All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
All About Santa | Santa Monica Playhouse
December 6-14: Help save the North Pole in a lively, interactive musical filled with elves, villains, inventions, and holiday cheer.
A Christmas Carol at Long Beach Playhouse
December 6-21 In this quick-paced, highly theatrical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future show Ebenezer Scrooge the poverty of his material wealth and the blessings that come with generosity.
Aquarium Holidays at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
December 6-21: Aquarium Holidays features festive décor, photo ops, Kwanzaa display, and meet Surfer Santa on the weekends!
A Snow White Christmas – A Holiday Spectacular at Laguna Playhouse
DECEMBER 6-28 - Selected dates. This season, experience the joy of A Snow White Christmas, a magical panto from the Lythgoe Family! With pop hits from Lady Gaga to Bruno Mars, hilarious audience interaction, and dazzling dancing, it’s a festive treat for all ages. Cheer for Snow White, and boo the wicked Queen in a show bursting with non-stop laughs, sparkle, slapstick, and singalong fun.
Gingerbread Wonderland | Discovery Cube Orange County
December 6-January 4: Celebrate the season with an immersive gingerbread village, sleigh theater, sing-alongs, arcade-style challenges, and a towering indoor toboggan slide.
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.
King Tide Watch | Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
December 6: Observe one of the year’s highest tides, take photos for a community science project, and learn about coastal changes during this King Tide Watch. FREE!
Snow Festival & Breakfast with Santa | Arcadia Community Center
December 6: Enjoy free snow play, crafts, games, and a ticketed Breakfast with Santa at Arcadia’s Snow Festival. FREE!
Santa’s Big Day at Citadel Outlets
December 6: Get ready for a day filled with festive cheer and joyful celebrations at Citadel Outlets' Santa's Big Day Event. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. FREE-ish!
Skate with Santa | Irvine Spectrum
December 6: Enjoy an enchanting morning and skate with Santa!
Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar | Crystal Cove
December 6: Visit Crystal Cove for artisan shopping, Santa photos, and the annual tree lighting during this community holiday event.
La Habra Tamale Festival
December 6: Enjoy live entertainment on three stages, tamales, food vendors, retail vendors, children's play activities, holiday tree lighting, and fireworks show. This annual event draws in about 10,000 attendees every year. FREE!
Power of the Arts Festival | Discovery Cube Los Angeles
December 6-7: Build festive crafts, explore interactive exhibits, and catch a live concert from Tom Kenny of SpongeBob fame.
Santa’s Sleigh Day | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 6: Meet Santa when he arrives by sleigh, enjoy crafts and performances, and spend a festive afternoon at the Cerritos Center.
Civil War Christmas | Drum Barracks, Wilmington
December 6: Walk through the museum, enjoy educational displays, horse-drawn trolley ride, soldier camp, children's craft, holiday decorations, and more. FREE!
Western Wonderland Holiday Extravaganza | The Autry, LA
December 6: Build snowmen, bounce through holiday playlands, craft ornaments, and meet Santa during this snowy Western celebration.
Holiday Spectacular | The Shops at Rossmoor, Seal Beach
December 6: Make holiday crafts, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy a live dance performance during this festive community celebration. FREE!
Santa’s Arrival Celebration | Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach
December 6: See Santa sail in by boat and enjoy live music, treats, crafts, and festive character visits by the water. FREE!
The Holidays at the District in Tustin
December 6: Enjoy holiday activities, including free photos with Santa, seasonal crafts for kids and interactive family activities to create joyful holiday memories together. FREE!
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan | Ralphs Marina Pacifica, Long Beach
December 6: Snap photos with Santa, sip holiday Coca-Cola flavors, and drop a kindness postcard into the glowing Magic Post Box. FREE!
Victorian Christmas | Banning Museum, Wilmington
December 6: Celebrate the holidays with a horse-drawn carriage ride, a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, family crafts, caroling, Victorian dancers and, a walk-through of the decorated Banning Mansion.
Montana Avenue Holiday Walk | Montana Avenue, Santa Monica
December 6: Race between Santa photos, train rides, live jazz, character meet-and-greets, and a brand-new tree lighting. FREE!
La Pastorela: A Mexican Christmastime Tradition at Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
December 6: See the La Pastorela Christmas play put on by the CSUDH Teatro Department. Kick off the Christmas festivities with oriejas and champurrado as you watch the play in the museum's historic veranda.
