RIVERSIDE – (INT) – The Festival of Lights has become a post-Thanksgiving tradition.

The 24th annual event illuminates downtown Riverside with fireworks and millions of holiday lights around the Mission Inn.

Added this year is a carousel, a Century Wheel adored with 100,000 lights and ‘timeless’ train rides through the downtown area.

Friday evening’s Switch-On ceremony was expected to be attended by 75,000 visitors.

Last year, the Festival of Lights was named America’s Best Holiday Festival. It continues nightly through January 7th.

A companion event, the Festival of Trees, is on display through Sunday at the nearby Riverside Convention Center. It benefits the pediatric units at the RUHS Medical Center.

Story Date: January 3, 2017