All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
Nights of 1000 Lights at the Sherman Library & Gardens in Corona Del Mar
WEEKENDS, DECEMBER 6-22: Stroll through the Gardens this holiday season and experience this year's theme of "CELEBRATE 10 Years of Nights of 1000 Lights", featuring their best installations from the past for another festive year of favorites.
Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano
DECEMBER 7-29: Enjoy performances by Dickens-era Carolers and take selfies with Santa. Visit the Serra Chapel open after hours, California’s most historic chapel. Enjoy the Mission in lights, community Christmas trees around the grounds, extended holiday shopping hours in the Mission Store and more. Kids craft vendor and sweet treat vendor will be available on select days as well as surprise performances.
Kidz Bop Tour at the Youtube Theater in Inglewood
DECEMBER 7: Make memories that will last a lifetime at the ultimate pop concert for kids, and their grown-ups too. Sing and dance along as the KIDZ BOP Kids perform your favorite songs like “Espresso”, “greedy”, “Lil Boo Thang” and more, on stage.
Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular at the Soraya Nazarian Center in Northridge
DECEMBER 7-8: This vibrant holiday show returns with vocalist Camila Fernández, granddaughter of legendary Vicente Fernández. Enjoy The Soraya’s ninth edition of the beloved Mariachi-infused holiday performance that celebrates Mexico’s many vibrant regions. This year, Mariachi Pueblo Viejo joins Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles to bring music, dance, and traditional costumes to life!
Breakfast with Santa at 2nd and PCH
December 6 & 13: Start the day with a festive breakfast at Noble Rotisserie featuring a special visit from Santa.
Holiday on Main Street in Yorba Linda
DECEMBER 2: There's something for the whole family with kids crafts, youth talent show, artisan shopping, pictures with Santa, petting zoo, live music and more.
The Nutcracker by Studio Fusion at CSU Long Beach University Theater
DECEMBER 7-8: Get ready for a magical experience! Join us this December for a delightful production of The Nutcracker—a perfect holiday treat for the whole family! Featuring beautiful dancing, hilarious moments, and a story that captivates audiences of all ages, this is a show you won't want to miss! Bring your loved ones and make unforgettable memories together. Don't wait—secure your tickets today and step into a world of wonder and joy.
Holiday Around the World Celebration at 2nd & PCH
DECEMBER 8: A festive pop up market honoring various cultural holiday traditions and include live music, performances, and exhibitions.
Happy Holidays: A Musical Concert at the LA Arboretum
DECEMBER 8: Enjoy classic holiday songs from Broadway shows, movies and The Great American Songbook performed a stellar cast of Broadway, TV and film veterans.
Santa’s Holiday Float Ride in Cerritos
DECEMBER 9-19: Float travels through Cerritos neighborhoods spreading holiday cheer over the course of two weeks in early December. Track Santa’s location each evening through a link on the City of Cerritos website.
Once Upon a Mattress at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles
DECEMBER 10 - JANUARY 5: Once Upon a Mattress sets an unapologetic free spirit loose in a repressed kingdom, reveling in Winnifred’s ability to charm and transform with willpower, honesty, and a little bit of help from her friends.
12 Days of Christmas at the Queen Mary in Long Beach
DECEMBER 12–23: Enjoy festive performances, dance parties, photos with Santa, and holiday activities like stocking decorating and gingerbread house making. Don’t miss new experiences, including the Lighting of the Stacks, Krampus After Dark, and a real Snow Day!
Disney on Ice: Magic in the LA Area
DECEMBER 12 - JANUARY 5: Beloved Disney characters come to life with thrilling skating, high-flying acrobatics, and dazzling effects. Join Mickey, Minnie, and friends as they journey through timeless stories, from Elsa’s icy adventure to Moana’s ocean voyage.
Jake Shimabukuro Holidays in Hawaii at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
DECEMBER 13: Watch ukulele artist and ambassador of aloha, Jake Shimabukuro, play a festive show of holiday classics and signature favorites.
Parent’s Night Out at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 13: Parents, get your holiday shopping done and let the Community Services staff watch the kids (ages 6-14).
