All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Santa Arrival Celebration at Los Cerritos Center
NOVEMBER 9: Celebrate the season with festive music, caroling, a hot chocolate bar, face painting, a fun holiday craft station, and a scavenger hunt with free gifts after completion!
Night Hike at Madrona Marsh Preserve in 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.
St. Martin Lantern Parade & Fest at Old World Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 10: Join German School Campus for the annual Saint Martin Lantern Parade, a tradition through generations.
Free Admission for Veterans to Aquarium of the Pacific
NOVEMBER 11: In celebration of Veterans Day, the Aquarium of the Pacific honors veterans and active military personnel with free admission.
Lil’ Chef – November Workshops, Parent’s Night Out & Mini Camps
NOVEMBER: Cooking classes, camps, and workshops for Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and more.
Veterans Day Skate Clinic with Skatedogs
NOVEMBER 11: Come to a pizza party/skate clinic on Veterans Day! The clinic includes lessons in their skatepark, free skate, and pizza. Perfect for ages 5-13. All ability levels.
Veterans Day Commemoration at Reagan Library
NOVEMBER 11: Celebrate Veterans Day at the Reagan Library with live musical entertainment, a civil war encampment, military vehicle displays and program honoring all branches of the military.
Salute to Service Festival at USS Midway Museum
NOVEMBER 11: Live music, kids’ activities, contests, free food & drink samples. Free for all Active, Reserve, National Guard, Veterans and their families (up to 4 family members). ID required.
Veterans Day Celebration at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills
NOVEMBER 11: The Veterans Day Celebration will honor members of the United States military with a flyover, patriotic music, invocation and benediction, color guard, wreath laying, family-friendly activities, and more.
Santa’s Wonderland at Bass Pro Shops
NOW - DECEMBER 24: Enjoy a free 4x6 photo with Santa, wooden ornament and bass cookie cutter giveaways. On Tuesdays, now - December 17, listen to Christmas Tales with Santa and have a Yuletide Breakfast available Nov. 16 & 23 and Dec. 7.
Santa’s Village in SkyPark at Santa’s Village
NOVEMBER 14 - JANUARY 5: The entire village transforms into a Christmas wonderland with many attractions and activities, including: train ride, live entertainment, ice skating arena, Santa's House, Northwood characters, and special holiday experiences.
L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
NOVEMBER 15 - JANUARY 5: A nature-focused holiday celebration featuring all-new seasonal wonders, including Winter Wildlands with majestic pine trees, glowing ice crystals, snow-loving animals, views of the “northern lights,” and photo spots.
Santa’s Arrival at Lakewood Center
NOVEMBER 15: Join them for fun, games, dancing, and music as you try stop the Grinch from spoiling our favorite time of year!
Disney’s Encanto: The Sing-Along Film Concert | Cerritos
NOVEMBER 16: Calling all Encanto lovers! Dress up as Mirabel, Luisa, Isabela, or your favorite character from the film and sing along to the chart-busting soundtrack featuring the hit Surface Pressure and the Grammy-winning We Don’t Talk About Bruno. The blockbuster movie will be screened while songs are performed live by Banda de la Casita. Live characters will not appear in this event.
Free Youth Fishing Derby at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 16: Kids can enjoy outdoor recreation, learn to fish, get expert fishing tips, and have opportunities to win prizes like fishing gear and gift cards. Fishing poles and tackle will be provided to participating youth to use for free during the derby, but youth may also bring their own gear to use.
One-Day Skate Session this Saturday!
NOVEMBER 16: Lessons, free skate, and games. Saturday, 9-11 a.m.
Autumn Festival: A Celebration of Asian Culture at Aquarium of the Pacific
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16-17: The festival will feature traditional craft demonstrations, music, dance, cultural arts exhibits, and storytelling, celebrating the rich diversity of Asian and Asian-American cultures.
Merry and Bright Tree Lighting at LBX Hangar in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 16: Enjoy free Santa photos, holiday photo ops, face painting, cooking making station for the first 100 kids, entertainment, and maker's market.
NHM Commons Opening Day & Block Party in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 17: Celebratory grand opening events will include a free block party on opening day, activating NHM Commons’ new indoor and outdoor spaces with live music, special performances, food and drinks from South LA Café, and more.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 5: Enchanted Forest of Light is an interactive, one-mile walk through unique lighting experiences throughout the gardens.
Hanukkah Celebration at the Nixon Library
NOVEMBER 17: Community Menorah Candle Lighting and musical performances by various community organizations.
DIY Workshop: Cynotype with Plants at Bolsa Chica Conservancy
NOVEMBER 17: Make holiday cards, tote bags, and other designs with UV-activated dyes and native plants. Activity is designed for adults and teens. Older children can attend with a guardian.
Children’s Business Fair at Heritage Museum of Orange County
NOVEMBER 17: An opportunity for children (ages 6-16) to launch their very own startup business! Kids develop a brand, create a product or service, build a marketing strategy, and then open for customers at the one-day marketplace.
ALRT! at the Disco Family Rave in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 17: This vibrant event invites families with young children to enjoy a unique rave atmosphere filled with activities tailored for kids aged 0-8.
The Polar Express at Southern California Railway Museum
NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 31: Passengers will relive the magic of the classic story as they are whisked away on The Polar Express for a magical one-hour trip to meet Santa.
Roundhouse Aquarium Holiday Open House in Manhattan Beach
NOVEMBER 20: Join the Downtown Manhattan Beach festivities and pier lighting by strolling down the pier and stopping by the Roundhouse Aquarium. Enjoy the holiday cheer with treats and marine animals.
