All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Ye Olde Hallow’s Eve Treasure Quest – The Olde World Emporium in Santa Clarita
OCTOBER 30 - NOVEMBER 1: Walk through this mystical metaphysical shoppe to enjoy Cortez' carnival games, prizes, trick-or-treat stations, familiars (animals), and more.
Patches & Pins Flea Market in Santa Ana
OCTOBER 31 & NOVEMBER 1: Enjoy a market full of pins, patches, art, toys, vintage fashion, collectibles, food, music and more. There will also be giveaways, costume contest, and trick-or-treating (all vendors and retail shops will have candy).
Toy-Zilla Swap Meet in Alhambra
OCTOBER 31: Browse and shop for pop culture items, collectibles, toys, games, comics, art and more. Costumes are encouraged and candy will be provided for kids.
Fall Festival – Children’s Nature Retreat in Alpine
OCTOBER 31: Visit the Children's Nature Retreat for vendors, food trucks, crafts, artists, and candy hunt!
Halloween Virtual Tour of the OC Sanitation District
OCTOBER 31: Tour one of the largest wastewater treatment plants.This tour will feature some spooky twists and turns including a Halloween inspired tour guide, visuals complete with spiders and other creepy crawlies, costumes and ghosts and goblins.
Kids Halloween Treats with Chef Stacy Horn – Prep Kitchen Essentials in Seal Beach
OCTOBER 31: Sign your kiddos up to make a scare with their ghouliest, spookiest, most hauntingly delicious sweet treats! They will be baking & decorating cupcakes, cookies and demented gingerbread people.
Drive-Thru Candy Crawl – Westminster Mall
OCTOBER 31: Join the City of Westminster for a drive-thru candy crawl! Stop your car at each Community Day station and receive goodies for all the kids in your car.
Halloween Drive-Thru – City of Carson
OCTOBER 31: Come on by in your vehicle for some tricks and treats! This is a family event with Halloween displays that range from Halloween fun themes to some spooky themes. Goody bags for children!
Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat in Irvine
OCTOBER 31: See cool decorated trunks, enjoy candy, games and treats all from the safety of your car.
Trunk-or-Treat – The Performer’s Academy in Lake Forest
OCTOBER 31: Enjoy decorated cars, candy, prizes, and games with The Performer's Academy.
Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween
Fridays - Sundays, September 25 - November 1: Experience one-of-a-kind themed food and treats, a cornucopia of Harvest and Halloween décor, exclusive event merchandise, a fully-themed Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail for Junior guests, and so much more.
A Gentle Halloween Drive-Thru – The Gentle Barn in Agua Dulce
Sundays, September 27 - November 1: Get dressed up and see all of the Halloween-themed decorations around The Gentle Barn.
Urban Legends Drive-Thru Haunt – OC Fair & Event Center
Wednesday - Sundays, October 1 - November 1: Guests will be entertained by live performances throughout their drive, plus experience four interactive show zones with an immersive show of lights, sound, special effects and monsters that will come alive.
LA Zoo Drive-In Movies
OCTOBER 16-NOVEMBER 1: Visit the zoo for a drive-in movie series, featuring cool themes, tasty treats, and a special preshow video presentation with the zoo's biggest animal stars, trivia challenges, and more.
Halloween at Starlite Movies in San Clemente
THURSDAYS - FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 1: Enjoy family-friendly Halloween films on Southern California's largest, outdoor inflatable screen and professional grade FM transmitter.
Halloween at Starlite Movies in Brea
THURSDAYS - FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 1: Enjoy Halloween films on Southern California's largest, outdoor inflatable screen and professional grade FM transmitter.
Saturday Drop-In Theater Classes
Join Acting Out for theater and improv games in the park! Drop-in classes are for kids and teens (ages 6-16) from 9:30-11 a.m. Classes held on October 10, 24, and November 7.
Veterans Day Mini Camp at Lil’ Chef School in Irvine
Wednesday, November 11: A Patriotic Tribute! Lil' Chefs will make burgers across America, California style, along with homemade potato rolls, Navy Potato Wedges and a Patriotic Pound Cake, also from scratch, with fresh fruit to decorate.
Alternative Learning Site: Camp Kidz Town Tour with Q&A
NOVEMBER 13: Join Kidz Town for a tour of their facility, as they show you their new alternative learning site and answer any questions you may have. Kidz Town offers supervised distance learning support and after school day camp with full-time, part-time, and half-day options for grades K-5.
