All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Creep It Real Festive | Heritage Museum of Orange County
November 20-22: Explore a holiday-meets-Halloween night market with live entertainment, spooky characters, 130-plus vendors, treats, and Twilight cast appearances.
Gabby’s Dollhouse Meet & Greet | Discovery Cube Los Angeles, Sylmar
November 20-22: Meet Gabby from Gabby's Dollhouse, snap a photo together, then enjoy storytime, dance parties, crafts, a scavenger hunt, and more.
Sleeping Beauty, Once Upon a Winter Dream | Helen Borgers Theatre, Long Beach
November 20 - December 6: See the classic fairy tale Sleeping Beauty come to life in a fully staged production exploring resilience, renewal, hope, and joy at Long Beach's Helen Borgers Theatre.
Los Angeles Auto Show | LA Convention Center
November 20-29: See the newest models, futuristic concepts, and next-generation EVs at the massive Los Angeles Auto Show - where car culture meets innovation.
Circus Vargas | Lakewood Center
November 20-30: Enjoy a circus filled with aerialists, acrobats, comedians, daredevils, and more, all performing under the classic big top tent.
Knott’s Merry Farm | Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park
November 20 - January 3: Celebrate Knott's Merry Farm with Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang, holiday shows, Snow & Glow, Santa visits, festive treats, artisan shopping, twinkling lights, and more.
ICE! Featuring “A Charlie Brown Christmas” | Gaylord Pacific Resort, Chula Vista
Nov 20 - Jan 3: See "A Charlie Brown Christmas" carved from two million pounds of ice, crawl through Snoopy's doghouse, and race down towering ice slides at Gaylord Pacific's ICE! experience.
Skating by the Sea | Hotel del Coronado, Coronado
Nov 20 - Jan 3: Go ice skating by the Pacific Ocean at Hotel del Coronado's famous beachfront rink, a holiday tradition benefiting Make-A-Wish San Diego.
Harbor Glow | West Harbor, San Pedro
Nov 20 - Jan 3: Walk through more than 15 glowing scenes along the LA Waterfront, featuring a crystal winter wonderland and ocean-inspired light displays with jellyfish, coral, whales, and more.
L.A. Zoo Lights | Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles
November 20 - January 10: Wander through dazzling light displays, snap festive photos, enjoy seasonal treats and carolers, meet Santa, and more at L.A. Zoo Lights.
Nat at Night | San Diego Natural History Museum, San Diego
Sep 19, Oct 16, Nov 20, Dec 18: Explore exhibitions and the rooftop deck at the San Diego Natural History Museum at night on select Fridays, open until 11 PM. The whole family is welcome — grab dinner in the Atrium or on the rooftop and explore until bedtime. Admission is half-price after 5 PM.
Discovery Days | Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa
September 30, 2026 – June 1, 2027: Explore the farm on an unguided tour, plant a radish seed to take home, and learn about chicks, rabbits, and seasonal crops. Visit pigs, goats, sheep, cattle, and poultry along the way.
Friday Fun | Madrona Marsh Nature Center, Torrance
Every Friday: Explore nature with story time, crafts, science, and guided activities designed for preschoolers. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Bella Terra, Huntington Beach
November 20: Enjoy live holiday entertainment, festive characters, kids' activities, photo experiences, visits with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, and Bella Terra's holiday tree lighting. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Fashion Island, Newport Beach
November 20: Watch Fashion Island's 90-foot live Christmas tree sparkle to life with magical snowfall, festive music, a performance by the Sugarplums, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration | Plaza Mexico, Lynwood
November 20: Enjoy festive music, family activities, holiday treats, and a community countdown as the Plaza Mexico Christmas tree lights up the night. FREE!
Parent’s Night Out at Columbia Memorial Space Center
NOVEMBER 20: 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!
Luminaria Nights | California Botanic Garden, Claremont
December 4-19: Wander through glowing luminarias and illuminated gardens while enjoying live music, art installations, food, drinks, and festive nighttime scenery.
Turkey Trot | Seal Beach
November 21: Join the Seal Beach Turkey Trot! There will be a 5K, 10K, Gym Challenge, and kids "Don't Be a Turkey" trot.
California Kimchi Day & Kimchi Fest | LA Arboretum & Botanic Garden, Arcadia
November 21: Celebrate California Kimchi Day with Korean food and culture, live performances, local vendors, interactive experiences, and an optional hands-on kimchi-making workshop.
Hermosa for the Holidays | Downtown Hermosa Beach
November 21-22: Celebrate Hermosa for the Holidays with a tree lighting, Ferris wheel, Santa photos, Letters to Santa, live music, local shopping, and more by the beach.
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.
Milo the Magnificent | Samueli Theater, Costa Mesa
November 21–22: Watch a young magician's tricks and experiments come to life in a wordless puppet show inspired by vaudeville. The physical comedy features award-winning puppetry and a magician whose plans don't always go as expected.
DIAVOLO: ESCAPE | The Soraya, Northridge
November 21–22: Follow a group of humans as they struggle to break free from the chaos around them and escape into a surreal landscape. Watch famous architectural structures and gravity-defying moves come to life in this live DIAVOLO performance.
