All events are subject to change. Please confirm with the event organizer before attending.
“Christmas Confections” Holiday Boutique at Roger’s Gardens
OCT 6 - DEC 31: Step into the sweet world of holiday delights at the Roger's Gardens' "Christmas Confections" boutique!
Free Family Events at Lincoln Park in Long Beach
NOVEMBER - DECEMBER: Join the City of Long Beach for free family events at Lincoln Park. Weekly activities include Tuesday Walking Group, Wednesday Intro to Fitness with Park Equipment, Friday Play Date in the Park, and Friday Come & Dance. Game Night on November 28 and December 21. Movie Night on December 28.
Christmas Around the World at the Reagan Library
NOV 11 - JAN 8: Christmas Around the World includes 26 exquisitely decorated trees representing the 26 countries that President Reagan visited while in office, as well as a White House Tree.
Imaginarium at the Fairplex in Pomona
NOVEMBER 17 - JANUARY 7: Discover a world where fantasy meets holiday cheer at Imaginarium — Southern California's largest holiday and fantasyland light show.
Once Upon a Christmas with Once Upon an Island
NOVEMBER 18 - DECEMBER 24: A fully personalized Santa Experience. Travel through magical portals on a private elf-guided tour of the North Pole. Talk to Santa's reindeer, visit the Toy Workshop, and meet the one-and-only Santa, get a keepsake gift, and lots more. Activities vary by tour.
Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden
NOVEMBER 9 - DECEMBER 31: Astra Lumina returns to Los Angeles for an enchanted night walk at South Coast Botanic Garden that invites visitors to discover the wonder of visiting stars.
Hikari – A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms in Irvine
NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30: Go on a cozy wagon ride around the festively lit farm that will take you to the Land of a Thousand Lanterns. Walk and wander through light displays with photo ops throughout. After the wagon ride, make your down to the Gingerbread Forest for live music, barnyard animals, arts and crafts, and meet Santa!
North Pole Limited at Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 16: The North Pole Limited 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 Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa
NOVEMBER 25 - 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.
Wild Holidays at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 1: See the Safari Park in a whole new light! Take a holiday expedition of light and travel through places that glow and twinkle with holiday cheer. Holiday tunes and live entertainment set the mood, and seasonal food treats tempt you throughout your journey.
Bob Baker’s Nutcracker – Marionette Adaptation in Los Angeles
NOVEMBER 25 - JANUARY 7: Enjoy a marionette adaptation of the ballet classic. It's Bob's most beloved holiday show since its opening in 1969.
Cooking Events at Lil’ Chef School
NOVEMBER 9, 10, 17 & 25: Hands-on workshops this month include sushi rolling, parents night out cookie exchange, and adult and me classes, where young chefs make sweet treats.
Hollywood Christmas Parade
NOVEMBER 26: The annual Hollywood Christmas parade will feature Hollywood celebrities, award-wining marching bands and dance groups from around the country, dazzling equestrians, larger-than-life character balloons, colorful floats and humorous specialty acts. The parade culminates with the appearance of the Jolly Old Elf himself, Santa Claus and his reindeer, ushering in the holiday season!
Christmas Tree Lighting at Nixon Library
NOVEMBER 28: Walk into a Christmas wonderland as guests explore the Nixon Library after hours featuring an indoor and outdoor experience with festive lights, Christmas music, and Santa Claus!
All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony in Aliso Viejo
NOVEMBER 30: Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, snow fall, and a visit from Santa Claus as the 22-foot tree is lit at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain and Amphitheater.
Pirates Take Christmas
DECEMBER 1 - JANUARY 1: This yuletide adventure combines audience participation, heart-pounding action and the spirit of the season; along with a hearty 3-course Feast.
Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas at Chance Theater in Anaheim
DECEMBER 1 - 23: Ooh, la la! This year, Nancy is especially excited. After selling some of her old gowns and accessories, she has enough money to buy a brand-new sparkly tree topper. But when things don’t turn out the way Nancy planned, does Christmas still stand a chance of being splendiferous?
Lakewood Tree Lighting
DECEMBER 1: Activities include lots of falling snow, holiday musical entertainment, holiday photo ops, costumed characters, and food trucks.
Winter Wonderland & Holiday Tree Lighting at Artesia Park
DECEMBER 1: Join the Holiday Tree Lighting at 5pm and stay for a night of kids performances and holiday fun with 15 tons of snow.
Christmas Tree Lighting at Buena Park City Hall
DECEMBER 1: The Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will feature entertainment, local school performances, festivities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself!
Nutcracker for Kids at Segerstrom Center for the Arts
DECEMBER 2: See Tchaikovsky’s Christmas ballet performed in a condensed version created just for kids! This concert finishes with a visit from Santa and annual holiday sing-along.
Narrated Nutcracker at Central Library in Huntington Beach
DECEMBER 2-3: Festival Ballet Theatre’s lavish 45-minute, narrated rendition of The Nutcracker is specially designed to introduce young children to the beauty of classical ballet and music.
Santa’s Village by the Sea in Downtown San Clemente
DECEMBER 2: More details to come!
Santa Ana Winter Village
DECEMBER 2 - 31: This month-long event includes family friendly events and activities throughout its entirety. Participants are able to enjoy ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and more.
Holidayz at Great Park in Irvine
DECEMBER 2 - JANUARY 7: The Great Park transforms into a winterscape of holiday-themed art, music, and lights. Visit the Palm Court Arts Complex to enjoy interactive displays and festive photo backdrops.
