Explore Butte County

Start Planning Your Next California Vacation to Butte County! ✨

Looking for inspiration for your next trip to California? Check out the suggested weekend itinerary from our friends, The National Park Travelers: ✨ Send this to someone looking for their next California vacation! 📍We just got back from a fall trip to the stunning Explore Butte County and we were blown away by the amount of things to do in the area! This was our first time visiting this area, and we will definitely be back. So happy we were able to visit while the fall colors were at their peak. Although this is definitely a year round destination! 📝 Weekend itinerary ✨ Day 1 Fly into Sacramento Airport Check into Courtyard Marriot, Chico CA Hike Chico Seed Orchard Sunset at Money Face (Upper Bidwell Park) ✨ Day 2 Forks of Butte Creek Paradise Lake Butte Creek Watershed Overlook ✨ Day 3 Butte Meadows Gray Lodge Wildlife Area ⬇️ Have you visited this part of California yet or is it still on your bucket list?

Get Ready for an Event-Filled December in Butte County 🎄🌟

December in Butte County is full of holiday happenings and special events! 🎄🌟 These are just some of the events to explore this month; find even more on Butte365: https://bit.ly/EBCDecEvents 🎄 Biggs Christmas Tree Lighting and Street Fair 📅 Sun. 12/1, 3pm-7pm 📍 B. Street, Biggs ✨ Project Biggs 🌹 Lights of Hope 📅 Dec. 4-8 & Dec. 11-23, 2024 ⏰ Fri.-Sat. 6pm-9:30pm & Sun.-Thurs. 6pm-9pm 📍 3556 Oro Bangor Hwy., Oroville ✨ Lights of Hope 🎄 Gridley Winter Wonderland Festival & Parade of Lights 📅 Wednesday 12/4 from 5pm-9pm 📍 Hazel Street, Gridley 🎄 Oroville Community Christmas Tree Lighting 📅 Friday 12/6, 4pm-8pm 📍 Downtown Oroville, 1440 Myers St. ✨ Downtown Oroville 🎄 Chico Community Christmas Tree Lighting 📅 Friday 12/6, 6pm-8pm 📍 Chico City Plaza ✨ Downtown Chico 🤶 The Stansbury Home Victorian Christmas 📅 Fri. 12/6, 6pm-9pm; Sat. 12/7, Noon-6pm; Sun. 12/8, 1pm-4pm 🎟️ $6 for adults; $2 for children under 12 years of age 📍 307 W 5th Street, Chico 🎞️ Butte Film Festival 📅 Fri. 12/6, 5pm-9:30pm; Sat. 12/7 & Sun. 12/8, 10am-9pm 🎟️ $20 all-access pass, $10 student pass 📍 Oroville State Theater, 1489 Myers St., Oroville 🎄 Paradise Holiday Craft Fair, Tree Lighting & Lighted Truck Parade 📅 Saturday 12/7, 9am-7:30pm 📍 Terry Ashe Recreation Center, 6626 Skyway, Paradise ✨ Paradise Recreation and Park District 🩰 The Nutcracker, presented the Northern California Ballet 📅 Fri. 12/13 at 7:15pm, Sat. 12/14 at 2:15pm & 7:15pm, and Sun. 12/15 at 2:15pm 🎟️ $22 General Admission; $16.75 for children under 12 📍 Paradise Performing Arts Center, 781 Nunneley Rd., Paradise 💡 Oroville Parade of Lights & Craft Faire: A Retro Holiday Celebration 📅 Saturday, 12/14; craft fair starts at 2pm, parade starts at 6pm 📍 Downtown Oroville ✨ Oroville Area Chamber of Commerce 🤶 Pioneer Christmas at Butte County Pioneer Museum 📅 Sat. 12/14, Noon-4pm 📍

Biggs Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Market on Sun. 12/1/24 🎄✨

Small town charm meets holiday cheer in Biggs on Sun. 12/1 🎄✨ The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Market returns with local vendors, visits from Santa, a festive Ugly Sweater Contest, and even falling snow! Experience the magic of the season in Historic Downtown Biggs, hosted by Project Biggs. 📅 Sun. 12/1, 2024 ⏰ Schedule of Events ✨3pm-7pm - Street Market ✨4pm - Selfies with Santa ✨5pm - Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest ✨6pm - Community Christmas Tree Lighting 📍 B Street, Downtown Biggs

Moody Fall Magic: Fog Meets Fall Colors at Forks of Butte Creek 🍂

Embrace the moody side of fall at the Forks of Butte Creek 🍂🌳 Even through the mist, autumn's colors shine bright along these trails. Layer up and explore how the low clouds and rain create the perfect backdrop for fall's vivid display. 🎥 @mayaa.morris 📸 @owen.gorsuch

The Chico Tweed Ride: Chico's Most Stylish Bike Ride! 🚲 Always the Sunday Before Thanksgiving

