Ho Ho Holiday Happenings: Sparkling SoCal Christmas Events!
Discover the best places and events to celebrate the Christmas season in Southern California. Our list covers popular family attractions, including parades, Christmas lights, shows, train rides, festivals, and activities. Get ready for jingle bells, twinkling lights, and merry memories!
🎨 Sawdust Winter Art Festival, Laguna Beach
Crafty Creations Under the Winter Stars
- Check out the Laguna Beach Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy for that perfect, extraordinary holiday gift.
- This annual event is not your typical gathering of local artisans—it’s unique because each booth is hand-built and operated by the artist.
- Dates & Times: November 21 – December 21, 2025. Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 11 am – 7 pm.
- Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA.
- More Info: https://sawdustartfestival.org/
⛄ Mountain High Southern California Snow Resort, Wrightwood, CA
Snowy Slopes and Festive Flurries Await!
- Mountain High, the closest winter resort in Southern California, is open for the 2025/2026 season.
- Visitors can enjoy bottom skiing and snowboarding just 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County.
- Whether you want to learn how to ski or snowboard or spend a day in the terrain park with friends, Mountain High is the perfect destination.
- Opening Date: November 21, 2025 (weather permitting).
- Location: Wrightwood, CA.
- More Info: https://www.mthigh.com/
🛍️ Celebrate the Holidays at Santa Monica Place
Beachside Cheer with Snowy Surprises!
- Santa Monica Place brings the magic of the holidays to life this holiday season with a vibrant lineup of family-friendly activities, seasonal pop-ups, and immersive experiences.
- Highlights include traditional holiday carolers (Dec. 5–7, 3–6 p.m.), immersive snowfall shows (Dec. 5–7, 12–14, 19–24 at 6 & 7 p.m.), and high-kick performances by the Santa Monica Beach Belles.
- Enjoy photos with Santa, a 50-foot Christmas tree, and festive decor in the Center Plaza.
- Dates: Through December 24, 2025.
- More Info: https://www.santamonicaplace.com/events
- Location: Santa Monica, CA.
🦁 L.A. Zoo Lights: A Wild Wonderland of Light
Roaring Lanterns and Glowing Critters Galore!
- The holiday light experience has glowed brighter each year—this year’s event features more light animals than ever, hand-crafted and high-tech.
- Journey through themed wonderlands like pollinators and plants, Southeast Asian wildlife, and African landscapes.
- Enjoy interactive displays, a giant kaleidoscope, seasonal treats, cocktails, and photos with Santa.
- Dates: November 13, 2025 – January 11, 2026.
- Location: Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA.
- More Info: https://lazoo.org/plan-your-visit/special-experiences/zoolights/
🚤 Ventura Harbor Village Christmas Events
Harbor Holly-Jolly with Reindeer Rendezvous!
- Come to Ventura Harbor Village to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, take a photo, and even get up close to two of their reindeer.
- Enjoy the magic of the season with wandering carolers, holiday characters, live bands, simulated snowfall, and free holiday crafts.
- Don’t miss the 49th Annual Parade of Lights & Fireworks (Dec. 12–13), Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace (Dec. 20), and Chanukah Celebration (Dec. 21).
- Location: 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura, CA.
- Dates: Various events through December 2025.
- More Info: https://www.venturaharborvillage.com/events/
🩰 The Nutcracker: Beverly Hilton Hotel
Twirling Tulle and Timeless Tales!
- American Ballet Theatre will host its Holiday Benefit with a one-night-only performance by ABT’s exceptional dancers.
- Enjoy excerpts from classical and contemporary ballets, including the beloved winter classic, The Nutcracker.
- Date: Monday, December 15, 2025.
- Location: Beverly Hilton, Beverly Hills, CA.
- More Info: https://www.abt.org/support/special-events/holiday-benefit/
🎬 Holiday Season at Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood
Reel in the Festive Magic on Iconic Sets!
- From December 22, guests will journey into the magical world of their beloved holiday movies and TV shows.
- Capture joyful moments amidst iconic sets like the Gazebo of Gilmore Girls and cozy Luke’s Diner, with holiday-themed photos.
- Enjoy the Holidays Made Here event featuring Stars Hollow recreations, light shows, cookie decorating, carolers, and themed treats.
- Dates: December 18, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (closed Christmas Day).
- Location: 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank, CA.
- More Info: https://www.wbstudiotour.com/
🌲 Descanso Gardens’ Enchanted: Forest of Light
Luminescent Paths and Botanical Brilliance!
- During this colorful and interactive experience, stroll through a mile of Descanso Gardens’ most popular areas while marveling at gorgeous lighted displays.
- Highlights include geometric sculptures in the Rose Garden, stained-glass houses, Flower Power tulips, and a misty Ancient Forest.
- Dates: November 16, 2025 – January 4, 2026 (5:30–10 p.m.).
- Location: La Cañada Flintridge, CA.
- More Info: https://www.descansogardens.org/events-and-activities/enchanted/
🚢 Christmas Light Boat Parade, Newport Beach
Yachts Aglow in Harbor Harmony!
