Sundialed Summer

Gather your favorite people and dial up the summer fun in Redding! There are span-tastic celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the iconic Sundial Bridge, a Fourth of July with one of California’s largest fireworks shows, and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area’s 42,000-acre wilderness park—offering ranger-guided kayak tours. Your summer in Redding is more than dialed, it’s Sundialed!

Sundial, Dance Style

Look out, Cirque du Soleil, because globally acclaimed vertical dance company BANDALOOP is coming to California! In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Redding’s famous Sundial Bridge, BANDALOOP will perform four complimentary shows on June 28 and June 29.

The vertical dance company gives a fresh expression to the Great Artdoors, with creative choreography, and climbing technology for pivoting things sideways with perspective-bending performances.

Enjoy plenty of food and drinks at the festivities, including a special menu at Mosaic Restaurant, “Seven Days of Spain” honoring the Sundial’s designer, Santiago Calatrava.

GOAT Float!

You and your family, co-workers, or best pals will have a blast at the (in)famous Sundial Splash on June 29 in Redding. This fun river float race is super popular: people come from all over to join a huge float down the Sacramento River with the beautiful Sundial Bridge and surrounding mountains as part of the scenery.

Even if you’ve never paddled before, this event is still for you, thanks to the easygoing nature of the river route … with float vehicles of all kinds taking to the water—outriggers, tubes … whatever floats your boat!

When you register, simply choose your float: canoe, kayak, standup paddleboard, tandem craft, surf ski, or raft. Then embark on the 6-mile route from Riverfront Park to the South Bonneyview boat ramp.

It’s just you, your crew, and hundreds of other people celebrating Redding’s river culture.

Redding, White, and Blue

Redding really goes fourth it, hosting one of California’s largest fireworks celebrations as part of its Freedom Festival Fourth of July. This event includes a soundtrack to more than 1,700 shells produced by Pyro Spectacular. Karl the Fog will not be attending!

Bring your crew of “Little Sparklers” to start the Fourth off at 8 a.m. with the Signarama Firecracker 5K at beautiful Turtle Bay Exploration Park. Young kids can do the 0.25-mile run/walk and shortly after there’s a 4.4K (time adjusted) fun run, walk, or stroll, with music, a mimosa bar, and full pancake breakfast.

Whiskeytown You Were Here!

Quench your group’s thirst for adventure at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area. Located a mere 8 miles west of Redding, Whiskeytown is a 42,000-acre wilderness park, and it’s filled to the brim with plenty of ways to keep your cool. Enjoy hiking trails to four waterfalls, multiple sandy beaches and swim areas, plus complimentary ranger-guided paddle and standup board tours. Get in a tandem kayak and head out to see tranquil coves and more with an interpretive park ranger.

If you’re new to paddle boarding, the ranger-guided tours are ideal for learning the basics while taking in mountainous scenery, and spotting wildlife you don’t get to see in the city. While there’s no charge for the ranger-guided tours you do have to reserve a spot!