Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for A California Christmas: City Lights (2021). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.
One year after the events of the previous film, Callie and Joseph are happily settled on the farm, where Joseph proposes to her, and she joyfully accepts. That evening, a lively engagement celebration unfolds, during which his chauffeur, Leo, insists that everyone in the city misses Joseph. However, Joseph finds that hard to believe.
The next morning brings shocking news for Joseph: his mother has left with her yoga instructor and has unexpectedly handed the reins of the company over to him. This news is particularly unsettling as he learns that a woman named Victoria has been appointed as the temporary CEO, raising his concerns about her suitability for the role. Interestingly, Joseph’s mother’s decision to run off seems to stem from the inspiration she found in Callie and Joseph’s love story.
Earlier than anticipated, Brandy arrives to visit Callie after catching wind of her engagement to Joseph, but hilariously mistakes Manny for Callie’s fiancé, leading to some confusion. Callie quickly clarifies the situation by introducing Joseph as her fiancé, which adds a slight awkwardness to the moment. Shortly after, Joseph informs Callie that he needs to return to San Francisco for a bit and asks her to join him. She agrees, leaving Manny and Brandy in charge of caring for Hannah and managing the farm in their absence.
Upon arriving in San Francisco, Callie finds herself enjoying the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Later that evening at their hotel, she meets Victoria, who offers her assistance with whatever she might need. In a twist, Joseph’s mother had arranged for a wedding venue to be set up as soon as she learned of his proposal, and she has even set the wedding date for Christmas Eve. This revelation shocks Callie, who feels they haven’t been engaged for long, but she promises to think it over.
Back on the farm, Manny finds himself developing feelings for Brandy. Meanwhile, after speaking with Brandy, Callie decides to accept the Christmas Eve wedding date. At a bustling party they attend, she finds herself a bit overwhelmed by the crowd but ultimately enjoys the festivities. Back at the farm, Manny and Brandy share a bonding moment over a video game and nearly kiss, but ultimately pause to reconsider. The next morning, Brandy surprises Manny with a kiss.
As Joseph grapples with the responsibilities of being the CEO of his family’s business, Callie steps in to help him brainstorm ideas for its success. She gradually grows accustomed to life in San Francisco while planning their wedding. Meanwhile, as their budding romance blossoms, Manny and Brandy begin dating, drawing closer to Callie’s sister, Hannah.
Tensions rise when Callie confronts Joseph, feeling that he is becoming too entrenched in his old life as a CEO. Additionally, Hannah is disheartened by Callie’s lack of communication and finds comfort in Manny’s company. Meanwhile, Callie helps Owen with his play, where he curiously portrays Joseph and finds herself needing to fill in as Mary at the last minute. Joseph and Callie have a heated discussion regarding their wedding due to Victoria’s influence, prompting Callie to return the engagement ring.
Back on the farm, Manny openly admits his love for Brandy, who reciprocates his feelings with equal enthusiasm. In a moment of reflection, Brandy picks up Callie, and they delve into a conversation about Joseph. She offers a comforting reminder that Joseph left behind his city life for an entire year simply because he loves Callie. Joseph, grappling with his feelings, confides in Leo, who discourages him from discarding the engagement ring.
On the farm, Hannah continues to keep her distance from Callie, still upset by her apparent unreachability in San Francisco. However, Manny and Brandy reveal their blossoming relationship to Callie, much to her delight. In a heartfelt moment, Callie reconciles with Hannah. Joseph speaks with his mother, who guides him towards making the right choice, while Callie makes a solemn visit to her mother’s grave.
Ultimately, Joseph cancels the gala he had planned and reconciles with Callie, who is now fully on board with marrying him. Additionally, he finds closure with his ex-fiancée. The film culminates in a joyful wedding ceremony at the vineyard, interspersed with flashbacks capturing the essence of their relationship. The story concludes nine months later as Callie prepares to welcome their child into the world.
Follow the complete movie timeline of A California Christmas: City Lights (2021) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.
Joseph's Proposal
One year after the events of the previous film, Joseph proposes to Callie on their farm, signifying their commitment to each other. Callie's joyful acceptance marks the beginning of their next chapter together.
Engagement Celebration
The couple hosts a lively engagement celebration. During the festivities, Leo, Joseph's chauffeur, insists that the city misses Joseph, which Joseph finds hard to believe.
Shocking News
The next morning, Joseph learns that his mother has left with her yoga instructor and passed the company leadership to him. The unsettling news includes Victoria being appointed as the temporary CEO, causing Joseph to question her qualifications.
Brandy's Arrival
Brandy visits Callie following news of her engagement, mistakenly believing Manny is her fiancé. Callie clarifies the awkward mix-up, introducing Joseph as her fiancé, which adds humor to the situation.
Trip to San Francisco
Joseph asks Callie to join him on a trip back to San Francisco, leaving Manny and Brandy in charge of the farm and Hannah. This decision marks the start of their journey into the city life while they juggle wedding preparations.
Meeting Victoria
Once in San Francisco, Callie enjoys the vibrant atmosphere and meets Victoria at their hotel. Victoria offers assistance, creating an intriguing dynamic given her role as temporary CEO.
