All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Luminaria Nights at California Botanic Garden in Claremont
DECEMBER 10-11 and 17-18, 2021: Be enchanted at this Claremont tradition where the Garden glows with light for the holidays. Special holiday installations, live music and beverages/snacks for sale!
Christmas in Color: Drive-Thru Animated Light Show at Raging Waters
NOW - JANUARY 2, 2022: Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more.
Way to Play Day / Free Developmental Screenings at Pretend City Children’s Museum
DECEMBER 10: Join guides as they highlight how to make playtime in the museum more educational. Plus, free ASQ Developmental Check-ups and speech and language screenings.
The Nightmare Before Christmas at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021: Cozy up with some cocoa and head to Argyros Plaza for a movie night that the whole family will enjoy.
Holiday Kraft Day for Kids at The International Printing Museum
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021: Come down to the Museum for a day of family friendly holiday crafts! Activities will include letterpress printing, paper making, calligraphy, bookbinding, screen printing, and much more.
Yule-Tide Holiday Market at Ocean Institute
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2021: This holiday market will bring local makers, artists, and craftspeople together with the community for a unique holiday shopping experience filled with high quality one-of-a-kind handmade goods.
Christmas Parade in Whittier
DECEMBER 11: Enjoy marching bands, vintage automobiles, floats, dance troupes, drill teams, marching bands and Santa Claus himself roll through historic Uptown Whittier.
Welcome Day: Becoming Jane at Natural History Museum Los Angeles
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2021: In connection with their newest temporary exhibition, Becoming Jane: The Evolution of Jane Goodall, guests are invited for a fun-filled afternoon of activities. Get up close to local mammal specimens, meet some of NHM's animal ambassadors during live animal presentations, enjoy a guided nature walk or nature journaling activity, and more.
Free Mobile Recess – City of Long Beach
NOW - FEBRUARY 22, 2022: City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine's Mobile Recess Program conducts supervised physical fitness, and arts and crafts activities for ages 5-14 along designated streets blocked off for safety.
Holidays in Your Car – Del Mar Fairgrounds
NOW - JANUARY 2, 2022: This twinkling event is back! Drive through an enchanting 1.5 mile display of a million LED lights, holograms and lasers–all put together and set up by Santa’s little helpers.
Disney On Ice: Dream Big at Staples Center in LA
DECEMBER 16-18, 2021: Dream Big features favorite Disney friends such as Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more highlighting all the magic and adventure of Disney’s tales through world-class figure skating.
Lakewood Winter Vacation Park Program + Santa + Candy Cane Hunt
DECEMBER 20-31: Holiday activities at Lakewood parks activities will include winter holiday craft projects, indoor and outdoor games, and fun with food. Plus, Santa will make an early appearance on Saturday, December 18 at each of the parks, followed by a candy cane hunt.
Holiday Spectacular at Anaheim Hills Festival
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021: Celebrate the season with a holiday kid's craft, photos with Santa, train rides, face painting, balloon art, and more!
Grinch Day at Great Park in Irvine
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021: Great Park is hosting a free Grinch-themed drawing session in the morning, and a drive-in movie (SOLD OUT) showing of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas in the evening. Visitors are welcome to wear green or dress as their favorite Grinch characters during Grinch Day at Great Park.
Polar Bear Plunge at Splash! in La Mirada
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021: Come plunge down the slides into the unheated pool. The event is $5 per person and free to 2022 pass holders. Admission includes two hours of riding down the slides, recreational swim in the heated 25-yard pool, and free hot cocoa.
Christmas in the Canyons in Silverado
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2021: Enjoy an old-fashioned country holiday in historic Silverado. Local artisans, live entertainment, photo with Santa, and hayrides ($5).
YMCA of Orange County Winter-Break Camps
WINTER-BREAK: The YMCA of OC is offering a variety of activities for your child to participate in during their winter school break. Activities: Esports Camp, Arctic Adventure Winter Day Camp, and Various Sports and Specialty camps (including Art, Basketball, Science, and much more). Each camp offers small teacher to child ratios, fun activities, and time with friends!
Winter Camp – City of Long Beach
DECEMBER 20-30, 2021: City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine will offer day camps for youth (ages 5-12) at 21 Long Beach parks weekdays from 9am-4pm beginning December 20 through December 30 (excluding Christmas Day). Cost is $30 per week.
