All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Nutcracker Holiday Village & Tree Lighting in Anaheim
December 7: Play in the snow, browse holiday vendors, enjoy live entertainment, and gather for Anaheim’s festive tree lighting celebration. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular | Cerritos Towne Center
December 7: Make winter crafts, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy festive games and face painting in a cheerful outdoor setting. FREE!
Winter Wonderland | Crenshaw Imperial Plaza, Inglewood
December 7: Play in real snow, snap photos with Santa, and dive into holiday games and wintry fun at this festive family afternoon.
Spirit of the Holidays Parade | Downtown San Pedro
December 7: Watch marching bands, community groups, and festive floats fill the streets at this beloved annual parade, plus shop the Holiday Market before the celebration begins. FREE!
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.
Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! | Honda Center, Anaheim
December 11-15: Dance with Mickey, relive your favorite Disney stories on ice, and join a festive sing-along preshow during this high-energy family show.
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 11-21 - Celebrating its 10th season at Segerstrom Center, SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is one of the great joys of the holiday season. Make a memory with your loved ones!
A Very Tamale Holiday | Old Town Placentia
December 11: Celebrate with live music, tasty tamales, a snowy North Pole Playground, and a festive tree lighting at this lively Placentia tradition. FREE!
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!
Cowboy Christmas | Barnyard Buddies, Lakewood
December 12: Make crafts, meet farm animals, and snap photos with Santa at this festive Western-style holiday night.
Tree Lighting | Ken Dyda Civic Center, Rancho Palos Verdes
December 12: Play in real snow, sip hot cocoa, make crafts, and watch the city tree light up at this festive community celebration. FREE!
Snoopy House Holiday Display in Costa Mesa
December 12-19: 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. FREE!
Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 12: Enjoy live performances, crafts, free hot chocolate, and festive fun at this lively holiday celebration at The Original Farmers Market. FREE!
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.
Parade of Lights & Fireworks | Ventura Harbor
December 12-13: Watch glowing boats light up Ventura Harbor and stay for carnival rides, snowfall, and a fireworks finale. FREE!
Boat Parade of Lights: “Carol of the Boats” | Dana Point Harbor
December 12-14: Join Dana Point Harbor for their annual Boat Parade of Lights, this year's theme is "Carol of the Boats."
Holiday Cruise During Boat Parade of Lights at the Dana Point Harbor
December 12-14: Enjoy a 90-minute Holiday Cruise with holiday music, up-close views of boats in the parade, and the harbor.
Holiday Sing-Along | Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA
December 13: Join in song with hundreds of fellow revelers – plus a jazz combo, a choir, and the mighty pipe organ – for this joyous annual tradition. A jolly good time for the whole family!
Sail on ‘Spirit of Dana Point’ with Ocean Institute
2nd Saturdays, May-December: Set sail aboard the Spirit of Dana Point and experience California from the perspective of an early tallship explorer. Join the crew to help raise sail, handle lines, and steer the ship, or simply sit back, relax and enjoy the majesty of sailing the seas aboard a tallship.
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.
Night Hike | Madrona Marsh Preserve, Torrance
2nd Saturday: Visit the Madrona Marsh Preserve as the sun sets, and day turns into night. Observe and listen to the sounds of animals and insects as they begin their nightly activities.
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.
Surfing Santa Competition in Dana Point
December 13: The annual Surfing Santa & Stand Up Paddle Board Contest was developed in 2010 to benefit Surfers Healing, the original surf camp for children with autism. A one-day event where contestants dress like Santa or other holiday-inspired characters and battle it out in the waves of Salt Creek Beach.
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.
A Victorian Celebration | LA Arboretum
December 6-7 & 13-14: Shop a Victorian marketplace, meet Santa, enjoy dancers and carolers, and explore festive crafts inside the Arboretum’s historic holiday setting.
Rail Giants Train Museum in Pomona
2nd Weekends: Climb aboard historic locomotives and explore rail history at RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona.
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.
Breakfast with Santa at 2nd and PCH
December 6 & 13: Start the day with a festive breakfast at Noble Rotisserie featuring a special visit from Santa.
Making Scents of the Ancient World: Pylos Perfume Workshop at the Getty Center
September 21 - January 10: In this free, drop-in, perfume-making workshop, you can create your own perfume inspired by an ancient recipe from Pylos, in southern Greece.
Annual Christmas Parade | City of Compton
December 13: See The Game lead Compton’s 70th annual parade, then enjoy a toy drive, bounce houses, and a Jon B performance at the community celebration that follows. FREE!
Holiday Family Overnight Adventure | Battleship IOWA, San Pedro
December 13-14: Sleep in real sailor bunks, explore the ship after hours, and enjoy holiday crafts and STEM fun during this overnight family adventure aboard Battleship IOWA.
Breakfast with Santa at Laguna Hills Community Center
December 13: Join Santa for a pancake breakfast. The event will feature crafts, pictures with Santa, and breakfast.
Family Art Day | Crystal Cove Conservancy
December 13: Make art, explore tidepools, and enjoy festive carolers during this nature-themed family day at Crystal Cove.
Holiday Krazy Krafts Day | International Printing Museum, Carson
December 13: A creative day of printing and crafts with holiday activities throughout the day.
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire | Ehlers Event Center, Buena Park
December 13: Play in real snow, enjoy petting zo, shop over 100 craft vendors, and meet Santa at Buena Park’s Candy Caneland & Craft Faire. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular at Anaheim Hills Festival
December 13: Enjoy crafts for the kids, face painting, and pictures with Santa in Anaheim Hills! FREE!
Holiday Posada | MOLAA, Long Beach
December 13: Make piñatas, enjoy cultural performances, and join the joyful Posada procession at AJUA’s festive holiday celebration.
Posada Navideña | Paramount Swap Meet
December 13-14: Enjoy free train rides, holiday treats, Santa photos, and a chance to win a 65" TV during this lively weekend Posada.
Holiday Concert on the Pier | Redondo Beach
December 13: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, crafts, holiday photos, and more.
Christmas with the Animals at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
December 13: Visit San Diego’s only accredited animal sanctuary to watch animals unwrap their Christmas presents. Plus, enjoy their Festival of Lights, grab a cup of hot cocoa, and visit the gift shop.
Tamalfest | W. 4th Street, Santa Ana
December 13: Sample tamales from 15 local restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate DTSA’s biggest food festival of the year. FREE!
Daisy Parade in Long Beach
December 13: The Daisy Lane Parade began in 1953. The neighborhood decorates the grass meridian on Daisy Avenue. Catch this neighborhood parade at 5pm.
Shoreline Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade | Long Beach
December 13: Enjoy a boat parade with scenic views of the Long Beach waterfront. The viewing party held at Shoreline Village gives guests an ideal vantage point to take in the parade, marina and city lights with DJ, balloon twisters, holiday music, and snow at Shoreline Village.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
December 13: Watch the harbor glow with themed boats, a brilliant light show, and Marina del Rey’s two-hour illuminated parade.
Las Posadas | Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
December 13: Celebrate Las Posadas with music, dance, and holiday crafts. FREE!
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!
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!
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!
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!