Wedding Planning Surprise
Joseph's mother has set up a wedding venue for Callie and Joseph, scheduling their wedding for Christmas Eve. Callie is shocked, feeling that their engagement period is too short, yet she promises to contemplate the date.
Acceptance of the Wedding Date
After attending a lively party and overwhelmed by the crowd, Callie ultimately accepts the Christmas Eve wedding date. Meanwhile, Manny begins developing feelings for Brandy as they bond over video games.
Tensions Rise
As Callie feels Joseph is becoming too engulfed in his CEO responsibilities, she confronts him. Their communication struggles also affect Hannah, who finds solace in Manny's company.
Confronting Feelings
Callie helps her brother Owen with a play where he portrays Joseph. She fills in at the last minute, but tensions rise when Joseph's influence begins to strain their wedding plans, leading Callie to return the engagement ring.
Manny and Brandy's Relationship
Manny openly expresses his love for Brandy, who reciprocates his feelings. This shared emotional moment adds complexity to their lives as they navigate their developing relationship amid Joseph and Callie's situation.
Reconciliation Attempts
Callie reconciles with her sister Hannah after some misunderstandings. Joseph, after advice from his mother, begins to realize the importance of choosing love over his CEO duties.
Joseph's Decision
Joseph cancels a gala to focus on his relationship with Callie, who decides to move forward with their wedding. In doing so, he also finds closure with his past and reaffirms his commitment to Callie.
Wedding Ceremony
The film culminates in a joyful wedding ceremony at a vineyard. Flashes of their relationship interspersed throughout the celebration reflect their growth as a couple.
New Beginnings
Nine months later, Callie prepares to welcome their child into the world, marking the next exciting chapter in their lives. The story closes on a hopeful note, emphasizing family and love.
Explore all characters from A California Christmas: City Lights (2021). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.
Callie
Callie is a strong and loving character who embodies resilience and devotion. Throughout the film, she navigates the complexities of her relationship with Joseph while balancing responsibilities on the farm and in San Francisco. She displays emotional depth, particularly during moments of doubt and confrontation, ultimately demonstrating her commitment to their future.
Joseph
Joseph is a caring and ambitious character thrust into unexpected responsibilities when he becomes the CEO of his family business. His journey reflects the challenges of balancing love and career, revealing moments of vulnerability as he grapples with external pressures. Ultimately, he seeks to grow from his past and make decisions that honor his relationship with Callie.
Manny
Manny is portrayed as a supportive and endearing character, developing romantic feelings for Brandy throughout the film. His light-heartedness brings comedic moments, and he serves as a loyal friend to Callie and Joseph. His evolving relationship with Brandy showcases his capacity for love and opens up the theme of friendship blossoming into romance.
Brandy
Brandy is a vibrant character who provides both comic relief and emotional support to those around her. Throughout the film, she navigates her own growing feelings for Manny and hints at the challenges of romance in a close-knit friend group. Her interactions with Callie highlight the importance of female friendships and mutual support.
Learn where and when A California Christmas: City Lights (2021) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.
Time period
Modern Day
The events unfold in contemporary times, reflecting the complexities of modern relationships and personal growth. It showcases challenges faced by young couples as they navigate love, family responsibilities, and career pressures. The calculated pace of life and immediate societal expectations are evident throughout the film, particularly in planning significant life events like engagements and weddings.
Location
California, San Francisco, Farm, Vineyard
The movie takes place across various locations in California, including the vibrant city of San Francisco and a serene farm where Joseph and Callie reside. The farm is a symbol of their love and new beginnings, while San Francisco offers a bustling backdrop that contrasts with their rural life. The vineyard serves as a picturesque setting for important events, culminating in a wedding ceremony that highlights their romantic journey.
Discover the main themes in A California Christmas: City Lights (2021). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.
💍
Love & Commitment
At its core, the film explores themes of love and commitment through Callie and Joseph's engagement and the challenges they face. The narrative underscores the importance of communication and understanding in a relationship, especially when external pressures arise. Additionally, the movie portrays the evolution of love as they reconcile their past and build a future together.
👨👩👧👦
Family Dynamics
Family dynamics play a crucial role in the storyline, particularly with Joseph's unexpected responsibilities as the CEO and his mother's departure. The film illustrates how familial relationships can affect personal decisions and emotions, as both Callie and Joseph navigate their bond with family members while trying to create their own family. It also highlights sibling relationships, especially with Hannah and her journey of acceptance.
🌟
Personal Growth
The theme of personal growth is prominent as both Callie and Joseph confront their individual challenges and fears. Joseph's transition into leadership pushes him to reassess his priorities, while Callie's determination to support him showcases her strength. Their journey together not only strengthens their bond but also helps them evolve as individuals, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery.
Uncover films that echo the narrative beats, emotional arcs, or dramatic twists of the one you're exploring. These recommendations are handpicked based on story depth, thematic resonance, and spoiler-worthy moments — perfect for fans who crave more of the same intrigue.
What's After the Movie?
Not sure whether to stay after the credits? Find out!
Explore Our Movie Platform
New Movie Releases (2025)
Famous Movie Actors
Top Film Production Studios
Movie Plot Summaries & Endings
Major Movie Awards & Winners
Best Concert Films & Music Documentaries
© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.