All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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.
Celebrate the Holidays at Bella Terra
NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 24: Enjoy photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live holiday music, magical snowfall, hot cocoa and carols, strolling holiday characters, and more.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 3: Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience will include eight distinctly different areas throughout the park with millions of twinkling lights choreographed to festive music, beloved holiday characters decked out for the holidays, iconic Holiday in the Park decorations, and a drive-by featuring Santa and his elves. Price is $20-30 per car.
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.
Christmas Train & Santa’s Village – Irvine Park Railroad
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Take an enchanting night ride (ticket required) through historic Irvine Regional Park. The train will depart from the train station and stop at the North Pole. Enjoy ice fishing, blizzard ball, carnival games, and photo opps in Santa's Village (no ticket required).
“The Polar Express” Interactive Holiday Experience – MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Visit the MainPlace Mall to interact with the all-new Santa set inspired by the film "The Polar Express." The experience immerses visitors in the movie’s magical realm, allowing them to take a variety of free selfies, including one in front of the famed Polar Express train itself, complete with steam and realistic sound effects
Candy Cane Challenge – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Calling all scavenger hunt enthusiasts! Can you find all the candy canes at Irvine Spectrum Center? Grab a participation card from Guest Services, complete the quest, then get a sweet reward and be entered for a chance to win a prize!
🖥 Virtual Santa Visit – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Although Santa can't visit in person this year at Irvine Spectrum Center, he can visit you in the comfort of your own home! For just $25, you and your family can connect with Santa via a video call for a magical holiday experience. Each visit is personalized especially for your family. No crowds, no lines, and socially safe.
Holiday Happenings at Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Visit and take photos with Santa at his Airstream on the Ocean Deck, enjoy holiday movies on Thursday nights, carolers, and live performances.
Nightly Tree Lighting – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 3: Stop by the beautifully decorated 75-foot tree in Giant Wheel Court every night to see it come to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5pm.
Cal Lights Santa Experience – Mini Photo Session with f/8 Studios in Long Beach
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 20: Join f/8 Studios for a memorable, magical Santa Claus experience where a professional photographer will take memorable photos of your family socially distanced with the big man himself in their styled winter wonderland (letters to Santa encouraged!).
🖥 Streaming Event: A Christmas Carol – South Coast Repertory
NOVEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3: Experience A Christmas Carol unlike any other—past, present or future. Staged exclusively for this production, this must-watch streaming event conjures the powerful spirits of Christmas and brings all the magic of live theatre home for the holidays.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kids Free in December – Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
DECEMBER 1-31: Purchase two full price adult whale watching tickets, one child (up to age 12) is free. Purchase two full price adult fishing tickets, one child (up to age 14) is free.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
Drive-Thru Living Nativity – Magnolia Church in Riverside
DECEMBER 4-5: Experience the story of Christmas with live animals! Enjoy our Christmas celebration from the comfort and safety of your car.
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!
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.
Boat Ride with Santa – Dana Point Harbor
DECEMBER 5: Go on a 20-minute boat ride with Santa this holiday season around Dana Point Harbor! Tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay.
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.
Santa’s Candy Cane Lane Drive-Thru Event – City of Downey
DECEMBER 5: Santa Claus is coming to Downey to distribute free holiday treats (while supplies last)! This event is free, but the public must pre-register for a 1-hour time slot.
Ice Skating Rink – City of Aliso Viejo
DECEMBER 5 and 12: Reserve your 30-minute time slot to twirl, carve, and turn on the ice. Skates will be included in the reservation, but participants are welcome to bring their own. $5.
🖥 Virtual Holiday Treats for the Animals – Aquarium of the PAcific
DECEMBER 5: Bring the magic of the holiday season to your home as you watch the Aquarium’s animals receive flavorful holiday delights during this free virtual event.
