All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Holiday Cruise During Boat Parade of Lights at the Dana Point Harbor
DECEMBER 13-15: Enjoy a 90-minute Holiday Cruise with holiday music, up-close views of boats in the parade, and the harbor.
Fiesta Navidad at Segerstrom
DECEMBER 14: One of Orange County’s most beloved holiday events, Fiesta Navidad, features the Grammy Award®-winning Mariachi Los Camperos in a concert filled with festive music and dance.
Holiday Spectacular at the Shops Rossmoor in Seal Beach
DECEMBER 14: Join in spreading the holiday cheer with photos with Santa, holiday crafts for children, face painting, and much more!
Long Beach International Tamales Festival
DECEMBER 14: Live entertainment, Kids Zone, Shopping, Homemade Tamales Contest, Tequila Tasting and much more!
Long Beach Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 14-5 & 20-22: This production boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200.
Unicorn World in Los Angeles
DECEMBER 14-15: Be transported to the magical world of unicorns and enjoy a day of fun-filled unicorn activities. Meet unique, animatronic unicorns, explore the enchanted forest, and enjoy unicorn themed arts and crafts.
Jungle Bells: Aurora at the San Diego Zoo
DECEMBER 14 - JANUARY 5, 2025: This annual holiday event will treat guests through a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music, views of wildlife and more holiday fun to get you into the spirit!
Breakfast with Santa at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 14: Join Santa for a pancake breakfast. The event will feature crafts, pictures with Santa, and breakfast.
Crafts with the Clauses at Aliso Viejo Ranch
DECEMBER 14: Take photos with the Clauses, create festive crafts, play reindeer games, listen to stories from Mrs. Claus, and drink hot cocoa!
Holiday Snow Land at Balearic Park in Costa Mesa
DECEMBER 14: Balearic Park turns into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow. This time-honored tradition hosts over 1,000 people annually.
Holiday Krazy Krafts Day – International Printing Museum in Carson
DECEMBER 14: A creative day of printing and crafts with holiday activities throughout the day.
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire in Buena Park
DECEMBER 14: Join the City of Buena Park for entertainment, food, games, free raffles, snow slide, synthetic ice rink, petting zoo, plus a craft faire featuring over 100 artisans.
Holidays Around the World at Segerstrom
DECEMBER 14: Enjoy a variety of live performances from local music acts and dance groups that celebrate holiday traditions from around the world.
Whoville Winter Village
DECEMBER 14: Free family-friendly holiday event featuring carnival games, crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, balloon twisting, family recreation games, snow sledding, and pictures with Santa Claus and The Grinch.
Holiday Concert on the Pier at Redondo Beach
DECEMBER 14: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, activity books, holiday photos, sponsor giveaways, and charity toy drive.
Christmas with the Animals at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
DECEMBER 14: 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.
Tree Lighting Celebration at the Civic Center in Lake Forest
DECEMBER 14, 2024: The City of Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will have kids activities, shopping, food, and special guest appearance!
Daisy Parade in Long Beach
DECEMBER 14: 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 in Long Beach
DECEMBER 14: 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.
Las Posadas at Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs
DECEMBER 14: Celebrate Las Posadas with music, dance, and holiday crafts.
Holiday Music & Dance Extravaganza at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 14: Enjoy an evening of holiday dance & musical performances. Pre-registration required.
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
DECEMBER 15 & 22: Details TBA
DIY Workshop: Living Wreath at Bolsa Chica Conservancy
DECEMBER 15: Create a biodegradable living wreath for your home and garden using natural materials and live air plants. Activity is designed for adults and teens. Older children can attend with a guardian.
Hanukkah Festival at Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles
DECEMBER 15: Enjoy music, storytelling, food, art making, a photo booth, and a community candle lighting at Skirball Cultural Center.
House for the Holidays Family Rave at Yost Theater in Santa Ana
DECEMBER 15: Get ready to dance, groove, and party with your entire family at this one-of-a-kind event. As well as house + techno music the event features multi-sensory dancefloor with lasers, confetti, balloons, and parachute dance finale, a crafting area, and bar. Don't forget to dress up in your ugly sweaters, reindeer antlers, and Santa hats!
Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 15-17, 21-23 & 28-31: Go on a special tour, sip on hot cocoa, and meet nocturnal animal ambassadors in the glow of holiday lights.
