Wanting to recapture the spirit of Christmas past amid the charming surroundings of historic downtown Grass Valley, we booked an overnight for their annual Cornish Christmas Celebration.

As a way to preserve Grass Valley’s Cornish heritage and holiday traditions, Cornish Christmas remains one of the town's most popular events.
Dinner was traditional Pasties- a meat pie that can't be beat!
We were promised to have "the streets filled with the sights and sounds of an old fashioned Christmas; carolers, jugglers, musicians, the Grass Valley Cornish Carol Choir, Tommyknocker Cloggers and of course, Santa Claus." The deluge of rain prevented a great deal of the festivities from occurring but it didn't matter at all. We delighted in the sights and sounds that were present and then went back to our hotel for live music in the warmth.
Our hotel must be discussed. The Holbrooke was built in 1862 in mid-19th century Mother Lode masonry architectural style, and incorporated the Golden Gate Saloon which has been in continuous operation since 1852.

Beside us four, several notable people stayed at the hotel including “Gentleman Jim” Corbett, Lotta Crabtree, Bob Fitzsimmons, Bret Harte, Jack London, Emma Nevada, Mark Twain, and five US Presidents: Grover Cleveland, James Garfield, Ulysses S. Grant, Benjamin Harrison, and Herbert Hoover.
It was a pretty awesome place to lay one's head. The interior includes copper clad walls, mahogany wood, Italian alabaster, and marble. In addition, it is furnished with globe chandeliers, green library lamps, and clawfoot bathtubs (oh and this super comfy bed). The Spirit of Christmas was totally recaptured tonight in this place. Fun stuff.