Holiday Spectacular at the Shops Rossmoor in Seal Beach
DECEMBER 14: Join in spreading the holiday cheer with photos with Santa, holiday crafts for children, face painting, and much more!
Unicorn World in Los Angeles
DECEMBER 14-15: Be transported to the magical world of unicorns and enjoy a day of fun-filled unicorn activities. Meet unique, animatronic unicorns, explore the enchanted forest, and enjoy unicorn themed arts and crafts.
Jungle Bells: Aurora at the San Diego Zoo
Dec 19 - Jan 4, 2026: This annual holiday event will treat guests through a wonderland of twinkling lights, live entertainment, festive music, views of wildlife and more holiday fun to get you into the spirit!
Crafts with the Clauses at Aliso Viejo Ranch
DECEMBER 14: Take photos with the Clauses, create festive crafts, play reindeer games, listen to stories from Mrs. Claus, and drink hot cocoa!
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire in Buena Park
DECEMBER 14: Join the City of Buena Park for entertainment, food, games, free raffles, snow slide, synthetic ice rink, petting zoo, plus a craft faire featuring over 100 artisans.
Holidays Around the World at Segerstrom
DECEMBER 14: Enjoy a variety of live performances from local music acts and dance groups that celebrate holiday traditions from around the world.
Whoville Winter Village
DECEMBER 14: Free family-friendly holiday event featuring carnival games, crafts, cookie decorating, face painting, balloon twisting, family recreation games, snow sledding, and pictures with Santa Claus and The Grinch.
Tree Lighting Celebration at the Civic Center in Lake Forest
DECEMBER 14, 2024: The City of Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony will have kids activities, shopping, food, and special guest appearance!
Holiday Music & Dance Extravaganza at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 14: Enjoy an evening of holiday dance & musical performances. Pre-registration required.
DIY Workshop: Living Wreath at Bolsa Chica Conservancy
DECEMBER 15: Create a biodegradable living wreath for your home and garden using natural materials and live air plants. Activity is designed for adults and teens. Older children can attend with a guardian.
House for the Holidays Family Rave at Yost Theater in Santa Ana
DECEMBER 15: Get ready to dance, groove, and party with your entire family at this one-of-a-kind event. As well as house + techno music the event features multi-sensory dancefloor with lasers, confetti, balloons, and parachute dance finale, a crafting area, and bar. Don't forget to dress up in your ugly sweaters, reindeer antlers, and Santa hats!
Gingerbread Garages at Peterson Automotive Museum in LA
DECEMBER 16-20: Build the gingerbread garage of your dreams, with all the supplies provided including candy, icing, and graham crackers. Holiday helpers are there to guide you through the sugary construction process, ensuring a positive experience for all ages.
Cirque Dreams: Holidaze Show at Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside
DECEMBER 17-18: A holiday spectacular that wraps a whimsical, Broadway-style musical infused with contemporary circus artistry. Audiences of all ages will marvel at soaring acrobatics, gravity defying feats and extravagant theatrical production.
A Nutcracker Sweet Christmas at Nixon Library
DECEMBER 17: Snap photos with Santa Claus in the Cabinet Room, help feed Santa’s Reindeer before their big trek, craft magical ornaments, build a hot cocoa confection, sing along with Christmas-clad carolers, and hear the sweet melodies of the Nutcracker ballet, as well as other Christmas favorites, and enjoy a tree lighting ceremony at 5pm.
A Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 30 - DECEMBER 24: Join all your favorite Dickens characters—Tiny Tim and the Cratchit family, the Fezziwigs, the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and yet-to-come, and of course, everyone’s favorite curmudgeon, Ebenezer Scrooge.
Cookie Crawl & Polar Express Movie at Pacific City in Huntington Beach
DECEMBER 19: Enjoy cookies at various retailers and restaurants, faux snowfall, live music, followed by the Polar Express movie.
Parent’s Night Out at Columbia Space Center in Downey
DECEMBER 19: Take a night off while your kids have a blast at the Columbia Memorial Space Center after-hours! They'll enjoy three hours of engaging activities, games, and open play, plus dinner, snacks, and drinks—a stellar evening of fun and exploration!
