All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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!
Holiday Tree Lighting | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 3: Sip hot cocoa by the ocean, enjoy live carolers, meet Santa, and watch a 30-foot tree sparkle to life. FREE!
Santa’s Workshop | Civic Center, Mission Viejo
December 3-21: Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and explore the festive displays at Santa’s Village during these evening sessions. FREE!
Free Day at The Huntington Library
EVERY FIRST THURSDAY: The first Thursday of every month is Free Day. Admission is free of charge with advance reservation.
Rancho Voices: A Holiday Celebration | Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach
December 4-5: Tour the Ranch House decked for a 1920s holiday party. Docents will be stationed in the house to call out special stories past holiday parties and answer questions. Explore our grounds to listen to stories about the ranch workers’ experiences during their time there in the early to mid-1900s.
Cool Yule Celebration | Pacific City, Huntington Beach
December 4: Welcome the holiday season with Santa, holiday crafts, carolers, and tuba performances! Free parking for a stress free day of shopping & fun!
Joy Around the World: Festival of Holidays & Tree Lighting | El Segundo
December 4: Celebrate global winter traditions, meet Santa, enjoy crafts and performances, and watch the tree lighting at this multicultural holiday festival. FREE!
Cal Heights Neighborhood Tree Lighting in Long Beach
December 4: Play in real snow, meet Santa, enjoy live music, and snap festive character photos at this neighborhood tree-lighting celebration. FREE!
All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony | Aliso Viejo
December 4: Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, snow fall, and a visit from Santa Claus as the 22-foot tree is lit at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain and Amphitheater. FREE!
Holiday Stroll | Riviera Village, Redondo Beach
December 4: Shop, enjoy festive activities, and snap photos with Santa and the Grinch at Riviera Village’s Holiday Stroll. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
December 4: Watch Santa light the city tree, enjoy live performances, free photos, snowfall, crafts, and festive holiday treats on the Promenade. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Civic & Cultural Center, Brea
December 4: Snap photos with Santa, sip hot chocolate in magical snowfall, and explore free gallery admission. FREE
Tree Lighting & Fall Music Night | The Autry, LA
December 4: Dance to live country holiday music, explore open galleries, and watch the Autry’s tree sparkle to life.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Buena Park City Hall
December 5: The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will feature entertainment, local school performances, festivities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!
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.
Christmas Car Wash | Carwood Express Car Wash, Lakewood
Weekends, December 5-23: A holiday adventure awaits at this interactive car wash! Complete with holiday characters, Santa photo ops, festive riddles, and lots of fun.
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.
December Nights | Balboa Park, San Diego
December 5-6: Explore glowing museums, global foods, festive performances, and screenings of Ice Age and Frozen during Balboa Park’s biggest holiday celebration. FREE!
Construction Christmas | Oma’s Family Farm, Lakeside
December 5-6: Visit with Mrs. Claus, make holiday crafts, watch tractor demos, and explore an all-day inflatable scavenger hunt at this festive farm celebration.
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
December 5-7: Enjoy an evening stroll through the decorated grounds as well as live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus! FREE!
Home Alone in Concert | Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA
December 5-7: Watch the full Home Alone movie with its iconic score performed live by a full orchestra.
The Return of Peppermint Prince | Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
December 5-14: Join OCC Theatre for a Christmas melodrama featuring songs, sing-alongs, ice cream treats, audience interaction, and a visit from Santa at each performance.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at Chance Theater in Anaheim
December 5-21: Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, does Christmas still stand a chance of being splendiferous?
Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile | Kirk Douglas Theatre, LA
Dec 5 - Jan 4, 2026: Follow a sneaky jungle crocodile on a silly, puppet-filled musical adventure perfect for ages 3 and up.
Breakfast with Santa at Newport Coast Community Center in Newport Beach
December 5: Your little ones will be treated to a tasty breakfast along with crafts, train rides, a bouncer, and of course, a photo with Santa!
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!
French Holiday Bazaar | International School of Los Angeles, Burbank
December 5: Enjoy artisan shopping, festive foods, and handmade gifts at this French-inspired holiday bazaar. FREE!
Lakewood Tree Lighting
December 5: Play in falling snow, snap free festive photos, and see Santa before the big tree lighting at this community celebration. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Laguna Hills Community Center
December 5: Kick off the holiday season with an evening of festive lights, carolers, refreshments, crafts, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll | Old Town Tustin
December 5: Visit the Dreamers Market, see stage performances, stop by the Snow Village, and take photos with Santa during Tustin’s annual tree lighting. FREE!
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Tree Lighting at Artesia Park
December 5: Join the Holiday Tree Lighting at 6pm and stay for a night of festivities and snow. FREE!
Black Friday Holiday Party | California African American Museum, Los Angeles
December 5: Enjoy music, festive treats, art-making stations, and after-hours access to exhibitions during this holiday party at CAAM. 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.
Seal Beach Christmas Parade | Main Street, Seal Beach
December 5: Enjoy marching groups, community performers, and festive displays as the Seal Beach Christmas Parade brings “Christmas in Toyland” to Main Street.
Merry-Achi Christmas at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 5-7: The annual tradition Merry-Achi Christmas returns to Cerritos in a colorful Mexican holiday celebration filled with seasonal songs, dance, and festive merriment.
The Nutcracker at the Irvine Barclay Theatre
DECEMBER 6-24: A cherished holiday classic, perfect for all ages. Festival Ballet Theatre’s family-friendly breathtaking production features superb colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle like new. Create holiday memories for your family by sharing the magic of The Nutcracker.
Holidayfest at South Lake Avenue
December 6: Enjoy live music, holidays activities, in-store promotions, raffles, free photos with Santa and holiday character, holiday airbrush, cookie and ornament decorating, and more. FREE!
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.
Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
December 6: See Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet performed in a condensed version created just for kids! This concert finishes with a visit from Santa and annual holiday sing-along.
Santa’s Village by the Sea in Downtown San Clemente
December 6: Play in real snow, make festive crafts, enjoy Santa’s procession, and explore holiday fun stretching from Del Mar to the Community Center. FREE-ish!
Holidays by the Sea in San Pedro
December 6: Festivities include snow play, crafts, live entertainment like San Pedro Ballet & marionettes, a Christmas Tree lighting in front of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, and holiday boat parade. FREE!
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.
Tree Lighting & Fireworks Show in Fountain Valley
December 6: Kick off the holiday season with a friend from the North Pole, snow zone, tree lighting, and fireworks. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Santa Fe Springs
December 6: Play in real snow, make holiday crafts, enjoy live performances, and snap a Santa photo during this festive evening celebration. FREE!
Holiday Junior Aviator’s Day & Santa Fly-In | Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino
December 6: See Santa land in a vintage biplane, watch a P-38 Lightning take flight, and explore hands-on aviation workshops during this all-day holiday adventure.
Cars & Creations By The Sea | Huntington Beach State Park
December 6: Browse vendors, see the car show, meet Santa and a blue pup character, and check out the dog adoption area at this beachside community event.
Boat Ride with Santa at the Dana Wharf
December 6-7: Take a boat ride with Santa this holiday season around Dana Point Harbor! Tickets are $6 per person.
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.
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.
A Very Sherman Holiday | Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar
December 6-7: Enjoy handcrafted shopping, Santa photos, festive treats, live music, and Sherman holiday traditions during this new daytime celebration at Sherman Library & Gardens.
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!