Winter Camp at My Gym Long Beach
DECEMBER 20-22 & 28-30: At Winter Camp, they activate the fun every single day! Energizing games, exciting gymnastics, cool arts and crafts, and more. A variety of themes and programs make it an engaging experience each week.
Winter-Break Rock Climbing Camps – Sender One in Santa Ana and LA
DECEMBER 20-23 and DECEMBER 27-30: Looking for something fun and health-conscious to do for your child this season? Sign up for Sender One's 4-day rock climbing camp! Activities include rope climbing, bouldering, games, zip line, king swing, slackline, and Sender City.
Winter-Break Fun at El Dorado Nature Center
DECEMBER 20 -24 and 27 – 31: Children, ages 5-8, will enjoy two different camps: Wild Journeys and Superpower Senses. Register early as these fill up fast.
Disney On Ice: Dream Big at Toyota Arena in Ontario
DECEMBER 22-27, 2021: Dream Big features favorite Disney friends such as Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more highlighting all the magic and adventure of Disney’s tales through world-class figure skating.
New Year’s Eve 50th Annual Revue at Santa Monica Playhouse
DECEMBER 31: Champagne, sparkling juice, and delightful sweets and savories accompany the 50th anniversary of this rousing, family-friendly in-person multi-media New Year’s event!
A Magical Cirque Christmas at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2021: Enjoy an evening of dazzling performers and breathtaking cirque artists, accompanied by your favorite holiday music performed live. Get into the spirit of the season with this merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family.
Santa Fishing at El Dorado Park in Long Beach
MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021: Santa is coming to Long Beach to fish at El Dorado East Regional Park. He will be giving away fishy prizes and a big check for $25,000 for the park. Join in on the fun.
Roller Skate Your Way into the New Year
DECEMBER 31: Bring the family to ring in 2022 on the rink! Early sessions are available for younger kids.
Winter-Break Skateboarding Camp with Skatedogs in Irvine
DECEMBER 27-30: Kids make new friends, advance their skateboarding skills, and most importantly, have fun at Skatedogs’ wiinter-break skateboarding camp!
Shared Science Present “What’s All That Shaking?” at Rancho Los Cerritos
DECEMBER 28: Shared Science and Rancho Los Cerritos are teaming up for a Long Beach History and STEM education lesson. A Rancho Los Cerritos educator will guide students in an adobe construction activity, and a Shared Science instructor will help students create a LEGO robotics earthquake simulator testing platform. Workshop fee: $12.
Jurassic Quest in Anaheim
DECEMBER 29 - JANUARY 2, 2022: A unique indoor experience for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides and attractions, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for the littlest explorers, photo opportunities, and more.
Disney On Ice: Dream Big at Long Beach Arena
DECEMBER 30 - JANUARY 2, 2022: Dream Big features favorite Disney friends such as Mickey, Minnie, Miguel, Moana, Elsa, Belle, Genie, and more highlighting all the magic and adventure of Disney’s tales through world-class figure skating.
New Year’s Eve at Theme Parks
DECEMBER 31: Spend NYE at your favorite theme park. Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland and Universal Studios are all offering special celebrations with fireworks, music and special family entertainment.
New Year’s Ice Skating
DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 1: Start a family tradition by ice skating outdoors at rinks in Huntington Beach (with an ocean view!), Irvine, LA, Temecula and more on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
NYE Family Bowling Package at Bowlero
DECEMBER 31 & JANUARY 1: Start off 2022 with a strike! Special family packages are offered for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day! Package includes two hours of unlimited bowling, plus their signature menu with pizza, chicken tenders, fries, salad, chips and cookies.
Noon Year’s Eve at Pretend City
DECEMBER 31: Celebrate the new year at different times throughout the day as the sun travels across the different time zones! There will be a confetti countdown at four different times to celebrate the new year in Bangladesh, Dubai, Athens, and London! They will also have New Year’s activities and art for our little ones to enjoy!
Encanto at El Capitan Theater
DECEMBER 31 and JANUARY 1: Start the New Year early with a special showing of Disney's Encanto and the iconic El Capitan Theater on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Show starts at 9 a.m. Purchase tickets online.