UPDATE 11/23/24 - This year's Tweed Ride has been canceled due to flooding. Get ready for Chico's most stylish bike ride: The Chico Tweed Ride! 🚲 Don your vintage-inspired attire (encouraged but not required) and join in this beloved pre-Thanksgiving tradition. The leisurely group ride starts at City Hall, winds through Lower Bidwell Park, and stops for a picnic at Five Mile Recreation Area before heading back. So mark your calendar for this uniquely Chico experience! 📍 Starts at “Our Hands,” 411 Main St. ⏰ Sun. 11/24 at 11am

Celebrate the Holiday Spirit at the Chico Christmas Preview on Nov. 24, 2024! 🎄🎁

Find the perfect holiday gifts at the Chico Christmas Preview, this Sunday, 11/24! 🎄🎁🎅 Enjoy strolling carolers, live performances, and, of course, Santa Claus, as you shop your favorite Downtown Chico shops. And downtown will shine even brighter this year with the launch of the Festival of Lights, so get ready to be dazzled by an abundance of festive decorations and holiday cheer! 📍 Downtown Chico 📅 Sunday, Nov. 24, from 4pm-8pm 👉 Find more details: www.butte365.com/event/christmas-preview-2/

⛸️ Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza opens on Fri. 11/15 and runs through Jan. 12, 2025 🎉 Head to Downtown Chico to skate under the stars in the city plaza this holiday season. Enjoy fun themed nights every Thursday along with other special events throughout the season. ⏰ 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 Mon. 4pm-7:30pm, Tues.-Thurs. 4pm-9pm, Fri. 4pm-10pm, Sat. Noon-10pm, Sun. Noon-9pm 🎟️ 𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 CheapSKATE Mondays: $5 Tue-Wed: $15 Thu-Sun: $20 (An additional $5 for Skate Helpers) 👉 Link in bio for all the info on Thanksgiving Week and Winter Break hours and other special events. #ExploreButteCounty #BUTTEiful #iceskating #iceskate #familyfriendly #NorthernCalifornia #California

Take a Moment for Yourself at the Chico Seed Orchard 🍂

Enjoy a moment of peace at the Chico Seed Orchard 🍂 When life feels a bit too busy, this serene spot (also known as the Chico Tree Farm) provides a beautiful escape, especially in the fall. Now is the perfect time to enjoy a quiet stroll under canopies of autumn colors, whether you're seeking solitude, capturing family memories, or sharing gentle conversations with friends along the easy trail. 👉 Learn more about the Chico Seed Orchard: www.explorebuttecounty.com/activities/stroll-through-the-chico-seed-orchard

The Butte Film Festival Returns December 6-8, 2024 at the Oroville State Theater

🎥 Calling all film lovers and adventure seekers! Join the Butte Film Festival for its 2nd annual event December 6-8, 2024 at the historic Oroville State Theatre in Downtown Oroville! Whether you’re passionate about the arts, an aspiring filmmaker, or just love discovering new experiences, the Butte Film Festival is for you! This annual celebration is the premier student film festival in Northern California, featuring films from talented young creators across the region. Festival-goers can also look forward to hands-on workshops, inspiring guest speakers, and unique opportunities to connect with the next generation of filmmakers. Spend the weekend in beautiful Butte County, soaking up the vibrant arts scene and enjoying a one-of-a-kind event that celebrates creativity, innovation, and collaboration! Tickets are available now – don’t miss your chance to experience the stories, voices, and visions of emerging filmmakers. Grab your friends and plan a weekend of film and inspiration! 👉 https://www.buttefilmfest.com/

Winter Bird Watching in Butte County: Discover Northern California's Best Show

Winter birding season has officially begun in Butte County! 💙🦆🦢 Even if you’re not a birder, one visit to one of the best bird watching spots in Butte County will show you why this is such a special time of year! 🦆 Llano Seco Unit 🐦 Upper & Lower Bidwell Park 🦅 Oroville Wildlife Area 🦢 Gray Lodge Wildlife Area Located along the Pacific Flyway, Butte County’s mild winter weather, abundant food, and rich quantities of water attracts a huge wintering population of waterfowl and raptors. 👉 Start planning your next birding adventure with our list of the best spots in Butte County: https://www.explorebuttecounty.com/stories/bird-watching-in-butte-county Cover 📸 @eckhart3235

Happy Halloween from Explore Butte County: Tricks, Treats, and Everything Sweet

Happy Halloween! 🎃🏠🕸🦇👻 There are dozens of spooky, scary, and fun Halloween happenings across the county today, including the kid-favorite Treat Street in Downtown Chico. Put on your best costume and join dozens of downtown shops for family-friendly fun and plenty of candy from 2pm-5pm. 👉 Find even more Halloween events happening today: www.butte365.com/event/halloween-events/

When the leaves turn, Paradise Lake makes for the perfect backdrop for a fall stroll 🍂 With autumn temperatures finally arriving in Butte County, the fall foliage we all love is not far behind. Pack a camera, bring a friend, and enjoy an easy walk along the lake’s shore for a relaxing afternoon among the pines. ⏰ Thurs.-Tues. 5am to sunset 🚗 $3 parking fee 🐕 Dogs not allowed