All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Drive-Thru Candy Crawl – Westminster Mall
OCTOBER 31: Join the City of Westminster for a drive-thru candy crawl! Stop your car at each Community Day station and receive goodies for all the kids in your car.
Halloween Drive-Thru – City of Carson
OCTOBER 31: Come on by in your vehicle for some tricks and treats! This is a family event with Halloween displays that range from Halloween fun themes to some spooky themes. Goody bags for children!
Drive-Thru Trunk or Treat in Irvine
OCTOBER 31: See cool decorated trunks, enjoy candy, games and treats all from the safety of your car.
Trunk-or-Treat – The Performer’s Academy in Lake Forest
OCTOBER 31: Enjoy decorated cars, candy, prizes, and games with The Performer's Academy.
Knott’s Taste of Fall-O-Ween
Fridays - Sundays, September 25 - November 1: Experience one-of-a-kind themed food and treats, a cornucopia of Harvest and Halloween décor, exclusive event merchandise, a fully-themed Camp Snoopy Trick-or-Treat Trail for Junior guests, and so much more.
A Gentle Halloween Drive-Thru – The Gentle Barn in Agua Dulce
Sundays, September 27 - November 1: Get dressed up and see all of the Halloween-themed decorations around The Gentle Barn.
Urban Legends Drive-Thru Haunt – OC Fair & Event Center
Wednesday - Sundays, October 1 - November 1: Guests will be entertained by live performances throughout their drive, plus experience four interactive show zones with an immersive show of lights, sound, special effects and monsters that will come alive.
LA Zoo Drive-In Movies
OCTOBER 16-NOVEMBER 1: Visit the zoo for a drive-in movie series, featuring cool themes, tasty treats, and a special preshow video presentation with the zoo's biggest animal stars, trivia challenges, and more.
Halloween at Starlite Movies in San Clemente
THURSDAYS - FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 1: Enjoy family-friendly Halloween films on Southern California's largest, outdoor inflatable screen and professional grade FM transmitter.
Halloween at Starlite Movies in Brea
THURSDAYS - FRIDAYS, OCTOBER 8 - NOVEMBER 1: Enjoy Halloween films on Southern California's largest, outdoor inflatable screen and professional grade FM transmitter.
Saturday Drop-In Theater Classes
Join Acting Out for theater and improv games in the park! Drop-in classes are for kids and teens (ages 6-16) from 9:30-11 a.m. Classes held on October 10, 24, and November 7.
Veterans Day Mini Camp at Lil’ Chef School in Irvine
Wednesday, November 11: A Patriotic Tribute! Lil' Chefs will make burgers across America, California style, along with homemade potato rolls, Navy Potato Wedges and a Patriotic Pound Cake, also from scratch, with fresh fruit to decorate.
Alternative Learning Site: Camp Kidz Town Tour with Q&A
NOVEMBER 13: Join Kidz Town for a tour of their facility, as they show you their new alternative learning site and answer any questions you may have. Kidz Town offers supervised distance learning support and after school day camp with full-time, part-time, and half-day options for grades K-5.
Pavilion of Holiday Trees – South Coast Plaza
NOVEMBER 14 - DECEMBER 4: Experience a one-of-a-kind exhibit at South Coast Plaza this holiday season. The Pavilion of Holiday Trees features over 35 beautifully decorated trees. The trees are available for purchase through an online auction to benefit Southern California, national and global arts organizations.
Free Admission Day – South Coast Botanic Garden
THIRD THURSDAY - MONTHLY: Visit the South Coast Botanic Garden for free every third Thursday of the month. This 87-acres garden features a small lake, Children’s Garden and Children’s Discovery Garden.
Visions in Light: Windows on the Wallis – A Free Drive-By Art Experience
NOVEMBER 19-29: Projected on the windows of The Wallis, Visions in Light is a free drive-by art exhibit featuring over 40 established and emerging artists of diverse cultures portraying work meant to inspire joy, wonder and awareness.
Celebrate the Holidays at Bella Terra
NOVEMBER 20 - DECEMBER 24: Enjoy photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, live holiday music, magical snowfall, hot cocoa and carols, strolling holiday characters, and more.
Six Flags Holiday in the Park Drive-Thru Experience
NOVEMBER 20 - JANUARY 3: Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience will include eight distinctly different areas throughout the park with millions of twinkling lights choreographed to festive music, beloved holiday characters decked out for the holidays, iconic Holiday in the Park decorations, and a drive-by featuring Santa and his elves. Price is $20-30 per car.
Kids Class: Herb Garden – Sherman Library & Gardens
NOVEMBER 21: Visit Sherman Library & Gardens to introduce your kids to the exciting world of herbs! Create a mini herb container to add to your own garden at home.
Fall Break Art Camp – Averyboo Arts in Long Beach
NOVEMBER 23-25: Creative kids (ages 8-12) can flex artistic muscles and have fun making autumnal art. In-person camps are limited to six participants. Materials included.
Thanksgiving 3-Day Camp – Ocean Institute in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Ocean Institute for three days of fun and adventure! Camps are available for ages 5-12. A 2-hour whale watching cruise can be added on to any camp.
Thanksgiving Art Camps – Kidcreate Studio in Dana Point
NOVEMBER 23-25: Join Kidcreate Studio for Thanksgiving Art Camps. Two camps available for ages 4-10 and 7-12. Children ages 7-10 can register for both camps for a full day of art camp.
