All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Lil’ Chef – December Events
DECEMBER 5, 12 & 19: Kids will have a blast making Gingerbread Cookies, cakes with white snow buttercream frosting with chocolate Twix candied Christmas trees, plus a Cookie Exchange along with Parent's Night Out Gingerbread House decorating.
December Nights | Balboa Park, San Diego
December 5-6: Explore glowing museums, global foods, festive performances, and screenings of Ice Age and Frozen during Balboa Park’s biggest holiday celebration. FREE!
Construction Christmas | Oma’s Family Farm, Lakeside
December 5-6: Visit with Mrs. Claus, make holiday crafts, watch tractor demos, and explore an all-day inflatable scavenger hunt at this festive farm celebration.
Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
December 5-7: Enjoy an evening stroll through the decorated grounds as well as live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus! FREE!
Home Alone in Concert | Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA
December 5-7: Watch the full Home Alone movie with its iconic score performed live by a full orchestra.
The Return of Peppermint Prince | Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa
December 5-14: Join OCC Theatre for a Christmas melodrama featuring songs, sing-alongs, ice cream treats, audience interaction, and a visit from Santa at each performance.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at Chance Theater in Anaheim
December 5-21: 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?
Roald Dahl’s The Enormous Crocodile | Kirk Douglas Theatre, LA
Dec 5 - Jan 4, 2026: Follow a sneaky jungle crocodile on a silly, puppet-filled musical adventure perfect for ages 3 and up.
Breakfast with Santa at Newport Coast Community Center in Newport Beach
December 5: Your little ones will be treated to a tasty breakfast along with crafts, train rides, a bouncer, and of course, a photo with Santa!
French Holiday Bazaar | International School of Los Angeles, Burbank
December 5: Enjoy artisan shopping, festive foods, and handmade gifts at this French-inspired holiday bazaar. FREE!
Lakewood Tree Lighting
December 5: Play in falling snow, snap free festive photos, and see Santa before the big tree lighting at this community celebration. FREE!
Tree Lighting | Laguna Hills Community Center
December 5: Kick off the holiday season with an evening of festive lights, carolers, refreshments, crafts, and a visit from Santa. FREE!
Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll | Old Town Tustin
December 5: Visit the Dreamers Market, see stage performances, stop by the Snow Village, and take photos with Santa during Tustin’s annual tree lighting. FREE!
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Tree Lighting at Artesia Park
December 5: Join the Holiday Tree Lighting at 6pm and stay for a night of festivities and snow. FREE!
Black Friday Holiday Party | California African American Museum, Los Angeles
December 5: Enjoy music, festive treats, art-making stations, and after-hours access to exhibitions during this holiday party at CAAM. FREE!
Luminaria Nights | California Botanic Gardens, Claremont
Fri & Sat, Dec 5-20: Enjoy peaceful paths lined with string lights that lead to musical venues. There will be performers, art installations, food and drink for purchase.
Seal Beach Christmas Parade | Main Street, Seal Beach
December 5: Enjoy marching groups, community performers, and festive displays as the Seal Beach Christmas Parade brings “Christmas in Toyland” to Main Street.
Merry-Achi Christmas at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 5-7: The annual tradition Merry-Achi Christmas returns to Cerritos in a colorful Mexican holiday celebration filled with seasonal songs, dance, and festive merriment.
The Nutcracker at the Irvine Barclay Theatre
DECEMBER 6-24: A cherished holiday classic, perfect for all ages. Festival Ballet Theatre’s family-friendly breathtaking production features superb colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, which make this age-old tradition sparkle like new. Create holiday memories for your family by sharing the magic of The Nutcracker.
Holidayfest at South Lake Avenue
December 6: Enjoy live music, holidays activities, in-store promotions, raffles, free photos with Santa and holiday character, holiday airbrush, cookie and ornament decorating, and more. FREE!
Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
December 6: See Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet performed in a condensed version created just for kids! This concert finishes with a visit from Santa and annual holiday sing-along.
Santa’s Village by the Sea in Downtown San Clemente
December 6: Play in real snow, make festive crafts, enjoy Santa’s procession, and explore holiday fun stretching from Del Mar to the Community Center. FREE-ish!
Holidays by the Sea in San Pedro
December 6: Festivities include snow play, crafts, live entertainment like San Pedro Ballet & marionettes, a Christmas Tree lighting in front of the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, and holiday boat parade. FREE!
Yuletide Cinemaland at the Heritage Square Museum in Los Angeles
December 6-23: 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.
Tree Lighting & Fireworks Show in Fountain Valley
December 6: Kick off the holiday season with a friend from the North Pole, snow zone, tree lighting, and fireworks. FREE!
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Santa Fe Springs
December 6: Play in real snow, make holiday crafts, enjoy live performances, and snap a Santa photo during this festive evening celebration. FREE!
