All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
October 2020
Escape Los Al: The Sanderson Sisters Cottage – City of Los Alamitos
OCTOBER 2 - DECEMBER 13: Escape Los Al hosted by the City of Los Alamitos provides an interactive puzzle experience for small groups. You'll have 60 minutes in a room to work together as a team and help solve the mystery.
November 2020
Not So Spooky Farm – Holiday Drive-Thru Experience in Norco
NOVEMBER 6-29: Kick off the holiday season with this family-friendly drive-thru. Follow the adventure of Stingy Jack as he uncovers candy clues to get the fabled treasure of pirate Bluebeard.
Holidays Lights at Dana Point Harbor
NOVEMBER 11 - JANUARY 3: Visit Dana Point Harbor for their annual holiday light display that will illuminate the Harbor November 11 - January 3. Themed light exhibits include Candy Cane Lane, a "Merry Kiss Me" arch, lighted trees, and more.
Pavilion of Holiday Trees – South Coast Plaza
NOVEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 4: Experience a one-of-a-kind exhibit at South Coast Plaza this holiday season. The Pavilion of Holiday Trees features over 35 beautifully decorated trees. The trees are available for purchase through an online auction to benefit Southern California, national and global arts organizations.
Visions in Light: Windows on the Wallis – A Free Drive-By Art Experience
NOVEMBER 19-29: Projected on the windows of The Wallis, Visions in Light is a free drive-by art exhibit featuring over 40 established and emerging artists of diverse cultures portraying work meant to inspire joy, wonder and awareness.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 3: Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience will include eight distinctly different areas throughout the park with millions of twinkling lights choreographed to festive music, beloved holiday characters decked out for the holidays, iconic Holiday in the Park decorations, and a drive-by featuring Santa and his elves. Price is $20-30 per car.
Celebrate the Holidays at Bella Terra
NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 24: Enjoy photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live holiday music, magical snowfall, hot cocoa and carols, strolling holiday characters, and more.
Dodgers Drive-Thru Holiday Festival
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: The 2020 World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting a drive-thru Holiday Festival, complete with a light show, LED video displays, fake snow and interactive displays honoring the Dodgers World Championship and celebrating the holidays!
Holidayz at the Park – OC Great Park in Irvine
NOVEMBER 21 - JANUARY 3: ‘Tis the season for family fun and holiday cheer at the Orange County Great Park. Enjoy Holidayz at the Park, when the park will be transformed into a winterscape featuring holiday-themed events, displays, and lights.
SeaWorld Christmas Celebration in San Diego
NOVEMBER 13 - JANUARY 4: SeaWorld San Diego’s Christmas Celebration brings families together with priceless traditions and fun-filled surprises, with enhanced safety measures in place.
Alpine Slide and Snow Play
NOVEMBER - EASTER: Enjoy tubing and snow play, plus take a chairlift ride to the top of the Alpine Slide. Here, riders navigate their own individually controlled sleds, each with teflon runners and ball-bearing wheels, down their choice of two quarter-mile long cement tracks filled with high-banked turns and long straightaways. Experience the new Mineshaft Coaster, the first and only mountain coaster in CA!
SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest
NOVEMBER 21 - JANUARY 10: Join Skypark for a Nostalgic Christmas in the Woods inside Santa’s Village! Enjoy visits with Santa and Northwoods characters, ice skating, light displays, storytelling, crafts, holiday treats and more.
Thanksgiving Break Camp – Skatedogs Long Beach
NOVEMBER 23-25: Whether your kids (5-13, all levels) are just learning or ready to learn advanced tricks, this camp is right for them! They’ll make new friends, advance their skills, play games, and most importantly, have fun!
South Coast Botanic Garden’s GLOW Light Exhibit
NOVEMBER 21 - JANUARY 10: South Coast Botanic Garden is proud to present GLOW, a visually stunning art installation that will transform their lush botanic oasis into an oceanic experience for their Garden Lights & Ocean Waters theme. Enjoy music and this unforgettable after-dark walk through the Garden.
The Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey: Drive-Thru Experience in Pomona
NOVEMBER 6 - JANUARY 3: Drive through a dazzling light spectacle with toy-repair workshops, gingerbread villages, and all the sights and sounds of the holidays, blended with a touch of high-spirited fun.
Thanksgiving 3-Day Camp – Ocean Institute in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Ocean Institute for three days of fun and adventure! Camps are available for ages 5-12. A 2-hour whale watching cruise can be added on to any camp.
Kids Cooking Class Events – Lil’ Chef School in Irvine
NOVEMBER 7, 11, 23-25, and 27: Parents are invited to cook with their kids or drop them off (ages 6 and up). Events this month include Family Fun Night Workshop (11/7), Veterans Day Mini Camp (11/11), Thanksgiving Mini Camp (11/23-11/25), Black Friday Mini Camp (11/27), and Parents Night Out (11/27).