- It’s the biggest and best Christmas boat parade in California—watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sail along the harbor.
- Hosted by the Commodores Club of Newport Beach for its 117th year, themed “Magical Nights of Lights.”
- Dates: December 17–21, 2025 (starts ~6:30 p.m. nightly).
- Location: Newport Beach Harbor, CA.
- More Info: https://www.christmasboatparade.com/
🌺 San Diego Botanic Garden Lightscape
Blooming Brilliance in a Sea of Sparks!
One hundred twenty-five thousand lights decorate the San Diego Botanic Gardens—Garden of Lights is a magical holiday experience for the whole family.
Stroll a one-mile illuminated trail with new installations like California poppies, firefly fields, and laser gardens, plus lively music and seasonal bites.
Dates: November 14, 2025 – January 4, 2026.
Location: Encinitas, CA.
More Info:https://sdbg.org/lightscape/
🎁 Fairplex Pomona Harvest Festival
Handmade Treasures for Jolly Gift-Giving!
- Browse over 24,000 handmade creations at the Pomona Harvest Festival—gift-giving gets a personal touch with unique, one-of-a-kind gifts.
- With over 300 exhibitors, you’ll find that perfect present amid jewelry, ceramics, photography, and more.
- Dates & Times: December 5–7, 2025 (Fri–Sat: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
- Location: Fairplex – Expo 4, Pomona, CA.
- More Info: https://harvestfestival.com/pomona
✨ Capistrano Lights, Mission San Juan Capistrano
Sacred Glow and Caroling Echoes!
- A family event where guests can experience the season’s festive spirit in one place, with nightly musical tree lighting and decorative light displays.
- Features a full-scale nativity in the ruins, Dickens-era carolers, a lighted halo grove, and scented citrus grove—plus mischievous elves hiding throughout December.
- Dates: December 19–30, 2025 (select evenings, 3:30–6:30 p.m.; tree lighting at 5:05 p.m.).
- Location: San Juan Capistrano, CA.
- More Info: https://www.missionsjc.com/capistrano-lights/
🚂 POLAR EXPRESS™ SoCal Train Museum
Ticket to Holiday Heartwarmers!
- Join us for a magical one-hour journey to meet Santa—board the train where friendly car hosts punch your golden ticket.
- Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and a delicious cookie served by dancing chefs, while following along with the classic children’s book The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg.
- Set to the motion picture soundtrack—tickets sell out fast!
- Dates: November–December 2025 (specific schedule TBD; check site).
- Location: Southern California Railway Museum, Perris, CA.
- More Info: https://socalrailway.org/scrm-events/
🌊 Dana Point Harbor Christmas Light Parade
Seafaring Spectacle of Shimmering Sails!
- View the harbor from anywhere for free, or take a cruise and join the parade—awards for Judges’ Choice, Best Use of Lights, Best Animation, Most Colorful, The Most Original, Best Sailboat, and Best Powerboat.
- The 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights features decorated vessels in a “Carol of the Boats” theme, with up to $10,000 in prizes.
- Harbor lights on display from November 12, 2025, to January 4, 2026.
- Dates: December 12–14, 2025 (starts 6:30 p.m. nightly).
- Location: Dana Point Harbor, CA.
- More Info: https://danapointharbor.com/holidays-at-the-harbor/
🌰 Bates Nut Farm Christmas Festival
Nutty Delights and Santa Sleigh Rides!
- Take a hayride to Santa’s shop for holiday gifts—Bates Nut Farm hosts its largest Arts and Crafts Fair over the Thanksgiving weekend.
- Enjoy free Polar Express hayrides, visits with Santa, live holiday performances, crafts, bounce houses, and face painting at the Christmas in Valley Center event.
- Sponsored by the Valley Center Chamber of Commerce.
- Dates & Times: December 12, 2025 (4–8 p.m.); December 13, 2025 (9 a.m.–3 p.m.).
- Location: Valley Center, CA.
- More Info: https://batesnutfarm.biz/blogs/events
🎄 Christmas Train at Irvine Park
Choo-Choo to the North Pole North!
- Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train—come with family and friends and take this enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus.
- Ride through the magical “Tunnel of Lights,” enjoy colorful decorations, and visit Santa’s Village (free entry) with holiday photo ops and activities.
- Dates & Times: November 28 – December 23, 2025 (Weekdays: 4–9 p.m.; Weekends: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.).
- Location: Irvine Regional Park, Orange, CA.
- More Info: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/christmas-train/
🚗 2026 San Diego Auto Show
Vroom-Vroom into the New Year with Shiny Rides!
- The San Diego Auto Show is the second-largest automotive event in California, with activities for the whole family.
- There will be prize giveaways, a special Camp Jeep area for kids, test drives of new cars, and an exotic car section to find the vehicle of your dreams.
- Dates & Times: Thursday, January 1: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday, January 2: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Saturday, January 3: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sunday, January 4: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (Note: January 1–4, 2026).
- Location: San Diego Convention Center, San Diego, CA.
- More Info: https://www.sdautoshow.com/