All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink
Nov 20 - Jan 11: An enchanting holiday activity, ice skating in downtown LA guarantees to delight everyone, from first-time gliders to experienced skaters.
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Signal Hill Park
November 20: Watch the park sparkle with lights, music, and holiday fun at Signal Hill’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. FREE!
Annual Tree Lighting & Santa Arrival | 2ND & PCH, Long Beach
November 20: Watch Santa arrive in style and the marina sparkle to life with fireworks, live music, and festive family fun at 2ND & PCH. FREE!
Wicked: For Good Movie Party | Harkins Theatre, Cerritos
November 21: Immerse yourself in the World of Wicked - your ticket includes your movie ticket to Wicked, Photo-Ops, a cocktail/mocktail or medium soda, and medium popcorn. The party starts 30 minutes before your showtime to enjoy the event space.
Creep It Real Festive | Heritage Museum of Orange County
November 21-23: Explore a holiday-meets-Halloween night market with live entertainment, spooky characters, 130-plus vendors, treats, and Twilight cast appearances.
Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove 25th Anniversary | El Capitan Theatre, Hollywood
November 21-23: Celebrate 25 years of The Emperor’s New Groove with a weekend of screenings and an exclusive D23 fan panel featuring the film’s creators and cast.
Los Angeles Auto Show | LA Convention Center
November 21-30: See the newest models, futuristic concepts, and next-generation EVs at the massive Los Angeles Auto Show—where car culture meets innovation.
Annual Festival of Lights | Mission Inn, Riverside
Nov 22 - Jan 6: Mission Inn's Festival of Lights is renowned for its breathtaking holiday light collection with over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirit.
Symphonies for Youth: Melody & Pitch at the Walt Disney Concert Halls
November 8 & 22: Discover the LA Phil’s woodwinds through kid-friendly concerts, art activities, and musical fun at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Fall in the Farm at Fairplex in Pomona
November 22: Dig into hands-on gardening demos, workshops, and fresh fall produce at Fall in the Farm—a free day of family fun at Fairplex. FREE!
Opening Ceremony: Festival of Lights | Mission Inn, Riverside
November 22: Celebrate the annual Festival of Lights with the opening ceremony featuring live performances and enjoy a breathtaking holiday light collection with over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirit.
Netflix x CicLAvia: Stranger Things 5 One Last Ride | Los Angeles
November 23: Walk, bike, or skate through a Stranger Things–themed CicLAvia as Melrose Ave transforms into a car-free Hawkins for one day only. FREE!
Lenny Pearce’s Toddler Techno Tour at The Novo in LA
November 23: Dance, laugh, and rave with Lenny Pearce’s Toddler Techno Tour—a global family sensation bringing kids’ hits and club vibes to The Novo.
Skatedogs Thanksgiving-Break Camp in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 24-28: Whether you are just learning or ready to learn advanced tricks, this camp is right for you. Make new friends, play games, win prizes, advance your skills and most importantly, have fun in their private skatepark. Ages 5-13, all ability levels.
North Pole Limited | Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
Nov 28 - Dec 21: The North Pole Limited winds its way through the backcountry on its way to the North Pole, where it stops at Santa’s Workshop to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!
Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan | Ralphs Marina Pacifica, Long Beach
December 6: Snap photos with Santa, sip holiday Coca-Cola flavors, and drop a kindness postcard into the glowing Magic Post Box. FREE!
Christmas at the Beach | Beach City Provisions, Bolsa Chica
December 6: Watch Santa ride in on a jet ski, roast s’mores, enter a beach cleanup raffle, and enjoy a festive movie at sunset. FREE!
Winter in the Grove in Garden Grove
December 6: Play in the snow and ride the snow slides at Village Green Park. Make holiday crafts, shop handmade gifts, enjoy performances, treats, carnival games, holiday crafts, inflatable activities, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus! FREE!
Illuminate Irvine at Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex
December 6: Ring in the season with winter-wonderland inspired activities and holiday music classics. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex. FREE!
Apollo Lighting at Columbia Memorial Space Center
December 6: Join the Columbia Memorial Space Center for a day of festive wonder and exploration!
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade in Long Beach
December 6: Enjoy the annual parade showcasing local business, schools, community groups, and more. Parade features 100 entries, including floats designed by Long Beach businesses and organizations.
Palos Verdes Peninsula Holiday Parade of Lights in Rolling Hills Estate
December 6: Come and enjoy holiday floats, marching bands, Santa and other community partners making their way through a brightly lit commercial area of Rolling Hills Estates.
LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade
December 6: Annual boat parade showcasing a vibrant array of decorated boats and festive lights that stretch about one mile. FREE!
Ubefestmas | Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
December 7: Snack, shop, and stroll through 70+ vendors at this free, ube-themed outdoor festival. FREE!
Hug & Groom Horses with Free Rein Foundation
FIRST SUNDAYS: Come learn, hug and groom rescue and therapy horses. You may meet playful mustangs, a feisty thoroughbred, or a big white mule.
Disney On Ice: Let’s Dance! | Honda Center, Anaheim
December 11-15: Dance with Mickey, relive your favorite Disney stories on ice, and join a festive sing-along preshow during this high-energy family show.
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 11-21 - Celebrating its 10th season at Segerstrom Center, SoCal’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of The Nutcracker. American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker is one of the great joys of the holiday season. Make a memory with your loved ones!
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 Posada | MOLAA, Long Beach
December 13: Make piñatas, enjoy cultural performances, and join the joyful Posada procession at AJUA’s festive holiday celebration.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