Thanksgiving Art Camps – Kidcreate Studio in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Kidcreate Studio for Thanksgiving Art Camps. Two camps available for ages 4-10 and 7-12. Children ages 7-10 can register for both camps for a full day of art camp.
Happy Place: Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 10: Happy Place - The Drive Thru features 18 larger-than-life experiences and interactive moments. Some highlights include the world's first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road, and a pulsating nightclub for your car.
Holidays in Your Car – Ventura Fairgrounds
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 2: Discover a symphony of sight and sound at one of Southern California's largest drive-thru holiday light spectaculars! Holidays in Your Car features more than one million LED lights, holograms, and projection mapping animated to classic holiday tunes.
Camp Hillcrest Fall Camp – Fullerton Parks & Recreation
NOVEMBER 23-25: Fall Day Camp at Hillcrest is a day camp for children (ages 5-12). Camp Hillcrest promotes enjoyable physical activity to keep campers active and engaged throughout the day. Children will get active outdoors, explore, create and learn through various arts, crafts, and enrichment activities.
Holiday 3-Day Sewing Camps – Sewing Lab in Los Alamitos
NOVEMBER 23-25, DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Sewing Lab is open for in-person sewing camps this holiday season. They have 3-day camps for both Thanksgiving and Winter Break. Camps are suitable for both brand new and returning students. Sewing projects are always fun and tailored to you!
3-Day Rock Climbing Camp – Sender One in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 23-25, DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Looking for something fun and health-conscious to do for your child this season? Sign up for Sender One's 3-day rock climbing camp! Activities include rope climbing, bouldering, games, zip line, king swing, slackline, and Sender City.
3-Day Rock Climbing Camp – Sender One in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 23-25, DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Looking for something fun and health-conscious to do for your child this season? Sign up for Sender One's 3-day rock climbing camp! Activities include rope climbing, bouldering, games, zip line, king swing, slackline, and Sender City.
Fall Break Art Camp – Averyboo Arts in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 23-25: Creative kids (ages 8-12) can flex artistic muscles and have fun making autumnal art. In-person camps are limited to six participants. Materials included.
A Cabazon Dinosaurs Christmas – Roadside Attraction
NOVEMBER 6 - JANUARY 1: Celebrate Christmas in a big way! For the first time ever, Mr. Rex has put on his Santa suit and is ready for your family Christmas photo! Santa Claus and his Velociraptor pulling sleigh will be at the Cabazon Dinosaurs for family photos. Stroll through the Outdoor Dinosaur Trail and visit the Wafflesaurus Truck for treats on select days.
Big Bear Snow Play
NOVEMBER - EASTER: Big Bear Snow Play sports the longest runs in Southern California. Night Glow Tubing, Big Bear Speedway and Ropes Course are also offered.
Taste of Merry Farm – Knott’s Berry Farm
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 3: Knott's transforms with enchanted décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, and a variety of picturesque holiday settings. Guests can enjoy over 60 unique food and drink items offered on the tasting card and shop at one-of-a-kind stores filled with rare, handmade, and personalized gifts from local crafters.
Thanksgiving Week Mini Camp at Lil’ Chef in Irvine
November 23-25: Each day Lil’ Chefs will make yummy holiday desserts. On the last day, they will take an Apple Crumble Pie home to bake for your Thanksgiving Feast! Join them for one day, or all three!
Santa’s Speedway Christmas Lights Drive-Thru – Irwindale Speedway & Event Center
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 10: Drive on an actual NASCAR racetrack, as you enjoy Santa's Village with elves hard at work, a land filled with Christmas sweets, Rudolph's Enchanted garage filled with Racecar Reindeers, and the world's largest free standing light tree, measuring 110 feet!
Lighting of the Bay – Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 1: Stroll the bay and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. The Back Bay will glow from sunset to sunup with with over 40 electric Christmas trees. Food and drink available for family picnics on Fridays and Saturdays. Ticketed events also offered.
Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
NOVEMBER 27-29, DECEMBER 5-6, 12-13, 19-23, 26-31 and JANUARY 1-3: Go on a holiday expedition of light, and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Visit the Enchanted Lagoon for music, bright bits of "firefly" lights, and colorfully lit waterfall. Enjoy a light show at Safari Base Camp, stroll through the Bridge of Lights, and go on a Lantern Walk in the Nairobi Village.
