All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Hanukkah Festival | Skirball Cultural Center, LA
December 14: Enjoy live klezmer music, storytelling, crafts, and a community candle lighting to welcome the first night of Hanukkah.
El Segundo Holiday Parade
December 14: Watch performers, floats, marching bands, antique cars, and St. Nick parade through the street during the El Segundo Holiday Parade!
Chanukah Celebration | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 14: Watch a menorah carved from ice, enjoy kids’ crafts and performances, and gather for a festive community menorah lighting. FREE!
Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
Select Dates, December : Go on a special tour, sip on hot cocoa, and meet nocturnal animal ambassadors in the glow of holiday lights.
Centennial Farm Discovery Days
September 30 - June 1: During a Discovery Day, “farmers” are stationed around the farm available to answer questions and provide information.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland | YouTube Theater, Los Angeles
December 17: See aerialists, acrobats, and live holiday music come together in a dazzling winter spectacular for the whole family.
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
December 17-21: Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail along the harbor. View the parade from over 50 locations including Marina Park and Balboa Village Fun Zone.
Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! | Crypto.com Arena, LA
December 18-21: Dance with Mickey, relive your favorite Disney stories on ice, and join a festive sing-along preshow during this high-energy family show.
Santa’s Jingle Jam Holiday Tour | Various Parks, Gardena
December 11, 16, 18: Meet Santa, play games, enjoy treats, and join the fun as Gardena’s Jingle Jam pops up at three neighborhood parks.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 19-23 and 26-30: Join in the spirit this holiday season at the Mission for Capistrano Lights: Mission Lights! The beloved annual event returns with 10 days and nights of family fun. Enjoy a life-sized nativity, the stunning light tunnel with over 20,000 lights, Dickens Carolers, family crafts, sing-alongs during the tree lighting program, hot cocoa and S’mores, plus lots more. Santa will even be on hand for photos!
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage | The Novo, Los Angeles
December 19: Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang for a musical holiday adventure filled with classic songs and festive cheer.
Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights Cruises in Dana Point
December 5-6 & 19-20: Take a 60 minute boat ride and get a panoramic view of the beautiful harbor all dressed up for the season.
Snowtopia | Palm Springs Air Museum
December 19-22: Play in 60 tons of real snow, ride the holiday train, make s’mores, and meet Santa during this four-night Winter Wonderland.
63rd Annual Cruise of Lights at Huntington Harbour
DECEMBER 19 - 23: The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee Cruise of Lights® offers 50-minute narrated boat tours through the waterways of Huntington Harbour. See the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats.
Lil’ Chef – December Events
DECEMBER 5, 12 & 19: Kids will have a blast making Gingerbread Cookies, cakes with white snow buttercream frosting with chocolate Twix candied Christmas trees, plus a Cookie Exchange along with Parent's Night Out Gingerbread House decorating.
Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach
Every Friday: Wild tales is offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in the newly-renovated amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in the classroom. FREE!
Winter-Break Camps at My Gym in Long Beach
DECEMBER 19 - JANUARY 2: The ultimate camp adventure where kids dive into games, heart-racing relays, creative arts & crafts, music, and more! Hassle-free drop-off, flexible pay-by-the-day choices, unbeatable multi-day discounts.
Family Fun Night at the Marina Park Community Center in Newport Beach
December 19: Enjoy crafts for kids, photos with Santa, and the evening will include watching the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.
Luminaria Nights | California Botanic Gardens, Claremont
Fri & Sat, Dec 5-20: Enjoy peaceful paths lined with string lights that lead to musical venues. There will be performers, art installations, food and drink for purchase.
Family Hike at Black Star Canyon | Irvine Ranch Open Space
March–April (Saturdays): Take a guided 3–4 mile family hike along a flat canyon trail with wildlife spotting and interpretive stops. Registration may be required.
Yuletide Cinemaland at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles
December 6-23: Join Street Food Cinema for an immersive holiday experience featuring Victorian holiday home tours, food trucks, vendors, Santa appearances, photo ops, and your favorite holiday films under the stars.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Meet Santa by the sea, play in faux snow, and explore a festive holiday marketplace with live reindeer and cheerful entertainment.
Long Beach Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Dec 13-14 & 20-21: This production boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200.
