diego & Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, 2016, 4-7 a.m. at Serra Center. sanluisrey.org
All are invited - services will be in Spanish. Dates: Fri., Dec. 9, 2016 Feast of San Juan Diego - 7:00 p.m. - Serra Center Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016 Mass: 7:00 p.m. w/a variety of activities until 12a.m. Serra Center Mon., Dec. 12, 2016 Mananitas: 4:00-7:00 a.m. Serra Center Bilingual Mass - 7:00 p.m. Serra Center
Annual Christmas Concert December 2-3, 2016, Tamales Day December 5, 2016 $ A lively performance of Christmas favorites!  Tamales are sold to Take Home, Handmade by Kitchen team, these tamales are delicious!

SAN DIEGO: Mission San Diego. Mission Basilica
Mission San Diego de Alcala
10818 San Diego Mission Road
San Diego, CA 92108
missionsandiego.org
San Diego de Alcala Celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 10, 2016, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
40th Annual Candlelight Meditation Concert December 17-18, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
Seasonal Carols & traditional and music is set around Scripture readings of the season. Featuring the Mission Choir, accompanied by Organist Howard McCullough, the Classic Brass, Percussion ensembles, Soloists, and Readers, all directed by Gene Regard. A reception follows the Meditation in La Sala. Free-will offering taken.

SAN FRANCISCO: Mission Dolores Basilica Guadalupe event December 12, 2016, 2-8 a.m.
Mission Dolores 25th Annual Candlelight Christmas Concert December 18, 2016, 5 p.m.
$20-30 ticket, missiondolores.org | brownpapertickets.com
Be part of a San Francisco Christmas tradition as the Mission Dolores Basilica Choir celebrates music of the past 25 years of concerts, selecting some of the favorites and beloved songs. A complimentary catered reception featuring a no-host wine bar follows the concert.

SAN GABRIEL: San Gabriel Mission Claretion Missionary Benefit Concert December 10, 2016, 6:30-8 p.m.
Posadas December 16-23, 2016, 7-10 p.m.
San Gabriel Mission
428 S. Mission Dr.
San Gabriel, CA
sangabrielmissionchurch.org
Event held nightly December 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23, 2016. All are invited.

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO Christmas at the Mission December 2, 2016
Mission San Juan Capistrano
Historic Mission Grounds
(949) 234-1300 missionsjc.com
Celebrate the holidays at Mission San Juan Capistrano! Held in conjunction with the City of San Juan Capistrano annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and community-wide holiday celebration, Mission San Juan Capistrano will host Christmas at the Mission featuring an exhibition of live holiday music throughout the Mission, crafts for kids, visits with St. Nicholas, tamales, cider, cocoa and holiday treats, Christmas shopping at the Mission Store, and more. Don't miss it!

SAN JUAN BAUTISTA:  Mission San Juan Bautista
sanjuanbautistaca.com | oldmissionsjb.org

• Oriana Chorale Holiday Choir Performance December 13, 2016, 7:30 p.m. Performed at Old Mission San Juan Bautista, featuring the first performance of the Oriana Youth Chorus. Adults $20, Students $15, Children 12 and under Free. eventbrite.com | orianachorale.org
• Annual Holiday Bonfire / Hayden Christmas Celebration December 16, 2016
  Beginning at sunset. First Street near the Mission. Santa Claus will be at the Community Hall, 10 San Jose Street, starting at 6 p.m. The annual bonfire is a tribute to the Hayden Family. During the depression era, the Haden Family pooled their money to help buy candies, toys and oranges for the community children. They erected a bonfire to bring together the people in town, and celebrated with games and songs while keeping warm. Sponsored by the San Juan Bautista Service Club.
• Winter Solstice at The Mission December 21, 2016
  Approximately 6 a.m. Be at the Mission church at sunrise to witness a spectacular sunrise light coming through the window, lining up with the alter, then the isle, ending at the Tabernacle.

SAN LUIS OBISPO: Mission San Luis Obispo Mission  missionsanluisobispo.org

• Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 11, 2016 @ 3 p.m. Mission Church  Mission Singers, Reception follows  Mission ProCathedral Choir
• Our Lady of Guadalupe Sunday, December 11, 2016, 7:30 p.m. - 12 Midnight 7
• Monday, December 12, 2016, 7 pm Spanish Mass 6:30 pm Procesion Guadalupana; 7 pm Misa Solemne; 8 pm Verbena Popular: Cena, Mariachi, Bailes
• Wednesday, December 14, 2016, 6 pm Mission Church Posadas December 16 - 23 Varied locations The Posadas, leading to Christmas, will be in Spanish

SAN MIGUEL: Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration December 12, 2016, 7-9:30 p.m.
missionsanmiguel.org

SANTA BARBARA: Christmas Caroling in front of the Mission Santa Barbara on Saturday, December 17, 2016, 7-8 p.m.
At the Presidio an annual Las Posadas takes place.
santabarbaraparish.org

SOLVANG: Mission Santa Ines
1760 Mission Drive, P.O. Box 408
Solvang, CA 93464
Phone: (805) 688-4815
missionsantaines.org

•  December 12, 2016  Our Lady of Guadalupe Celebration
   Procession through Solvang, beginning at 5th Street
• Las Posadas December 15-23, 2016

VENTURA: Mission San Buenaventura Advent-Christmas at San Buenaventura Mission.
San Buenaventura Mission
211 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001-2691
sanbuenaventuramission.org

• Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe December 12, 2016
  Mariachi traditional songs are played at 5 a.m. in O'Brien Hall followed by Mass at 5:30 a.m. Then menudo breakfast in the Parish Center Auditorium. At 6 p.m. in the Mission Church, Aztec dancers pay tribute to Our Lady of Guadalupe and a procession is held on Main Street from the Mission to Palm Street to Juniper Serra Way and O'Brien Hall. Mass includes a dramatized representation of the apparition at Tepeyac Hill in Mexico. The evening concludes with pan dulce and chocolate in the Parish Center Auditorium.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.