Santa Claus will greet children in the Olde Vets Hall on Dec. 6, where he will hear holiday wishes. Photo by Nicolas Brown

DIXON, CA (MPG) - Downtown Dixon will close to traffic and be transformed into a holiday streetscape for the Magical Victorian Christmas Festival from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6.

Portions of Highway 113 and several adjacent streets, including Mayes to C Street and segments of East A, East B, West A, West B and Jackson streets, will shut down, beginning at noon Dec. 6, to accommodate the expected crowds.

“We want them to know this decision was made to ensure the safety of festival goers,” said Jill Orr, Dawson’s owner and Downtown Dixon Business Association president. “It was hard to keep people from spilling into the highway last year, so the decision was made to shut the highway down for the festival.”

The annual celebration will feature live performances beginning at 3 p.m., including the Orpheus West Chamber Choir, Dixon Youth Cheerleaders, Dixon Community Youth Theater, Hālau ‘o Ku’ulei/Poerava ‘O Te Ari’i Cultural & Tahitian Dance Academy and Dixon Dance Studio.

The Christmas tree lighting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 6 in front of the Dixon Public Library at the Women’s Improvement Club Park.

According to Orr, the theme was inspired by a visit to Nevada City’s holiday festivities.

“I went to Nevada City, I saw theirs and I thought it was incredible, so we wanted to play off of that,” said Orr.

Festival attractions will include pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, craft vendors, food booths, hot coffee and cocoa.

Santa Claus will greet children in the Olde Vets Hall where he will hear holiday wishes.

Downtown Dixon will be closed to traffic and transformed into a holiday streetscape for the Magical Victorian Christmas Festival, scheduled from 3 to 9 p.m. Dec. 6. Photo by Nicolas Brown

The Dixon Public Library will host a Christmas story time and the Dixon Historical Society will offer tours. Calvary Chapel will have ornament-making and crafts available.

Train rides remain one of the most popular features for families, according to Orr. Planning for the rides includes spacing, safety barriers and volunteer staffing to manage lines.

Vendor selection focused on crafters and food options consistent with the Victorian theme and the event’s family-oriented nature.

The Downtown Dixon Business Association oversees the installation of decorations and the downtown Christmas tree. Orr said that the organization pays a contractor to store and set up the tree, while volunteers and the Downtown Dixon Business Association supply and maintain about $50,000 worth of decorations.

Volunteers from groups, including the Dixon Lions Club, Boy Scout Troop 152 and Dixon Sanitary, are assisting with preparation and festival operations.

The event benefits local businesses by drawing families downtown at the start of the holiday season, according to Orr.

“It is a tradition that everyone looks forward to,” said Orr. “It’s important for children and families to have events like this in their lives. Something magical, special and, especially this time of year, affordable.”

Vendor and float applications remain open until Dec. 1, and volunteers will be accepted up to the day of the event.

“This is our first year trying something like this,” said Orr. “If you have any thoughts to make it better, just let us know.”

For more information, visit the Downtown Dixon CA Business Association Facebook page or call 707-678-8400.

Festival attractions on Dec. 6 will include pony rides, a petting zoo, train rides, craft vendors, food booths, hot coffee and cocoa. Jill Orr, Dawson’s owner and Downtown Dixon Business Association president, said that train rides remain one of the most popular features for families. Photo by Nicolas Brown