- Events
- * Free Events

“Christmas Confections” Holiday Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
OCT 6 - DEC 31: Step into the sweet world of holiday delights at the Roger's Gardens' "Christmas Confections" boutique!
Free Family Events at Lincoln Park in Long Beach
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER: Join the City of Long Beach for free family events at Lincoln Park. Weekly activities include Tuesday Walking Group, Wednesday Intro to Fitness with Park Equipment, Friday Play Date in the Park, and Friday Come & Dance. Game Night on November 28 and December 21. Movie Night on December 28.
Annual Festival of Lights at Mission Inn in Riverside
NOVEMBER 18 - JANUARY 7: The Mission Inn's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.
Lighting of the Bay at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 31: The waveless bay will transform each evening into a winter wonderland featuring more than fifty lighted holiday decorations and Christmas trees.
Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 1-31, 2023: Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard a decorated vessel on a 75-minute holiday lights cruise. View multi million dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights.
Rancho Voices: A Holiday Celebration at the Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach
DECEMBER 7-9, 2023: Tour the Ranch House decorated for a 1920s holiday party and listen to voices from its past. Enjoy light refreshments and music after your tour.
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
DECEMBER 8-10, 2023: Enjoy an evening stroll through the decorated grounds as well as live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus!
Free Ice Skating in Santa Monica
SELECT DATES, DECEMBER 8-26: Guests can visit Ice at Santa Monica for Netflix Family Nights for complimentary skate sessions featuring family favorite films and shows.
Boat Parade of Lights: Candyland Theme at Dana Point Harbor
DECEMBER 8-10, 2023: Enjoy the Boat Parade of lights at the Dana Point Harbor, there will be photo opportunities, visit with Santa and more!
Saturday Morning Cartoons at The Bowers Kidseum
NOVEMBER 4 & DECEMBER 9: Drop in for a free drawing lesson for all ages! Watch a selection of cartoons and learn how to draw a Looney Tunes character - a different one every session - taught by skilled teaching artists.
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire in Buena Park
DECEMBER 9: Join the City of Buena Park for entertainment, food, games, free raffles, snow slide, synthetic ice rink, petting zoo, plus a craft faire featuring over 100 artisans.
Holiday Concert on the Pier at Redondo Beach
DECEMBER 9: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, activity books, holiday photos, sponsor giveaways, and charity toy drive.
Tree Lighting Celebration at the Civic Center in Lake Forest
DECEMBER 9, 2023: The City of Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will have games, crafts, inflatables and many more family-friendly activities! Food, shopping, and a special appearance by Ole St. Nick!
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
DECEMBER 9, 16, 17: Enjoy free visits with Santa on the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as your backdrop. Bring your own camera.
Apollo Lighting at Columbia Memorial Space Center
DECEMBER 9: Be part of CMSC's Apollo Capsule annual lighting event! Listen to your favorite holiday tunes performed by TubaChristmas, followed by the lighting of the Apollo capsule and a STEM-filled holiday adventure with interactive activities for all ages.
Daisy Lane Parade in Long Beach
DECEMBER 9, 2023: This special neighborhood tradition returns to its historic format this year.
Holidays Around the World at Segerstrom
DECEMBER 10: Enjoy a variety of live performances from local music acts and dance groups that celebrate holiday traditions from around the world.
Chanukah Celebration at 2nd & PCH in Long Beach
DECEMBER 10: Join the celebration at 2nd & PCH with a live three-piece band, LED Robot performance and Chanukah crafts for kids. Hosted by Shul by the Shore.
Holiday Open House at the Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach
DECEMBER 10, 2023: Tour the decorated adobe, meet costumed docents, and stroll the grounds listening to holiday music while sipping hot cider.
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 13-17, 2023: Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail along the harbor. View the parade from over 50 locations including Marina Park and Balboa Village Fun Zone.
Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa
DECEMBER 15-22, 2023: Visit the Snoopy House for photos with Santa, train rides, performances and light displays. Special weekend activities included carolers, play areas, and sensory-friendly event.
Parent’s Night Out at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 15: Parents, get your holiday shopping done and let the Community Services staff watch the kids (ages 6-14).
Lowe’s Workshops for Kids
Bring your mini-DIYer into Lowe's for a special workshop hosted by a Red Vest expert.
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa
THIRD WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH: The Orange County Model Engineers offer public ride days every third weekend of each month. To ride the trains, children must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. A typical trip takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park.
Little Sparks Workshop at Petersen Automotive Museum
AUG 19, SEP 16, OCT 21, NOV 18, DEC 16: Visit the Petersen Automotive Museum for workshops (ages 3-6) that explore the history, science, and art behind the car.
Holiday Spectacular at Anaheim Hills Festival
DECEMBER 16: Enjoy a festive music, crafts for the kids, face painting, and pictures with Santa in Anaheim Hills!
Papyrus Scroll Making Family Workshop at Getty Villa
NOVEMBER 4 - JANUARY 27: Become a scribe and create your own papyrus scene inspired by illustrations in the Book of the Dead. Learn about the making and use of the scrolls and ancient Egyptian art and belief.
Who-ville Winter in Long Beach
DECEMBER 16: Join the City of Long Beach for a joyful who-ville winter event with face painting, outdoor games, crafts, hot cocoa, Santa visit, and raffles.
Children’s Business Fair at Union Market in Mission Viejo
DECEMBER 16: Support young entrepreneurs at this holiday pop-up market that features a variety of stalls where local children sell their unique and handmade goods!
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade in Long Beach
DECEMBER 16, 2023: Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season.
Family ArtMaking Workshop at Long Beach Museum of Art
THIRD SUNDAYS: Family ArtMaking Workshops provide free family-oriented art-making activities. Parents and children (5+) participate together to create an art project. Workshops are free and no sign-ups are required. Stop by anytime between 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Holiday Festival at Muckenthaler Cultural Center
DECEMBER 17: Celebrate the holiday season with free family-friendly activities, live music, food and drinks, art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale.
Free Day at The Huntington Library
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation.
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
SEPTEMBER 28 - JUNE 3: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team works hard to ensure all events are accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Confirm all details with event organizer before attending. Kidsguide is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings on our calendar.