All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Ice Rink at Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 1 - JANUARY 5: Holiday magic starts at Irvine Spectrum Center with the return of the Ice Rink sponsored by the Anaheim Ducks. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
NOVEMBER 7 - DECEMBER 23: Experience the enchanting display of a million lights that light up lavender fields, olive groves, and historic buildings. Take a delightful tractor-pulled wagon ride around the property and be sure to visit the Christmas Village, holiday maze, s'mores pits, and Elvesville.
Winter Frolic at Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena
NOVEMBER 8, 2024 - JANUARY 5, 2025: Enjoy Sock-Skating, riding trikes through a giant gingerbread house, building winter sculptures with "ice blocks", and dressing up a snowman family.
Christmas Around the World at the Reagan Library
NOV 9 - JAN 9: Christmas Around the World includes 26 exquisitely decorated trees representing the 26 countries that President Reagan visited while in office, as well as a White House Tree.
Santa’s Village in SkyPark at Santa’s Village
NOVEMBER 14 - JANUARY 5: The entire village transforms into a Christmas wonderland with many attractions and activities, including: train ride, live entertainment, ice skating arena, Santa's House, Northwood characters, and special holiday experiences.
L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
NOVEMBER 15 - JANUARY 5: A nature-focused holiday celebration featuring all-new seasonal wonders, including Winter Wildlands with majestic pine trees, glowing ice crystals, snow-loving animals, views of the “northern lights,” and photo spots.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 5: Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive, one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences throughout the gardens.
Holiday Cheer on the Pier in Santa Monica
NOV 21 - DEC 19: The historic Merry Go-Round windows are decked out with a one-of-a-kind installation from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, that sets the stage for incredible holiday events all season long. On select days, enjoy music, performances, a car show, and photos with Santa.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink
NOVEMBER 21 - JANUARY 12: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink is back for a season of outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown LA. Open Daily. General admission is $20 and includes skate rental.
Once Upon a Christmas with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
NOVEMBER 22- DECEMBER 24: A fully personalized Santa Experience. Travel through magical portals on a private elf-guided tour of the North Pole. Talk to Santa's reindeer, visit the Toy Workshop, and meet the one-and-only Santa, get a keepsake gift, and lots more. Activities vary by tour.
Winter Fest OC at OC Fair and Event Center
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Winter Fest OC is a celebration that brings the magic of winter to Southern California. Over a million lights, holiday decor, and activities, including a thrilling 150-foot ice tubing slide, ice skating, snow play area, carnival fun, festive food, and more.
Knott’s Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Knott's Merry Farm offers Christmas activities and experiences for families inspired by the spirit of the holidays. Guests of all ages can enjoy Christmas shows, ice shows, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas light show throughout Camp Snoopy, and more.
Imaginarium at the Fairplex in Pomona
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Imaginarium at Fairplex in Pomona is the largest holiday light show in Southern California. This enchanting walk-through experience features millions of lights, storybook characters, photo boxes, mirror rooms, carnival rides and games, immersive activity rooms, and lots more.
Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
Select dates, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 23: The Midway will be transformed from mighty warship into a winter wonderland with an aviation twist. Enjoy Santa's Christmas Rush VR ride, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, letters to military, treats, and kids can enjoy a festive scavenger hunt in Pursuit of Penguins.
Holidays at Legoland in San Diego
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 5: Dance to holiday tunes, meet LEGO® Santa at the North Poly, visit a larger-than-life LEGO wreath, take a photo with a 35ft tall LEGO Christmas Tree, and more!
Annual Festival of Lights at Mission Inn in Riverside
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 6: Mission Inn's Festival of Lights is renowned for its breathtaking holiday light collection with over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirit.
Science of Gingerbread at the Discover Cube OC & LA
NOVEMBER 23 – JANUARY 8, 2025: Check out hundreds of creative gingerbread entries! Enjoy cookie decorating , LEGO engineering table, snowflake programmable art, Santa Claus visits (select dates), and gingerbread demonstrations from a pastry chef (select dates).
