2025 Christmas Boat Parades & Train Attractions in Southern California

KIDSGUIDE | HolidayGuide

Holiday Boat Parades & Trains in Southern California

Updated: November 2025

Holiday boats and trains are here, and Southern California is lighting up in the best way! From sparkling Christmas boat parades along the coast to cozy holiday train rides, it’s a unique and fun way to bring a little more magic to the season.

We’ve rounded up the best Christmas boat parades and holiday train attractions in Southern California so you can plan your next festive outing, by land or by sea!

Holiday Boat Parades & Events

63rd Annual Cruise of Lights
Huntington Harbour | Huntington Beach
December 19-23, 2025

The Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee Cruise of Lights offers 50-minute narrated boat tours through the waterways of Huntington Harbour in Huntington Beach, California. In December both locals and visitors share the beauty of thousands of lights and animated displays on brightly decorated homes, docks, decks and boats. Proceeds benefit music education for Orange County school children.

*️⃣ BOAT RIDE
Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruise
Newport Landing | Newport Beach
November 29 – January 1, 2026
Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard a decorated vessel on a 75-minute holiday lights cruise. View stunning estates and vessels decked out with thousands of lights.
🎁 GIVEAWAY! 🎁 Kidsguide is giving away four tickets on Instagram to send one lucky family on a Holiday Lights Cruise! You may even get to be in the Newport Christmas Boat Parade!

*️⃣ BOAT RIDE
Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights Cruise
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 5-6 & 19-20, 2025
Get a panoramic view of the beautiful harbor all dressed up for the season. This 60-minute boat ride takes you around Dana Point Harbor to enjoy all the light displays from the land and the sea.

✴️ PARADE BOAT RIDE
Holiday Boat Parade Tall Ship Sail
LA Waterfront | San Pedro
Saturday, December 6, 2025 • 5-9pm
Join Los Angeles Maritime Institute on a tall ship sail and be part of the LA Harbor Boat Parade. Bundle up and enjoy the sunset, sit back and relax, or become part of the crew.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Los Angeles Harbor Boat Parade
LA Waterfront | San Pedro
Saturday, December 6, 2025 • 6-8pm
The annual L.A. Harbor Holiday Boat Parade at the Port of Los Angeles is a 63-year tradition of festive lights and community spirit. Decorated boats stretch about one mile, illuminating the channel, celebrating the holiday season and reflecting the vibrant spirit of the community.

*️⃣ BOAT RIDE
Boat Ride with Santa
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 6-7, 2025
Take a 20-minute boat ride with Santa this holiday season. Tickets are only $6 per person. Children will be able to chat and interact with Santa, but there will be no direct contact.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks
Ventura Harbor Village
December 12-13, 2025
The annual boat parade returns with a new Let It Glow theme. Enjoy kids rides, carnival games, and vendors on the Harbor Village lawn. Faux snowfall and LED performers twinkle and shine along the promenade. The boat parade takes two laps throughout the harbor and the evening ends with a fireworks display.

✴️ PARADE BOAT RIDE
Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 12-14, 2025 • 6:30pm
Enjoy a 90-minute cruise and be in the Dana Point Boat Parade! The cruise features music, cash bar, harbor views, and joins other private boaters in the parade.

✴️ PARADE BOAT RIDE
Boat Parade Cruise
Capt. Dave’s | Dana Point
December 12-14, 2025
Be part of the Dana Point Boat Parade aboard Capt. Dave’s catamarans. Santa hats and ugly Christmas sweaters encouraged. Triple fudge brownies will be served.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Boat Parade of Lights: Carol of the Boats
Dana Point Harbor | Dana Point
December 12-14, 2025
Join Dana Point Harbor for their annual Boat Parade of Lights, this year’s theme is “Carol of the Boats”!

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
Burton Chace Park | Marina del Rey
Saturday, December 13, 2025
This year’s theme is “A Nightmare Before Christmas” — enjoy decorated boats and a spectacular light show.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Shoreline Yacht Club Christmas Boat Parade
Shoreline Village | Long Beach
Saturday, December 13, 2025 • 5:30pm
Join the Shoreline Yacht Club for live holiday music, dancing, a balloon twister, snow in the village, and prime views of the parade as it moves through Shoreline Marina and Rainbow Harbor.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
Huntington Harbour | Huntington Beach
December 13-14, 2025 | 5:15pm
The all-volunteer Huntington Harbour Boat Parade returns with this year’s “Fun with Music” theme, featuring longtime favorites and creative new entries. Public viewing at beaches only.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Dry Land Boat Parade
Villa Park HS | Villa Park
Sunday, December 14, 2025 • 5-6pm
Watch over fifty decorated vessels brilliantly lit with holiday lights travel throughout the city.