North Pole Express | Orange County Model Engineers, Costa Mesa
December 20-21: Ride the North Pole Express, meet Santa and the Grinch, and enjoy free miniature train rides all day at Goathill Junction.
Holiday Express Train | Metrolink Stations
December 6-21: Start with crafts and treats at the station, then ride a sparkly holiday train with carolers, characters, and Santa onboard.
Free Miniature Train Rides at Fairview Park in Costa Mesa
THIRD WEEKEND OF EVERY MONTH: The Orange County Model Engineers offer public ride days every third full weekend of each month. To ride the trains, children must be able to walk and be at least 31" tall. A typical trip takes about 12 minutes and covers two loops of the park.
Nochebuena – A Christmas Spectacular at The Soraya
DECEMBER 20-22: A Christmas spectacular featuring Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Pueblo Viejo with special guest Ximena Sariñana. The Soraya celebrates the 10th anniversary of this performance with an expanded schedule leading right into the holidays.
Public Star Party at the Griffith Observatory in LA
Nov 22 & Dec 20: Try dozens of telescopes and spot the Sun, Moon, and planets with help from local astronomers.
Breakfast with Santa | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 7, 14, 20. 21: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet, craft stations, and cheerful Santa visits by the ocean.
Holiday Snow Land | Balearic Park, Costa Mesa
December 20: Balearic Park turns into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow. This time-honored tradition hosts over 1,000 people annually. FREE!
Breakfast With Santa by OC Autism Foundation | Atlantis Play Center, Garden Grove
December 20: Enjoy food, crafts, toys, and inclusive holiday fun with Sensory Santa at a festive pajama-party event.
Family Fun Day: Frosty the Snowman | The Autry, LA
December 20: Build a snowman, step inside a giant snow globe, and join a holiday sing-along celebrating Frosty’s 75th anniversary.
Polar Express Family Day | San Diego Railroad Museum
December 20: Watch the Polar Express, make holiday cards, ornaments, see Santa, and enjoy the exhibits!
Santa Paddle | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Paddle through the harbor with Santa, show off your festive costume, and join a joyful on-the-water procession supporting local toy drives.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | The Wiltern Theatre, LA
December 20: Experience the international cast performing at the peak of classical European Ballet. Be transported by the magic of jaw-dropping acrobatics, larger than life puppets, and hand-crafted sets and costumes.
Tradición Navideña | La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, La Mirada
December 20: Experience folklórico dance, festive storytelling, and the spirit of a Mexican Christmas in this colorful holiday production.
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
December 14 & 20: Come take pictures with Santa Claus on the San Clemente Pier! Photographer will not be provided; please bring your own camera. Santa's sleigh departs for the North Pole promptly at 5:00 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly. FREE!
Santa Visit | Kidz Town Indoor Playground, Lakewood
December 20: Meet Santa, write wish-list letters, and snap your own holiday photos during this festive family night at Kidz Town.
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade in Long Beach
December 20: Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season. FREE!
The Nutcracker ft. Tony Hawk | San Diego Civic Theatre
December 20: See Tony Hawk make a special Nutcracker appearance in a one-night-only San Diego performance with live symphony.
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Christmas in the Garden | The Garden at Hannah’s House of Hope, Redlands
December 21: Celebrate Christmas with Santa visits, crafts, s’mores, and family fun in the garden at this festive outdoor holiday event.
Yuletide Cinemaland at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles
December 6-23: Join Street Food Cinema for an immersive holiday experience featuring Victorian holiday home tours, food trucks, vendors, Santa appearances, photo ops, and your favorite holiday films under the stars.
Breakfast with Santa | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 7, 14, 20. 21: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet, craft stations, and cheerful Santa visits by the ocean.
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
Snow Days with the Critters | Santa Ana Zoo
December 21: Watch zoo animals enjoy snowy treats, join a scavenger hunt, and explore hands-on wildlife activities during this frosty family day.
Holiday Festival | The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
December 21: Enjoy live music, art workshops, and a festive makers market at this family-friendly holiday celebration. FREE!
Holiday Party for Kids | Pacific City, Huntington Beach
December 21: Features a book reading with Mrs. Claus and special appearance with Santa Claus for photos. Complimentary candy canes for children and *snowfall*, and festive atmosphere.
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!