Gingerbread Garages at Peterson Automotive Museum in LA
DECEMBER 16-20: Build the gingerbread garage of your dreams, with all the supplies provided including candy, icing, and graham crackers. Holiday helpers are there to guide you through the sugary construction process, ensuring a positive experience for all ages.
Cirque Dreams: Holidaze Show at Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside
DECEMBER 17-18: A holiday spectacular that wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry. Audiences of all ages will marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production.
Holiday Party for Kids at Pacific City in Huntington Beach
DECEMBER 17: 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.
A Nutcracker Sweet Christmas at Nixon Library
DECEMBER 17: Snap photos with Santa Claus in the Cabinet Room, help feed Santa’s Reindeer before their big trek, craft magical ornaments, build a hot cocoa confection, sing along with Christmas-clad carolers, and hear the sweet melodies of the Nutcracker ballet, as well as other Christmas favorites, and enjoy a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm.
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 18-22: 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.
A Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 24: Join all your favorite Dickens characters—Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, the Fezziwigs, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, and of course, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Cookie Crawl & Polar Express Movie at Pacific City in Huntington Beach
DECEMBER 19: Enjoy cookies at various retailers and restaurants, faux snowfall, live music, followed by the Polar Express movie.
Parent’s Night Out at Columbia Space Center in Downey
DECEMBER 19: Take a night off while your kids have a blast at the Columbia Memorial Space Center after-hours! They'll enjoy three hours of engaging activities, games, and open play, plus dinner, snacks, and drinks—a stellar evening of fun and exploration!
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Celebrating the HolyDays at The Soraya in Northridge
DECEMBER 19: Described as “one of the most dynamic, versatile, and still relevant a cappella musical collectives today,” the GRAMMY©-nominated African American vocal ensemble is known around the world for its blended voices, vocal improvisations, and choral-stacked spiritual/gospel and jazz traditions. SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® continues its 50th Anniversary tour at The Soraya with a powerful celebration of the “HolyDays.”
Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker in Irvine
DECEMBER 7-24: Festival Ballet Theatre's family-friendly production of The Nutcracker features colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, making this age-old tradition sparkle like new.
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 12-22: Southern California’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker. This magical treat for the whole family features an impressive cast of over 100 performers, incredible sets and costumes, and Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score!
Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 22: Winter Fantasy offers a festive, unique shopping experience in an enchanting winter wonderland with thousands of lights and decorations, three stages of live music, carolers, puppeteers, art classes, and daily visits with Santa Claus.
Cruise of Lights® at Huntington Harbour
DECEMBER 18-23: Join the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee's Annual Cruise of Lights for a delightful evening on a 50-minuted narrated boat tour and experience the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, decks, docks, and boats.
Lil’ Chef – December Workshop & Parents Night Out
DECEMBER: Gingerbread House decorating classes, sugar cookie decorating workshops, winter break camp, and parents night out.
Rapunzel’s Holiday Wish at Laguna Playhouse
DECEMBER 7-29: Based on the beloved fairytale, this hair-larious tangled tale undergoes a Holiday Panto makeover. Prepare for a spellbinding journey as Rapunzel tries to escape from from her tower with the help from her friends Dame Betty and Simple Simon, all while learning her true identity.
Snowtopia at the Palm Springs Air Museum
DECEMBER 20-22: Enjoy 60 tons of snow on the tarmac, ride a train, make s'mores, and take photos with your favorite holiday characters. Crafts and holiday shopping are inside the Miles Hangar.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet at Wiltern Theatre
DECEMBER 20-21: 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.
Family Fun Night at the Marina Park Community Center in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 20: Enjoy crafts for kids, photos with Santa, and the evening will include watching the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.
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.
North Pole Express with Orange County Model Engineers in Costa Mesa
DECEMBER 21-22: Journey to the North Pole on a train to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus... and a possible appearance from the Grinch!
OC Autism: Breakfast with Santa in Garden Grove
DECEMBER 21: More information coming soon.
Polar Express Family Day at the San Diego Railroad Museum
DECEMBER 21: Watch the Polar Express, make holiday cards, ornaments, see Santa, and enjoy the exhibits!
Holiday Celebration at Long Beach Towne Center
DECEMBER 21: Celebrate the holidays with photos with Santa, kids' crafts, face painters, balloon twisters and snow!
Annual Parol Lantern Festival
December 21: The annual Parol Lantern Festival is a holiday event celebrating Filipino community and culture. It showcases the tradition of creating and displaying the parol, a star-shaped lantern signifying hope and joy.
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!
