All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
🖥 Virtual Holiday Treats for the Animals – Aquarium of the PAcific
DECEMBER 5: Bring the magic of the holiday season to your home as you watch the Aquarium’s animals receive flavorful holiday delights during this free virtual event.
Children’s Nature Retreat Holiday Event
DECEMBER 5: Enjoy local vendors with holiday wares, coffee and hot cocoa, kids crafts (ornaments painting), Christmas tree lighting and more.
Santa Fest Drive-Through Experience at SouthBay Pavilion in Carson
DECEMBER 5: Meet Santa and his friends, enjoy giveaways (while supplies last, and participate in the Festive Car Contest.
Holiday Tree Lighting Drive-Thru Event – City of La Mirada
DECEMBER 5: Santa Claus will be waving to children along the festively decorated route. Children will also be able to drop-off letters to Santa. Craft kits and goodie bags will be given to all children to enjoy at home
Drive-by Christmas Tree Celebration – City of Laguna Niguel
DECEMBER 5: Come take a scenic drive through our holiday wonderland! This year's celebration will feature multiple displays that illuminate the holiday spirit, as you drive through sprinkling snow flakes and listen to the sounds of the season! There will be special guest appearances featuring Santa and his friends!
Menorah Lighting Display – Fashion Island in Newport Beach
DECEMBER 10-18: Celebrate Hanukkah with a daily lighting of the menorah. The menorah will be located in the Atrium Garden Courtyard, near Dick's Sporting Goods and Wahoo's Fish Taco.
Trolleys, Twinkles and Treats at Southern California Railway Museum
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 11 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 13: Visitors can experience the festive lights and décor, ride a trolley, write a letter to Santa, and enjoy Mrs. Claus reading a holiday classic; 5-9 p.m.
The Nutcracker – Live Stage Show Drive-In – Ventura Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 12: Ventura County Ballet presents their 22nd annual Nutcracker live on an outdoor drive-in stage.
Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop – Orange County Great Park in Irvine
DECEMBER 12: Parent and child can decorate a gingerbread house together while receiving fun tips from staff. All decorations and supplies are provided, so you can enjoy this sweet traditional activity without any of the fuss and mess of cleanup yourself!
Cruise-In Toy Drive – Automobile Driving Museum
DECEMBER 12: Dust off your Classic Car, bring the kids and enjoy the fun at our Cruise-In Toy Drive. Show cars roll in at 8am and open to the public from 10am - 1pm. This cruise-in is open to all classics, vintage, trucks, custom, antique, lowriders, hot rods, muscle, gassers, and exotics vehicles.
Ice Skating Rink – City of Aliso Viejo
DECEMBER 5 and 12: Reserve your 30-minute time slot to twirl, carve, and turn on the ice. Skates will be included in the reservation, but participants are welcome to bring their own. $5.
Santa Saves Christmas! Live Stage Show Drive-In – Del Mar Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 12-13: Oh no! Santa's sleigh has run out of gas! Help Santa and his team fill the tank with holiday cheer or Christmas will be ruined. Snowy surprises, holiday sing-a-long songs, spectacular performances and more await you in this brand-new holiday adventure live on stage.
Kids Cooking Class Events – Lil’ Chef School in Irvine
Make a Gingerbread House as a family, decorate sugar cookies, and bake a Yule Log cake from scratch. Kids will learn how to read a recipe, measure ingredients, and work together to make a special dish!
Film & Food Fest Series – City of Los Alamitos
OCTOBER 16 - DECEMBER 18: Twice a month, enjoy a variety of drive-up movies and food truck meet ups. The Sandlot (10/16), Hocus Pocus (10/30), Aladdin (11/6), Free Birds (11/20), The Grinch (12/4), and Elf (12/18).
Movie Nights – Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
DECEMBER 18-19: Bring your beach chairs, blankets, and favorite refreshments to enjoy classic films under the stars. Seating for movies is in safely-distanced "pods" which can accommodate up to 6 viewers. Price per pod is $30. Movies start at 6:30pm. Elf (12/18) and double-feature Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Frosty's Winter Adventure (12/19).
🖥 Virtual Streaming: Journey to Christmas – Musical Theatre Orange County
DECEMBER 18-19: Enjoy an online streaming of "Journey to Christmas" presented by Musical Theatre Orange County. ravel from heartwarming modern day family gatherings back to the very first Christmas, Journey to Christmas brings the story to life in a contemporary and theatrical style with beautifully projected imagery, stunning lighting, and of course a little Christmas magic.
Elfeneezer Scrooge Drive-Thru Theatrical Experience
DECEMBER 18-20: This drive-thru holiday theatrical experience follows the story of “Elfeneezer Scrooge,” his journey to capture the joy of the holiday season, and the importance of community.
The Nutcracker – Live Stage Show Drive-In – Del Mar Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 19: City Ballet's 26th annual Nutcracker returns this season to a new outdoor stage at the Del Mar Fairgrounds.
