For 25 years, Riverside’s Festival of Lights has been a draw for locals and tourists. In recent years, its popularity has soared, with national outlets such as “Good Morning America” and USA Today highlighting the event, which includes 5 million lights covering the historic Mission Inn plus all the music, rides and festivities from the city of Riverside and the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce.

The crowds can make it a bit overwhelming, so we’ve pulled together the best tips from our staff to make the most out of the Festival of Lights, which begins on Friday, Nov. 24 with Kenny Loggins, and wraps up its 25th anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 6, in downtown Riverside.

When to go

1. The switch-on ceremony: If you like being sandwiched in with thousands and thousands of friends, this is the night to go. The festivities kick off at noon on Friday, Nov. 24, with the switch-on ceremony happening at 4:30 p.m. in front of the Mission Inn (3469 Mission Inn Ave.) Expect to wait quite a bit to go through the Mission Inn to see the lights.

However, if you go on switch-on day you get two very special treats — fireworks and Kenny Loggins. The pyrotechnics go off right when the switch is thrown on after the ceremony featuring city officials and others. The singer/songwriter, who had hits with “Footloose,” “Danger Zone” and “I’m Alright,” among many other tunes, will give a free performance downtown as part of the festivities.

2. Go early: Your best bet to beat the crowds is to go early and go mid-week right around dusk. While kids are still in school it tends to be a little lighter. From Saturday, Nov. 25 through Saturday, Dec. 23, the hours are 5-10 p.m. Monday – Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday; 3-11 p.m. Saturday and 3-10 p.m. Sunday. On Sunday, Dec. 24, the hours are 3-9 p.m. And from Monday, Dec. 25- Saturday, Jan. 6, hours are 3 p.m.-midnight.

3. Go late: A lot of times on weeknights, families will clear out early and you have room to walk around at the tail end of the night. And then you can grab a nightcap, too. Note that the monthly Riverside ArtsWalk takes place downtown on the first Thursday of the month, so expect more people than on another weeknight.

What to do

4. See the lights: Obviously, the 5 million lights adorning the Mission Inn are the big draw, but there are also 200 characters around the building — we have a soft spot for the animatronic mariachi pandas. The Mission Inn has declared there will be “snow” this year and lots of candy decor for the new “Sweet 25” theme in honor of the event’s 25th anniversary, too.

5. Tour the Mission Inn: One of the best tips is to take the docent-led walking tour of the Mission Inn. You get to learn about the history and also go into the beautifully decorated interior of the hotel. If you select the 4 p.m. tour you can be there when the sun sets and the lights go on. Tickets are $17 per person, $16 if you’re a AAA member. You need to make reservations in advance and the tickets are non-refundable. Call 951-788-9556 for reservations and visit missioninnmuseum.org for more information.

6. Take a photo of the Mission Inn’s Christmas tree: This year, the hotel’s decorated tree will be outside near the main walkway, which has been dubbed the “Candy Stroll” for 2017.

7. Kiss under the mistletoe: Get ready to pucker up because for the last few years, the Mission Inn has hung a giant ball of mistletoe from the big archway. Go ahead and take that romantic selfie.

8. Ride the carousel: Go for a spin on the carousel, located on Main Street between University and Mission Inn Avenue. There is an additional fee.

9. Take a train ride: The trackless train runs along the Main Street pedestrian mall. You can climb aboard between 9th and 10th streets. There is an additional fee.

10. Sit in the Ferris Wheel: Take in the view from above with the return of this attraction. There is an additional fee. It will be set up on Main Street between Orange and 9th streets.

11. Take a carriage ride: Cozy up in a horse-drawn carriage. The Festival of Lights has wagon-style rides and also private Cinderella-type carriages. There are three pickup spots: Mission Inn Avenue and Main Street; 6th and Main streets; Main Street between 5th and 6th streets. Fees vary for the rides, which run 5-10 p.m. daily. Don’t forget to dress in layers. It can be chilly out there.

12. Ride the Merry Bears: Have a bear-y merry Christmas with this spinning ride on Main Street between Orange and 9th streets. There is an additional fee.

13. Hear some music: There are two official Festival of Lights stages where you can hear live music beyond Kenny Loggins on opening night. The Ben Franklin Stage is at Main and 9th streets and the Entertainment Stage is on Main Street between Mission Inn and University avenues. There will also be street performers nightly at the Library Plaza and the Metropolitan Museum Plaza.

Some local acts to catch:

Apryle Dalmacio at the Ben Franklin stage at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 and the Entertainment Stage at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

Top Shelf Brass Band at the Ben Franklin Stage 9 p.m. Dec. 14

Chase Walker on the Ben Franklin stage at 4 p.m. Dec. 16 with Meg W. and solo on the Entertainment Stage at 8 p.m. Jan. 1.

The Dares at the Ben Franklin Stage at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 30 and closing out the festival on the Entertainment stage at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 6.

Big Papa and the TCB at 8 p.m. Jan. 5 on the Entertainment Stage.

