All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Turkey Trot in Dana Point
November 27: 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 28: 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!
Huntington Beach Turkey Wobble
November 27: Start your Thanksgiving at the beach! This 5K/10K Turkey Trot features a flat ocean-front course and a 1K walk/run for kids 12 and under. Dogs and strollers welcome.
Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Long Beach
November 27: Join this Thanksgiving day race for a good cause! Includes a Kids' Half-Mile Wingding Fun Run and adults 5K/10K.
Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot
November 27: The annual Palisades Development Turkey Trot is here once again! The holiday 5K & 10K, plus Pali Kids Runs will be held at Palisades Charter High School.
OC/Irvine Turkey Trot
November 27: Run up your appetite in Irvine! Join Turkey Trotters at OC's Turkey Trot at Irvine Valley College. One-mile Turkey Dash, Kid's Gobble Wobble, and 5K.
Rose Bowl 5K Turkey Trot
November 27: 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 27: 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 27: 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 27: Meet rescued turkeys, feed them treats, and enjoy a peaceful pre-meal Thanksgiving experience at The Gentle Barn.
Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot Fun Run in Torrance
November 27: 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 27: 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.
Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker | Grove of Anaheim
November 28-29: Experience Clara’s journey from a winter night to Candyland in Anaheim Ballet’s full-length Nutcracker, featuring a growing Christmas tree, waltzing flowers, and classic holiday magic.
Thanksgiving Turkey Bash at Lions Tigers & Bears
November 28-29: Get wild at Lions Tigers & Bears the Friday or Saturday after Thanksgiving and watch rescued big cats and bears enjoy their Thanksgiving Feast.
DroneArt Show | Huntington Beach
November 28–29: Watch over 500 drones dance to live classical music under a candlelit sky at Huntington Beach’s mesmerizing DroneArt Show.
Apple Butter Festival at Los Rios Rancho in Yucaipa
November 28-30: Celebrate the end of apple season with live music, pumpkin painting, coloring and kids crafts, cider tasting tour, autumn foliage carriage tours, and apple butter making.
Yeti’s Snow Play Opening Weekend | Mountain High
November 28-30: Slide, sip, and celebrate at Yeti’s Snow Play Opening Weekend - featuring snow, Santa visits, tubing, and holiday cheer for all ages.
Cinderella’s Magical Christmas | Helen Borgers Theatre, Long Beach
Nov 28 - Dec 7: Enjoy a musical re-imagining of Cinderella featuring classic songs and a heartwarming holiday story.
Christmas on the Farm at the Underwood Farm in Moorpark
Nov 28 - Dec 24, 2025: Enjoy the holidays on the farm with animals, photo ops, wagon-rides, slides, 'pick your own fields', letters from Santa and more!
Holiday Light Festival at Griffith Park Train Rides
Nov 28 - Jan 11: 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
Nov 28 - Jan 4: 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 & Lights Festival | Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Nov 28 - Jan 4: 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 Nights, Nov 28 - Jan 4: 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!
Lighting of the Bay | Newport Dunes
November 28: Enjoy crafts, rides, s’mores, live music, and Santa’s lighting of the bay at Newport Dunes’ festive opening night. FREE!
Pasko Christmas Festival | Torrance Cultural Arts Center
November 28: Enjoy Filipino food, performances, workshops, and a Parade of Parols at Torrance’s Pasko Christmas Festival. FREE!
Jingle Jets at the USS Midway Museum in San Diego
Select dates, Nov 28 - Dec 30: Explore the USS Midway under a million holiday lights with flight deck shows, Santa photos, games, and rotating themed nights.
A Christmas Carol | South Coast Repertory
November 29 - December 28: Gather your loved ones and celebrate the season with festive music, joyful dancing and the heartwarming story of one magical, life-changing night in the life of Ebenezer Scrooge.
Newport Beach Boat Parade & Holiday Lights Cruises in Newport Beach
Nov 29 - Jan 1, 2026: 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.
908 Holiday Fair | Sports Basement, Long Beach
November 29-30: Shop local vendors, enjoy festive drinks, hear holiday music, and snap photos with Santa at the 908 Holiday Fair. FREE!
