Every family has their personal holiday traditions but it’s never too late to add another one into the mix. In fact, there’s one Northern California tradition that you’ll definitely want to consider this year and it can be found in none other than the breathtaking Yosemite Valley. This Christmas pageant has been delighting visitors every year since 1927, and it’s one of those holiday events that everybody should experience at least once. If you have yet to see it for yourself, you’ll want to make this the year that you finally do. This event is filled with holiday cheer from beginning to end and it’s simply a magical thing to witness!
One of the state's most treasured holiday traditions can be found in the heart of Yosemite National Park. The annual Bracebridge Dinner is a spectacular Christmas pageant that has been delighting us for nearly a century, and it's an event that everybody should experience at least once.
This beloved American tradition first began in 1927 when the Ahwahnee Hotel was officially completed. It started out as a loose interpretation of Washington Irving's "A Christmas at Bracebridge Hall", but it really became the pageant we know today thanks to none other than Ansel Adams.
Adams was the one who created the basic form of the Christmas pageant, and the original script that he wrote all those years ago is still followed closely to this day. The Bracebridge Dinner is much more than a flashy Christmas show. It's a piece of Yosemite history.
Every December since the hotel's opening, the Ahwahnee takes on the atmosphere of 18th century England as it prepares for the pageant. The show takes place in the grand dining room, which looks like something straight out of a storybook with all of its amazing Christmas decorations.
The experience itself is simply magical. Comprised of a multi-course, five-star holiday feast, guests will find themselves smack dab in the middle of a show-stopping performance as they dine.
This year, the Bracebridge Dinner will take place on several dates between December 11 and December 21. You don't have to be a guest at the lodge to participate, although both the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge offer lodging and dining packages.
This is definitely a unique way to get into the holiday spirit and the experience is bound to leave you with some unforgettable memories. Come see why the Bracebridge Dinner has stuck around for nearly a century and add this Christmas pageant to your holiday bucket list!
More information about the Bracebridge Dinner can be found here.
Have you had the opportunity to attend this beloved Christmas pageant? Let us know about your experience in the comments below! Check out some more worthy holiday destinations with this list of The 7 Best Christmas Main Streets In Northern California.
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