Holiday Cheer on the Pier in Santa Monica
NOV 21 - DEC 19: The historic Merry Go-Round windows are decked out with a one-of-a-kind installation from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation, that sets the stage for incredible holiday events all season long. On select days, enjoy music, performances, a car show, and photos with Santa.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink
NOVEMBER 21 - JANUARY 12: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink is back for a season of outdoor ice skating in the heart of downtown LA. Open Daily. General admission is $20 and includes skate rental.
Tree Lighting at VEA Newport Beach
NOVEMBER 21: Ring in the holidays at VEA's annual tree-lighting celebration featuring a snow globe, live performances, and Santa photo ops! This event is open to both resort guests and the community. No reservations are required.
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica
NOVEMBER 21: Get festive with a tree lighting, performances by local choirs, special performance of the Nutcracker, "snow", crafts, hot cocoa, DJ, and more holiday fun!
Light Up the Night & Santa’s Arrival at 2ND & PCH
NOVEMBER 21: Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting and watch as Santa arrives in style. The first RSVP'd guests to check in between 4-5pm will receive a complimentary snowflake light stick.
Tree Lighting Ceremony in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 21: Join the Segerstrom Family at their traditional tree lighting ceremony featuring live performances and a visit from Santa.
Cat Kid Comic Club: The Musical at Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: From the creators of Dog Man: The Musical, this lively adaptation of Dav Pilkey’s Cat Kid Comic Club follows Cat Kid and Molly Pollywog as they attempt to teach 21 spirited baby frogs the art of comic-making.
Creep It Real Festive at Heritage Museum of Orange County
NOVEMBER 22-23: Holiday/Halloween crossover items provided by 100 vendors showing off their most creative spooky-influenced seasonal artwork, crafts, treats and licensed merchandise.
Shrek the Musical at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 22-24: Your favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar®-winning, smash hit, DreamWorks animated film. An all-new musical that feels both familiar and refreshingly new, inviting everyone to “fall in love all ogre again.”
Latino Comics Expo at MOLAA in Long Beach
SATURDAY-SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22-24: Premiere event to connect with Latinx and Latin American comic artists and animators, experts, and fans. Enjoy comic book vendors, illustrators, food tucks, and children's chalk area.
Once Upon a Christmas with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
NOVEMBER 22- DECEMBER 24: A fully personalized Santa Experience. Travel through magical portals on a private elf-guided tour of the North Pole. Talk to Santa's reindeer, visit the Toy Workshop, and meet the one-and-only Santa, get a keepsake gift, and lots more. Activities vary by tour.
Winter Fest OC at OC Fair and Event Center
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Winter Fest OC is a celebration that brings the magic of winter to Southern California. Over a million lights, holiday decor, and activities, including a thrilling 150-foot ice tubing slide, ice skating, snow play area, carnival fun, festive food, and more.
Knott’s Merry Farm at Knott’s Berry Farm
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Knott's Merry Farm offers Christmas activities and experiences for families inspired by the spirit of the holidays. Guests of all ages can enjoy Christmas shows, ice shows, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas light show throughout Camp Snoopy, and more.
Imaginarium at the Fairplex in Pomona
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 5: Imaginarium at Fairplex in Pomona is the largest holiday light show in Southern California. This enchanting walk-through experience features millions of lights, storybook characters, photo boxes, mirror rooms, carnival rides and games, immersive activity rooms, and lots more.
Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
Select dates, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 23: The Midway will be transformed from mighty warship into a winter wonderland with an aviation twist. Enjoy Santa's Christmas Rush VR ride, holiday crafts, cookie decorating, letters to military, treats, and kids can enjoy a festive scavenger hunt in Pursuit of Penguins.
Wild Lights at America’s Teaching Zoo in Moorpark
Select dates, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 23: 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.
Turkey Trot in Seal Beach
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23: Join the Seal Beach Turkey Trot! There will be a 5K, 10K, Gym Challenge, and kids "Don't Be a Turkey" trot.
Super Saturday Program with LangoKids Irvine
NOVEMBER 23, DECEMBER 7, 14 & 21 : Join LangoKids Irvine for a Saturday full of cultural lessons, pretend trips to hispanic countries and recreation–all in Spanish! Program will enhance your child’s experience of the Spanish language via cultural lessons, crafts, cooking projects, science experiments, reading and writing for the older group, and more.
Journey to Oz at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 23-24: A experiential show that puts the audience front and center by allowing children in the crowd to take on key roles, including Munchkins, Winkies, and even Dorothy.
Holiday Light Show at the District in Tustin
NOV 23 - JAN 1: Experience a nightly holiday light show and decorations, running from Saturday, November 23 - Monday, January 1, which will transform the center into a winter wonderland each evening with dazzling light displays perfect for the season.
Holidays at Legoland in San Diego
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 5: Dance to holiday tunes, meet LEGO® Santa at the North Poly, visit a larger-than-life LEGO wreath, take a photo with a 35ft tall LEGO Christmas Tree, and more!
Annual Festival of Lights at Mission Inn in Riverside
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 6: Mission Inn's Festival of Lights is renowned for its breathtaking holiday light collection with over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirit.
Science of Gingerbread at the Discover Cube OC & LA
NOVEMBER 23 – JANUARY 8, 2025: Check out hundreds of creative gingerbread entries! Enjoy cookie decorating , LEGO engineering table, snowflake programmable art, Santa Claus visits (select dates), and gingerbread demonstrations from a pastry chef (select dates).
Muzeo Express in Anaheim
NOVEMBER 23 - JANUARY 19: An annual holiday tradition, explore model train dioramas winding through a miniature winter wonderland.
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!
