Opening Ceremony: Festival of Lights | Mission Inn, Riverside

November 22: Celebrate the annual Festival of Lights with the opening ceremony featuring live performances and enjoy a breathtaking holiday light collection with over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirit.

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

Apple Butter Festival at Los Rios Rancho in Yucaipa

November 28-30: Celebrate the end of apple season with live music, pumpkin painting, coloring and kids crafts, cider tasting tour, autumn foliage carriage tours, and apple butter making.

Dates:
Location:
Los Rios Rancho 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Solvang Julefest

Nov 28 - Jan 4: Julefest returns for a month-long holiday celebration for the village of Solvang. Julefest events includes nightly light and music show, photos with Santa, tree lighting ceremony, carolers, bands and chorus, candlelight tours, artisanal night marketplace, and more.

Dates:
Location:
Solvang Visitor Center 1637 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Fire & Lights Festival | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

Nov 28 - Jan 4: The Fire & Ice Festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is a family-friendly event featuring fire dancers performing two shows on the weekends, and Lighting of the Bay.

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

Lighting of the Bay | Newport Dunes

November 28: Enjoy crafts, rides, s’mores, live music, and Santa’s lighting of the bay at Newport Dunes’ festive opening night. FREE!

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

Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach

Nov 29 - Jan 1, 2026: 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
+ Google Map

908 Holiday Fair | Sports Basement, Long Beach

November 29-30: Shop local vendors, enjoy festive drinks, hear holiday music, and snap photos with Santa at the 908 Holiday Fair. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Sports Basement Long Beach 2100 North Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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.

Dates:
Location:
Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Santa Fe Springs
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Civic Center Mission Viejo 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

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.

Dates:
Location:
Rancho Los Alamitos 6400 East Bixby Hill Road, Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map

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!

Dates:
Location:
Pacific City 21010 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA
+ Google Map

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!

Dates:
Location:
Cal Heights Long Beach Corner of Orange Ave. and Bixby Rd.
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Aliso Viejo Town Center 26841 Aliso Creek Road, Aliso Viejo
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Riviera Village, Redondo Beach 1799 S Catalina Ave., Redondo Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Third Street Promenade Santa Monica 1200 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
+ Google Map
Cost:
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.

Dates:
Location:
Main Street, Seal Beach Main Street, Seal Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

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!

Dates:
Location:
South Lake Avenue 345 S. Lake Avenue, Pasadena
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
San Clemente Community Center 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente
+ Google Map

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!

Dates:
Location:
San Pedro Town Square and Promenade 600 Sampson Way, San Pedro, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Fountain Valley Recreation Center & Sports Park  16400 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Town Center Plaza - Santa Fe Springs 11740 Telegraph Rd., Santa Fe Springs, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Roundhouse Aquarium End of Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Citadel Outlets 100 Citadel Drive, Los Angeles
+ Google Map

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.

Dates:
Location:
Crystal Cove State Park 8471 N. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach

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!

Dates:
Location:
La Habra Tamale Festival Euclid St. (between La Habra Blvd. & Bridenbecker Ave.), La Habra, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
Drum Barracks Civil War Museum 1052 N Banning Blvd., Wilmington
Cost:
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!

Dates:
Location:
The District at Tustin Legacy 2437 Park Ave., Tustin
+ Google Map
Cost:
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.

Dates:
Location:
The Banning Museum 401 East M Street, Wilmington
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

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!