All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Winter Wonderland St. Isidore Historical Plaza, Los Alamitos
December 6: Kick off the holidays with with free snow play and ice skating! Enjoy for musical performances, snow sledding, tree lighting, and Santa's Village. FREE!
Tree Lighting Celebration | Historic Town Center Park, San Juan Capistrano
December 6: Enjoy pre-show entertainment, a holiday production, the tree lighting, and evening activities throughout the Los Rios District during this annual celebration. FREE!
Holiday on Main | Main Street, Yorba Linda
December 6: Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, vendors, and a festive tree lighting on Main Street in Yorba Linda. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Laguna Niguel
December 6: The City of Laguna Niguel hosts their annual tree lighting with an evening full of games, crafts, performances, meet and greets, cookie decorating, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Chili Holiday in La Mirada
December 6: Enjoy chili, cookies, and hot drinks plus fun holiday activities including the tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, live entertainment, snow sledding, and holiday train ride. FREE!
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade in Long Beach
December 6: Enjoy the annual parade showcasing local business, schools, community groups, and more. Parade features 100 entries, including floats designed by Long Beach businesses and organizations.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights in Rolling Hills Estate
December 6: Come and enjoy holiday floats, marching bands, Santa and other community partners making their way through a brightly lit commercial area of Rolling Hills Estates.
LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
December 6: Annual boat parade showcasing a vibrant array of decorated boats and festive lights that stretch about one mile. FREE!
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Ubefestmas | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 7: Snack, shop, and stroll through 70+ vendors at this free, ube-themed outdoor festival. FREE!
Getty Drawing Day
October 26 - December 7: Sketch costumed models, explore figure drawing, and learn from guest artists—materials and guidance provided.
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
International Winter Holidays | Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
December 7: Around the world music, dance and art bring joy to families gathering to celebrate this special time of the year and performances like the Dickens carolers and Ballet Folklorica. This free family festival includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more.
Nutcracker Holiday Village & Tree Lighting in Anaheim
December 7: Play in the snow, browse holiday vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and gather for Anaheim’s festive tree lighting celebration. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular | Cerritos Towne Center
December 7: Make winter crafts, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy festive games and face painting in a cheerful outdoor setting. FREE!
Winter Wonderland | Crenshaw Imperial Plaza, Inglewood
December 7: Play in real snow, snap photos with Santa, and dive into holiday games and wintry fun at this festive family afternoon.
Spirit of the Holidays Parade | Downtown San Pedro
December 7: Watch marching bands, community groups, and festive floats fill the streets at this beloved annual parade, plus shop the Holiday Market before the celebration begins. FREE!
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
A Very Tamale Holiday | Old Town Placentia
December 11: Celebrate with live music, tasty tamales, a snowy North Pole Playground, and a festive tree lighting at this lively Placentia tradition. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Ken Dyda Civic Center, Rancho Palos Verdes
December 12: Play in real snow, sip hot cocoa, make crafts, and watch the city tree light up at this festive community celebration. FREE!
Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa
December 12-19: 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. FREE!
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 12: Enjoy live performances, crafts, free hot chocolate, and festive fun at this lively holiday celebration at The Original Farmers Market. FREE!
Parade of Lights & Fireworks | Ventura Harbor
December 12-13: Watch glowing boats light up Ventura Harbor and stay for carnival rides, snowfall, and a fireworks finale. FREE!
Boat Parade of Lights: “Carol of the Boats” | Dana Point Harbor
December 12-14: Join Dana Point Harbor for their annual Boat Parade of Lights, this year's theme is "Carol of the Boats."
Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona
2nd Weekends: Climb aboard historic locomotives and explore rail history at RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona.
Making Scents of the Ancient World: Pylos Perfume Workshop at the Getty Center
September 21 - January 10: In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece.
Annual Christmas Parade | City of Compton
December 13: See The Game lead Compton’s 70th annual parade, then enjoy a toy drive, bounce houses, and a Jon B performance at the community celebration that follows. FREE!
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire | Ehlers Event Center, Buena Park
December 13: Play in real snow, enjoy petting zo, shop over 100 craft vendors, and meet Santa at Buena Park’s Candy Caneland & Craft Faire. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular at Anaheim Hills Festival
December 13: Enjoy crafts for the kids, face painting, and pictures with Santa in Anaheim Hills! FREE!
Holiday Posada | MOLAA, Long Beach
December 13: Make piñatas, enjoy cultural performances, and join the joyful Posada procession at AJUA’s festive holiday celebration.
Posada Navideña | Paramount Swap Meet
December 13-14: Enjoy free train rides, holiday treats, Santa photos, and a chance to win a 65" TV during this lively weekend Posada.
Holiday Concert on the Pier | Redondo Beach
December 13: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, crafts, holiday photos, and more.
Tamalfest | W. 4th Street, Santa Ana
December 13: Sample tamales from 15 local restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate DTSA’s biggest food festival of the year. FREE!
Daisy Parade in Long Beach
December 13: The Daisy Lane Parade began in 1953. The neighborhood decorates the grass meridian on Daisy Avenue. Catch this neighborhood parade at 5pm.
Shoreline Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade | Long Beach
December 13: Enjoy a boat parade with scenic views of the Long Beach waterfront. The viewing party held at Shoreline Village gives guests an ideal vantage point to take in the parade, marina and city lights with DJ, balloon twisters, holiday music, and snow at Shoreline Village.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
December 13: Watch the harbor glow with themed boats, a brilliant light show, and Marina del Rey’s two-hour illuminated parade.
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
December 14 & 20: Come take pictures with Santa Claus on the San Clemente Pier! Photographer will not be provided; please bring your own camera. Santa's sleigh departs for the North Pole promptly at 5:00 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly. FREE!
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Antique Aircraft Display Days at Fullerton Airport
2nd Sunday of the Month: Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to display their aircrafts and visitors are invited to view the displays.
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
El Segundo Holiday Parade
December 14: Watch performers, floats, marching bands, antique cars, and St. Nick parade through the street during the El Segundo Holiday Parade!
Chanukah Celebration | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 14: Watch a menorah carved from ice, enjoy kids’ crafts and performances, and gather for a festive community menorah lighting. FREE!
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
September 30 - June 1: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
December 17-21: 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.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Meet Santa by the sea, play in faux snow, and explore a festive holiday marketplace with live reindeer and cheerful entertainment.
North Pole Express | Orange County Model Engineers, Costa Mesa
December 20-21: Ride the North Pole Express, meet Santa and the Grinch, and enjoy free miniature train rides all day at Goathill Junction.
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 full 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.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team does their best to keep event details accurate at the time of posting, but information can change without notice! Be sure to double-check with the event organizer before heading out. Kidsguide is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or changes on our calendar—we’re just here to help you find the fun!