Pavilion of Holiday Trees – South Coast Plaza
NOVEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 4: Experience a one-of-a-kind exhibit at South Coast Plaza this holiday season. The Pavilion of Holiday Trees features over 35 beautifully decorated trees. The trees are available for purchase through an online auction to benefit Southern California, national and global arts organizations.
Free Admission Day – South Coast Botanic Garden
THIRD THURSDAY - MONTHLY: Visit the South Coast Botanic Garden for free every third Thursday of the month. This 87-acres garden features a small lake, Children’s Garden and Children’s Discovery Garden.
Visions in Light: Windows on the Wallis – A Free Drive-By Art Experience
NOVEMBER 19-29: Projected on the windows of The Wallis, Visions in Light is a free drive-by art exhibit featuring over 40 established and emerging artists of diverse cultures portraying work meant to inspire joy, wonder and awareness.
Kids Class: Herb Garden – Sherman Library & Gardens
NOVEMBER 21: Visit Sherman Library & Gardens to introduce your kids to the exciting world of herbs! Create a mini herb container to add to your own garden at home.
3-Day Rock Climbing Camp – Sender One in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 23-25, DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Looking for something fun and health-conscious to do for your child this season? Sign up for Sender One's 3-day rock climbing camp! Activities include rope climbing, bouldering, games, zip line, king swing, slackline, and Sender City.
Fall Break Art Camp – Averyboo Arts in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 23-25: Creative kids (ages 8-12) can flex artistic muscles and have fun making autumnal art. In-person camps are limited to six participants. Materials included.
Thanksgiving 3-Day Camp – Ocean Institute in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Ocean Institute for three days of fun and adventure! Camps are available for ages 5-12. A 2-hour whale watching cruise can be added on to any camp.
Thanksgiving Art Camps – Kidcreate Studio in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Kidcreate Studio for Thanksgiving Art Camps. Two camps available for ages 4-10 and 7-12. Children ages 7-10 can register for both camps for a full day of art camp.
Camp Hillcrest Fall Camp – Fullerton Parks & Recreation
NOVEMBER 23-25: Fall Day Camp at Hillcrest is a day camp for children (ages 5-12). Camp Hillcrest promotes enjoyable physical activity to keep campers active and engaged throughout the day. Children will get active outdoors, explore, create and learn through various arts, crafts, and enrichment activities.
Thanksgiving Week Mini Camp at Lil’ Chef in Irvine
November 23-25: Each day Lil’ Chefs will make yummy holiday desserts. On the last day, they will take an Apple Crumble Pie home to bake for your Thanksgiving Feast! Join them for one day, or all three!
The Los Angeles Christmas Market
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 3: The Los Angeles Christmas Market is a free-to-enter, COVID-friendl,y pop-up experience featuring immersive winter wonderland decor, a photo op with Santa Claus (photo packages available), and a themed holiday market. The experience is located on the corner of Fairfax and W 3rd St in Los Angeles, across from The Grove, and will be open from 10am to 8pm, seven days per week.
Lil’ Chefs Black Friday Mini Camp in Irvine
Friday, November 27: Come join the Black Friday Brunch! Lil’ Chefs will learn to make a delicious brunch while learning knife skills, how to properly measure ingredients and working as a team to complete each recipe from start to finish.
Sing-a-Long with Mrs. Claus at SOCO’s Holiday Storytime
SATURDAYS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 19: Every Saturday, children and families are invited to join the holiday fun by taking part in a variety of festive activities — including music, shopping, and story time with Mrs. Claus. She'll read a seasonal children's book near the West entrance. One lucky attendee who RSVPs in advance will be entered to win a personalized copy of that day's featured storybook, with a note written by Mrs. Claus herself!
Holiday Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: Enjoy a fun scenic train ride on vintage train cars. Stop at Prancer's Christmas Farm for sleigh rides, Christmas lights, music, Santa, and more. Then visit the Loose Caboose to purchase produce, feed chickens, enjoy holiday displays, and more.
North Pole Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: The North Pole Express departs from Prancer's Christmas Farm (located in Santa Paula). Enjoy the farm then come onboard for a magical 1-hour evening train ride to the "North Pole." See Santa and wave at his elves and enjoy storytelling fun.
Holiday Drive-In Movie Nights Under the Stars – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 27: Drive-in movie nights at Irvine Spectrum Center are back! Hang out (in your cars) for drive-in movie nights. Now featuring holiday movies to help you and your family celebrate the season safely. Admission, $60 per car. Includes a $20 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card to use toward dinner or snacks.
