All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
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 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.
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.
Las Posadas | Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
December 13: Celebrate Las Posadas with music, dance, and holiday crafts. FREE!
Sunsets with Santa | San Clemente
December 19-20: 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!
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Breakfast with Santa | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 7, 14, 20. 21: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet, craft stations, and cheerful Santa visits by the ocean.
Antique Aircraft Display Days at Fullerton Airport
2nd Sunday of the Month: Owners of classic aircrafts are invited to display their aircrafts and visitors are invited to view the displays. FREE!
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
Hanukkah Festival | Skirball Cultural Center, LA
December 6: Celebrate Hanukkah at the Skirball with live klezmer music, storytelling, art making, dreidel fun, hands-on light activities, and a community candle lighting.
Mermaid Story Time with Once Upon an Island in Newport Beach
Nov 5 - Jan 28, 2026: Enjoy mermaid story time with bubbles, puppets, and story time magic, plus a free latte for moms. RSVP required. FREE!
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.
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.
Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach
Every Friday: Wild tales is offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in the newly-renovated amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in the classroom. FREE!
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.
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.
Family Hike at Black Star Canyon | Irvine Ranch Open Space
March–April (Saturdays): Take a guided 3–4 mile family hike along a flat canyon trail with wildlife spotting and interpretive stops. Registration may be required.
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.
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.
Breakfast with Santa | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 7, 14, 20. 21: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet, craft stations, and cheerful Santa visits by the ocean.
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!
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!
Sunsets with Santa | San Clemente
December 19-20: 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!
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.
Events at Long Beach Public Libraries
Ongoing: Explore free events at Long Beach Public Libraries, including storytimes, workshops, book clubs, and hands-on activities for all ages!
Christmas in the Garden | The Garden at Hannah’s House of Hope, Redlands
December 21: Celebrate Christmas with Santa visits, crafts, s’mores, and family fun in the garden at this festive outdoor holiday event.
Breakfast with Santa | Paséa Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach
December 7, 14, 20. 21: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet, craft stations, and cheerful Santa visits by the ocean.
Community Day at Back Bay Science Center in Newport Beach
Sundays: Tour labs, touch sea creatures, wander the trails, and watch animal feeding during this free drop-in open house. FREE!
Snow Days with the Critters | Santa Ana Zoo
December 21: Watch zoo animals enjoy snowy treats, join a scavenger hunt, and explore hands-on wildlife activities during this frosty family day.
Holiday Sewing Workshops at Sewing Lab
DECEMBER 22 & 29 - Hands-on seasonal workshops for kids (ages 7 and up), each with a different project focus. The Holiday Pajama Workshop guides kids through making their own pair of pajamas, while the New Year’s Workshop focuses on creating a sweatshirt or pants. All sessions are beginner-friendly.
Acting Out Winter Break Workshop
DECEMBER 22-23: Students write and perform skits, explore improv and theater games, and film their work to share with family and friends.
Winter Fun Days in Long Beach
Dec 22, 2025 - Jan 2: Winter Fun Days is a drop-in program for children 5-12 years of age to be part of extended supervision recreation activities during Winter Break.
Winter Break Day Camps at Code Ninja
DECEMBER 22, 23, 29 & 30: Looking for something exciting and educational for your kids this Winter Break? At Code Ninjas, your child can turn their curiosity into creativity while learning real tech skills through play and discovery. Camps are packed with hands-on STEM adventures, including 3D printing, Minecraft modding, LEGO robotics, and more!
TGA Winter-Break Holiday Golf Camp in Long Beach
DECEMBER 22-24 and 29-31: Spend school holidays on the green with TGA Golf Academy’s fun and skill-building golf camps. Kids enjoy drills, games, and on-course learning in a small-group setting led by certified coaches. Half day and full day options. Recommended for kids of all ages and skill levels.
Lil’ Chef Winter Baking & Savory Camps
DECEMBER 22-24 & DECEMBER 29-31 & JANUARY 2: Lil’ Chefs, ages 4+, will bake up some fun holiday dishes while learning proper baking techniques as well as knife skills, how to follow a recipe and work as a team to complete each dish. Sign up for one day or all session!
Skatedogs Winter-Break Camps in Long Beach
DECEMBER 22 - JANUARY 2: The camp includes lessons, free skate, games, competitions, and prizes! With quarter pipes, launch ramps, fun boxes, rails, and other fun obstacles, they work with each skater’s individual skill level to help them be the best skateboarder they can be, in a fun and safe environment! Perfect for ages 5-13 of all ability levels.
Ultimate Ninja Winter Camp
December 22 – January 9: Looking for something amazing for your kids to do during Winter Break? Send them to Ultimate Ninjas, where kids ages 5-13 can learn to conquer Ninja Warrior style obstacle courses, just like on TV, and have a blast doing it! Half-day or full-day options.
PCH Explorer Kids Club at 2ND & PCH in Long Beach
June – December: Join themed kids’ club parties at 2ND & PCH featuring crafts, performances, animals, and more. Held outdoors on select Tuesdays with extra summer dates.
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.
Wild Tales at Upper Newport Bay in Newport Beach
Every Friday: Wild tales is offered every Friday and include an outdoor story time in the newly-renovated amphitheater, an age-appropriate hike, and a craft project in the classroom. FREE!
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.
Family Hike at Black Star Canyon | Irvine Ranch Open Space
March–April (Saturdays): Take a guided 3–4 mile family hike along a flat canyon trail with wildlife spotting and interpretive stops. Registration may be required.
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!