Santa’s North Pole Adventure | Westfield Century City, Los Angeles
Select dates November 21 - December 24: Journey to the North Pole with Santa's elves, visit Mrs. Claus' bakery, meet Santa, complete a holiday scavenger hunt, and enjoy daily snowfall at Westfield Century City.
Holiday Performances & Snowfall | Westfield Century City, Los Angeles
November 21 - December 27: Experience daily snowfall at Westfield Century City's Holiday Village, plus live holiday performances Thursday-Sunday featuring music, lights, and festive effects.
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
Nov 21 - Jan 3: Enjoy the holidays at Super Ninetendo World, The Wizarding World, and during Grinchmas. Holiday treats, merchandise, and entertainment are also a part of the season at the park!
Elf Yourself 5K | Lake Forest
November 21: Dress like an elf for a family-friendly 5K run/walk, then enjoy Santa photos, bounce houses, kids activities, food samples, raffles, and a pet costume contest.
Free Youth Fishing Derby at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
November 21: 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.
Junior Fishing Club at Whittier Narrows in South El Monte
3rd Saturday of the Month: Kids ages 8–15 learn to fish, practice casting, and enjoy a lakeside lunch during this monthly youth fishing club at Whittier Narrows. FREE!
Autumn Festival | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
November 21-22: Celebrate Asian and Asian American cultures with music, dance, traditional crafts, cultural arts, storytelling, and live performances at the Aquarium of the Pacific.
Fall In The Farm | The Farm at Fairplex, Pomona
November 21: Get hands-on with agriculture at Fairplex with interactive activities, workshops, live entertainment, vendors, and a livestock competition. FREE!
Leonardo! A Wonderful Show About a Terrible Monster | The Wallis, Beverly Hills
November 21: See Mo Willems' beloved monster stories come to life with paper and furry puppets, cinematic projection, and original music performed live at The Wallis.
Christmas Tree Lighting | Seal Beach Pier, Seal Beach
November 21: Celebrate California beach style with kids' sledding, crafts, carolers, Santa, gingerbread cookies, hot cocoa, and the annual Christmas tree lighting at the Seal Beach Pier. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Santa Fe Springs
November 21: Kick off the holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony featuring live performances, a kids zone with crafts, food vendors, letters to Santa, and photos with Santa. FREE!
Plaza Navideña | Plaza Calle Cuatro, Santa Ana
November 21: Celebrate Plaza Navideña with a tree lighting, Santa and Mrs. Claus, live performances, crafts, holiday treats, and a glow stick dance party. FREE!
Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony | The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, Riverside
November 21: Watch The Mission Inn illuminate more than 10 million holiday lights during the Festival of Lights Opening Night Ceremony with fireworks, Santa, live entertainment, and a special performance by Gavin DeGraw. FREE!
Autry Museum Tree Lighting Holiday Celebration | Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles
November 21: Celebrate the holidays with a tree lighting, live music by The Sugarplums, a DJ, line dancing lessons, museum galleries, food trucks, and holiday shopping at the Autry.
Anaheim Turkey Trot 5K/10K & 1 mile FUN Run
November 22: Participants run the public path course on Santa Ana Riverbed Trail, beginning off of Katella. All runners/walkers receive a turkey shirt , custom-cast turkey finisher medal, and a matching race bib.
Holiday Tree Lighting | The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point
November 22: Celebrate the holidays with dazzling lights, festive music, a holiday marketplace, seasonal treats, hot chocolate, and more while supporting Surfers Healing.
Winter Magic | Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
November 22 - January 10: Experience Winter Magic at Heritage Park with holiday lights, ice skating, themed nights, entertainment, festive food and drinks, photo ops, and more.
Artist-at-Work: Serigraphy | Getty Center, Los Angeles
November 8 & 22 & December 13: Meet artist Alfonso Aceve and watch the art of silkscreen printing come to life during bilingual, drop-in family demonstrations at the Getty Center. FREE!
STEAM Family Day | Natural History Museum, Los Angeles
November 22: Kids and teens ages 8-18 can explore hands-on STEAM activities, meet science professionals, discover career paths, catch a Hip Hop Science Show, and see a live animal presentation at NHM.
Pump Track Ribbon Cutting | Peak Park, Buena Park
November 23: Celebrate the opening of Buena Park's new Pump Track with a ribbon cutting, live DJ, free helmets while supplies last, and a chance to test out the new track. FREE!
Arcave Room Grand Opening | Buena Park
November 23: Celebrate Arcave Room's grand opening in Buena Park with a ribbon cutting, pizza, treats, face painting, a photo booth, DJ, and more.
Shark Lagoon Nights | Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
Sep 22, Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 10, Nov 24: Touch bamboo sharks, see rays, and get up close with large sharks during free after-hours evenings at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Only Shark Lagoon is open; event is weather-dependent. FREE!
Wild Lights | America’s Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, Moorpark
Select dates, Nov 25 - Dec 23: See America's Teaching Zoo transform into a holiday wonderland with dazzling light displays and family fun on select nights, plus Santa visits on select dates.
Kids Club | The Grove, Los Angeles
June 3–24: Enjoy weekly kids shows with music, puppets, and storytelling at AMC theaters.
Turkey Trot | Dana Point
November 26: 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!
Turkey Trot Los Angeles
November 26: 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!
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!
