- Events
- * Free Events

All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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!
Santa’s Arrival and Celebration | Civic Center, Mission Viejo
November 30: Enjoy live entertainment, family activities, and Santa’s fire-engine arrival to light up Mission Viejo. FREE!
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!
LA County Tree Lighting | Jerry Moss Plaza
December 1: Annual celebration to enjoy live music, art-making with the Armory Center for the Arts, snow flurries, complimentary hot chocolate and the opportunity to support local nonprofits, sustainable makers, cultural establishments and small businesses at the LA2050 Holiday Impact Market.
Santa Float in Santa Fe Springs
December 2-19: Enjoy jingling bells, holiday carols, Santa's famous "Ho, ho, ho" echoing in the neighborhood, and take a photo with Santa. See program calendar for float location.
Holiday Sing & Tree Lighting | Civic Center Green, Cypress
December 2: Enjoy school performances, crafts, train rides, and visits with Santa during Cypress’ festive holiday evening. FREE!
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!
Holiday Tree Lighting | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 3: Sip hot cocoa by the ocean, enjoy live carolers, meet Santa, and watch a 30-foot tree sparkle to life. FREE!
Santa’s Workshop | Civic Center, Mission Viejo
December 3-21: Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and explore the festive displays at Santa’s Village during these evening sessions. 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.
Rancho Voices: A Holiday Celebration | Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach
December 4-5: Tour the Ranch House decked for a 1920s holiday party. Docents will be stationed in the house to call out special stories past holiday parties and answer questions. Explore our grounds to listen to stories about the ranch workers’ experiences during their time there in the early to mid-1900s.
Cool Yule Celebration | Pacific City, Huntington Beach
December 4: Welcome the holiday season with Santa, holiday crafts, carolers, and tuba performances! Free parking for a stress free day of shopping & fun!
Joy Around the World: Festival of Holidays & Tree Lighting | El Segundo
December 4: Celebrate global winter traditions, meet Santa, enjoy crafts and performances, and watch the tree lighting at this multicultural holiday festival. FREE!
Cal Heights Neighborhood Tree Lighting in Long Beach
December 4: Play in real snow, meet Santa, enjoy live music, and snap festive character photos at this neighborhood tree-lighting celebration. FREE!
All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony | Aliso Viejo
December 4: Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, snow fall, and a visit from Santa Claus as the 22-foot tree is lit at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain and Amphitheater. FREE!
Holiday Stroll | Riviera Village, Redondo Beach
December 4: Shop, enjoy festive activities, and snap photos with Santa and the Grinch at Riviera Village’s Holiday Stroll. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
December 4: Watch Santa light the city tree, enjoy live performances, free photos, snowfall, crafts, and festive holiday treats on the Promenade. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Civic & Cultural Center, Brea
December 4: Snap photos with Santa, sip hot chocolate in magical snowfall, and explore free gallery admission. FREE
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
December 5-7: 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!
French Holiday Bazaar | International School of Los Angeles, Burbank
December 5: Enjoy artisan shopping, festive foods, and handmade gifts at this French-inspired holiday bazaar. FREE!
Lakewood Tree Lighting
December 5: Play in falling snow, snap free festive photos, and see Santa before the big tree lighting at this community celebration. FREE!
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll | Old Town Tustin
December 5: Visit the Dreamers Market, see stage performances, stop by the Snow Village, and take photos with Santa during Tustin’s annual tree lighting. FREE!
Black Friday Holiday Party | California African American Museum, Los Angeles
December 5: Enjoy music, festive treats, art-making stations, and after-hours access to exhibitions during this holiday party at CAAM. FREE!
Seal Beach Christmas Parade | Main Street, Seal Beach
December 5: Enjoy marching groups, community performers, and festive displays as the Seal Beach Christmas Parade brings “Christmas in Toyland” to Main Street.
Holidayfest at South Lake Avenue
December 6: Enjoy live music, holidays activities, in-store promotions, raffles, free photos with Santa and holiday character, holiday airbrush, cookie and ornament decorating, and more. FREE!
Santa’s Village by the Sea in Downtown San Clemente
December 6: Play in real snow, make festive crafts, enjoy Santa’s procession, and explore holiday fun stretching from Del Mar to the Community Center. FREE-ish!
Holidays by the Sea in San Pedro
December 6: Festivities include snow play, crafts, live entertainment like San Pedro Ballet & marionettes, a Christmas Tree lighting in front of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, and holiday boat parade. FREE!
