With the Victorians lined in twinkling lights and the towering town Christmas tree shining like a beacon over Main Street, it’s easy to see why Ferndale, California is one of America’s most charming Christmas towns.

Yet holidays in Ferndale are so much more than a pretty picture. What makes Christmas in the Victorian Village truly magical is the old-fashioned holiday feeling you get from slowing down and spending time in an authentic small town with its vibrant people, landscape and traditions.

From browsing brick-and-mortar shops to sitting down for coffee or cocoa with a friend to enjoying a good old-fashioned holiday celebration, here’s how we like to unplug, unwind and enjoy a simpler holiday in Ferndale.

Charming Small Shops

Can you imagine if holiday shopping wasn’t a chore, but a joy? Welcome to Christmas shopping in Ferndale.

This season, step away from the screens and into the cozy old-fashioned shops of Victorian Main Street, where you’ll be greeted by friendly folks and the real-life sights, smells and sounds of the holidays.

At the Golden Gait Mercantile, browse two stories of local, imported and old-fashioned wares, from food and kitchen supplies to nostalgic toys and candy to hats and candles.

In The Blacksmith Shop, discover hand-hammered works of art, from wind chimes and fireplace tools to hardware and cutlery.

Find gifts galore in the Ferndale Emporium, from jewelry, accessories and kitchen items to a children’s section.

Become a kid in a candy store at Sweetness & Light, where you’ll find house-made candy bars, truffles and other treats. Spencer’s Ferndale Vintage is packed with vintage treasures, oddities, handcrafted metal art, and year-round Christmas decor. Stop into Stitch, a fabric shop featuring modern and collectible textiles, for holiday fabric and quilting supplies. Elyon Art & Gifts features local and global art and handmade goods.

Elsewhere on Main Street, browse leather accessories, shoes, jewelry, gemstones, clothing, art, gifts, books, musical instruments, and more – there’s no limit to what you can find shopping in Ferndale, and unlike the merchandise in big box stores, everything here is unique, high quality and supports a local small business owner.

Yet another reason to shop Ferndale: the annual Hospitality Night Open House is back! The first Friday in December, shops stay open late for masked patrons to enjoy a festive shopping atmosphere that’s part Victorian Christmas and part holiday street fair.

Natural Wonders

Have you ever celebrated Christmas at the beach? Ferndale is just five miles from beautiful and uncrowded Centerville Beach County Park and the hiking trails of the Lost Coast Headlands, where you can share the holidays with crashing waves, seals and shorebirds.

Even closer is Russ Park, Ferndale’s hundred-acre nature preserve of coastal conifer forest—including mature Sitka spruce, fir and redwoods – located just on the other side of Ferndale Historic Cemetery. Both the beach and Russ Park are dog-friendly.

Of course, the area’s biggest natural attraction remains the redwoods. With a location nestled between several of Humboldt County’s most popular redwoods parks—Avenue of the Giants is just 30 minutes south, and Sequoia Park Zoo’s new Redwood Sky Walk is 20 minutes north—the Victorian Village is the ultimate home base for exploring the North Coast in winter, or all year-round.

Old-fashioned Family Fun

Step back in time to that nostalgic feeling of Christmas with Ferndale’s holiday traditions, which have been delighting participants of all ages for generations.

Perhaps our most best known event is the lighting of Ferndale’s spectacular tree—the tallest living Christmas tree in America! Decked out in colored lights by Ferndale's volunteer firefighters, the radiant spruce at the end of Main Street is visible for miles.

In a tradition that has continued since 1934, the whole town turns out in anticipation of the Christmas Tree Lighting and celebrates together with free cocoa and cookies baked by dozens of local volunteers. This year participants are asked to wear masks and maintain social distancing to ensure a safe celebration for all, and there will be cocoa stations throughout the lighting area and wrapped cookies will be handed out by the Ferndale 4-H.

Arrive early and fuel up for the festivities at our top-rated Main Street restaurants, or take part in another tradition, the Portuguese Beans & Linguica dinner from the Portuguese Hall. 

Young visitors won’t want to miss Santa Claus and his jolly elf, who arrive on historic Main Street with hand-painted bags of holiday goodies the second Saturday in December.

Finally, the annual Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade on the third Sunday in December celebrates Ferndale’s history as a famous dairy town and agricultural hub. Stake out a spot along the sidewalk to watch farmers and ranchers parade brightly-lit, festively-festooned tractors and floats down Main Street for a sparkling country Christmas celebration.

A Holiday Home Away From Home

Whether you’re planning a holiday getaway or arranging a stay for friends and family, Ferndale is the ultimate home base for a Christmas vacation.

For Victorian elegance, book a room in one of Ferndale’s boutique historic hotels: Victorian Inn, The Gingerbread Mansion, or the (pet-friendly!) Shaw House Inn.  Looking for a kitchen and other amenities? Try the Redwood Suites, or a vacation rental like Ferndale Airbnb, featured in this year’s Cottages & Bungalows holiday issue.

Most Ferndale lodging is within walking distance of Main Street, where it’s easy to pop in for breakfast and make yourself at home at local favorites like Poppa Joe’s diner, Mind’s Eye Coffee Lounge, or Main Street Coffee Co.

Stroll our quiet historic Main Street and neighborhoods, where sidewalks have just the right amount of friendly bustle (read: you won’t have to worry about finding a parking spot or waiting in line here). Drive around town in the evening to admire homes decorated for the Ferndale Festive Holiday Decorating Contest.

Enjoy the good cheer from holiday brass bands and Ferndale’s famous Main Street Christmas trees. All throughout December, nearly every store has a tree out front decorated with themed handmade ornaments from local school kids.

Holidays in Ferndale

If you’ve ever longed for those hallmark holiday moments of Christmas music, cookie baking, and cozy evenings by the fire, yet ended up feeling burned out by the frantic pace of shopping and obligations—consider a visit to Ferndale the antidote.

Join us for a small town Christmas on the Redwood Coast. Whether you’re a Humboldt local or a holiday traveler, Victorian Ferndale is the best destination for slowing down and savoring the magic of the holidays