Sugar Plum Fairy Evening Tea Celebration – Dream Come True Party Room in Long Beach
DECEMBER 19: Join Dream Come True Tea & Party Room under the twinkling lights for an evening of Christmas magic. Set menu features warm canapés, soup, sweets, and festive teas. Also, enjoy entertainment and crafts with Sugar Plum Fairies. $34.95 per person.
Santa Saves Christmas! Live Stage Show Drive-In – Ventura Fairgrounds
DECEMBER 19-20: Oh no! Santa's sleigh has run out of gas! Help Santa and his team fill the tank with holiday cheer or Christmas will be ruined. Snowy surprises, holiday sing-a-long songs, spectacular performances and more await you in this brand-new holiday adventure live on stage.
Sing-a-Long with Mrs. Claus at SOCO’s Holiday Storytime
SATURDAYS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 19: Every Saturday, children and families are invited to join the holiday fun by taking part in a variety of festive activities — including music, shopping, and story time with Mrs. Claus. She'll read a seasonal children's book near the West entrance. One lucky attendee who RSVPs in advance will be entered to win a personalized copy of that day's featured storybook, with a note written by Mrs. Claus herself!
Holiday Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: Enjoy a fun scenic train ride on vintage train cars. Stop at Prancer's Christmas Farm for sleigh rides, Christmas lights, music, Santa, and more. Then visit the Loose Caboose to purchase produce, feed chickens, enjoy holiday displays, and more.
North Pole Express Train – Fillmore & Western Railway
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 20: The North Pole Express departs from Prancer's Christmas Farm (located in Santa Paula). Enjoy the farm then come onboard for a magical 1-hour evening train ride to the "North Pole." See Santa and wave at his elves and enjoy storytelling fun.
Winter Wonderland Fair Foodie Fest – Angel Stadium
FRIDAY - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4-20: Enjoy free car entry to Winter Wonderland Fair Foodie Fest featuring Christmas lights, giant inflatable Santa, huge Christmas tree and more. Play Christmas carnival games from your car and enjoy Christmas-themed fair foods.
Santa’s “Stop, Wave and Go” in Mission Viejo
WEEKENDS, NOVEMBER 29 - DECEMBER 20: Santa is extremely excited for the holiday season and wants everyone to stay safe and healthy. This year, he has changed his plans and will be swinging into Mission Viejo for a nightly “Stop, Wave and Go”. Every Saturday and Sunday, Santa and Mrs. Claus will be outside the workshop waving as you safely drive by. Make sure to bring your “Letter to Santa” to drop off and one of his cheerful elves will collect it.
The Nutcracker: Short & Sweet – Irvine Barclay Theatre
DECEMBER 19-23: Festival Ballet Theatre invites you to a fun and safe way to celebrate the cherished holiday tradition of The Nutcracker. This bite-size version of the beloved ballet features many of your favorite characters portraying the full Nutcracker story on an outdoor stage adjacent to the Barclay. Enjoy this family-friendly event under an open-air audience tent. Each party will have a reserved pod that includes seating for up to five people, and will be socially distanced from other groups. $150-200.
Holiday Drive-In Movie Nights Under the Stars – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 27: Drive-in movie nights at Irvine Spectrum Center are back! Hang out (in your cars) for drive-in movie nights. Now featuring holiday movies to help you and your family celebrate the season safely. Admission, $60 per car. Includes a $20 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card to use toward dinner or snacks.
Weekend Wonderland at Ocean Institite
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 12-27: Join in the Reindeer Games Lab to race reindeer and squid, learn about and make your own snow in The More You Snow Lab, build a miniature sand snowman in CA White Christmas Lab, and build your own holiday cards and chromatography ornaments in our Workshop.
🖥 Bowers Virtual Festival of Winter Holiday Celebrations
DECEMBER 27: This festival will feature the beautiful Mexican traditions of Las Posadas, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph seeking refuge for the birth of the Baby Jesus, among other celebrations.
3-Day Rock Climbing Camp – Sender One in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 23-25, DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Looking for something fun and health-conscious to do for your child this season? Sign up for Sender One's 3-day rock climbing camp! Activities include rope climbing, bouldering, games, zip line, king swing, slackline, and Sender City.
Bionerds Winter Break Camps in Irvine
DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-30: Bionerds welcomes children Kindergarten-6th Grade to participate in fun, hands-on biology. Your child will learn vast biology topics from micorganisms to humans.
Lil Chef School – 3-day Winter Baking & Savory Camps
Lil Chefs will bake up some fun Holiday dishes while learning proper baking techniques as well as knife skills, how to follow a recipe and working as a team to complete each dish. Lil Chefs will get to enjoy what they make in class. Sign up for one day or one week.
El Dorado Nature Center Winter-Break Workshops – Registration Starts December 1
Workshops for ages 5-8 include Batty for Bats, Winter Wonders, Wildlife Workbench, By the Light of the Moon, Tasty Tree-ets and more. Registration begins December 1. Register early as workshops fill up fast.
Winter Break Skateboarding Camp – Skatedogs in Long Beach & Irvine
DECEMBER 21-23 and 28-31: Whether your kids (5-13, all levels) are just learning or ready to learn advanced tricks, this camp is right for them! They’ll make new friends, advance their skills, play games, and most importantly, have fun!