Hikari: A Festival of Lights Drive-Thru Experience – Tanaka Farms in Irvine
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 10: Join Tanaka Farms for a celebration filled with joy and light! Drive through the 30-acre farm and be dazzled by farm-themed lighting. Plus, ever Friday-Sunday, get a very special visit from Santa! Use code "tanakalights2020" at checkout to save $5 when you book your reservation (until 11/8/20).
Christmas Train & Santa’s Village – Irvine Park Railroad
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Take an enchanting night ride (ticket required) through historic Irvine Regional Park. The train will depart from the train station and stop at the North Pole. Enjoy ice fishing, blizzard ball, carnival games, and photo opps in Santa's Village (no ticket required).
Lights, Camera, Santa! – The Village at Orange
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 25: Visit The Village at Orange for photos with Santa! Reservations required. For everyone's safety, this will be a socially-distanced experience. Santa and his helpers will be wearing masks.
“The Polar Express” Interactive Holiday Experience – MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Visit the MainPlace Mall to interact with the all-new Santa set inspired by the film "The Polar Express." The experience immerses visitors in the movie’s magical realm, allowing them to take a variety of free selfies, including one in front of the famed Polar Express train itself, complete with steam and realistic sound effects
Lil’ Chefs Black Friday Mini Camp in Irvine
Friday, November 27: Come join the Black Friday Brunch! Lil’ Chefs will learn to make a delicious brunch while learning knife skills, how to properly measure ingredients and working as a team to complete each recipe from start to finish.
Guided Tidepool Hikes at Ocean Institute
Join the Ocean Institute for a tidepool hike into the rocky Marine Conservation Area led by expert naturalists. Families can explore the area and search for snails, crabs, sea stars, and other animals that make the tidepools their home.
Holiday Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: Enjoy a fun scenic train ride on vintage train cars. Stop at Prancer's Christmas Farm for sleigh rides, Christmas lights, music, Santa, and more. Then visit the Loose Caboose to purchase produce, feed chickens, enjoy holiday displays, and more.
North Pole Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: The North Pole Express departs from Prancer's Christmas Farm (located in Santa Paula). Enjoy the farm then come onboard for a magical 1-hour evening train ride to the "North Pole." See Santa and wave at his elves and enjoy storytelling fun.
🖥 Streaming Event: A Christmas Carol – South Coast Repertory
NOVEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3: Experience A Christmas Carol unlike any other—past, present or future. Staged exclusively for this production, this must-watch streaming event conjures the powerful spirits of Christmas and brings all the magic of live theatre home for the holidays.
Cal Lights Santa Experience – Mini Photo Session with f/8 Studios in Long Beach
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 20: Join f/8 Studios for a memorable, magical Santa Claus experience where a professional photographer will take memorable photos of your family socially distanced with the big man himself in their styled winter wonderland (letters to Santa encouraged!).
Kayaking Tours at Ocean Institute
October 17 – November 28: Get on the water for a two-hour interactive kayak tour around the Dana Point harbor. Learn about the history of the harbor and its unique ecosystem from expert naturalists. Must be at least 12 years old to participate
Discounted Late Night at the Aquarium of the Pacific
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 27: Those who make reservations to visit on weekends after 6:00 p.m. can enjoy the Aquarium’s outdoor exhibits for just $15 per person. Guest will be able to enjoy holiday décor and special night-time lighting.
🖥 Bowers Virtual Family Festival
NOVEMBER 29: Tune-in Sunday, at 11 a.m. for the next Virtual Family Festival presented by Bowers at Home! Enjoy live stream of performances, art projects and a food experience.
SoCal WonderLAnd Drive-Thru Experience – Woodland Hills
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 30: Celebrate the holiday season with millions of lights and themed decor during a festive WonerLAnd drive-thru show. Enjoy elaborate sets, semi-enclosed and open-air tunnel installations, photo opps, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the Elves!
December 2020
Kids Free in December – Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
DECEMBER 1-31: Purchase two full price adult whale watching tickets, one child (up to age 12) is free. Purchase two full price adult fishing tickets, one child (up to age 14) is free.
Holiday Photo with a Penguin – Aquarium of the Pacific
DECEMBER 1: Take your family photos with a penguin! The Aquarium will set up a photo spot outdoors with holiday decor and one of their penguins in the mobile penguin cart.
CHOC Walk Drive-In Movie Night at Brea Mall
DECEMBER 2: This night features a favorite movie that’s fun for all ages on a massive screen - all from the comfort and safety of your car. See The Nightmare Before Christmas at 5pm and Spider-Man: Homecoming at 6:50pm.
Capistrano Lights – Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 3 - JANUARY 3: Join Mission San Juan Capistrano for a nightly tree lighting in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church. Enjoy the Mission in lights, make a wish, and sing along to the cheerful songs of the 30-foot Christmas tree.