✴️ PARADE BOAT RIDE
Newport Beach Boat Parade Cruise
Newport Landing | Newport Beach
December 17-21, 2025 • 5-8:30pm
Want to be in the Christmas Boat Parade? Cruises travel with the parade from December 17-21 from 5-8:30pm. All other cruises are Holiday Lights cruises, not boat parade cruises.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights
Newport Beach
December 17-21, 2025
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. Enjoy fireworks on the opening night at 6:15pm, plus drone shows every day.

❇️ FREE PARADE EVENT!
Naples Island Christmas Boat Parade
Naples Island | Long Beach
Saturday, December 20, 2025 • 6pm
See holiday-decorated boats cruise through the canals alongside brightly lit homes. Enjoy views from bridges and waterfront spots as this year’s theme, A Tropical Winter Wonderland, brings festive color to Naples Island.

Holiday Train Attractions & Events

The Polar Express
Southern California Railway Museum | Perris
November 20 – December 31, 2025
Relive the magic of this classic holiday story with your family on a real train. On this magical one-hour trip to meet Santa, car hosts will punch your golden ticket and dancing chefs will serve hot chocolate and shortbread cookies. Enjoy caroling and onboard entertainment and receive a silver sleigh bell from Santa.

North Pole Limited
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | Campo
November 28 – December 21, 2025
The journey begins at the festive Campo Depot before boarding a 90-minute ride with sing-alongs, stories, and treats served by the elf crew. The train stops at the North Pole to pick up Santa and Mrs. Claus, who visit each passenger on the ride back.

Christmas Train
Irvine Park Railroad | Orange
November 28 – December 23, 2025
Take an enchanting ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. Children can share their wish list with Santa and have their photo taken. The hop back aboard the train and enjoy Christmas lights and decorations, the Tunnel of Lights, and take the ride back to Santa’s Village.

Holiday Lights Train Ride
Griffith Park Train Rides | Los Angeles
November 28 – January 11, 2026
Take an evening ride around the mile-long track filled with twinkling lights and festive scenes. Families can also stop by the Toy Depot Gift Kiosk and seasonal photo spot. Children 18 months and under ride free.

Winter Wonderland
El Dorado Frontier | Long Beach
November 29 – December 21, 2025
Winter Wonderland offers daytime holiday rides, bounce houses, and cheerful adventures. Nighttime experience offers sparkling lights and a reserved train ride experience. Both include Santa meet & greets, snow, festive photo ops, and holiday music throughout the park.

Holiday Express Train
Metrolink Stations | LA, San Bernardino, Irvine, Riverside & Simi Valley
December 6-21, 2025
Each Holiday Express event begins with a festive station celebration featuring music, treats, crafts, and photo fun, followed by a scenic train ride with live carolers, holiday characters, and special visits from Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Trolley Holiday Waterfront Tour of Lights
Long Beach Trolley | Long Beach
December 5-30, 2025
Board a classic cable-car trolley for a waterfront tour that showcases the best light displays around Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, and Naples Island. Narrated tour includes souvenir Santa hat, hot cocoa, and holiday music.

Coaster Holiday Express
Oceanside Transit Center | Oceanside
December 6-7 & 13-14, 2025
Join Santa for a magical experience as the Coaster Holiday Express train travels down the coastline. Santa Claus and his carolers will be on board for the hour-long trip full of fun with songs, storytelling, gifts for children, and Santa’s wish list.

Santa at the Museum
Lomita Railroad Museum | Lomita
Sunday, December 7, 2025 | 11am-3:30pm
Join the Lomita Railroad Museum for a festive day that includes a visit and photo op with Santa, hot chocolate, candy canes, and holiday crafts. Families can also enjoy model train clubs, cookie decorating, balloon animals, clowns, kids games, and food during this seasonal celebration.

✳️ FREE!
Santa Claus Visits
Fullerton Train Museum | Fullerton
Saturday, December 20, 2025
Visit with Santa and his elves and decorated railcars.

✳️ FREE!
North Pole Express
Fairview Park | Costa Mesa
December 20-21, 2025 • 10am-3:30pm
Join the Orange County Model Engineers at Goathill Junction Railroad for free rides on their miniature trains! For this special event, the train will make an extra stop at North Pole Station. Guests can get off the train and line up for a photo with Santa or The Grinch. Santa will be meeting visitors from 10am-12pm and 1-3pm. The Grinch will be available for photos from 12-1pm.

Holiday Magic Train
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
November 21 – January 4, 2026
Enjoy a one-hour scenic steam train ride with festive lights, holiday music, and hot cocoa aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad’s Holiday Magic Train, offering a seasonal, vintage-style experience through the forest.

Mr. Skunk & The Giant Christmas Tree
Departs from Willits, CA (Northern California)
November 23 – December 31, 2024
Climb aboard the world-famous Skunk Train to visit the world’s largest living Christmas tree! Enjoy seasonal treats and decor on a journey through the redwoods to Mr. Skunk’s Giant Christmas Tree, a decorated redwood along the line, which also serves at the workshop for Santa Mr. Skunk.

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This post was written by Kidsguide