> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Raincross Rundown: From Ofrendas to Opening Night, Here's a Month Packed With Events - URL: https://www.raincrossgazette.com/raincross-rundown-from-ofrendas-to-opening-night-heres-a-month-packed-with-events/ - Published: 2026-10-31T23:15:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-31T23:14:59.000Z - Description: Day of the Dead, a Veterans Day parade, a pre-Thanksgiving 5K and the Festival of Lights switch-on top the Gazette’s picks for November in Riverside, along with community theater and a few ways to volunteer. - Author: Gazette Staff - Tags: #herald-3abef165-d2ee-819b-b5a7-dfe1c95882a0 November in Riverside starts with marigolds and ends with millions of holiday lights. In between, there's a parade for our veterans, a pre-Thanksgiving 5K, two weekends of community theater and a few easy ways to pitch in. Here's what we're circling on the calendar this month. ## Arts & Theater **Through Sunday, Nov. 15** [Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street](https://www.riversidecommunityplayers.com/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - Fridays and Saturdays, 7:30 p.m.; Sundays, 2:30 p.m. - Riverside Community Players, 4026 14th St. - $20–$25 Before Sondheim set the story to music, playwright C.G. Bond put the vengeful barber on stage in this 1973 melodrama, and Riverside Community Players are running it through mid-November. Directed by Cindi East, this version skips the songs but keeps the meat pies, the dark humor and plenty of blood. The theater's arena seating means no late entry, so leave time to park in the hospital structure and catch the golf cart shuttle. Mature themes make it best for grown-up audiences. **Thursday, Nov. 5** [LEAC Comedy Night](https://leacriverside.org/upcoming-events-752/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - 6–9 p.m. - The Box Theater, 3635 Market St. - $60 The Law Enforcement Appreciation Committee teams up with Comedy for Causes for its annual comedy night at The Box, next to the historic Fox. Proceeds support the Riverside Police Department and its Explorer program, which offers scholarships to young people pursuing careers in law enforcement. Round up some friends for an evening of stand-up with a purpose. Sponsorships are available for businesses that want to get involved. **Thursday, Nov. 5 through Saturday, Nov. 14** [Les Misérables](https://wcss.org/fallplay?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - Thursdays and Fridays, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 7, 2 p.m. Nov. 13 and 14 - Studio Theater, Woodcrest Christian School, 18401 Van Buren Blvd. - $15 children, $20 adults Woodcrest Christian High School's theater students take on Victor Hugo's sweeping story of Jean Valjean and the relentless Inspector Javert across two weekends. Performances are in the school's Studio Theater, an intimate black box space that puts the audience close to the action. Online tickets are running low, but seats will be sold at the door for every show. It's a lovely way to support young performers and revisit a classic. **Monday, Nov. 30** [The Wiz](https://www.foxriverside.com/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - Doors 6:30 p.m.; show 7:30 p.m. - Fox Performing Arts Center, 3801 Mission Inn Ave. - Ticket prices vary The touring production of The Wiz brings its soulful, funk-infused spin on The Wizard of Oz to the Fox for two nights only, closing out November and opening December. It's a joyful pick for families, recommended for ages 3 and up, and every guest needs a ticket regardless of age. The Festival of Lights will be in full swing, so parking will be tight. Arrive early or take Riverside Transit to skip the hunt for a spot. ## Community & Culture **Saturday, Nov. 7 and Sunday, Nov. 8** [Riverside Day of the Dead Festival](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/voodoo-glow-skulls-to-headline-expanded-riverside-day-of-the-dead-festival/) - Saturday, 1–10 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.–7 p.m. - Downtown Riverside: Market St. at University Ave., 14th and Market, and Main St. from 10th to 12th - Free Riverside's Day of the Dead festival grows again this year, spilling onto Main Street with four stages and more than 40 acts over two days. Hometown ska-punk heroes Voodoo Glow Skulls headline Saturday night in front of the historic courthouse, with lucha libre, food vendors and music from funk to conjunto filling the surrounding streets. At the heart of it all is White Park, renamed the Jardín de los Altares, where about 80 families will build ofrendas for loved ones and visitors can add names to a community altar. The festival is free, family friendly and alcohol-free. **Saturday, Nov. 14** [Riverside Veterans Parade & Expo](http://riversideveteransparade.