Living Nativities in California

California Living nativity scenes and drive-thru nativities are popular church-sponsored events in California that include public displays and recreations of the birth of Jesus as told by the Christian Bible. Congregations produce these events (usually free) in outdoor, winter settings, often on or around church property. In 2012 a public religious display (not living nativity) was taken to court in a lawsuit involving free expression in public places. 

Christmas is the most celebrated religious event in the U.S. honoring the birthday of Jesus, always held on December 25.   The living nativity brings to life the stories that surround this 2000+ year old event that inspires people around the globe today. How big is Christianity that includes the belief in the birth of Jesus as a religious event? An estimated one-third of the global population, or well over 2 billion people are professed Christians.

Participants of nativities include Mary, Joseph and the manger with a baby Jesus, angels, shepherds, Wise Men, Caesar,   animals such as donkeys, sheep and lambs, and sometimes performing choirs. Drive-by or drive-through nativity scenes are popular, though walking tours are often an optional offering at outdoor nativities. In addition to the living nativities, you'll find nativity collections made of glass, wood, ceramics and clay that are displayed in public places.  Life-size versions (usually made of molded plastic)  are publicly lit with floodlights and often are called crèches.

CLAREMONT  Living Nativity December 12-15, 2025 at Granite Creek Community Church

CLOVIS  Live Nativity December 13-14, 2025 at Memorial United Methodist Church

EUREKA December 22, 2025 at First Covenant Church

FOUNTAIN VALLEY: The Christmas Creche December 6-7, 2025, 6-9 p.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Living Nativity, local school choirs and bands performing holiday concerts, free donuts and a room of Christmas creches to admire. Location: 17500 Talbert Ave., Fountain Valley, CA. Free, thecrecheoc.com

GLENDORA  Living Nativity December 12-14, 2025 at Church of the Open Door

HUNTINGTON BEACH Living Nativity December 4-5, 2025 at First Christian Church

HUNTINGTON BEACH  Live Nativity International Celebration December 14, 2025 at Old World Village

JULIAN Living Nativity Saturdays, December 6, 13, 20, 2025 at The Cider Mill

LIVERMORE Live Nativity December 12, 13 & 14, 2025, 6 & 7:30 p.m. Trinity Baptist Church

LOS ALAMITOS  A Night in Bethlehem December 12-14, 2025 at Long Beach Meetinghouse, LDS

MISSION VIEJO Journey to Bethlehem December 12-14, 2025 at Crossline Community Church

MOORPARK: A Living Nativity December 13, 2025, 7-9 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church

OAKDALE : Living Nativity December 12-14, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene

VACAVILLE

ONTARIO Ontario Nativity scenes include religious creches exhibited on the Euclid Avenue median in downtown. Protected by wooden shelters, the dozen Nativity scenes between D and G streets tell the story of Jesus' birth. For 54 years, it has been a tradition for the scenes to go up in Ontario - through the help of volunteers - on the weekend before Thanksgiving and come down the first week in January. 

christmasoneuclid.com

The first living nativity was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223
A manger scene is the primary decoration in many European, Central American, and South American countries. St. Francis of Assisi created the first living nativity in 1224 to help explain the birth of Jesus to his followers.

 

Events and details are subject to change. Please confirm before going.