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Enjoy holiday magic in western Nevada County this December |
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Written by Diane Covington/special to the World
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Saturday, 02 December 2006 |
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 Imagine yourself bundled up in a cozy fur rug as you and a sweetheart sip hot chocolate on a romantic carriage ride through a scene that could have taken place 150 years ago.
In fact, there is lots of old-fashioned holiday fun waiting for you just down the hill in western Nevada County. During special nights in December, the Gold Rush towns of Nevada City and Grass Valley close down their main streets to motorized traffic and the magic begins. Artisans sell one-of-a-kind gift items, musicians play, costumed carolers sing and the aromas of hot-spiced cider and roasted chestnuts fill the chilly air.
Nevada City’s Victorian Christmas, held Wednesday evenings and Sunday afternoon, Dec. 17, was rated by USA Today as one of America’s best old-fashioned holiday celebrations. The historic downtown buildings are lit up with tiny white lights, the streets are bustling with excitement and all the stores and restaurants are open and busy with shoppers.
At the very top of Broad Street, the Methodist Church, which has been welcoming worshipers since the Gold Rush, offers a craft fair, cookies and hot chocolate and visits with Santa Claus in the Fellowship Hall.
 On Sunday, Dec. 17, the Miners Foundry, just off the main street, will have visits with Father Christmas and the ‘Very Special Holiday Shop’ with items from $2-$10 for mom, dad and grandparents. Special ‘guardian angels’ will help kids pick out their gifts. The majestic stone hall will have a fire crackling in the massive fireplace, so you can warm up by the cozy fire before you head out again.
In Grass Valley, just three miles down the road, Cornish Christmas happens on Friday nights from 6-9 p.m. Cornish miners, from Cornwall, England, settled in Grass Valley to work the many mines, including the Empire Mine, the most successful gold mine in the mother lode. Their holiday spirit is thriving as the downtown district comes alive with fun, music, food and Santa Claus too. This year marks the 39th year of the celebration for the city.
At the Empire Mine Historic Park in Grass Valley, 845 acres have been preserved for visitors. The Bourne “cottage” the mine owner’s mansion, will be decorated with period holiday decorations. You can also learn more about the history of the mine, which was in operation from 1850 to 1957.
 Many of the Victorian mansions of the Gold Rush have been turned into Bed and Breakfast inns where you can enjoy the romance of the past in the comfort of fluffy down comforters and soft beds. Most of the historic inns are within walking distance of the downtown areas, so you can leave your car behind during your visit.
In addition, the Historic Bed and Breakfast Inns of Grass Valley and Nevada City have a Candlelight Tour on two Thursday evenings, Dec. 7 and 14, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 or complimentary to inn guests. The inns will be dressed up in all their holiday finery and will welcome guests with festive food and drink.
For theater lovers, the award-winning Foothill Theatre Company presents ‘The Gift of the Magi’, through Dec. 30. This lively musical adaptation of O.Henry’s classic American fable will delight the whole family. The company performs in the Nevada Theatre, downtown Nevada City, a historic brick building where Mark Twain spoke in 1865.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad and Transportation Museum is offering free train rides and a visit with Santa. Also, if trains are your thing, be sure to check out the Railroad Café in downtown Grass Valley, where trains circle around the ceiling as you enjoy breakfast or lunch. They have great milkshakes, too.
So come for the day or spend the night and let the romance of the gold rush towns transport you back in time and fill you with some old-fashioned holiday spirit.
Holiday celebrations to remember:
Nevada City Victorian Christmas
Wednesday evenings, Dec. 6, 13 & 20, 6-9 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, 1:30-6 p.m.
(530) 265-2692 or www.nevadacitychamber.com
 Grass Valley Cornish Christmas
Friday evenings, Dec. 1, 8, 15 & 22, 6-9 p.m.
(530) 272-8315 or www.downtowngrassvalley.com
Foothill Theatre Company’s ‘The Gift of the Magi’
Thursdays, 7 p.m., Fridays & Saturdays 8 p.m.,
Saturdays & Sundays 2 p.m., through December 30th
Nevada Theatre, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City
(530) 265-8587 or www.foothilltheatre.org
Miners Foundry, ‘Very Special Holiday Shop’
Dec. 17, 1-6 p.m.
(530) 265-5040 or www.minersfoundry.org
Empire Mine State Historic Park
10791 East Empire St.
Grass Valley. Ca. 95945.
www.empiremine.org
Historic Bed & Breakfast Inns Candlelight Tour
Dec. 7 & 14 from 4:30-7:30 p.m., $10 or free to guests
(530) 477-6634 or (800) 250-5808
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad & Transportation Museum
5 Kidder Court, Nevada City
Free train rides, Saturday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
(530) 470-0902
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 29 November 2006 )
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