Camp Hillcrest Fall Camp – Fullerton Parks & Recreation
NOVEMBER 23-25: Fall Day Camp at Hillcrest is a day camp for children (ages 5-12). Camp Hillcrest promotes enjoyable physical activity to keep campers active and engaged throughout the day. Children will get active outdoors, explore, create and learn through various arts, crafts, and enrichment activities.
Thanksgiving Week Mini Camp at Lil’ Chef in Irvine
November 23-25: Each day Lil’ Chefs will make yummy holiday desserts. On the last day, they will take an Apple Crumble Pie home to bake for your Thanksgiving Feast! Join them for one day, or all three!
The Los Angeles Christmas Market
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 3: The Los Angeles Christmas Market is a free-to-enter, COVID-friendl,y pop-up experience featuring immersive winter wonderland decor, a photo op with Santa Claus (photo packages available), and a themed holiday market. The experience is located on the corner of Fairfax and W 3rd St in Los Angeles, across from The Grove, and will be open from 10am to 8pm, seven days per week.
Christmas Train & Santa’s Village – Irvine Park Railroad
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Take an enchanting night ride (ticket required) through historic Irvine Regional Park. The train will depart from the train station and stop at the North Pole. Enjoy ice fishing, blizzard ball, carnival games, and photo opps in Santa's Village (no ticket required).
“The Polar Express” Interactive Holiday Experience – MainPlace Mall in Santa Ana
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 23: Visit the MainPlace Mall to interact with the all-new Santa set inspired by the film "The Polar Express." The experience immerses visitors in the movie’s magical realm, allowing them to take a variety of free selfies, including one in front of the famed Polar Express train itself, complete with steam and realistic sound effects
Candy Cane Challenge – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Calling all scavenger hunt enthusiasts! Can you find all the candy canes at Irvine Spectrum Center? Grab a participation card from Guest Services, complete the quest, then get a sweet reward and be entered for a chance to win a prize!
🖥 Virtual Santa Visit – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Although Santa can't visit in person this year at Irvine Spectrum Center, he can visit you in the comfort of your own home! For just $25, you and your family can connect with Santa via a video call for a magical holiday experience. Each visit is personalized especially for your family. No crowds, no lines, and socially safe.
Holiday Happenings at Pacific City Mall in Huntington Beach
NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 24: Visit and take photos with Santa at his Airstream on the Ocean Deck, enjoy holiday movies on Thursday nights, carolers, and live performances.
Nightly Tree Lighting – Irvine Spectrum Center
NOVEMBER 27 - JANUARY 3: Stop by the beautifully decorated 75-foot tree in Giant Wheel Court every night to see it come to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5pm.
Lil’ Chefs Black Friday Mini Camp in Irvine
Friday, November 27: Come join the Black Friday Brunch! Lil’ Chefs will learn to make a delicious brunch while learning knife skills, how to properly measure ingredients and working as a team to complete each recipe from start to finish.
Cal Lights Santa Experience – Mini Photo Session with f/8 Studios in Long Beach
SELECT DATES, NOVEMBER 27 - DECEMBER 20: Join f/8 Studios for a memorable, magical Santa Claus experience where a professional photographer will take memorable photos of your family socially distanced with the big man himself in their styled winter wonderland (letters to Santa encouraged!).
🖥 Streaming Event: A Christmas Carol – South Coast Repertory
NOVEMBER 28 - JANUARY 3: Experience A Christmas Carol unlike any other—past, present or future. Staged exclusively for this production, this must-watch streaming event conjures the powerful spirits of Christmas and brings all the magic of live theatre home for the holidays.
Fair Foodie Fest Drive-Thru at Westminster Mall
THROUGH NOVEMBER 29: Enjoy your favorite fair foods like giant turkey legs, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, and more all available for purchase. You can even play ring toss from your car for chances to win prizes.
Holiday Photo with a Penguin – Aquarium of the Pacific
DECEMBER 1: Take your family photos with a penguin! The Aquarium will set up a photo spot outdoors with holiday decor and one of their penguins in the mobile penguin cart.
Winter Wonder Wash – Huntington Beach Xpress
STARTS DECEMBER 1: Enjoy holiday lights and cheer during your car wash experience! Additional dates will be added weekly. Vehicle restrictions apply.
Kids Free in December – Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
DECEMBER 1-31: Purchase two full price adult whale watching tickets, one child (up to age 12) is free. Purchase two full price adult fishing tickets, one child (up to age 14) is free.
Arts & Learning Conservatory: “A Charlie Brown Christmas” Drive-In Production
DECEMBER 3: Join Arts & Learning as they present their first ever drive-in production! Enjoy socially distant caroling, silent auction baskets, snacks, and an incredible production filmed and created to bring the whole community together.
Drive-Thru Living Nativity – Magnolia Church in Riverside
DECEMBER 4-5: Experience the story of Christmas with live animals! Enjoy our Christmas celebration from the comfort and safety of your car.
Boat Ride with Santa – Dana Point Harbor
DECEMBER 5: Go on a 20-minute boat ride with Santa this holiday season around Dana Point Harbor! Tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay.
Santa’s Candy Cane Lane Drive-Thru Event – City of Downey
DECEMBER 5: Santa Claus is coming to Downey to distribute free holiday treats (while supplies last)! This event is free, but the public must pre-register for a 1-hour time slot.
🖥 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.
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!
