All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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.
Navidad en Mexico at La Mirada Theatre
DECEMBER 21: This vibrant production celebrates Mexico’s festive Christmas traditions and folklore through music, song and dance.
Winter Solstice Family Night at Muzeo in Anaheim
DECEMBER 21: Winter holidays throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from St. Lucia’s Day, St. Nicolas Day, Hanukkah to Christmas, are celebrated with light, decorations, music, and special treats. We will be learning about the Winter Solstice, and creating artistic holiday decorations while enjoying hot chocolate, singing seasonal songs, and sampling international holiday treats.
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade in Long Beach
DECEMBER 21: Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season.
Winter-Break J Camps at Merage JCC
DECEMBER 23-27 & DECEMBER 30 - JANUARY 3: Your child will be baking, crafting, singing, learning, dancing, and playing during these JCamp days... Choose just a few days, or all of them! Plus a special Snow Day on December 31!
Winter Fun Days in Long Beach
DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 3: Winter Fun Days is a drop-in program for children 5-12 years of age to be part of extended supervision recreation activities during Winter Break.
Acting Out Fall & Winter Workshops
Acting Out is offering fall and winter workshops designed to keep your young actors engaged and inspired. Veterans Day Workshop (Nov 11), Thanksgiving (Nov 25-26), Winter Break (Dec 23 & Jan 2-3).
Skatedogs Winter-Break Camp in Long Beach & Irvine
DEC 27-30 / JAN 2-5: Kids (ages 5-13) make new friends, advance their skateboarding skills, and most importantly, have fun at Skatedogs’ private skatepark! The camp includes lessons, free skate, games, competition, and prizes.
Ultimate Ninjas Winter Break Camp
DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 10: Ultimate Ninjas offers the ultimate Winter Break Camp! Ninjas learn how to tackle obstacles with structured obstacle practice, participate in conditioning exercises, plus play games and enjoy free time.
Winter-Break Excursions to SkyZone & Boomers
DECEMBER 27 & JANUARY 3: Participants, ages 6-12, can enjoy two special excursions during winter-break: Sky Zone and Boomers. Activities will be provided from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays in Cerritos
DECEMBER 29: Celebrate the holidays with the entire family in this mind-blowing spectacle featuring jaw-dropping talents, mentalism, and magic acts from acclaimed illusionists. Performances at 2 and 7 p.m. “The Illusionists … will blow your mind!” – New York Theatre Guide.
Equestfest with the Tournament of Roses
DECEMBER 29: Watch beautiful horses and talented riders perform drills and dances and demonstrate trick riding and roping. Attendees can also stroll through the stables, talk to riders and learn about the various equipment that the riders use. Learn about many different breeds of horses while enjoying the vendor court, displays, great music, food and drinks.
NYE Fireworks in Downtown Long Beach
DECEMBER 31: Spend NYE at the Long Beach Waterfront and watch the sky dazzle with a free fireworks show over the harbor.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve
DECEMBER 31: "Midnight" comes early for families at LEGOLAND California Resort, celebrating the New Year together without missing their bedtimes.
Noon Year’s Eve at Discovery Cube in LA
DECEMBER 31: Ring in the new year with a balloon drop, dance, and sip apple cider at the Discover Cube!
Fullerton’s First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
DECEMBER 31: Ring in the New Year with an evening packed with family fun including inflatable attractions, face painting, classic carnival games, snow lane, live entertainment, and fireworks show.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Glow Party
DECEMBER 31: Watch the spectacular fireworks show from the park and waterfront and enjoy an evening of family-friendly fun. Enjoy lawn games, face painting, crafts, photo booth, DJ entertainment, and more.
Rose Parade Viewing Party – Southern California Children’s Museum in Pasadena
JANUARY 1: Enjoy a prime view of the parade, continental breakfast, open museum play, and fun-themed crafts.
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!