New Year’s Eve at Dave & Busters at Irvine Spectrum
DECEMBER 31: The NYE package combines the food and fun that guests have grown to love at Dave & Buster's. Designed for families, this event will run from 5 pm - 8 p.m. and includes a video ball drop to ring in the new year!
Ring in 2022 at Golfland!
DECEMBER 31: Pay one price for unlimited access to all attractions! Unlimited mini golf, bumper boats, laser tag and race cars, plus two slices of pizza and a medium drink. 8 p.m. - 1 a.m.
New Year’s Surf City Splash & Beach Clean Up
JANUARY 1 & 2: "Make a Splash and Pickup Trash!" The tradition continues as the 22nd rendition of Surf City Splash hits the shores of Huntington Beach during New Year's weekend. Plus take a splash in the ocean, enjoy a pancake breakfast, take surf lesson & lots more!
Oshogatsu Family Festival in Los Angeles
SUNDAY, JANUARY 2, 2022: Welcome the Year of the Tiger with virtual crafts, cultural activities, and performances. Admission to the Japanese American National Museum will be free all day, with limited capacity.
January Events at Pretend City
SELECTED DATES IN JANUARY: Join Pretend City for Pajama Party, Coco the Chameleon Live Reading, Tu B'Shevat Celebration, Bubble Bath Day, Lohri, MLK Day Celebration, Winnie the Pooh Day, National Puzzle Day, Kids Inventors Day and lots more.
Family Matinees at the Academy Museum in LA
JANUARY 7, 14, 15, 21 & 22: The Academy Museum screens films for families of all ages. All films in this series are rated G or PG, unless otherwise noted. This month: Fantastic Mr. Fox, Fly Away & Paddington.
U-Pick Wagon Rides at Tanaka Farm
WEEKENDS: Come on out to the farm for a U-Pick Wagon Ride that includes a wagon ride around the farm led by one of their tour guides. You will learn about Tanaka Farms and its history, farming methods, and the crops they grow. You will make a few stops in the fields to pick your own produce. After the wagon ride, visit the animals in the Barnyard Educational Exhibit!
Beginning Archery Class at Mile Square Park
JANUARY 8 & 22, FEBRUARY 19, MARCH 5 & 19: Join OC Parks staff and OC Parks volunteers for a beginning archery course for first-time archers. This course will include safety instruction and provide you with an introduction to the sport of archery. All archery equipment will be provided. Registration is required. FREE!
Toddler Treks: Fluffy Clouds at Irvine Regional Park
JANUARY 11: Is that a rabbit, a dragon, or spilt milk? Our fluffy clouds can take on lots of shapes. Let’s use our imagination to create a new type of clouds! This fun program is for ages 2 – 6 years. Program is free but space is limited.
Last Stop on Market Street at South Coast Repertory
SELECTED DATES, JANUARY 14-23: Come along on a musical joy ride! CJ is staying with his Nana in the city, where everything is different than home. The food, the people, the noise—it’s too much. He just wants to stay inside and watch videos, but Nana’s having none of that. So together they board the Number 5 bus for an adventure, and CJ learns to look past the surface and appreciate the good in others.
Parent & Me Painting: Bamboo and Beetle at Sherman Gardens
JANUARY 15: Join local artist Erna Van Dyk as she teaches you how to see and paint color and simple shapes using step-by-step watercolor techniques. You will work together to observe the colors and qualities of the giant timber bamboo… and a creepy crawly visitor!
Lil’ Chef School January Events
JANUARY 28: Lil’ Chefs will be making Potato Cheese Soup, Homemade Baked Pretzels & Apple Bear Claws.
Royal Princess Ball at Play & Parties in Orange
SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022: Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Cinderella invites you to the Royal Princess Ball! Come dressed in your royal best, as your favorite princesses perform their favorite songs, play fun princess games, and teach you how to be a proper princess.
Jurassic Quest in San Diego
JANUARY 21-23, 2022: A unique indoor experience for the whole family including more than 100 life-like dinosaurs, dinosaur themed rides and attractions, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities, a “Triceratots” soft play area for the littlest explorers, photo opportunities, and more.
Reptile Super Show at Pomona Fairplex
JANUARY 22-23, 2022: Over 100,000 square-feet of reptile, amphibians, turtles, supplies, cages, lights, supplements, educational workshops, and more. Reptile Super Show is a fun and educational environment for the reptile enthusiast in your family.
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!