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - 10 a.m.–2 p.m. - Magnolia Ave. at Ramona Dr. to the Historic Courthouse at Main and 12th streets - Free Riverside honors service members from every branch and era at this year's parade, themed "The Music of Active Duty." Expect marching bands, equestrian units, color guards, classic cars, military vehicles and floats moving from Riverside City College up Magnolia and Market into Downtown. Market Street offers some of the best viewing spots along the route. The expo near the Historic Courthouse adds booths, food and music, plus a chance to thank a veteran in person. Parking is free in Downtown structures and at street meters. **Saturday, Nov. 21** [Festival of Lights Opening Night Celebration](https://riversideca.gov/fol/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - 5 p.m. (arrive by 4:30 p.m.) - Orange St. and Mission Inn Ave. - Free Riverside's favorite holiday tradition officially begins as the Mission Inn and Downtown light up for the 34th annual Festival of Lights. The switch-on starts promptly at 5 p.m., followed by fireworks, live entertainment, Santa and a special performance by Gavin DeGraw. The festival continues through Dec. 31 (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day), with Santa and community entertainment on Main Street Thursday through Sunday and food vendors daily. Riverside Transit is an easy way to skip the parking scramble on opening night. ## Health & Recreation **Wednesday, Nov. 4** [Medicare EXPO](https://jgf4seniors.org/event/medicare-expo/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - 10 a.m.–1 p.m. - Janet Goeske Center, 5257 Sierra St. - Free Medicare open enrollment can feel like a maze, and this morning expo from the Janet Goeske Foundation puts local experts, health plans, brokers and community resources in one room. Bring your questions, compare your options and leave with a clearer picture of next year's coverage. The first 100 guests get free coffee and a continental breakfast, and raffle prizes are handed out throughout the morning. **Saturdays: Nov. 7, 14, 21 and 28** [Lawn Bowling at Fairmont Park](https://www.raincrossgazette.com/calendar/#/details/lawn-bowling/19094996/2026-11-28T08) - 8–10 a.m. - Fairmont Park, 4020 Bowling Green Dr. - Free Looking for a gentle way to start your weekend? The bowling green at Fairmont Park welcomes newcomers to try lawn bowling, a friendly, low-impact game that's easy to pick up. Sessions are free, so bring a friend and give it a roll. It's a relaxing morning outdoors with a little friendly competition on the side. **Wednesday, Nov. 18** [Turkey Trot 5K Community Run](https://app.dialed-health.org/events/Eeu2t7VGapwPwRyODVbY?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - Check-in 5:30 p.m.; 5K starts at 6:30 p.m. - Farm House Collective, University Ave. - Free Get a head start on Thanksgiving with an evening 5K hosted by MOOD. Run Club with Purple Box Coffee X Cookies and Cold Ones at Farm House Collective. After the run, stick around for a DJ, local vendors and giveaways, and registered runners get $1 off every beer at Cold Ones. It's free to join and a fun way to bank some miles before the holiday feast. ## Upcoming Opportunities for Your Radar **Tuesdays, Nov. 3 through Dec. 1** [Holiday Harmony Women's Chorus](https://inlandempirechorus.org/?ref=raincrossgazette.com) - 6:30–8 p.m. - Temple Beth El, 2675 Central Ave. - $20 Love to sing? The Inland Empire Chorus is inviting women to join its Holiday Harmony Women's Chorus, a five-week program that kicks off Tuesday, Nov. 3\. Singers will learn three holiday songs at weekly rehearsals, then perform them with the chorus at its holiday events. The $20 fee covers your sheet music and learning tracks. It's a festive way to meet new people and get into the spirit of the season. **Saturday, Nov. 21** [Volunteer: Festival of Lights Switch-On Cleanup](https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=p9Ytb7sTt0elKqctKPlJOH1JmW9LyrJKo8N98IsJ%5F4pUMlhDVUxNTUkwSDJGTlU0QVpTT1lPMThPMC4u&ref=raincrossgazette.com) - Shifts from 11:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. - Check in at the Red & White Info Booth near Coffee Bean, 3712 Mission Inn Ave. - Free Help keep Downtown looking its best on one of Riverside's biggest nights of the year. Keep Riverside Clean & Beautiful needs volunteers to pick up trash and keep the streets clear during the Festival of Lights Switch-On Ceremony, with shifts running from late morning until the crowds head home. Tools and supplies are provided, and it's a great way to earn community service hours. Sign up ahead of time to claim a shift. That's November in Riverside: a month for remembering, giving thanks and switching on the lights. Know of an event we should add to the calendar? Send it our way, and we'll see you Downtown.