Discover the best places and events to celebrate the Christmas season in Southern California. Our list covers some of the most popular family attractions, including parades, Christmas lights, shows, train rides, festivals, and activities.
Sawdust Annual Winter Fantasy Festival
Sawdust Winter Festival runs for five weekends: Mid-November through mid-December. Open the Friday after Thanksgiving. The Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy is the perfect place for a relaxing afternoon or evening stroll with friends and family. Kids can play with real snow, create art and craft projects or try a potters wheel. Adults can enjoy a glass of wine and listen to live entertainment and shop for some very unique holiday presents. Laguna Beach – November 17, 18, 23, 24 & 25 and December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16. 2018.
Queen Mary Christmas New Event!
After a six-year run with Chill, the Queen Mary has moved its annual holiday onboard the grand ship and renamed it a Queen Mary Christmas. Instead of the ice-themed Chill, the new “Queen Mary Christmas” will take place the decks and inside the historic ship. November 23, 2018 – January 6. 2019
LA Zoo Lights Holiday Festival of Lights
L.A. Zoo Lights is a nighttime light experience with glowing animals rendered in LED lights, lasers, 3D projections, and interactive displays. Visitors will not see any of the zoo’s animals except for reindeer. November 16, 2018, through January 6, 2019. Ticket times 6 p.m., 7 p.m., 8 p.m., or 9 p.m.
Moonlight Forest LA Arboretum
Moonlight Forest Lantern Art Festival at Los Angeles Arboretum is one of the most popular holiday light events in the Los Angeles area. Hundreds of colorful lanterns line a pathway that winds its way around the arboretum.
Newport Beach Christmas Light Parade
(December 19 – 23, 2018) The Newport Beach holiday lights boat parade has been a Southern California favorite holiday tradition for over 100 years. For the entire month of December through New Years many of the homes and around Newport Bay are lit up with amazing displays of lights. Several tour operators offer harbor lights cruises in case you miss the parade or just want another look at the holiday lights.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
Descanso Gardens becomes an Enchanted: Forest of Light starting Nov. 08, 2018 through Jan 6, 2019. Trees, plants, and walkways will be decorated with a seasonal light show. Visitors will stroll along a one-mile walk through the Gardens. 10 different areas with light displays, three of which will be interactive, allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds.
Dana Point Christmas Holiday Lights Parade
Dana Point Dana Point Harbor Christmas Light Parade runs two consecutive weekends during the month of December. Boats large and small are lighted with thousands of twinkling lights as they cruise around the harbor. Parade days December 8,9 and 15,16 ~ 7:30 – 9pm. 2018.
Bates Nut Farm Christmas Fair Holiday Shopping
80 plus craft booths selling a variety of handmade crafts and fine art. BBQ and food vendors plus live music on the Bates Stage. Select weekends through Christmas. Open all week for holiday gifts and candies. Bates Nut Farm 15954 Woods Valley Road Valley Center, CA 92082
Knott’s Berry Farm Christmas Craft Fair
Every year, America’s oldest theme park is magically transformed into Knott’s Merry Farm with seasonal entertainment, and spectacular decorations including a 65-foot tall Christmas tree, and a colorful Christmas parade featuring Peanuts. Knott’s Christmas Craft Fair is free Monday through Thursday. Friday through Sunday park admission is required to visit the Christmas Craft Fair.
Winter Fest OC Fair & Event Center
Winter Fest is Orange County’s answer to Chill in Long Beach. Billed as the World’s Biggest Walk-Thru Ornament, Winter Fest features the world’s largest illuminated ornament, ice skating with holiday movie favorites projecting in the background, a huge six-lane ice slide, nightly snow, and reindeer feedings. Also on hand will be carnival rides and games, music performances. We will have a full review after this holiday event opens. When: Dec. 20, 2018-Jan. 6, 2019.
Wild Lights, Living Desert Palm Desert
Holiday music and entertainment along with thousands of lights decorating the grounds of the Living Zoo. Stroll under the Tunnel of Lights, kids can take a ride a train or carousel, see the huge model train track decorated with lights. Make this a day trip enjoy the zoo during the day and Wild Lights at night. Runs selected nights through Dec. 31.
Irvine Park Christmas Train
One of Southern California’s most popular holiday events. Kids and parents take an evening ride through the park to meet Santa Claus. The train depot is decorated for the holidays with hundreds of lights as passengers head off the North Pole to visit Santa. November 30 – December 23, 2018.
San Diego Botanical Garden – Garden of Lights
Garden of Lights is truly a magical holiday experience for the whole family so bring them down for an evening of Christmas fun at the gardens. San Diego Botanic Garden annual Garden of Lights activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, live music, hot mulled wine and refreshments. December 1– 23 and 26 – 30, 2018.
Festival of Lights Mission Inn Riverside
Riverside’s Mission Inn Holiday Event is rated one of the best in the nation. Thousands of lights decorate the historic Mission in and the surrounding streets. Outdoor ice-skating rink on the Main Street pedestrian mall, holiday vendors, and family-friendly entertainment. Hours November 23, 2018 through January 6, 2018 Monday – Thursday: 4 – 9 p.m. Friday: 4 – 11 p.m. Saturday: 4 – 11 p.m. Sunday: 4 – 10 p.m. December 24 2 – 7 P.M.