Holiday Bash with Santa & Gingerbread Girl | SteelCraft, Long Beach
December 6: Meet Santa, make crafts, enjoy live music, and experience surprise snow at SteelCraft’s Holiday Bash. FREE!
Musique Sur La Mer-ry Holiday Concert | Shoreline Village, Long Beach
December 6: Hear live holiday music from local youth orchestras and mariachi performers at a cheerful waterfront concert. FREE!
Jolly Holiday at the Promenade at Downey
December 6: Kick-off the holiday season with kid's activities, music, restaurant booth, photo opportunities, Santa and the Grinch, magical snowfall, and more. FREE!
Christmas at the Beach | Beach City Provisions, Bolsa Chica
December 6: Watch Santa ride in on a jet ski, roast s’mores, enter a beach cleanup raffle, and enjoy a festive movie at sunset. FREE!
Winter in the Grove in Garden Grove
December 6: Play in the snow and ride the snow slides at Village Green Park. Make holiday crafts, shop handmade gifts, enjoy performances, treats, carnival games, holiday crafts, inflatable activities, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! FREE!
Winter Wonderland | City Hall, Gardena
December 6: Enjoy snow play, crafts, shopping, and a festive tree lighting at Gardena’s Winter Wonderland. FREE!
Illuminate Irvine at Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex
December 6: Ring in the season with winter-wonderland inspired activities and holiday music classics. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex. FREE!
Winter Wonderland | Montebello City Hall
December 6: Race down snow slides, glide on the rink, meet Santa, and watch the evening light up at the 7 p.m. tree lighting. FREE!
Apollo Lighting at Columbia Memorial Space Center
December 6: Join the Columbia Memorial Space Center for a day of festive wonder and exploration!
Winter Wonderland St. Isidore Historical Plaza, Los Alamitos
December 6: Kick off the holidays with with free snow play and ice skating! Enjoy for musical performances, snow sledding, tree lighting, and Santa's Village. FREE!
Tree Lighting Celebration | Historic Town Center Park, San Juan Capistrano
December 6: Enjoy pre-show entertainment, a holiday production, the tree lighting, and evening activities throughout the Los Rios District during this annual celebration. FREE!
Holiday on Main | Main Street, Yorba Linda
December 6: Enjoy photos with Santa, crafts, vendors, and a festive tree lighting on Main Street in Yorba Linda. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Laguna Niguel
December 6: The City of Laguna Niguel hosts their annual tree lighting with an evening full of games, crafts, performances, meet and greets, cookie decorating, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Chili Holiday in La Mirada
December 6: Enjoy chili, cookies, and hot drinks plus fun holiday activities including the tree lighting ceremony, photos with Santa, live entertainment, snow sledding, and holiday train ride. FREE!
Holiday Harbor Boat Parade Sail at the Los Angeles Maritime Institute in San Pedro
December 6: Join Los Angeles Maritime Institute for the Holiday Harbor Boat Parade aboard one of their tall ships.
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade in Long Beach
December 6: Enjoy the annual parade showcasing local business, schools, community groups, and more. Parade features 100 entries, including floats designed by Long Beach businesses and organizations.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights in Rolling Hills Estate
December 6: Come and enjoy holiday floats, marching bands, Santa and other community partners making their way through a brightly lit commercial area of Rolling Hills Estates.
LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
December 6: Annual boat parade showcasing a vibrant array of decorated boats and festive lights that stretch about one mile. FREE!
Long Beach International Tamales Festival
December 7: Try regional tamales, enjoy live music and dance, visit the mercado, and stop by the Kids Zone during this cultural food festival.
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!
Ubefestmas | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 7: Snack, shop, and stroll through 70+ vendors at this free, ube-themed outdoor festival. FREE!
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.
Getty Drawing Day
October 26 - December 7: Sketch costumed models, explore figure drawing, and learn from guest artists—materials and guidance provided.
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!
Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation
FIRST SUNDAYS: Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.
International Winter Holidays | Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
December 7: Around the world music, dance and art bring joy to families gathering to celebrate this special time of the year and performances like the Dickens carolers and Ballet Folklorica. This free family festival includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more.
Santa at Lomita Railroad Museum
December 7: Visit for a day of holiday cheer. Activities include: visits with Santa and photo op, cookies and hot chocolate, cookie decorating, balloon animals, visiting the museum, holiday crafts for kids, kids games, and food truck.
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!