Santa’s Jolly Trolley in Dana Point
DECEMBER 2: Santa and his elves from the Recreation Division will be riding on his Jolly Trolley and making stops at parks throughout Dana Point to hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age.
Illuminate Irvine at Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex
DECEMBER 2: Ring in the season with winter-wonderland inspired activities and holiday music classics. The evening culminates with the lighting of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex.
Tree Lighting at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 2: Kick off the holiday season with an evening of festive lights, carolers, refreshments, crafts, and a visit from Santa.
Merry-Achi Christmas at Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
DECEMBER 2 & 3: The annual tradition Merry-Achi Christmas returns to Cerritos in a colorful Mexican holiday celebration filled with seasonal songs, dance, and festive merriment.
Celebration of Winter Holidays at Bowers Museum
DECEMBER 3: Enjoy a full day of fun for the entire family from 11am - 3pm. This free family festival includes complimentary face painting, art projects, live performances, and more.
Holiday Bash Family Rave in Santa Ana
DECEMBER 3: Groove to awesome house, techno, dnb music on a multi-sensory dance floor filled with bubbles, confetti, balloons, and parachute dance finale. There's also a crafting area, fun activities, and bar (for grown-ups).
La Plaza Park Tree Lighting in Dana Point
DECEMBER 4: Santa and his elves will be arriving at La Plaza Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years old. The event features carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, and the annual tree lighting at 5:15pm.
Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical at Pantages Theatre
DECEMBER 6-17: Dr. Seuss’ How The Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical features the hit songs "You're A Mean One Mr. Grinch" and "Welcome Christmas." Max the Dog narrates as the mean and scheming Grinch, whose heart is "two sizes too small," decides to steal Christmas away from the holiday loving Whos.
A Cinderella Christmas at Laguna Playhouse
DECEMBER 7-29: A wild, wacky, and interactive holiday event featuring all of your favorite characters, A Cinderella Christmas sets the age-old fairytale of Cinderella to modern music, with a comical twist and incredible magic!
Debbie Allen’s Hot Chocolate Nutcracker in Redondo Beach
DECEMBER 7-10: Debbie Allen has taken the ballet classic and given it fresh, new context with lively characters, new music by industry legends, diverse choreography, spectacular aerial arts and state-of-the-art projection to create an immersive, vibrant and memorable theater experience for all ages.
American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 8-17: 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!
A Charlie Brown Christmas at The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot
DECEMBER 8-10 & 15-17: The classic animated television special A Charlie Brown Christmas comes to life in this faithful stage adaptation in which Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang discover the true meaning of Christmas. Stay after and meet the cast of this family-friendly performance that's perfect for your Christmas activities!
Las Posadas at Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs
DECEMBER 8: Take the whole family out to enjoy this traditional cultural event as you go through Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of shelter through this guided, candle-lit procession through Heritage Park.
An Evening of Holiday Music at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 8: Enjoy a performance by the Concordia Handbell Choir and the Pollytechnic Brass Quintet.
A Christmas Carol at Long Beach Playhouse
DECEMBER 9-23: In this quick-paced, highly theatrical retelling of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, the ghosts of Christmases Past, Present, and Future show Ebenezer Scrooge the poverty of his material wealth and the blessings that come with generosity.
Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker in Irvine
DECEMBER 9-24: Festival Ballet Theatre's family-friendly production of The Nutcracker features colorful scenery and dazzling costumes, making this age-old tradition sparkle like new.
Breakfast with Santa at Laguna Hills Community Center
DECEMBER 9: Join Santa for a pancake breakfast. The event will feature crafts, pictures with Santa, and breakfast.
Holiday Concert on the Pier at Redondo Beach
DECEMBER 9: Enjoy this free community event featuring: live holiday music, activity books, holiday photos, sponsor giveaways, and charity toy drive.
Sunsets with Santa in San Clemente
DECEMBER 9, 16, 17: Enjoy free visits with Santa on the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as your backdrop. Bring your own camera.
Apollo Lighting at Columbia Memorial Space Center
DECEMBER 9: Be part of CMSC's Apollo Capsule annual lighting event! Listen to your favorite holiday tunes performed by TubaChristmas, followed by the lighting of the Apollo capsule and a STEM-filled holiday adventure with interactive activities for all ages.
Holidays Around the World at Segerstrom
DECEMBER 10: Enjoy a variety of live performances from local music acts and dance groups that celebrate holiday traditions from around the world.
Santa at Lomita Railroad Museum
DECEMBER 10: Visit for a day of holiday cheer. Activities include: visits with Santa and photo op, cookies and hot chocolate, cookie decorating, balloon animals, visiting the museum, holiday crafts for kids, kids games, and food truck.
Long Beach Ballet Presents The Nutcracker
DECEMBER 16-17 & 22-23: This production boasts a full symphony orchestra, a flying sleigh, a real live horse, on-stage pyrotechnics, and a cast of over 200.
Cruise of Lights® at Huntington Harbour
DECEMBER 16-18 & 21-23: 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.
Crafts with the Clauses at Aliso Viejo Ranch
DECEMBER 16: Sleigh on down to Aliso Viejo Ranch for festive crafts, reindeer games, cookie decorating, and photos with the Clauses.
Disclaimer: The Kidsguide team works hard to ensure all events are accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Confirm all details with event organizer before attending. Kidsguide is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings on our calendar.
