All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Rose Bowl 5K Turkey Trot
NOVEMBER 28: 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!
Drumstick Dash LA in North Hollywood
NOVEMBER 28: 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.
Turkey Trot on the Ranch at Rancho Mission Viejo
NOVEMBER 23: 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.
A Gentle Thanksgiving: Pre-Meal Celebration of Turkeys at The Gentle Barn
NOVEMBER 28: Cuddle with turkeys, feed them treats, go on a 1.5 hour self-guided tour of the barnyard, enjoy pie and games before celebrating with your family.
43rd Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run in Torrance
NOVEMBER 28: 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.
Thanksgiving Lunch at Aquarium of the Pacific
NOVEMBER 28: 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.
Holiday Road at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas
SELECT DATES, NOV 28 - DEC 28: Enjoy an immersive walking trail to see larger than life holiday displays, thousands of lights, Santa and Mrs. Claus, Elves, and more.
Hikari – A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms in Irvine
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 29: Go on a cozy wagon ride around the festively lit farm that will take you to the Land of a Thousand Lanterns. Walk and wander through light displays with photo ops throughout. After the wagon ride, make your down to the Gingerbread Forest for live music, barnyard animals, arts and crafts, and meet Santa!
North Pole Limited at Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 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.
Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker
NOVEMBER 29-30: Enjoy Anaheim Ballet's full-length Nutcracker with the Symphony Irvine.
Thanksgiving Turkey Bash at Lions Tigers & Bears
NOVEMBER 29-30: Get wild at Lions Tigers & Bears the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving and watch rescued big cats and bears enjoy their Thanksgiving Feast.
Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach
NOV 29 - DEC 17 & DEC 23 - JAN 1: 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.
Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park Train Rides
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 3: 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.
Solvang Julefest
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 5: 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.
Fire & Ice Festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 1: 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.
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
SELECT DATES, NOV 29 - JAN 5: 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!
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
NOVEMBER 29 - JANUARY 6: 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!
Christmas on the Farm at the Underwood Farm in Moorpark
NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 24, 2024: Enjoy the holidays on the farm with animals, photo ops, wagon-rides, slides, 'pick your own fields', letters from Santa and more!
Cool Yule Celebration at Pacific City in Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 29: Welcome the holiday season with Santa, holiday crafts, carolers, and tuba performances! Free parking for a stress free day of shopping & fun!
Santa’s Jolly Trolley in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 30: Santa and his elves from the Recreation Division will be riding on his Jolly Trolley and making stops at parks throughout Dana Point to hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age.
Yuletide Cinemaland at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 23: Join Street Food Cinema for an immersive holiday experience featuring Victorian holiday home tours, food trucks, vendors, Santa appearances, photo ops, and your favorite holiday films under the stars.
Bob Baker’s Nutcracker – Marionette Adaptation in Sierra Madre
NOVEMBER 30 - JANUARY 5: Enjoy a marionette adaptation of the ballet classic. It's Bob's most beloved holiday show since its opening in 1969.
Holiday Carnival & Santa’s Helicopter Arrival in Norwalk
NOVEMBER 30: Kick off the holiday season with Santa arriving in style in a helicopter, snow sledding, pony rides, holiday crafts like cookie decorating, face paining and more.
La Plaza Park Tree Lighting in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 30: Santa and his elves will be arriving at La Plaza Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years old. The event features carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, and the annual tree lighting at 5:15pm.
Multicultural Holiday Events at Pretend City in Irvine
DECEMBER 1-31: Celebrate the magic of the holidays all month long at Pretend City. Engage in fun holiday traditions from around the world. Las Posadas (12/18), Hanukkah (12/26), Kwanzaa (12/27)
International Winter Holidays at Bowers Museum
DECEMBER 1: Around the world music, dance and art bring joy to families gathering to celebrate this special time of the year and performances from The Klezmer Juice Band, Mariachi Anacatlan, and Amati Strings. This free family festival includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more.
Holiday Carnival at the Anaheim Town Square
DECEMBER 1: Kick off the holiday season with Santa arriving in style in a red convertible, snow sledding, pony rides, holiday crafts like cookie decorating, face paining and more.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
DECEMBER 1: 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!
Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Cerritos Civic Center
DECEMBER 2: Enjoy craft activity for children, entertainment, performances, and photos ops with Santa
Irish Christmas in America at Garry Marshall Theatre in Burbank
DECEMBER 2: This family-friendly performance features lively instrumental tunes on fiddle, flute, uilleann pipes and harp, along with thrilling Irish old-style dancing.
