California Events
Holiday Road USA in Calabasas
Monday, December 1, 2025
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink November 6, 2026-January 10, 2027, 3-10 p.m. daily at Viejas Casino & Resort. Southern California's largest outdoor ice rink. Location: 5003 Willows Road, Alpine, California $20-25 approx. for 90 minute session rental skates included, viejasoutletcenter.com/skating-rink/
ANAHEIM: Disneyland Festival of Holidays November 13, 2026-January 6, 2027. Christmas Fantasy Parade is back along with Haunted Mansion's Nightmare Before Christmas, and It's a Small World holiday transformation. Location: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA. $Tickets, disneyland.com
ATWATER: The Rink at Castle ice skating November 20, 2026-January 2027, has a new location: 3450 D Street, Atwater, CA. $, therinkatcastle.com
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 28, 2026-January 2, 2027, 5:30 p.m. Stroll through millions of lights in holiday-themed lands featuring over 200 displays. $18, calmholidaylights.org
BRIDGEPORT: Bridgeport Winter Ice Rink late November-March. Free admission (bring your own skates) and enjoy! Location: US 395 and Hwy 182, Bridgeport, CA. Free, monocounty.org
BUENA PARK: Knott's Berry Farm Christmas November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027. Enjoy Christmas Crafts Village, Snoopy's Night Before Christmas Ice Show, Santa's Christmas Cabin photos, Home for the Holidays musical production and seasonal foods, plus all the great rides in one awesome day & night. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. $, sixflags.com/knotts
CARLSBAD: Christmas Bricktacular November 21, 2026-January 3, 2027 at Legoland California. Meet Lego characters, see the Lego Christmas Tree made of 360,000 Lego & Duplo bricks, life-size Lego reindeer & Santa, hear the Brass Band, and enjoy the fun. Location: One Legoland Drive Carlsbad, CA $, legoland.com/california
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza returns November 12, 2026-January 17, 2027 in Downtown Chico Plaza. $15, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
COARSEGOLD: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink November 21, 2026-January 10, 2027, 12-10 p.m. (closed Mondays & Tuesdays) at Chukchansi Gold Resort Casino. Seasonal outdoor ice skating, all ages. $, chukchansigold.com
CONCORD: Ice at the Veranda November 6, 2026-February 14, 2027 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 at Hotel del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave. is one of the most scenic seaside ice skating rinks in the U.S. Public invited. $, hoteldel.com
COSTA MESA: Winter Fest OC returns November 27, 2026-January 3, 2027 (Thursday-Sunday) at Orange County Fair & Event Center. Snow, ice tubing, ice skating, rides, fire pits and more. Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. $, winterfestoc.com
DINUBA: Christmas Lights Parade December 1, 2026 in Downtown Dinuba. Registration to be in parade takes place in late October and ends in November. dinuba.org
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 at San Diego Botanic Garden includes over one million lights in 20 artistic installations along a one-mile, easily walkable garden path. $28-up + $15 on site parking, sdbg.org
ESCONDIDO: Wild Holidays November 28, 2026-January 3, 2027, select nights, at San Diego Safari Park. Festive decorations, incredible light displays and holiday entertainment await. Location: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA. $, sdzsafaripark.org
FOLSOM: Folsom Ice Rink November 7, 2026-January 18, 2027 in Historic Downtown Folsom . Come have fun at the circular, 7,000-square-foot rink with REAL ice. Enjoy fire pits, Santa's Cottage and more! $, historicfolsom.org/ice-rink/
FRESNO: IllumiNature returning November 19, 2026-January 3, 2027 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $20-up, fcz.org
FRESNO: Christmas at Kearney: Beyond Santa, Delivering Holiday Magic November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $12, valleyhistory.org
GILROY: North Pole Nights November 21-December 31, 2026 at Gilroy Gardens theme park includes Ice Skating, Santa's Workshop, Train, Lighting Displays, stage shows and more. $65-80, gilroygardens.org
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating returning November 21, 2026-January 10, 2027 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.com
INDIO: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights Drive Thru November 20, 2026-January 2, 2027 at Empire Polo Club. Holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Location: 81800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA. $, magicoflights.com
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink November 6, 2026-January 3, 2027 next to the Giant Wheel November 6, 2026 through Christmas holiday. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $24-27 general admission, irvinespectrumcenter.com
LA VERNE: City of La Verne Christmas Tree Lighting December 1, 2025, 6 p.m. Enjoy carols and a music by the Bonita High School Chamber Singers. Free, laverneca.gov/466/Special-Events
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles County Tree Lighting December 1, 2025, 5-8 p.m. at Music Center Jerry Moss Plaza. Location: 135 N. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA. Free, musiccenter.org
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 20, 2026-January 10, 2027, 6-10 p.m. at Los Angeles Zoo. Nighttime display with lit lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, glowing rivers, and a magical Holiday Forest with majestic pine trees and the return of Santa himself. Location: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, $25-35, lazoo.org
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink returns November 12, 2026-January 3, 2027. Sharpen your blades and skills or just go to chill with themed events and great music. $, holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
