Christmas Boat Parades & Train Attractions in Southern California

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Cruise of Lights

December 18-23, 2024

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.

Voted “Top 10” by Coastal Living Magazine
“Worth the Drive” according to AAA Southern California

Holiday Boat Parades & Attractions

Newport Beach Holiday Cruise & Boat Parade Cruise
Newport Landing | Newport Beach
December 6 – January 1, 2024
Experience Newport Harbor in full holiday décor aboard a decorated vessel on a 75-minute holiday lights cruise. View multi million dollar estates and vessels all decked out with thousands of lights. Want a chance to be in the Christmas Boat Parade? Cruises travel with the parade from December 18-22.

Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights Cruises
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 6-7 & 20-21, 2024
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.

Boat Ride with Santa
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 7-8, 2024
Take a 20-minute boat ride with Santa this holiday season. Tickets are only $5 per person. Children will be able to chat and interact with Santa, but their will be no direct contact.

Holiday Harbor Boat Parade Sail
Los Angeles Maritime Institute | San Pedro
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Be part of the LA Harbor Holiday Boat Parade aboard a tall ship.

Los Angeles Harbor Boat Parade
Saturday, December 7, 2024
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.

12 Days of Christmas
The Queen Mary | Long Beach
December 12-23, 2024
Santa Claus is coming to town—and he’s docking at The Queen Mary! Celebrate the season with festive performances, dace parties, photos with Santa, and holiday activities like stocking decorating and gingerbread house making. General admission tickets includes admission to one or all 12 days. Activity Passes available. Tickets also needed for Breakfast with Santa and Holiday Ball.9

Dec 12: Lighting of the Stacks & Holiday Market
Dec 13: Krampus After Dark Spooktacular Bazaar & Movie Night
Dec 14: Winter Wonderland Market
Dec 14: Breakfast with Santa
Dec 15: Queen Mary Gives Back
Dec 16: Long Beach Community Day (FREE!)
Dec 17: Christmas Movie Night
Dec 18: Ugly Sweater Karaoke
Dec 19: Snow Day
Dec 20: Christmas Bingo
Dec 21: Christmas Scavenger Hunt
Dec 21: Breakfast with Santa
Dec 21: Holiday Ball
Dec 22: Christmas Pajama Jam
Dec 23: Holiday Silent Disco

✳️ FREE!
Shoreline Yacht Club’s Christmas Boat Parade
Shoreline Village | Long Beach
Saturday, December 14, 2024
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.

✳️ FREE!
Boat Parade of Lights: Santa’s Seaside Carnival
Dana Point Harbor | Dana Point
December 13-14, 2024
Join Dana Point Harbor for their annual Boat Parade of Lights, this year’s theme is “Santa’s Seaside Carnival”!

Boat Parade Holiday Cruise
Dana Wharf | Dana Point
December 13-14, 2024
Go aboard a 90-minute holiday cruise and be part of the Dana Point Boat Parade!

Boat Parade Cruise
Capt. Dave’s | Dana Point
December 13-15, 2024
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.

Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights
Ventura Harbor Village
December 13-14, 2024
The annual Parade of Lights returns with a new Candyland 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.

Holiday Boat Parade & Light Show
Burton Chace Park | Marina Del Rey
Saturday, December 14, 2024
This year’s theme is A Margaritaville Holiday—enjoy decorated boats, drone show, food truck fare, strolling carolers, kids crafts, photo ops, and more.

✳️ FREE!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights
Newport Beach
December 18-22, 2024
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.

✳️ FREE!
Naples Island Annual Boat Parade
Naples Island | Long Beach
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Twinkling lights decorate the boats that cruise the canals of Naples. Hundreds of homes and boats are festively decorated throughout the season.

Holiday Train Attractions in Southern California

The Polar Express
Southern California Railway Museum | Perris
November 20 – December 31, 2024
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.

Muzeo Express
Muzeo | Santa Ana
November 23 – January 19, 2025
Explore the enchanting Muzeo Express, a holiday tradition that transforms Muzeo into a winter wonderland with model train dioramas. Watch various train gauges chug along their tracks, through snow-covered villages, landscapes, tunnels and bridges.

Christmas Train (SOLD OUT)
Irvine Park Railroad | Orange
November 29 – December 23, 2024
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. Note: This event sells out fast. Tickets usually go on sale early November. Follow their social media to stay updated.

Holiday Light Festival
Griffith Park Train Rides | Los Angeles
November 29 – January 3, 2024
Enjoy an evening train ride around the festively decorated, one-mile track in Griffith Park featuring delightful scenes with thousands of lights. In addition to the lights and train ride, enjoy a holiday gift kiosk and winter-themed photo areas.

North Pole Limited
Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | Campo
November 29 – December 21, 2024
Hop on board the North Pole Limited as it 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. A crew of elves regale passengers with holiday songs and stories, serve hot chocolate, fresh cookies, and more.

Winter Wonderland
El Dorado Frontier | Long Beach
November 30 – December 29, 2024
Step into a winter wonderland with festive train rides, sparkling lights, and magical snowfall. Activities include Santa meet and greet, Christmas train rides, live holiday music, hot cocoa, and lots more.

Holiday Express Train
Metrolink | Various Locations
November 30 – December 21, 2024
Experience the holiday season aboard Metrolink’s Holiday Express Train. Each train transforms into a festive wonderland, featuring decorations, carolers, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus. There’s also song-leading elves and lively holiday characters on board. Pre-event festivities also include craft stations and music.

Nov 30: Anaheim (SOLD OUT)
Dec 7: Riverside
Dec 14: Simi Valley
Dec 15: Santa Clarita
Dec 21: Redlands

Holiday Waterfront Tour of Lights
Long Beach Trolley | Long Beach
December 7-28, 2024
Board a classic cable-car trolley for a waterfront tour that showcases the best light displays around Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, and Naples Island. Tour includes souvenir Santa hat, candy cane, holiday music, and narration.

Coaster Holiday Express (SOLD OUT)
Oceanside Transit Center | Oceanside
December 7-8 & 14-15, 2024
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. Note: This event sells out. Tickets normally go on sale mid-November.

Santa at the Museum
Lomita Railroad Museum | Lomita
Sunday, December 8, 2024
Visit Santa and enjoy model trains, cookies and hot chocolate, balloon animals, food trucks, crafts, cookie decorating, games, and more.

✳️ FREE!
Santa Claus Visits
Fullerton Train Museum | Fullerton
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Visit with Santa and his elves and decorated railcars.

✳️ FREE!
North Pole Express
Fairview Park | Costa Mesa
December 21-22, 2024
Enjoy a free 12-15 minute miniature train ride with scenic views through the park. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and The Grinch will be available for photos. Children must be able to walk and be at least 31″ tall to ride.

Polar Express Family Day
San Diego Railroad Museum | San Diego
Saturday, December 21, 2024
Get into the holiday spirit with a family movie day at the museum. Watch the Polar Express, make holiday cards, ornaments, see Santa, and enjoy the exhibits!

Skunk Train: Mr. Skunk’s 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. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

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