Zaferia Winterfest | Port City Tavern, Long Beach
November 29: Play in real snow, enjoy face painting, sip free hot chocolate, and visit with Santa for festive photos.
Lowrider Photos with Santa | Muzeo Museum & Cultural Center, Anaheim
November 29: Snap a holiday photo with Santa in a classic lowrider at this free family-friendly event. FREE!
Santa’s Arrival and Celebration | Civic Center, Mission Viejo
November 30: Enjoy live entertainment, family activities, and Santa’s fire-engine arrival to light up Mission Viejo. FREE!
Holiday Carnival at the Anaheim Town Square
November 30: Enjoy Santa’s big arrival, snow sledding, cookie decorating, and festive fun for families. FREE!
Hollywood Christmas Parade
November 30: 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!
LA County Tree Lighting | Jerry Moss Plaza
December 1: Annual celebration to enjoy live music, art-making with the Armory Center for the Arts, snow flurries, complimentary hot chocolate and the opportunity to support local nonprofits, sustainable makers, cultural establishments and small businesses at the LA2050 Holiday Impact Market.
December Events | Pretend City
Dec 2, 14: Baby Steps · Dec 5: Little Hands, Big Impact · Dec 6: Tree Lighting Ceremony · Dec 7: FilmPsych Program & Pacific Dance · Dec 9, 18: Neurodivergent Family Night · Dec 11: Cooking in the City · Dec 12: Way to Play Day · Dec 13: STEM Up to the Challenge · Dec 14: Little Latkes Hanukkah Party · Dec 17: Las Posadas · Dec 20: Kwanzaa Celebration · Dec 21: Winter Solstice/Christmas Celebration · Dec 22: Stories & Cookies With Mrs. Claus · Dec 31: New Year’s Eve Around the World
Santa Float in Santa Fe Springs
December 2-19: Enjoy jingling bells, holiday carols, Santa's famous "Ho, ho, ho" echoing in the neighborhood, and take a photo with Santa. See program calendar for float location.
Holiday Sing & Tree Lighting | Civic Center Green, Cypress
December 2: Enjoy school performances, crafts, train rides, and visits with Santa during Cypress’ festive holiday evening. FREE!
Holiday Tree Lighting | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 3: Sip hot cocoa by the ocean, enjoy live carolers, meet Santa, and watch a 30-foot tree sparkle to life. FREE!
Santa’s Workshop | Civic Center, Mission Viejo
December 3-21: Take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and explore the festive displays at Santa’s Village during these evening sessions. FREE!
Rancho Voices: A Holiday Celebration | Rancho Los Alamitos, Long Beach
December 4-5: 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.
Cool Yule Celebration | Pacific City, Huntington Beach
December 4: Welcome the holiday season with Santa, holiday crafts, carolers, and tuba performances! Free parking for a stress free day of shopping & fun!
Joy Around the World: Festival of Holidays & Tree Lighting | El Segundo
December 4: Celebrate global winter traditions, meet Santa, enjoy crafts and performances, and watch the tree lighting at this multicultural holiday festival. FREE!
Cal Heights Neighborhood Tree Lighting in Long Beach
December 4: Play in real snow, meet Santa, enjoy live music, and snap festive character photos at this neighborhood tree-lighting celebration. FREE!
All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony | Aliso Viejo
December 4: 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. FREE!
Holiday Stroll | Riviera Village, Redondo Beach
December 4: Shop, enjoy festive activities, and snap photos with Santa and the Grinch at Riviera Village’s Holiday Stroll. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
December 4: Watch Santa light the city tree, enjoy live performances, free photos, snowfall, crafts, and festive holiday treats on the Promenade. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Civic & Cultural Center, Brea
December 4: Snap photos with Santa, sip hot chocolate in magical snowfall, and explore free gallery admission. FREE
Tree Lighting & Fall Music Night | The Autry, LA
December 4: Dance to live country holiday music, explore open galleries, and watch the Autry’s tree sparkle to life.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Buena Park City Hall
December 5: The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will feature entertainment, local school performances, festivities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!
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!