LOS ANGELES: LA Kings Holiday Ice at LA Live November 27, 2026-January 3, 2027, 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Location: 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. $27 general admission, lalive.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 26, 2026-January 3, 2027 at Custom House Plaza. $21.10 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
MORENO VALLEY: Electric Light Festival Drive-thru November 8-December 31, 2025, 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Moreno Valley Mall. Over a million dazzling lights! Location: 22631 Town Circle, Moreno Valley, CA. $, electriclightfestival.com
MT. SHASTA: Siskiyou Ice Rink November 14, 2026-February 21, 2027 in Shastice Park is an ice skater's dream at 85 feet wide and 200 feet long. $15 sessions, skate rental included, msrec.org
NAPA: Meritage Ice Skating Rink November 19, 2026-January 3, 2027 invites the public to come skate! $, 90-minute skate sessions; cabins and firepits also available for rent, meritageresort.com
OAKLAND: Temple Hill Days of Christmas November 27-December 31, 2026. A beacon for spectacular holiday lights, Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, nativity and creche presentations on panoramic Temple Hill. Free, templehill.org
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
OAKLAND: Oakland Zoo Glowfari November 6, 2026-January 31, 2027. The Wildly Illuminating Lantern Festival features wading wildlife along Africa's Nile River, ancient Egyptian structures, dinosaurs, barnyard animals and Avian Odyssey train ride. Advanced ticket purchase required: $26-41, oaklandzoo.org
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Everline Winter Ice Skating Rink November 27, 2026-March 28, 2027, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. at Everline Resort. Location: 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, CA.$30 approx. includes skate rental and 60 minutes of ice skating, everlineresort.com
PACIFIC GROVE: Pacific Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony December 1, 2025, 4:30-7 p.m. Public invited to this free event and beloved annual tradition.
PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink October 16, 2026-April 11, 2027, is back with public skating sessions, lessons and more. $20 session, $6 skate rental, winterlodge.com
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express November 13-December 30, 2026. Family adventure on a magical train ride complete with dancing chefs, caroling, cookies and cocoa, re-creates the classic children’s story. $49-up, socalrailway.org
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars at South Coast Botanic Garden November 6-December 31, 2025, 5-10 p.m. Celestial, multisensory experience features out-of-this-world light sculptures in 9 themed areas. $30-65, astralumina.com
REDDING: Garden of Lights November 20, 2026-January 3, 2027 at McConnell Arboretum. Walk on the world-famous Sundial Bridge to the the Arboretum where over one million animated lights are on display select nights. $20-25, reddinggardenoflights.org
RIVERSIDE: Mission Inn Festival of Lights November 21, 2026-January 3, 2027. The National Historic Landmark dazzles with millions of holiday lights in Christmas displays called one of the best in the U.S. Free, missioninn.com
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square December 3-11, 2025. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 27-December 20, 2026 performed from a balcony overlooking the the streets of Old Town. Based on Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem 'Twas the night before Christmas. Free, oldsacramento.com
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium to be announced at Cal Expo. Some exciting, new twists at the largest holiday light show in Northern California! Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA. $25-up, imaginarium360.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Drag Queens on Ice, holiday ice rink skate show, 7-9:30 p.m. Free to see, or purchase skate session with the "Queens".
SAN FRANCISCO: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 21-December 20, 2026, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Cow Palace. Eat, drink and be merry at this huge Victorian party with characters you'll remember from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.
SAN FRANCISCO: Castro Merchants Holiday Tree Lighting December 1, 2025, 6-7 p.m. Held the Monday after
Thanksgiving, watch the lighting of the 28' Holiday Tree. Location: 501 Castro St. San Francisco, CA castromerchants.com
SAN JOSE: San Jose Holiday Lights November 13, 2026-January 1, 2027, 4:30-10:30 p.m. in Downtown San Jose. Illuminated, giant lanterns fill the city block with Christmas themed areas, a jungle, a garden and a mermaid's underwater fantasy. Location: 330 W. San Carlos Street, San Jose, CA. $25-29, sanjoseholidaylights.com
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 7, 2025-January 19, 2026 at 5th & Arizona. 8,000 square feet of skating ice, including a kids zone for little ones. $22 admission & skate rental, iceatsantamonica.com
SANTA BARBARA: Illumanature November 11, 2026–January 10, 2027, 5–9 p.m. at Santa Barbara Zoo. See thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs, depicting wild places and animals from around the globe. Location: 500 Niños Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. $21-35, sbzoo.org
SAN DIEGO: Rady Children's Ice Rink November 19, 2026-January 3, 2027, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily (except holidays) at Liberty Station. Have fun while skating fees support cancer program for kids. $25 includes skate rentals, rchicerink.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 4, 2026-January 18, 2027. Themed days and special events add to the fun. $22 session includes skate rental.
