All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Parade of Lights & Fireworks | Ventura Harbor
December 12-13: Watch glowing boats light up Ventura Harbor and stay for carnival rides, snowfall, and a fireworks finale. FREE!
Boat Parade of Lights: “Carol of the Boats” | Dana Point Harbor
December 12-14: Join Dana Point Harbor for their annual Boat Parade of Lights, this year's theme is "Carol of the Boats."
Holiday Cruise During Boat Parade of Lights at the Dana Point Harbor
December 12-14: Enjoy a 90-minute Holiday Cruise with holiday music, up-close views of boats in the parade, and the harbor.
Holiday Sing-Along | Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA
December 13: Join in song with hundreds of fellow revelers – plus a jazz combo, a choir, and the mighty pipe organ – for this joyous annual tradition. A jolly good time for the whole family!
Surfing Santa Competition in Dana Point
December 13: The annual Surfing Santa & Stand Up Paddle Board Contest was developed in 2010 to benefit Surfers Healing, the original surf camp for children with autism. A one-day event where contestants dress like Santa or other holiday-inspired characters and battle it out in the waves of Salt Creek Beach.
Long Beach Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
Dec 13-14 & 20-21: This production boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200.
Annual Christmas Parade | City of Compton
December 13: See The Game lead Compton’s 70th annual parade, then enjoy a toy drive, bounce houses, and a Jon B performance at the community celebration that follows. FREE!
Holiday Family Overnight Adventure | Battleship IOWA, San Pedro
December 13-14: Sleep in real sailor bunks, explore the ship after hours, and enjoy holiday crafts and STEM fun during this overnight family adventure aboard Battleship IOWA.
Breakfast with Santa at Laguna Hills Community Center
December 13: Join Santa for a pancake breakfast. The event will feature crafts, pictures with Santa, and breakfast.
Family Art Day | Crystal Cove Conservancy
December 13: Make art, explore tidepools, and enjoy festive carolers during this nature-themed family day at Crystal Cove.
Holiday Krazy Krafts Day | International Printing Museum, Carson
December 13: A creative day of printing and crafts with holiday activities throughout the day.
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire | Ehlers Event Center, Buena Park
December 13: Play in real snow, enjoy petting zo, shop over 100 craft vendors, and meet Santa at Buena Park’s Candy Caneland & Craft Faire. FREE!
Holiday Spectacular at Anaheim Hills Festival
December 13: Enjoy crafts for the kids, face painting, and pictures with Santa in Anaheim Hills! FREE!
Holiday Posada | MOLAA, Long Beach
December 13: Make piñatas, enjoy cultural performances, and join the joyful Posada procession at AJUA’s festive holiday celebration.
Posada Navideña | Paramount Swap Meet
December 13-14: Enjoy free train rides, holiday treats, Santa photos, and a chance to win a 65" TV during this lively weekend Posada.
Holiday Concert on the Pier | Redondo Beach
December 13: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, crafts, holiday photos, and more.
Christmas with the Animals at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine
December 13: 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.
Tamalfest | W. 4th Street, Santa Ana
December 13: Sample tamales from 15 local restaurants, enjoy live entertainment, and celebrate DTSA’s biggest food festival of the year. FREE!
Daisy Parade in Long Beach
December 13: 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 | Long Beach
December 13: 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.
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
December 13: Watch the harbor glow with themed boats, a brilliant light show, and Marina del Rey’s two-hour illuminated parade.
Las Posadas | Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
December 13: Celebrate Las Posadas with music, dance, and holiday crafts. FREE!
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
December 14 & 20: Come take pictures with Santa Claus on the San Clemente Pier! Photographer will not be provided; please bring your own camera. Santa's sleigh departs for the North Pole promptly at 5:00 pm, so please plan your visit accordingly. FREE!
Hanukkah Festival | Skirball Cultural Center, LA
December 14: Enjoy live klezmer music, storytelling, crafts, and a community candle lighting to welcome the first night of Hanukkah.
El Segundo Holiday Parade
December 14: Watch performers, floats, marching bands, antique cars, and St. Nick parade through the street during the El Segundo Holiday Parade!
Chanukah Celebration | The Original Farmers Market, LA
December 14: Watch a menorah carved from ice, enjoy kids’ crafts and performances, and gather for a festive community menorah lighting. FREE!