Fair Foodie Fest Drive-Thru at Westminster Mall
THROUGH NOVEMBER 29: Enjoy your favorite fair foods like giant turkey legs, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, and more all available for purchase. You can even play ring toss from your car for chances to win prizes.
Santa’s “Stop, Wave and Go” in Mission Viejo
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 20: Santa is extremely excited for the holiday season and wants everyone to stay safe and healthy. This year, he has changed his plans and will be swinging into Mission Viejo for a nightly “Stop, Wave and Go”. Every Saturday and Sunday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be outside the workshop waving as you safely drive by. Make sure to bring your “Letter to Santa” to drop off and one of his cheerful elves will collect it.
Holiday Photo with a Penguin – Aquarium of the Pacific
DECEMBER 1: Take your family photos with a penguin! The Aquarium will set up a photo spot outdoors with holiday decor and one of their penguins in the mobile penguin cart.
El Dorado Nature Center Winter-Break Workshops – Registration Starts December 1
Workshops for ages 5-8 include Batty for Bats, Winter Wonders, Wildlife Workbench, By the Light of the Moon, Tasty Tree-ets and more. Registration begins December 1. Register early as workshops fill up fast.
Winter Wonder Wash – Huntington Beach Xpress
STARTS DECEMBER 1: Enjoy holiday lights and cheer during your car wash experience! Additional dates will be added weekly. Vehicle restrictions apply.
Arts & Learning Conservatory: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Drive-In Production
DECEMBER 3: Join Arts & Learning as they present their first ever drive-in production! Enjoy socially distant caroling, silent auction baskets, snacks, and an incredible production filmed and created to bring the whole community together.
Film & Food Fest Series – City of Los Alamitos
OCTOBER 16 - DECEMBER 18: Twice a month, enjoy a variety of drive-up movies and food truck meet ups. The Sandlot (10/16), Hocus Pocus (10/30), Aladdin (11/6), Free Birds (11/20), The Grinch (12/4), and Elf (12/18).
Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru – Toyota Arena in Ontario
DECEMBER 3 - JANUARY 10: Use code KGM10 for $10 off your ticket! Journey into a one-of-a-kind, contactless experience where the world of Hot Wheels comes to life right outside your windows! Drive through this larger than life showcase of everyone's favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, specialty Monster Trucks, Garage of Legends vehicles, robots and more.
Happy Place: Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 10: Happy Place - The Drive Thru features 18 larger-than-life experiences and interactive moments. Some highlights include the world's first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road, and a pulsating nightclub for your car.
Holidays in Your Car – Ventura Fairgrounds
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 2: Discover a symphony of sight and sound at one of Southern California's largest drive-thru holiday light spectaculars! Holidays in Your Car features more than one million LED lights, holograms, and projection mapping animated to classic holiday tunes.
A Cabazon Dinosaurs Christmas – Roadside Attraction
NOVEMBER 6 - JANUARY 1: Celebrate Christmas in a big way! For the first time ever, Mr. Rex has put on his Santa suit and is ready for your family Christmas photo! Santa Claus and his Velociraptor pulling sleigh will be at the Cabazon Dinosaurs for family photos. Stroll through the Outdoor Dinosaur Trail and visit the Wafflesaurus Truck for treats on select days.
Reflections at Descanso Gardens
NOVEMBER 14 - JANUARY 10: Enjoy art pieces in the garden, special seasonal plantings, self-guided activities, and a beautiful Wishing Tree created by artist Kaz Youkou Kitajima. Highlights include the Golden Grove, Floral Arches, Mirror Tree, Winter Plantings, and Deer Sculptures. Included with admission.
Electric Noel – SilverLakes Park in Norco
DECEMBER 3 - JANUARY 3: Discover the neon glow this holiday season with Electric Noel, a high-tech Christmas drive-thru experience! Journey from Santa’s command center and the elf village, to Main Street and Mistletoe Lane - amongst many other magical, high-tech spectacles. The highly mechanized technology culminates with an automated surprise you won’t want to miss.
Winter Wonderland Fair Foodie Fest – Angel Stadium
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4-20: Enjoy free car entry to Winter Wonderland Fair Foodie Fest featuring Christmas lights, giant inflatable Santa, huge Christmas tree and more. Play Christmas carnival games from your car and enjoy Christmas-themed fair foods.
Kids Cooking Class Events – Lil’ Chef School in Irvine
Make a Gingerbread House as a family, decorate sugar cookies, and bake a Yule Log cake from scratch. Kids will learn how to read a recipe, measure ingredients, and work together to make a special dish!
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!