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park November 27, 2026-January 1, 2027, 12-10 p.m. daily. The two-acre park features a holiday fantasy with over 40 musical and animated exhibits, glimmering lights and a 65-foot illuminated Christmas Tree. This free attraction for the child in all of us is a holiday tradition beloved by all. Location: Plaza De Cesar Chavez, 194 S. Market St., San Jose, CA. Free, christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Blinky's Holiday Lights Drive Thru November 21-December 31, 2025, 5 p.m. at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. More than one mile of magical scenes and displays synced to favorite holiday tunes. $25-31, approx., christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice November 26, 2025-January 2026 in the iconic Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 14, 2026-January 24, 2027 at CuriOdyssey, a zoo and learning center containing native, non-releasable animals such as river otter, bobcat, gray fox and more. Location: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA. $, curiodyssey.org
SAN MATEO: San Mateo on Ice in Central Park November 13, 2026-January 10, 2027. Largest outdoor ice rink in the Bay Area features 11,000 square feet of REAL ice to skate on in sunny San Mateo - so nice! $20.33-24.61, onicerinks.com
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 6, 2026-January 3, 2027 at City Center Bishop Ranch. Many special events include Elsa, Santa Claus, Barbie and Kristi's skating clinic. $16 week day - $25.55 weekend, citycenterbishopranch.com
SAUSALITO: Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour December 8-31, 2026 features nearly 20 unique displays in a walking tour. Free to see, sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour
SOLANA BEACH: David Benoit's Tribute to Charlie Brown, an annual Christmas tradition concert December 1, 2025 at Belly Up. $, davidbenoitmusic.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2026-March 31, 2027, subject to change. Ice Skating at the outdoor rink at The Shops at Heavenly Village features central location near shopping, dining and skiing.
TEMECULA: Temecula Tree Lighting Ceremony December 1, 2025, 7-8:30 p.m. Temecula Duck Pond 28250 Rancho California Road Temecula, CA TemeculaCA.gov/Holidays
TEMECULA: Peltzer Ice Rink November 9, 2026-Janaury 18, 2027, approx., at Peltzer Farm & Winery. Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA. $23.05 for 75 minute skate session, rental skates included, peltzerfarms.com
UKIAH: Ukiah on
Ice November 30, 2026-January 17, 2027 next to Alex
R. Thomas Plaza on School
Street. Seasonal holiday ice rink open daily for holiday fun! Location: 310 S.
State St., Ukiah, CA. $12, cityofukiah.com/ukiahonice
UNIVERSAL CITY: Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas November 21, 2026-January 3, 2027 showcasing the holiday makeover of three major attractions: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas with costumes, colors and decor. The thrills remain true to form! $95-up, tickets
VALENCIA: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park, November 26 – January 3, 2027 , 5 p.m. rocks each night with 2 million lights in 7 themed areas featuring dance, music & light shows, cocktail bars, holiday sweets, s'more fire pits & Santa Claus. Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA. $49-75, sixflags.com/magicmountain
VISALIA: Visalia Candy Cane Parade December 1, 2025, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Parade route: The 1.5 mile route proceeds West on Main St. from Liberty
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice November 20, 2026-January 18, 2027 November 21, 2025-January 16, 2026. Enjoy 90 minute ice skating sessions, ice skate rental included or Ice Slide. Location: Civic Park, Walnut Creek, CA. walnutcreekonice.com
WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Drive Through November 28-December 24, 2025 , 5:30-9 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Location: 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville, CA 95076 $20-25 per car, fairgrounds-foundation.org/ holiday-lights
WESTMINSTER: Westminster Tree Lighting Ceremony December 1, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Westminster Civic Center. Location: 8200 Westminster Blvd., Westminster, CA. westminster-ca.gov
WHITTIER: Whittier City Tree Lighting December 1, 2025 Whittier City Hall. Kick off the holiday season at Whittier's annual Holiday Tree Lighting at City Hall! Location: 13230 Penn St., Whittier, CA. Free, whittierprcs.org
WOODSIDE: Filoli Holiday Lights November 14, 2026-January 10, 2027, 4-9 p.m. Georgian revival-style mansion's 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens are transformed into a radiant wonderland of light and color at the historic 654-acre estate (seen in Falcon Crest). $49-55, filoli.org
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.