All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
All Things Wicked & Wonderful at South Coast Botanic Garden
OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30: This season, South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula has something for everyone and every scare level with All Things Wicked & Wonderful.
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm in Cherry Valley
NOVEMBER 4 - JANUARY 8: From acres of lavender, to century-old olive grove and towering oaks, the farm turns into a festive event with over one million lights. Enjoy food and drink, horse-drawn carriage tours, s'mores pits, and Santa.
Nature POP! at South Coast Botanic Garden
NOVEMBER 5 - JANUARY 24: This new exhibition from artist Sean Kenney features more than 40 sculptures made from LEGO® pieces. The sculptures, sprinkled throughout the garden’s 87 acres, explore the beauty of nature through contemporary, stylized and colorful displays that stand in striking contrast with their surroundings.
Lightscape at the LA Arboretum
NOVEMBER 11 - JANUARY 8: Wander through dazzling displays of color, light and sound that include the spectacular Winter Cathedral.
SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Skyforest
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 8: Meet Santa, visit Santa's Workshop & Post Office, decorate cookies, see characters of the Northwoods, live entertainment, wander through the immersive Fantasy Forest of Lights, and go ice skating! Enjoy Santa's Village, along with Breakfast with Santa, Tea with Mrs. Claus, Ice Skating at Silver Bells Arena, photo ops, Northwoods Express Train Ride, entertainment, Santa's Workshop and Mailbox, and lots more!
Knott’s Merry Farm in Buena Park
NOVEMBER 18 - JANUARY 8: Enjoy the musical Christmas show Home for the Holidays, Christmas Crafts Village, magical Snow and Glow experience, Santa's Christmas Cabin, nightly Christmas tree lighting, and light show throughout Camp Snoopy.
Winter Frolic at Kidspace Children’s Museum
NOVEMBER 18 - JANUARY 8: Kidspace transforms into a land of wonder and delight. Grab your favorite socks and head out to their Sock Skating Rink, go ice fishing, toss super-soft snowballs, build a sculpture with ice blocks, dress up a life-size No-Melt Snowman, and strike a snowy pose.
Surf City Winter Wonderland in Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 26 - JANUARY 2, 2022: Go skating to the sounds of crashing waves located at the base of the historic Huntington Beach Pier.
Holidayz at the Park – OC Great Park in Irvine
NOVEMBER 19 - JANUARY 1: ‘Tis the season for family fun and holiday cheer at the Orange County Great Park. Enjoy Holidayz at the Park, when the park will be transformed into a winterscape featuring holiday-themed events, displays, and lights.
Winnie the Pooh Musical in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 30: The musical is told with life-size puppetry and features all of your favorite Winnie the Pooh songs in a brand new adventure.
Christmas on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms
NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 24: Admission includes farm animals, holiday photo ops, tractor-drawn wagon rides, slides, pick-your-own fields (pickings additional fee), letters for Santa, animal shows (weekends only), reindeer (Dec 10-11 & 17-18), and visits with Santa (weekends through Dec 18).
Holiday Road at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas
NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 30: Enjoy the signs of an immersive walking trail to see larger than life holiday displays, thousands of lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, countless candy canes and all of your favorite holiday cheer! Open NYE!
Lighting of the Bay – Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1: Stroll the bay and enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays. The serene, waveless bay will transform each evening into a vibrant winter wonderland featuring more than fifty lighted Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1: The park is transformed into a winter wonderland with thousands of colorful lights, live entertainment, sleigh rides, and visits with Santa.
Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel in Riverside
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 6: : The Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.
“Let It Snow” with the Snow Queen & Princess at Bella Terra
NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 18: The Snow Queen and Princess will be performing and making it snow on the Green with their friends every Friday and Saturday. Special guest appearances include Grinch & Cindy Loo Hoo, Jack Skellington & Sally, Buddy the Elf & Jovie, Spiderman, and Black Panther.
LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. Live
NOVEMBER 26 - JANUARY 8: The LA Kings Holiday Ice, the city’s largest and most popular outdoor ice rink, is returning to L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles just in time for the holiday season.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink
DAILY, NOVEMBER 23 - January 1: An enchanting holiday activity, ice skating in downtown LA guarantees to delight everyone, from first-time gliders to experienced skaters. Come visit for merrymaking, outdoor fun and guaranteed smiles.
Holiday Light Festival Train Ride in Griffith Park
NOVEMBER 25, 2022 — JANUARY 6, 2023: Enjoy an evening train ride around the festively decorated, one-mile track in Griffith Park. The one-mile track at Griffith Park & Southern Railroad is transformed into a magical train ride of delightful and festive scenes with thousands of lights.
“Celebration of Christmas” Christmas Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
DAILY, THROUGH DECEMBER 31: The seasonal Christmas Boutique at Roger's Gardens is now open. Discover new treasures of festive decór, whimsical ornaments, and gifts for all ages.
Science of Gingerbread at Discovery Cube OC & LA
NOVEMBER 19 - JANUARY 1, 2023: Check out hundreds of creative gingerbread entries and all new holiday fun! Walk through the gingerbread village, meet and snap a photo with Santa, decorate a holiday cookie, participate in winter workshops, and more. Science of Gingerbread is happening at both Discovery Cube OC and LA.
Thomas & Friends: Explore the Rails Exhibit at Discovery Cube LA
SEPTEMBER 24 - JANUARY 16: Children help Thomas and his friends solve a variety of challenges, from a simple sorting and shape identification activity to more complex engineering obstacles.
A Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 24: Join all your favorite Dickens characters—Tiny Tim and the Cratchits, the Fezziwigs, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, and of course, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Illuminate Silverlakes in Norco
NOVEMBER 25 - DECEMBER 30: Stroll through the Christmas Holiday Marketplace, journey through the Illumination Trail, visit oversized presents and toys in Toyland, explore the Electric Forest, take a photo in the sleigh at Santa's Reindeer Grove, and meet Santa himself.
Summertime Explorers Kids Club at 2nd & PCH in Long Beach
WEDNESDAYS, AUGUST 3-31: Bring your little ones to 2nd & PCH for a FREE weekly exploring! Each week offers a different theme with fun activities, games & prizes, crafts, and more!
L.A. Zoo Lights at Los Angeles Zoo
NOVEMBER 18 – JANUARY 22, 2023: Explore an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more for, a wildlife-centered experience that’s as inspiring as it is breathtaking.
Winter Fest OC at OC Fair and Event Center
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1: Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair and Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. Activities include North Pole Journey, ice skating under the stars, 150-foot-long ice tubing slide, snowboard simulator, carnival thrills, food and drinks, holiday market, photo ops., and so much more!
Casa Lumina Holiday Walk – Casa Romantica in San Clemente
DECEMBER 1-22: A fun family-friendly experience for all, each night of the Casa Lumina Holiday Walk will include an illuminated walk through Casa Romantica, live entertainment from local artists, crafts including Letters to Santa, and a hot cocoa bar.
Santa’s Speedway Christmas Lights Experience in Irwindale
DECEMBER 1-31: Walk around to see massive light displays including the 11-story Christmas tree, towering ornaments, stroll through reindeer stables, and meet Santa.
West Coast Customs presents Cruis’n the Park Car Show at Six Flags
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 14: Cruise through the park from the comfort and safety of your own car for a drive-thru auto show experience where you will see more than 100 of the world’s best automotive displays, presented by world-famous West Coast Customs.
Wild Lights & Jungle Nights at America’s Teaching Zoo
SELECT DATES IN NOVEMBER 23 - DECEMBER 30: This year they are glowing everywhere! Make unforgettable holiday memories as you explore the wild wonderland of light under the stars at America's Teaching Zoo.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella Presented by Musical Theatre West
SELECTED DATES DECEMBER 2-18: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella is the new Broadway adaptation of the iconic musical. This family-friendly show is for all all ages and includes the most beloved songs.