Winter Wonders & Holiday Lights at Wild Wonders in Bonsall
Select Dates, December : Go on a special tour, sip on hot cocoa, and meet nocturnal animal ambassadors in the glow of holiday lights.
Cirque Musica: Holiday Wonderland | YouTube Theater, Los Angeles
December 17: See aerialists, acrobats, and live holiday music come together in a dazzling winter spectacular for the whole family.
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights in Newport Beach
December 17-21: 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.
Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! | Crypto.com Arena, LA
December 18-21: Dance with Mickey, relive your favorite Disney stories on ice, and join a festive sing-along preshow during this high-energy family show.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 19-23 and 26-30: Join in the spirit this holiday season at the Mission for Capistrano Lights: Mission Lights! The beloved annual event returns with 10 days and nights of family fun. Enjoy a life-sized nativity, the stunning light tunnel with over 20,000 lights, Dickens Carolers, family crafts, sing-alongs during the tree lighting program, hot cocoa and S’mores, plus lots more. Santa will even be on hand for photos!
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage | The Novo, Los Angeles
December 19: Join Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang for a musical holiday adventure filled with classic songs and festive cheer.
Snowtopia | Palm Springs Air Museum
December 19-22: Play in 60 tons of real snow, ride the holiday train, make s’mores, and meet Santa during this four-night Winter Wonderland.
63rd Annual Cruise of Lights at Huntington Harbour
DECEMBER 19 - 23: The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee Cruise of Lights® offers 50-minute narrated boat tours through the waterways of Huntington Harbour. See the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats.
Winter-Break Camps at My Gym in Long Beach
DECEMBER 19 - JANUARY 2: The ultimate camp adventure where kids dive into games, heart-racing relays, creative arts & crafts, music, and more! Hassle-free drop-off, flexible pay-by-the-day choices, unbeatable multi-day discounts.
Family Fun Night at the Marina Park Community Center in Newport Beach
December 19: Enjoy crafts for kids, photos with Santa, and the evening will include watching the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Meet Santa by the sea, play in faux snow, and explore a festive holiday marketplace with live reindeer and cheerful entertainment.
North Pole Express | Orange County Model Engineers, Costa Mesa
December 20-21: Ride the North Pole Express, meet Santa and the Grinch, and enjoy free miniature train rides all day at Goathill Junction.
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.
Nochebuena – A Christmas Spectacular at The Soraya
DECEMBER 20-22: A Christmas spectacular featuring Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Pueblo Viejo with special guest Ximena Sariñana. The Soraya celebrates the 10th anniversary of this performance with an expanded schedule leading right into the holidays.
Holiday Snow Land | Balearic Park, Costa Mesa
December 20: Balearic Park turns into a winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow. This time-honored tradition hosts over 1,000 people annually. FREE!
Breakfast With Santa by OC Autism Foundation | Atlantis Play Center, Garden Grove
December 20: Enjoy food, crafts, toys, and inclusive holiday fun with Sensory Santa at a festive pajama-party event.
Family Fun Day: Frosty the Snowman | The Autry, LA
December 20: Build a snowman, step inside a giant snow globe, and join a holiday sing-along celebrating Frosty’s 75th anniversary.
Polar Express Family Day | San Diego Railroad Museum
December 20: Watch the Polar Express, make holiday cards, ornaments, see Santa, and enjoy the exhibits!
Santa Paddle | Ventura Harbor Village
December 20: Paddle through the harbor with Santa, show off your festive costume, and join a joyful on-the-water procession supporting local toy drives.
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet | The Wiltern Theatre, LA
December 20: 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.
Tradición Navideña | La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, La Mirada
December 20: Experience folklórico dance, festive storytelling, and the spirit of a Mexican Christmas in this colorful holiday production.
Santa Visit | Kidz Town Indoor Playground, Lakewood
December 20: Meet Santa, write wish-list letters, and snap your own holiday photos during this festive family night at Kidz Town.
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade in Long Beach
December 20: Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season. FREE!
The Nutcracker ft. Tony Hawk | San Diego Civic Theatre
December 20: See Tony Hawk make a special Nutcracker appearance in a one-night-only San Diego performance with live symphony.
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!