Tree Lighting & Fireworks Show in Fountain Valley
December 6: Kick off the holiday season with a friend from the North Pole, snow zone, tree lighting, and fireworks. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Santa Fe Springs
December 6: Play in real snow, make holiday crafts, enjoy live performances, and snap a Santa photo during this festive evening celebration. FREE!
King Tide Watch | Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
December 6: Observe one of the year’s highest tides, take photos for a community science project, and learn about coastal changes during this King Tide Watch. FREE!
Snow Festival & Breakfast with Santa | Arcadia Community Center
December 6: Enjoy free snow play, crafts, games, and a ticketed Breakfast with Santa at Arcadia’s Snow Festival. FREE!
Santa’s Big Day at Citadel Outlets
December 6: Get ready for a day filled with festive cheer and joyful celebrations at Citadel Outlets' Santa's Big Day Event. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. FREE-ish!
Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar | Crystal Cove
December 6: Visit Crystal Cove for artisan shopping, Santa photos, and the annual tree lighting during this community holiday event.
La Habra Tamale Festival
December 6: Enjoy live entertainment on three stages, tamales, food vendors, retail vendors, children's play activities, holiday tree lighting, and fireworks show. This annual event draws in about 10,000 attendees every year. FREE!
Civil War Christmas | Drum Barracks, Wilmington
December 6: Walk through the museum, enjoy educational displays, horse-drawn trolley ride, soldier camp, children's craft, holiday decorations, and more. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular | The Shops at Rossmoor, Seal Beach
December 6: Make holiday crafts, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy a live dance performance during this festive community celebration. FREE!
Santa’s Arrival Celebration | Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach
December 6: See Santa sail in by boat and enjoy live music, treats, crafts, and festive character visits by the water. FREE!
The Holidays at the District in Tustin
December 6: Enjoy holiday activities, including free photos with Santa, seasonal crafts for kids and interactive family activities to create joyful holiday memories together. FREE!
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan | Ralphs Marina Pacifica, Long Beach
December 6: Snap photos with Santa, sip holiday Coca-Cola flavors, and drop a kindness postcard into the glowing Magic Post Box. FREE!
Victorian Christmas | Banning Museum, Wilmington
December 6: Celebrate the holidays with a horse-drawn carriage ride, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, family crafts, caroling, Victorian dancers and, a walk-through of the decorated Banning Mansion.
Montana Avenue Holiday Walk | Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
December 6: Race between Santa photos, train rides, live jazz, character meet-and-greets, and a brand-new tree lighting. FREE!
Holiday Bash with Santa & Gingerbread Girl | SteelCraft, Long Beach
December 6: Meet Santa, make crafts, enjoy live music, and experience surprise snow at SteelCraft’s Holiday Bash. FREE!
Musique Sur La Mer-ry Holiday Concert | Shoreline Village, Long Beach
December 6: Hear live holiday music from local youth orchestras and mariachi performers at a cheerful waterfront concert. FREE!
Jolly Holiday at the Promenade at Downey
December 6: Kick-off the holiday season with kid's activities, music, restaurant booth, photo opportunities, Santa and the Grinch, magical snowfall, and more. FREE!
Christmas at the Beach | Beach City Provisions, Bolsa Chica
December 6: Watch Santa ride in on a jet ski, roast s’mores, enter a beach cleanup raffle, and enjoy a festive movie at sunset. FREE!
Winter in the Grove in Garden Grove
December 6: Play in the snow and ride the snow slides at Village Green Park. Make holiday crafts, shop handmade gifts, enjoy performances, treats, carnival games, holiday crafts, inflatable activities, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! FREE!
Winter Wonderland | City Hall, Gardena
December 6: Enjoy snow play, crafts, shopping, and a festive tree lighting at Gardena’s Winter Wonderland. FREE!
Illuminate Irvine at Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex
December 6: Ring in the season with winter-wonderland inspired activities and holiday music classics. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex. FREE!
Winter Wonderland | Montebello City Hall
December 6: Race down snow slides, glide on the rink, meet Santa, and watch the evening light up at the 7 p.m. tree lighting. FREE!
Apollo Lighting at Columbia Memorial Space Center
December 6: Join the Columbia Memorial Space Center for a day of festive wonder and exploration!
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!