Romano’s, which relocated its Concert Lounge venue from the Canyon Crest location to downtown (3557 University Ave.), will also have some shows, including The Spazmatics and a book signing party with Richard Blade the night of the switch-on. Usually the venue is 21 and older, but Romano’s will also host three special family-friendly Sunday matinee shows featuring tribute acts at 2 p.m. Nov. 26, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17. Tickets for the Sunday shows are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Call 951-780-6000 or visit www.theconcertlounge.com for more information.

14. See Santa Claus: Kris Kringle’s house is at Main and 9th streets. Be aware that you cannot take your own photos, but there will be ones available for purchase.

15. Check out the artisans collective: This spot features local artists, local music and even some art workshops for the public. It starts on Nov. 25 and runs 5-10 p.m. Thursday-Sunday on Main Street between University Avenue and 9th Street.

16. Go window gazing: The city has a contest for downtown shop owners to get festive with their storefront windows for the season. Take a stroll and see the decorations.

How to get there

17. Drive: Beware, there is going to be traffic. The exits off the 91 Freeway in Riverside can get backed up. To avoid traffic, take the Market Street exit off the 60 Freeway and opt for the 14th Street exit off the 91.

Also, some of the streets close from 3 p.m.-midnight Thursday through Sunday, including Mission Inn Avenue and 6th Street between Market and Orange streets; Main Street between 5th and 6th streets; Orange Street between 6th Street and Mission Inn Avenue; part of 9th Street between Market and Orange streets.

18: Where to park: When you get there, you can park for free after 5 p.m. at meters and surface on weekdays and parking at those spots is free on weekends and holidays.

However, beware of the garages. Most will cost you $10 per vehicle Friday-Sunday. You can reserve spots in advance for the two garages off Orange Street between University Avenue and 10th Street.

19. Take the train: Metrolink is coming back to the Festival of Lights on Nov. 24-25, Dec. 1-2, 8-9 and 15-16. The cost is $7 or less round trip on the 91/Perris Valley Line and the Inland Empire/Orange County Line. Visit www.metrolinktrains.com/FOL for more information.

Last year this was a really popular option and some trains were filled to capacity.

You can catch the shuttle back to the downtown Riverside station near the Riverside Convention Center.

Where to eat

20. Snacks: There are food vendors all throughout the Festival of Lights, with booths selling sweets, savory items and more. Don’t skip the mini doughnuts. Also, don’t sleep on Simple Simon’s (3639 Main St.). The giant sandwiches on homemade bread are always a solid meal, but if you want something lighter, there’s always an assortment of baked goodies. The sandwich shop will have extended hours until 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday throughout the Festival of Lights, but it is still closed on Sundays.

21. Splurge: If you want to make Festival of Lights extra special, it’s worth spending more on a great meal. One of the best spots to see the lights and enjoy dinner is Mario’s Place (3646 Mission Inn Ave.) across from the Mission Inn, especially if you’re lucky enough to get a table by the window. The Mission Inn itself also has a number of restaurants that range from high-end steakhouse Duane’s to Mexican spot Las Campanas, which has colorful outdoor seating right by the lights. Visit missioninn.com/dining and mariosplace.com for more information. Definitely plan for reservations and also allow time to find parking so you don’t miss the reservation you snagged.

Where to drink

22. Coffee: Across from the Mission Inn, Molino’s (3660 Mission Inn Ave.) has fancy coffee and a great vantage point for viewing the lights through its front window. Not too far away, Back to the Grind (3575 University Ave.) has plenty of local entertainment, handmade baked goods (many of which are vegan) and is a cool, funky environment. Augie’s (4205 Main. St.) is a few blocks away, too.

23. Adult beverages: If you’re walking along Main Street, The Brickwood (3653 Main St.) is one of the newest hot spots in Downtown Riverside on the pedestrian mall. It specializes in small batch craft beer, much of it brewed locally. Down the way, Proabition (3597 Main St.) has a sizable whiskey menu and in the other direction, Mezcal (3737 Main St.) has plenty of tequila and a club vibe on some nights.

There are also a number of watering holes along University Avenue, including Pixels (3535 University Ave.), Aurea Vista (3498 University Ave.), Worthington’s Tavern (3587 University Ave.), Lake Alice Trading Co. (3616 University Ave.), Mission Tobacco Lounge (3630 University Ave.) and the aforementioned Romano’s, too.

If you want to drink inside the Mission Inn itself, go for the cocktails at the Presidential Lounge and sip wine at 54 Degrees at Duane’s.

Other suggestions

24. Spend New Year’s Eve there: If you want to have an early night, there will be a family-friendly New Year’s Eve shindig from 6-9 p.m. with music, activities and a confetti celebration in addition to the usual Festival of Lights happenings.

25. Watch the Rose Parade: If you don’t want to face the crowds, you can see the Mission come to life on TV via the Rose Parade in honor of the 25th anniversary of the event. You will also be able to donate and inscribe a flower holder to be used on the float at the Festival of Lights.