Floatfest: A Rose Parade Showcase in Pasadena
JANUARY 1-3: Experience this 2-mile showcase of Rose Parade floats and walk within a few feet of floats to appreciate the creativity and details of each display.
Jurassic Quest at the Pasadena Convention Center
JANUARY 3-5: Adventure awaits at Jurassic Quest, the world's largest dino event. Experiences include excavating fossils, playing with baby dinos, even training a raptor while being surrounded by life-size dinosaur herds. The event also features rides, bounce houses, and soft play area for the littles!
Free Home Depot Kids Workshops
FIRST SATURDAYS: Join your local Home Depot on the first Saturday of each month between 9am - noon for free in-person Kids Workshops. While supplies last.
Oshogatsu Family Festival at the Japanese American National Museum
JANUARY 5: Welcome the Year of the Snake with cultural performances, crafts, and activities for families and kids of all ages.
Free Entrance Day to National Parks
Come experience the national parks! Mark your calendar for these free entrance days in 2025!
Flower Festival at Asian Garden Mall in Westminster
JANUARY 9-27: Shop for flowers, fruits, and food for Lunar New Year. Enjoy food vendors and bbq nightly starting at 6pm. Firecracker celebration on January 29 at noon.
Pageant of the Masters: Open Casting Call for All Ages
JANUARY 10-12: Sign up at the Open Casting Call for a behind-the-scenes look at the Pageant, meet the creative team, and get a sneak peek at the artwork that will be re-created in the 2025 production “Gold Coast: Treasures of California.” Plus, join the Pageant for a Family Fun Fest featuring food trucks, art activities, games, and more on January 12.
Jurassic Quest at the Anaheim Convention Center
January 10-12, 2025: Embark on an adventure, excavate fossils, train raptors, walk with life-size dinosaurs, and more at Jurassic Quest!
Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach
FRIDAYS, JANUARY 10 - FEBRUARY 28, 2025: 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.
Little Seedlings Story Time at Sherman Gardens
EVERY FRIDAY: Join Sherman Library & Gardens to share favorite stories, picture books and poems. Perfect for preschool children and their caregivers.
Night Under the Stars at Columbia Memorial Space Cener in Downey
FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2025: Gaze at the stars, chat about the mysteries of space, and share the magic of the cosmos through our telescopes. This month, Dr. Jeff Gray from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) will have an inspiring talk on the latest in space exploration and show off smart telescopes for an epic stargazing experience.
Astronomy Night at Columbia Space Memorial Center in Downey
JANUARY 10: Each month, expert guest speakers dive into fascinating astronomy topics, sharing their knowledge and passion for the universe. After the talks, explore the night sky with our telescopes and witness celestial objects up close.
Flashlight Safaris at Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar
January 11, February 8, March 1, 2025: Peek into the lives of elusive nocturnal animals during guided group tours with only a flashlight to guide you.
Weekend Train & Trolley Rides at Southern California Railway Museum in Perris
Weekends, January 11 - October 26: Take a ride on the Museum Railway on a real operating trolley or behind a locomotive every weekend. Parking, entry to grounds, and entry to open exhibits are free (except during special ticketed events).
Brick Convention: LEGO Fan Event at the OC Fair & Event Center
JANUARY 11-12: Enjoy a day filled with everything LEGO! The event features building areas, hundreds of displays, professional LEGO® artists and vendors offering new/rare/exclusive sets.
Reptile Super Show in Pomona
JANUARY 11-12: See and learn about your favorite reptiles, from slithering snakes to shell-dwelling tortoises and lots more. Kids will get to see animals up close, talk to professional breeders, and you may even bring home a new pet.
January Events at Pretend City in Irvine
JANUARY: Join Pretend City this month for plenty of fun events like Cooking in the City (Jan 9), Bubble Bath Day (Jan 11), Lohri Celebration (Jan 12), Lunar New Year (Jan 19), MLK Day (Jan 20) and more.
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!
