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.

Dates:
Location:
Lincoln Park - Long Beach Pacific Ave. & W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Newport Landing 309 Palm St., Newport Beach, CA

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!

Dates:
Location:
Heritage Hill Historical Park 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest

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.

Dates:
Location:
Downtown Santa Monica 1324 5th St., Santa Monica
Cost:
Free

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!

Dates:
Location:
Dana Point Harbor Dana Point, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Bowers Museum 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Ehlers Event Center 8150 Knott Ave., Buena Park, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Redondo Beach Pier 500 Fisherman’s Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA
Cost:
Free

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!

Dates:
Location:
Lake Forest Civic Center 100 Civic Center Drive, Lake Forest, CA

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
San Clemente Municipal Pier 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA
Cost:
Free

Daisy Lane Parade in Long Beach

DECEMBER 9, 2023: This special neighborhood tradition returns to its historic format this year.

Dates:
Location:
Daisy Avenue Daisy Avenue and Hill Street, Long Beach

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.

Dates:
Location:
Segerstrom Center for the Arts 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA

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.

Dates:
Location:
2nd & PCH 6400 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Rancho Los Cerritos 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach, CA

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.

Dates:
Location:
Newport Beach Newport Beach, CA

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.

Dates:
Location:
Costa Mesa City Hall 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

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).

Dates:
Location:
Laguna Hills Community Center 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Fairview Park - Costa Mesa 2501 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Petersen Automotive Museum 600 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA
Cost:
Free

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!

Dates:
Location:
Anaheim Hills Festival 8020 E Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim, CA

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Getty Villa Museum 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Silverado Park in Long Beach 1545 W. 31st St., Long Beach, CA
Cost:
Free

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!

Dates:
Location:
Union Market 27741 Crown Valley Parkway, Mission Viejo, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Naples Island 2nd Street and The Toledo, Long Beach 90803

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Long Beach Museum of Art 2300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Recurring
Location:
Centennial Farm 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Cost:
Free

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.


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