Holiday Junior Aviator’s Day & Santa Fly-In | Planes of Fame Air Museum, Chino
December 6: See Santa land in a vintage biplane, watch a P-38 Lightning take flight, and explore hands-on aviation workshops during this all-day holiday adventure.
Cars & Creations By The Sea | Huntington Beach State Park
December 6: Browse vendors, see the car show, meet Santa and a blue pup character, and check out the dog adoption area at this beachside community event.
Boat Ride with Santa at the Dana Wharf
December 6-7: Take a boat ride with Santa this holiday season around Dana Point Harbor! Tickets are $6 per person.
A Victorian Celebration | LA Arboretum
December 6-7 & 13-14: Shop a Victorian marketplace, meet Santa, enjoy dancers and carolers, and explore festive crafts inside the Arboretum’s historic holiday setting.
Holiday Express Train | Metrolink Stations
December 6-21: Start with crafts and treats at the station, then ride a sparkly holiday train with carolers, characters, and Santa onboard.
A Very Sherman Holiday | Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar
December 6-7: Enjoy handcrafted shopping, Santa photos, festive treats, live music, and Sherman holiday traditions during this new daytime celebration at Sherman Library & Gardens.
All About Santa | Santa Monica Playhouse
December 6-14: Help save the North Pole in a lively, interactive musical filled with elves, villains, inventions, and holiday cheer.
A Christmas Carol at Long Beach Playhouse
December 6-21 In this quick-paced, highly theatrical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future show Ebenezer Scrooge the poverty of his material wealth and the blessings that come with generosity.
Aquarium Holidays at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
December 6-21: Aquarium Holidays features festive décor, photo ops, Kwanzaa display, and meet Surfer Santa on the weekends!
A Snow White Christmas – A Holiday Spectacular at Laguna Playhouse
DECEMBER 6-28 - Selected dates. This season, experience the joy of A Snow White Christmas, a magical panto from the Lythgoe Family! With pop hits from Lady Gaga to Bruno Mars, hilarious audience interaction, and dazzling dancing, it’s a festive treat for all ages. Cheer for Snow White, and boo the wicked Queen in a show bursting with non-stop laughs, sparkle, slapstick, and singalong fun.
Gingerbread Wonderland | Discovery Cube Orange County
December 6-January 4: Celebrate the season with an immersive gingerbread village, sleigh theater, sing-alongs, arcade-style challenges, and a towering indoor toboggan slide.
King Tide Watch | Roundhouse Aquarium, Manhattan Beach
December 6: Observe one of the year’s highest tides, take photos for a community science project, and learn about coastal changes during this King Tide Watch. FREE!
Snow Festival & Breakfast with Santa | Arcadia Community Center
December 6: Enjoy free snow play, crafts, games, and a ticketed Breakfast with Santa at Arcadia’s Snow Festival. FREE!
Santa’s Big Day at Citadel Outlets
December 6: Get ready for a day filled with festive cheer and joyful celebrations at Citadel Outlets' Santa's Big Day Event. It's the perfect way to kick off the holiday season and create unforgettable memories with family and friends. FREE-ish!
Skate with Santa | Irvine Spectrum
December 6: Enjoy an enchanting morning and skate with Santa!
Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar | Crystal Cove
December 6: Visit Crystal Cove for artisan shopping, Santa photos, and the annual tree lighting during this community holiday event.
La Habra Tamale Festival
December 6: Enjoy live entertainment on three stages, tamales, food vendors, retail vendors, children's play activities, holiday tree lighting, and fireworks show. This annual event draws in about 10,000 attendees every year. FREE!
Power of the Arts Festival | Discovery Cube Los Angeles
December 6-7: Build festive crafts, explore interactive exhibits, and catch a live concert from Tom Kenny of SpongeBob fame.
Santa’s Sleigh Day | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 6: Meet Santa when he arrives by sleigh, enjoy crafts and performances, and spend a festive afternoon at the Cerritos Center.
Civil War Christmas | Drum Barracks, Wilmington
December 6: Walk through the museum, enjoy educational displays, horse-drawn trolley ride, soldier camp, children's craft, holiday decorations, and more. FREE!
Western Wonderland Holiday Extravaganza | The Autry, LA
December 6: Build snowmen, bounce through holiday playlands, craft ornaments, and meet Santa during this snowy Western celebration.
Holiday Spectacular | The Shops at Rossmoor, Seal Beach
December 6: Make holiday crafts, snap photos with Santa, and enjoy a live dance performance during this festive community celebration. FREE!
Santa’s Arrival Celebration | Lido Marina Village, Newport Beach
December 6: See Santa sail in by boat and enjoy live music, treats, crafts, and festive character visits by the water. FREE!
The Holidays at the District in Tustin
December 6: Enjoy holiday activities, including free photos with Santa, seasonal crafts for kids and interactive family activities to create joyful holiday memories together. FREE!
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!
