The California Rodeo Association is thrilled to welcome the community to the 3rd Annual Country Christmas Celebration, presented by MYCARS.com, on Thursday, December 11th at the Salinas Sports Complex. This free, family-friendly holiday event will run from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and promises festive fun for all ages. Guests can enjoy complimentary photos with Cowboy Santa Claus*, hot cocoa, candy canes, a letter-writing station for Santa, holiday crafts, and more.
A key highlight of the evening will once again be distributing 1,500 toys to children ages 2 to 12, made possible through generous contributions from Compass Church of Monterey County, event sponsors, and community donors. Compass Church is currently accepting donations of new, unwrapped toys, valued at $25 each, to help make the season brighter for local children.
“The Country Christmas Celebration has become a cherished tradition for our community,” said California Rodeo President Bob Eggers. “It’s a wonderful evening that brings families together and showcases what the California Rodeo stands for—community spirit and giving back.”
Guests can enjoy live holiday music, festive photo opportunities, free mini donuts, and more.
The California Rodeo Association seeks sponsors and donors to help keep this event free and accessible to the community. For sponsorship opportunities, please get in touch with Victoria Carlisle at 831-775-3109 or vcarlisle@carodeo.com.
For full event details, visit: www.CARodeo.com/Events/2025/Country-Christmas.
Please note that a clear bag policy will be enforced for this event.
*One photo per family.
**Children must be present to receive toys. 1,500 tickets will be distributed for toy pick-up.
Photos by Mag One Media
ABOUT CALIFORNIA RODEO SALINAS
The 116th California Rodeo Salinas will take place July 16-19, 2026. As a not-for-profit organization, the California Rodeo Association is dedicated to preserving the traditions of the California Rodeo Salinas and the Western way of life while fostering community involvement and cultural heritage. The Association supports local nonprofits and community groups through its annual Rodeo and year-round operations at the Salinas Sports Complex. In 2025, these efforts generated over $856,000 for local organizations.
For more information, visit www.CARodeo.com or contact the Rodeo Office at (831) 775-3100.
