Wild Lights | The Teaching Zoo, Moorpark

Select dates, Nov 26 - Dec 23, 2025: A 45 minute self guided stroll through the zoo with larger-than-life light installations, like sparkling animals and wintery scenes. Enjoy interactive displays, pathways, plenty of seasonal photo opportunities, treats, music, and more. 

Dates:
Wild Lights at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark
Location:
The Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College 7075 Campus Road, Moorpark
+ Google Map
Cost:
$14 – $17

Imaginarium: Land of Oz | Fairplex, Pomona

Nov 26 - Jan 4: Follow the yellow brick road through an immersive Oz-themed adventure with glowing scenes, characters, and family-friendly interactive moments.

Dates:
Location:
Pomona Fairplex 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona, California
+ Google Map

Turkey Trot in Dana Point

November 27: Burn off your pre-Thanksgiving meal calories with a run/walk of a 5K, 10K, 10K/5K Combo, or Kids 1-Mile Gobble Wobble in the beautiful Dana Point Harbor!

Dates:
Location:
Dana Point Harbor 34571 Golden Lantern St., Dana Point, CA
+ Google Map

Turkey Trot Los Angeles

November 28: Run/walk a 5k or 10k before you feast and help fundraise for The Midnight Mission. There’s also an Widdle Wobble for the little trotters (ages 12 and under) and a inaugural 1-mile Dog Jog. Everyone is welcome!

Dates:
Location:
Los Angeles City Hall 200 N Spring Street, Los Angeles
+ Google Map
Cost:
$45 – $77

Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble

November 27: Start your Thanksgiving at the beach! This 5K/10K Turkey Trot features a flat ocean-front course and a 1K walk/run for kids 12 and under. Dogs and strollers welcome.

Dates:
Location:
Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble 21599 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach
+ Google Map
Cost:
$20 – $50

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Long Beach

November 27: Join this Thanksgiving day race for a good cause! Includes a Kids' Half-Mile Wingding Fun Run and adults 5K/10K.

Dates:
Location:
Granada Boat Ramp 1 Granda Ave., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map

Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot

November 27: The annual Palisades Development Turkey Trot is here once again! The holiday 5K & 10K, plus Pali Kids Runs will be held at Palisades Charter High School.

Dates:
Location:
Palisades Charter High School 15777 Bowdoin Street, Pacific Palisades
+ Google Map
Cost:
$45.52 – $80.50

OC/Irvine Turkey Trot

November 27: Run up your appetite in Irvine! Join Turkey Trotters at OC's Turkey Trot at Irvine Valley College. One-mile Turkey Dash, Kid's Gobble Wobble, and 5K.

Dates:
Location:
Irvine Valley College 5500 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine
+ Google Map
Cost:
$28 – $55

Rose Bowl 5K Turkey Trot 

November 27: Join the sixth annual Rose Bowl Turkey Trot! Runners, walkers, skippers, and jumpers alike can participate this year by running around the 5K recreational loop at America’s Stadium. Known for being a Pasadena family favorite and a Thanksgiving morning tradition!

Dates:
Location:
Rose Bowl Stadium 1001 Rose Bowl Dr., Pasadena, CA
+ Google Map

Drumstick Dash LA in North Hollywood

November 27: Drumstick Dash LA is LA's largest Thanksgiving 5K/10K and Lil' Gobblers run. Fun for the whole family and serious runners alike–including lots of freebies, a costume contest, awards and the satisfaction of supporting a worthy cause.

Dates:
Location:
Drumstick Dash Start Line Chandler Blvd. & Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, CA
+ Google Map

Turkey Trot on the Ranch at Rancho Mission Viejo

November 27: The run features a 10K, 5K, and Little Gobbler’s 1K that takes participants through the pathways and walkways of the community of Rancho Mission Viejo. 

Dates:
Location:
Sendero Field 29201 Ortega Highway, Rancho Mission Viejo, CA
+ Google Map

Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run in Torrance

November 27: The City of Torrance Community Services Department invites the entire family to participate in this fun run. After the fun run, there will be a post run opportunity drawing for mountain bikes, dinner vouchers, gym memberships, and many other prizes.

Dates:
Location:
Sam's Club Torrance 2601 Skypark Drive, Torrance, CA
+ Google Map

Thanksgiving Lunch at Aquarium of the Pacific

November 27: Gobble gobble with the Aquarium’s sea otters, puffins, and other animals for the annual Thanksgiving Feast. Meet over 12,000 animals from the world’s largest ocean, then savor a traditional spread to be served buffet style.

Dates:
Location:
Aquarium of the Pacific 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$72 – $95

North Pole Limited | Pacific Southwest Railway Museum

Nov 28 - Dec 21: The North Pole Limited winds its way through the backcountry on its way to the North Pole, where it stops at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Dates:
Location:
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum 750 Depot St., Campo, CA
+ Google Map

Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker | Grove of Anaheim

November 28-29: Experience Clara’s journey from a winter night to Candyland in Anaheim Ballet’s full-length Nutcracker, featuring a growing Christmas tree, waltzing flowers, and classic holiday magic.