A Cabazon Dinosaurs Christmas – Roadside Attraction
NOVEMBER 6 - JANUARY 1: Celebrate Christmas in a big way! For the first time ever, Mr. Rex has put on his Santa suit and is ready for your family Christmas photo! Santa Claus and his Velociraptor pulling sleigh will be at the Cabazon Dinosaurs for family photos. Stroll through the Outdoor Dinosaur Trail and visit the Wafflesaurus Truck for treats on select days.
Holidays in Your Car – Ventura Fairgrounds
NOVEMBER 22 - JANUARY 2: Discover a symphony of sight and sound at one of Southern California's largest drive-thru holiday light spectaculars! Holidays in Your Car features more than one million LED lights, holograms, and projection mapping animated to classic holiday tunes.
Electric Noel – SilverLakes Park in Norco
DECEMBER 3 - JANUARY 3: Discover the neon glow this holiday season with Electric Noel, a high-tech Christmas drive-thru experience! Journey from Santa’s command center and the elf village, to Main Street and Mistletoe Lane - amongst many other magical, high-tech spectacles. The highly mechanized technology culminates with an automated surprise you won’t want to miss.
Hot Wheels Ultimate Drive-Thru – Toyota Arena in Ontario
DECEMBER 3 - JANUARY 10: Use code KGM10 for $10 off your ticket! Journey into a one-of-a-kind, contactless experience where the world of Hot Wheels comes to life right outside your windows! Drive through this larger than life showcase of everyone's favorite Hot Wheels Monster Trucks, specialty Monster Trucks, Garage of Legends vehicles, robots and more.
Happy Place: Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 10: Happy Place - The Drive Thru features 18 larger-than-life experiences and interactive moments. Some highlights include the world's first giant piano you play with your car, a rainbow road, and a pulsating nightclub for your car.
Reflections at Descanso Gardens
NOVEMBER 14 - JANUARY 10: Enjoy art pieces in the garden, special seasonal plantings, self-guided activities, and a beautiful Wishing Tree created by artist Kaz Youkou Kitajima. Highlights include the Golden Grove, Floral Arches, Mirror Tree, Winter Plantings, and Deer Sculptures. Included with admission.
Birding Opportunity at Rancho Los Cerritos
JANUARY 14: Stroll through the grounds of the historic rancho and watch both resident birds and seasonal migrants. Family friendly!
STEM Fun at Rancho Los Cerritos with Shared Science
FEBRUARY 15: Shared Science will be onsite at Rancho Los Cerritos for a Long Beach History and STEM Education lesson. This is a student/parent visit. Students will explore how water moves and learn why water was so important on a working ranch as they do a hands-on activity with herbs in the garden. Students will also build and test a simple machine that moves water up an incline.
Construction Instruction Fun – Shared Science at Rancho Los Cerritos
JANUARY 18: Shared Science will be onsite at Rancho Los Cerritos for a Long Beach History STEM education lesson. This is a student/parent visit. A Rancho Los Cerritos docent will guide students in an adobe construction activity. Then, alongside a Shared Science instructor, students will create a LEGO robotics earthquake simulator platform, further exploring structural stability.
🖥 Shared Science Valentine’s Day E-Card using Scratch Coding
JANUARY 21: Fun coding intro to Scratch and make an e-card for Valentine's Day! For grades K-5.
🖥 Virtual Hour of Code: Beginning Python with Shared Science
JANUARY 12 & 26: Learn how, why, and when to write python code functions, the powerhouses of the cell! Instructor Burk will guide students (3rd grade +) through the codesters.com lesson as a zoom-along.
🖥 Virtual Whalefest Monterey 2021
JANUARY 26-29: Don’t miss the award-winning 11th Annual Whalefest Monterey, a free virtual video event available for viewing from anywhere around the world with something entertaining and educational for all ages, especially for ages 15 and up and families who love marine life.
Inside Out: Dissections at Ocean Institute
Learn about a squid’s internal and external anatomy in this outdoor, socially distanced dissection. After, participants will be able to observe animals at the ocean institute including swell sharks, variety of fish and a California spiny lobster. Each booking will receive their own individual squid to dissect.
Drive-In Movie Night Under the Stars – Irvine Spectrum Center
JANUARY 29 & 31: Admission is $60 per car and includes a $20 Irvine Spectrum Center gift card* to use toward dinner or snacks from one of their restaurants before the flick.
Hogs & Kisses – Tanaka Farms in Irvine
FEBRUARY 1-14: Visit Tanaka Farms' adorable and lovable piglets and sheep. Learn about these little farm cuties while touring the farm on a U-Pick Wagon Ride.
Museum of Dream Space – Beverly Hills
NOW OPEN - FEBRUARY 28: MODS is inspired by art design from Yayoi Kusama (famous of infinite rooms) and the development of digital art. The aim of MODS is to provide an immersive, magical and unique art appreciative experiences to the visitors.
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!