Holiday Tree Lighting at Terrace Plaza in Long Beach
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4: Celebrate the holiday season with a 67-foot tall Christmas tree and more than 500,000 lights illuminating the Terrace Plaza. Festive activities include, live music, food, photo ops with Santa, train ride, and fireworks show!
Narrated Nutcracker at Central Library in Huntington Beach
DECEMBER 5 and 13: Festival Ballet Theatre’s lavish 45-minute, narrated rendition of The Nutcracker is specially designed to introduce young children to the beauty of classical ballet and music.
Rancho Voices: A Holiday Celebration at the Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach
DECEMBER 5-6: Tour the Ranch House decked for a 1920s holiday party. Docents will be stationed in the house to call out special stories past holiday parties and answer questions. Explore our grounds to listen to stories about the ranch workers’ experiences during their time there in the early to mid-1900s.
Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker in Redondo Beach
DECEMBER 5-8: Debbie Allen has taken the ballet classic and given it fresh, new context with lively characters, new music by industry legends, diverse choreography, spectacular aerial arts and state-of-the-art projection to create an immersive, vibrant and memorable theater experience for all ages.
Cal Heights Neighborhood Tree Lighting in Long Beach
DECEMBER 5: Start the holiday season off with a tree lighting followed by holiday activities like snow play area, story time with Santa, cookie decorating, holiday crafts, photo ops, holiday treats and drinks, and more from local businesses!
All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony in Aliso Viejo
DECEMBER 5: Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, snow fall, and a visit from Santa Claus as the 22-foot tree is lit at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain and Amphitheater.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Buena Park City Hall
DECEMBER 6: The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will feature entertainment, local school performances, festivities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!
Christmas Car Wash at Carwood Express Car Wash in Lakewood
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 6-31: A holiday adventure awaits at this interactive car wash! Complete with holiday characters, Santa photo ops, festive riddles, and lots of fun.
Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights Cruises in Dana Point
DECEMBER 6-7 & 20-21: Take a 60 minute boat ride and get a panoramic view of the beautiful harbor all dressed up for the season.
A Christmas Carol at Rose Center Theater in Westminster
DECEMBER 6-8 and 20-22: A Broadway-style musical adaptation brings to life the unforgettable story of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man forced to confront his past, present, and future by a trio of ghostly visitations.
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
DECEMBER 6-8: Enjoy an evening stroll through the decorated grounds as well as live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus!
Dr. Suess’s The Cat in the Hat at The Phantom Projects Theater at La Habra Depot
DECEMBER 6-15: Based on the childhood classic, Dr. Seuss's The Cat in the Hat brings everything you loved about the book, directly to the stage!
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at Chance Theater in Anaheim
DECEMBER 6-22: Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, does Christmas still stand a chance of being splendiferous?
Breakfast with Santa at Newport Coast Community Center in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 6: Your little ones will be treated to a tasty breakfast along with crafts, train rides, a bouncer, and of course, a photo with Santa!
Lakewood Tree Lighting
DECEMBER 6: Activities include lots of falling snow, holiday musical entertainment, holiday photo ops, costumed characters, and food trucks.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Tree Lighting at Artesia Park
DECEMBER 6: Join the Holiday Tree Lighting at 5pm and stay for a night of kids performances and holiday fun with 15 tons of snow.
Nights of 1000 Lights at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 6-22: Stroll through the Gardens this holiday season and experience this year's theme of "CELEBRATE 10 Years of Nights of 1000 Lights", featuring their best installations from the past for another festive year of favorites.
Tree Lighting at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 6: Kick off the holiday season with an evening of festive lights, carolers, refreshments, crafts, and a visit from Santa.
Merry-Achi Christmas at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
DECEMBER 6-8: The annual tradition Merry-Achi Christmas returns to Cerritos in a colorful Mexican holiday celebration filled with seasonal songs, dance, and festive merriment.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 7-29: Enjoy performances by Dickens-era Carolers and take selfies with Santa. Visit the Serra Chapel open after hours, California’s most historic chapel. Enjoy the Mission in lights, community Christmas trees around the grounds, extended holiday shopping hours in the Mission Store and more. Kids craft vendor and sweet treat vendor will be available on select days as well as surprise performances.
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!