Dates:
Location:
City National Grove of Anaheim 2200 East Katella Avenue, Anaheim
+ Google Map

Thanksgiving Turkey Bash at Lions Tigers & Bears

November 28-29: Get wild at Lions Tigers & Bears the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving and watch rescued big cats and bears enjoy their Thanksgiving Feast. 

Dates:
Location:
Lions Tigers & Bears 24402 Martin Way, Alpine, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$35 – $60

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.

Dates:
Location:
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point
+ Google Map
Cost:
$6 – $37.74

DroneArt Show | Huntington Beach

November 28–29: Watch over 500 drones dance to live classical music under a candlelit sky at Huntington Beach’s mesmerizing DroneArt Show.

Dates:
Location:
Huntington Beach Sports Complex 18100 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach
+ Google Map

Apple Butter Festival at Los Rios Rancho in Yucaipa

November 28-30: Celebrate the end of apple season with live music, pumpkin painting, coloring and kids crafts, cider tasting tour, autumn foliage carriage tours, and apple butter making.

Dates:
Location:
Los Rios Rancho 39611 Oak Glen Road, Oak Glen, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Yeti’s Snow Play Opening Weekend | Mountain High

November 28-30: Slide, sip, and celebrate at Yeti’s Snow Play Opening Weekend - featuring snow, Santa visits, tubing, and holiday cheer for all ages.

Dates:
Location:
Mountain High Resort 24510 State Highway 2, Wrightwood, CA
+ Google Map

Christmas on the Farm at the Underwood Farm in Moorpark

Nov 28 - Dec 24, 2025: Enjoy the holidays on the farm with animals, photo ops, wagon-rides, slides, 'pick your own fields', letters from Santa and more!

Dates:
Location:
Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark
+ Google Map

Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park Train Rides

Nov 28 - Jan 11: Enjoy an evening train ride around the festively decorated, one-mile track in Griffith Park that is transformed into a magical train ride with delightful and festive scenes with thousands of lights.

Dates:
Location:
Griffith Park 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map

Solvang Julefest

Nov 28 - Jan 4: Julefest returns for a month-long holiday celebration for the village of Solvang. Julefest events includes nightly light and music show, photos with Santa, tree lighting ceremony, carolers, bands and chorus, candlelight tours, artisanal night marketplace, and more.

Dates:
Location:
Solvang Visitor Center 1637 Copenhagen Drive, Solvang, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Fire & Lights Festival | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

Nov 28 - Jan 4: The Fire & Ice Festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is a family-friendly event featuring fire dancers performing two shows on the weekends, and Lighting of the Bay.

Dates:
Location:
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Select Nights, Nov 28 - Jan 4: Go on an expedition of light and travel through places that glow, shine, and twinkle with holiday cheer. Fanciful characters, musical entertainment, festive storytelling, and culinary treats create family fun and get everyone in the spirit of the season!

Dates:
Location:
San Diego Zoo Safari Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
+ Google Map

Lighting of the Bay | Newport Dunes

November 28: Enjoy crafts, rides, s’mores, live music, and Santa’s lighting of the bay at Newport Dunes’ festive opening night. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego

Select dates, Nov 28 - Dec 30: Explore the USS Midway under a million holiday lights with flight deck shows, Santa photos, games, and rotating themed nights.

Dates:
Location:
USS Midway Museum 910 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
$20 – $30

Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach

Nov 29 - Jan 1, 2026: Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard a decorated vessel on a 75-minute holiday lights cruise. View multi million dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights.

Dates:
Location:
Newport Landing 309 Palm St., Newport Beach, CA
+ Google Map

908 Holiday Fair | Sports Basement, Long Beach

November 29-30: Shop local vendors, enjoy festive drinks, hear holiday music, and snap photos with Santa at the 908 Holiday Fair. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Sports Basement Long Beach 2100 North Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Holiday Carnival at the Anaheim Town Square

November 30: Enjoy Santa’s big arrival, snow sledding, cookie decorating, and festive fun for families. FREE!

Dates:
Location:
Anaheim Town Square 2180 E. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim, CA
+ Google Map

Hollywood Christmas Parade

November 30: The annual Hollywood Christmas parade will feature Hollywood celebrities, award-wining marching bands and dance groups from around the country, dazzling equestrians, larger-than-life character balloons, colorful floats and humorous specialty acts. The parade culminates with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season!

Dates:
Location:
Hollywood Hollywood Blvd at Orange Dr., Hollywood, CA
+ Google Map

LA County Tree Lighting | Jerry Moss Plaza

December 1: Annual celebration to enjoy live music, art-making with the Armory Center for the Arts, snow flurries, complimentary hot chocolate and the opportunity to support local nonprofits, sustainable makers, cultural establishments and small businesses at the LA2050 Holiday Impact Market.

Dates:
Location:
Jerry Moss Plaza 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA
+ Google Map
Cost:
Free

Santa Float in Santa Fe Springs

December 2-19: Enjoy jingling bells, holiday carols, Santa's famous "Ho, ho, ho" echoing in the neighborhood, and take a photo with Santa. See program calendar for float location.

Dates:
Location:
Santa Fe Springs
Cost:
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!