Children’s Nature Retreat Holiday Event
DECEMBER 5: Enjoy local vendors with holiday wares, coffee and hot cocoa, kids crafts (ornaments painting), Christmas tree lighting and more.
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!
Santa Fest Drive-Through Experience at SouthBay Pavilion in Carson
DECEMBER 5: Meet Santa and his friends, enjoy giveaways (while supplies last, and participate in the Festive Car Contest.
Holiday Tree Lighting Drive-Thru Event – City of La Mirada
DECEMBER 5: Santa Claus will be waving to children along the festively decorated route. Children will also be able to drop-off letters to Santa. Craft kits and goodie bags will be given to all children to enjoy at home
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.
Drive-by Christmas Tree Celebration – City of Laguna Niguel
DECEMBER 5: Come take a scenic drive through our holiday wonderland! This year's celebration will feature multiple displays that illuminate the holiday spirit, as you drive through sprinkling snow flakes and listen to the sounds of the season! There will be special guest appearances featuring Santa and his friends!
Menorah Lighting Display – Fashion Island in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 10-18: Celebrate Hanukkah with a daily lighting of the menorah. The menorah will be located in the Atrium Garden Courtyard, near Dick's Sporting Goods and Wahoo's Fish Taco.
Trolleys, Twinkles and Treats at Southern California Railway Museum
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13: Visitors can experience the festive lights and décor, ride a trolley, write a letter to Santa, and enjoy Mrs. Claus reading a holiday classic; 5-9 p.m.
The Nutcracker – Live Stage Show Drive-In – Ventura Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 12: Ventura County Ballet presents their 22nd annual Nutcracker live on an outdoor drive-in stage.
Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop – Orange County Great Park in Irvine
DECEMBER 12: Parent and child can decorate a gingerbread house together while receiving fun tips from staff. All decorations and supplies are provided, so you can enjoy this sweet traditional activity without any of the fuss and mess of cleanup yourself!
Cruise-In Toy Drive – Automobile Driving Museum
DECEMBER 12: Dust off your Classic Car, bring the kids and enjoy the fun at our Cruise-In Toy Drive. Show cars roll in at 8am and open to the public from 10am - 1pm. This cruise-in is open to all classics, vintage, trucks, custom, antique, lowriders, hot rods, muscle, gassers, and exotics vehicles.
Santa Saves Christmas! Live Stage Show Drive-In – Del Mar Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 12-13: Oh no! Santa's sleigh has run out of gas! Help Santa and his team fill the tank with holiday cheer or Christmas will be ruined. Snowy surprises, holiday sing-a-long songs, spectacular performances and more await you in this brand-new holiday adventure live on stage.
Weekend Wonderland at Ocean Institite
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 12-27: Join in the Reindeer Games Lab to race reindeer and squid, learn about and make your own snow in The More You Snow Lab, build a miniature sand snowman in CA White Christmas Lab, and build your own holiday cards and chromatography ornaments in our Workshop.
Movie Nights – Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
DECEMBER 18-19: Bring your beach chairs, blankets, and favorite refreshments to enjoy classic films under the stars. Seating for movies is in safely-distanced "pods" which can accommodate up to 6 viewers. Price per pod is $30. Movies start at 6:30pm. Elf (12/18) and double-feature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty's Winter Adventure (12/19).
🖥 Virtual Streaming: Journey to Christmas – Musical Theatre Orange County
DECEMBER 18-19: Enjoy an online streaming of "Journey to Christmas" presented by Musical Theatre Orange County. ravel from heartwarming modern day family gatherings back to the very first Christmas, Journey to Christmas brings the story to life in a contemporary and theatrical style with beautifully projected imagery, stunning lighting, and of course a little Christmas magic.
Elfeneezer Scrooge Drive-Thru Theatrical Experience
DECEMBER 18-20: This drive-thru holiday theatrical experience follows the story of “Elfeneezer Scrooge,” his journey to capture the joy of the holiday season, and the importance of community.
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!