Muzeo Express in Anaheim
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 19: An annual holiday tradition, explore model train dioramas winding through a miniature winter wonderland.
Holiday Road at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas
SELECT DATES, NOV 28 - DEC 28: Enjoy an immersive walking trail to see larger than life holiday displays, thousands of lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, and more.
Fire & Ice Festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 1: 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.
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SELECT DATES, NOV 29 - JAN 5: Go on an expedition of light and travel through places that glow, shine, and twinkle with holiday cheer. Fanciful characters, musical entertainment, festive storytelling, and culinary treats create family fun and get everyone in the spirit of the season!
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 6: Enjoy the holidays at Super Ninetendo World, The Wizarding World, and during Grinchmas. Holiday treats, merchandise, and entertainment are also a part of the season at the park!
Christmas on the Farm at the Underwood Farm in Moorpark
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 24, 2024: Enjoy the holidays on the farm with animals, photo ops, wagon-rides, slides, 'pick your own fields', letters from Santa and more!
Aquarium Holidays at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
DECEMBER 7-22: Aquarium Holidays features festive décor, photo ops, Kwanzaa display, and meet Surfer Santa on the weekends!
12 Days of Christmas at the Queen Mary in Long Beach
DECEMBER 12–23: Enjoy festive performances, dance parties, photos with Santa, and holiday activities like stocking decorating and gingerbread house making. Don’t miss new experiences, including the Lighting of the Stacks, Krampus After Dark, and a real Snow Day!
Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa
DECEMBER 13-20: 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.
Jungle Bells: Aurora at the San Diego Zoo
DECEMBER 14 - JANUARY 5, 2025: This annual holiday event will treat guests through a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music, views of wildlife and more holiday fun to get you into the spirit!
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum
DECEMBER 20-22: Enjoy 60 tons of snow on the tarmac, ride a train, make s'mores, and take photos with your favorite holiday characters. Crafts and holiday shopping are inside the Miles Hangar.
Luminaria Nights at the California Botanic Gardens in Claremont
DECEMBER 13-14, 20-21: Enjoy peaceful paths lined with string lights that lead to musical venues. There will be performers, art installations, food and drink for purchase.
Nights of 1000 Lights at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 6-22: Stroll through the Gardens this holiday season and experience this year's theme of "CELEBRATE 10 Years of Nights of 1000 Lights", featuring their best installations from the past for another festive year of favorites.
Wild Lights at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark
Select dates, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 23: A 45 minute self guided stroll through the zoo with larger-than-life light installations, like sparkling animals and wintery scenes. Enjoy interactive displays, pathways, plenty of seasonal photo opportunities, treats, music, and more.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 7-29: Enjoy performances by Dickens-era Carolers and take selfies with Santa. Visit the Serra Chapel open after hours, California’s most historic chapel. Enjoy the Mission in lights, community Christmas trees around the grounds, extended holiday shopping hours in the Mission Store and more. Kids craft vendor and sweet treat vendor will be available on select days as well as surprise performances.
Christmas Car Wash at Carwood Express Car Wash in Lakewood
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 6-31: A holiday adventure awaits at this interactive car wash! Complete with holiday characters, Santa photo ops, festive riddles, and lots of fun.
Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 15-17, 21-23 & 28-31: Go on a special tour, sip on hot cocoa, and meet nocturnal animal ambassadors in the glow of holiday lights.
Rose Parade Viewing Party – Southern California Children’s Museum in Pasadena
JANUARY 1: Enjoy a prime view of the parade, continental breakfast, open museum play, and fun-themed crafts.
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase in Pasadena
JANUARY 1-3: Experience this 2-mile showcase of Rose Parade floats and walk within a few feet of floats to appreciate the creativity and details of each display.
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!