Sweet Honey in the Rock: Celebrating the HolyDays at The Soraya in Northridge
DECEMBER 19: Described as “one of the most dynamic, versatile, and still relevant a cappella musical collectives today,” the GRAMMY©-nominated African American vocal ensemble is known around the world for its blended voices, vocal improvisations, and choral-stacked spiritual/gospel and jazz traditions. SWEET HONEY IN THE ROCK® continues its 50th Anniversary tour at The Soraya with a powerful celebration of the “HolyDays.”
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 12-22: Southern California’s favorite holiday tradition returns with American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker. This magical treat for the whole family features an impressive cast of over 100 performers, incredible sets and costumes, and Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s timeless score!
Winter Fantasy at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach
FRIDAYS - SUNDAYS, NOVEMBER 22 - DECEMBER 22: Winter Fantasy offers a festive, unique shopping experience in an enchanting winter wonderland with thousands of lights and decorations, three stages of live music, carolers, puppeteers, art classes, and daily visits with Santa Claus.
Cruise of Lights® at Huntington Harbour
DECEMBER 18-23: Join the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee's Annual Cruise of Lights for a delightful evening on a 50-minuted narrated boat tour and experience the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, decks, docks, and boats.
Lil’ Chef – December Workshop & Parents Night Out
DECEMBER: Gingerbread House decorating classes, sugar cookie decorating workshops, winter break camp, and parents night out.
Rapunzel’s Holiday Wish at Laguna Playhouse
DECEMBER 7-29: Based on the beloved fairytale, this hair-larious tangled tale undergoes a Holiday Panto makeover. Prepare for a spellbinding journey as Rapunzel tries to escape from from her tower with the help from her friends Dame Betty and Simple Simon, all while learning her true identity.
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.
Holiday Celebration at Long Beach Towne Center
DECEMBER 21: Celebrate the holidays with photos with Santa, kids' crafts, face painters, balloon twisters and snow!
Annual Parol Lantern Festival
December 21: The annual Parol Lantern Festival is a holiday event celebrating Filipino community and culture. It showcases the tradition of creating and displaying the parol, a star-shaped lantern signifying hope and joy.
Winter Solstice Family Night at Muzeo in Anaheim
DECEMBER 21: Winter holidays throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from St. Lucia’s Day, St. Nicolas Day, Hanukkah to Christmas, are celebrated with light, decorations, music, and special treats. We will be learning about the Winter Solstice, and creating artistic holiday decorations while enjoying hot chocolate, singing seasonal songs, and sampling international holiday treats.
Winter Fun Days in Long Beach
DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 3: 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.
Ultimate Ninjas Winter Break Camp
DECEMBER 23 - JANUARY 10: Ultimate Ninjas offers the ultimate Winter Break Camp! Ninjas learn how to tackle obstacles with structured obstacle practice, participate in conditioning exercises, plus play games and enjoy free time.
Winter-Break Excursions to SkyZone & Boomers
DECEMBER 27 & JANUARY 3: Participants, ages 6-12, can enjoy two special excursions during winter-break: Sky Zone and Boomers. Activities will be provided from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
The Illusionists – Magic of the Holidays in Cerritos
DECEMBER 29: Celebrate the holidays with the entire family in this mind-blowing spectacle featuring jaw-dropping talents, mentalism, and magic acts from acclaimed illusionists. Performances at 2 and 7 p.m. “The Illusionists … will blow your mind!” – New York Theatre Guide.
Kids’ New Year’s Eve
DECEMBER 31: "Midnight" comes early for families at LEGOLAND California Resort, celebrating the New Year together without missing their bedtimes.
Noon Year’s Eve at Discovery Cube in LA
DECEMBER 31: Ring in the new year with a balloon drop, dance, and sip apple cider at the Discover Cube!
Fullerton’s First Night New Year’s Eve Celebration
DECEMBER 31: Ring in the New Year with an evening packed with family fun including inflatable attractions, face painting, classic carnival games, snow lane, live entertainment, and fireworks show.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks & Glow Party
DECEMBER 31: Watch the spectacular fireworks show from the park and waterfront and enjoy an evening of family-friendly fun. Enjoy lawn games, face painting, crafts, photo booth, DJ entertainment, and more.
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!