An American Christmas Story with Santa at the Reagan Library
NOVEMBER 11, 2022 - JANUARY 8, 2023: In this brand-new, never-before-seen 5,000 square foot Christmas exhibit, come and explore some of the fascinating holiday traditions and the unique expressions of the holidays from all 50 states and all of the American territories.Immerse yourself in the exhibit’s festive forest of decorated trees and learn just how many different ways Americans enjoy the holiday season. As a special treat, come take your photo with Santa as well!
The District’s Wonderfest of Lights in Tustin
DECEMBER 2 - JANUARY 1: Bring the family to The District’s 1st Annual Nightly Light Show featuring an array of colorful lights that dance to your favorite holiday music. Showtimes every 30 minutes from 5pm-9pm nightly.
First Fridays Night Market in Huntington Beach
OCTOBER 7 - FEBRUARY 3: It's a farmer's market meets street fair. Enjoy family games, over 75 vendors, axe throwing, food trucks, live music, sweet treats, and more. Free.
Winter in the Grove in Garden Grove
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3: Get ready for 50 tons of snow, snow slides, holiday craft boutique, fun food, photo ops, free crafts, live entertainment, and free inflatable attractions.
A Civil War Christmas in Wilmington
DECEMBER 3: Visit Drum Barracks and help kick off the holiday season. This is an indoor/outdoor event with crafts, museum tours and special displays on the grounds.
Wild Holidays at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1, 2023: See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Take a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Holiday tunes set the mood, and seasonal food treats tempt you throughout your journey.
Holiday on Main Street in Yorba Linda
DECEMBER 2: Gather on Main Street to celebrate the holidays! Enjoy kids crafts, local talent show and entertainment, artisan shopping, pictures with Santa, a holiday drinks lounge, live music and more! Free to attend, open to the public.
Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3: Enjoy a condensed version of The Nutcracker created just for kids. This annual favorite finishes with a jolly visit from Santa Claus himself!
Yuletide Cinemaland at Heritage Square Museum
SELECT DATES, DECEMBER 3-23: Enjoy Victorian Holiday Home Tours, Santa Claus, Snow Dancing, Sing-Alongs, Holiday Light Extravaganza, Market Vendors, Food Trucks and a great line-up of family friendly holiday movies.
Holiday Tree Lighting in Lake Forest
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3: Free rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors selling food, and more. Event begins at 4pm, tree lighting at sunset.
Princess Tea Party & Fashion Show in Santa Ana
DECEMBER 3-4, 2022 Enjoy raspberry tea or pink lemonade and cookies. Visit with princesses from your favorite stories and come dressed in your best. Each little princess or prince will... View Article
Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruise
DECEMBER 2-31: Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard one of our decorated vessels on a 75 minute holiday lights cruise. View multi million dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights.
Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 18, PLUS BLACK FRIDAY and FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16: Holiday art festival that offers a festive, handcrafted shopping experience in an enchanting winter wonderland with thousands of lights and decorations, handcrafted gifts by 165 artists, three stages of live music, community performances, carolers, puppeteers, art classes, and daily visits with Santa Claus.
Victorian Christmas at The Banning Museum in Wilmington
DECEMBER 3: Enjoy walk-through tours of the mansion, horse-drawn trolley rides, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Christmas crafts, cookies and cider, blacksmith demonstration, carolers, and more.
City of Los Alamitos Winter Wonderland
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3: Free snow play, musical entertainment, snow sledding, Santa's Village, tree lighting, inflatables, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, sensory-calming area, and vendors. This event had over 7,000 event goers last year.
Santa’s Village by the Sea in San Clemente
DECEMBER 3: A night of music, food, hot chocolate, popcorn, games, and snow to San Clemente.
Sunset Saturdays Market in Los Alamitos
SEPTEMBER 10 - DECEMBER 27: It's a farmer's market meets street fair. Enjoy family games like giant Jenga and Connect Four, shop from vendors, slime making, axe throwing, Nerf court, live music, beer garden, and more.
Códice Maya de México: Accordion Book Workshop at The Getty Center
NOVEMBER 6, 13, and DECEMBER 4: Celebrate the oldest book of the Americas by creating your own accordion-style manuscript. Learn more about Indigenous bookmaking materials and the zigzag folding structure unique to ancient Mesoamerican books.
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!
