California Events
San Francisco Parol Lantern Festival & Parade
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
ALAMEDA: Christmas Tree Lane, December 7-31, 2024, an annual favorite holiday tradition for 85 years, is a community gift to the public. Free to see and experience.
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
AUBURN: Messiah Sing Along with Auburn Symphony December 10, 2024, 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Placer High School Theatre. Location: 123 Agard Street, Auburn, CA. $25 ticket: auburnsymphony.com
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea November 21, 2024-January 5, 2025 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
CONCORD: Ice at the Veranda November 9, 2024-February 2025 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
COSTA MESA: Winter Fest OC November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 at Orange County Fair & Event Center. Snow, ice tubing, ice skating, rides, fire pits and more. Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. $35-110, winterfestoc.com
DANA POINT: Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights. Location: Dana Point Harbor by the Water's Edge 34555 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA danapointharbor.com
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025, 5-8:30 p.m. at San Diego Botanic Garden includes over one million lights in artistic installations along a one-mile, easily walkable garden path. $26-35, sdbg.org
FRESNO: Downtown Fresno Ice Rink December 10, 2024-January 12, 2025. Location: 1939 Mariposa Street, Fresno, CA. $19.90 general admission, downtownfresno.org
FRESNO: IllumiNature November 26, 2024-January 31, 2025 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fresnochaffeezoo.org
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating November 23, 2024- January 12, 2025 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with the family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.com
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink November 1, 2024-January 5, 2025 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating, shopping and dining all in one place! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $25, irvinespectrumcenter.com
INDIO: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights Drive Thru November 19-December 29, 2024, 5:30 p.m. 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. $15-40, magicoflights.com
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE: Enchanted Forest of Light November 17, 2024-January 5, 2025 features an after-dark, mile-long walkthrough of holiday lights in Descanso Gardens, a unique Southern California botanic garden that's magical during the day, and mesmerizing at night. $22, descansogardens.org
LANCASTER: Lancaster Magical BLVD Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony is December 10, 2024 | Magical BLVD Christmas is December 14, 2024, 5-9 p.m. For more information & sponsorship visit the City of Lancaster's website cityoflancasterca.org
LONG BEACH: A Victorian Holiday Celebration at the Bembridge House December 10, 2024, 1-3:30 p.m. Location: 953 North Park Circle, Long Beach, CA. $12.51, lbheritage.org | holiday homes
LOS GATOS: Fantasy Lights Drive Through December 10, 2024-Janaury 5, 2025. Extremely popular drive-through holiday display at Vasona Lake Park sells quickly. $30/car with online sales only, parks.sccgov.org
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025, 6-10 p.m. at Los Angeles Zoo. Special holiday display seen only at night 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, $29-35, lazoo.org
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 21, 2024-January 12, 2025. Sharpen your blades and skills or just go to chill with themed events and great music. $25, holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 22-December 31, 2024 at Custom House Plaza. $20 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
OXNARD: Oxnard Christmas Tree Lane December 8-26, 2024, 6-10 p.m. in historic district features elegant and festive home lighting displays.
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars at South Coast Botanic Garden November 9-December 15, 2024, 5-10 p.m. Celestial, multisensory experience features out-of-this-world light sculptures. $35-65, southcoastbotanicgarden.org
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express November 20-December 31, 2024. Family adventure on a magical train ride complete with dancing chefs, caroling, cookies and cocoa, re-creates the classic children’s story. $84.25 general admission, socalrailway.org
OAKLAND: Temple Hill Days of Christmas November 29-December 31, 2024. A beacon for spectacular holiday lights, Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, nativity and creche presentations on panoramic Temple Hill. Free, templehill.org
OAKLAND: Oakland Zoo Glowfari November 8, 2024-January 6, 2025, 5-9 p.m. 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 adult, oaklandzoo.org
PACIFIC GROVE: Holiday at the Inns December 10, 2024, 6-9 p.m. Visit 10 bed & breakfast inns decorated for the holidays in Victoria-era splendor. Limited number of tickets sold. Entertainment and light refreshments served. Location: Pacific Grove, CA $30, pacificgrove.org (831) 373-3304
POMONA: Imaginarium at Fairplex November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025. Over 5 million lights in colorful displays, holiday foods and Cirque performances stir the imagination in this all ages, limited engagement. Location: Fairplex, 1101 W McKinley Ave., Pomona, CA. $28-up, imaginarium360.com/fairplex/
RANCHO CUCAMONGA: David Benoit's Charlie Brown Christmas Concert December 10, 2024, 8 p.m. at Lewis Family Playhouse. Location: 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. $56-76 +fees, lewisfamilyplayhouse.com
REDDING: Garden of Lights November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 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 23, 2024 - January 6, 2025. 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
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 27-December 24, 2024 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: Sacramento Ballet The Nutcracker December 13-22, 2024 at the Performing Arts Center. Location: 1301 L Street Sacramento, CA Tickets: $35-109, sacballet.org
SAN BERNARDINO: San Bernardino Christmas HO HO Parade December 9-12, 2024, 5-9 p.m. nightly. Community parade run by volunteers brings Santa and a cast of holiday characters through neighborhoods of San Bernardino to spread cheer. Free, hohoparade.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes December 5-22, 2024 at The Victoria Theatre 2961 16th Street San Francisco, California 94103 $, thegoldengirlslive.com
SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker December 6-29, 2024 at War Memorial Opera House. Helgi Tomasson's Nutcracker with Artistic Director Tamara Rojo and accompaniment by SF Ballet Orchestra. Location: 301 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA $49-395, approx., sfballet.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
SAUSALITO: Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour December 8-31, 2024 features nearly 20 unique displays in a walking tour. Free to see, sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 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 JOSE: Christmas in the Park November 29, 2024-January 1, 2025, 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: Holiday Lights Drive Thru November 21, 2024-January 1, 2025, 5-11 p.m. in History Park San Jose. More than one mile of magical scenes and displays synced to favorite holiday tunes. $25-31, approx., christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice November 15, 2024-January 20, 2025 in Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $21, sjdowntownice.com
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 16, 2024-January 26, 2025 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 November 15, 2024-January 12, 2025 in Central Park. Largest outdoor ice rink in the Bay Area features 11,000 square feet of REAL ice to skate on in sunny San Mateo - nice! $21 approx., onicerinks.com
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 8, 2024-January 5, 2025 at City Center Bishop Ranch. Many special events include Elsa, Santa Claus, Barbie and Kristi's skating clinic. $26, citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 8, 2024-January 20, 2025 at 5th & Arizona. DJs spin tunes on Wed., Classical Music Sunday sessions. $22 includes skate rental for hour session, iceatsantamonica.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2024-March 31, 2025
VISTA: Jingle Terrace Live December 6-21, 2024, 5:30-9 p.m. at Brengle Terrace Park Moonlight Amphitheatre. Location: 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA. Free, moonlightstage.comUKIAH: Ukiah on Ice December 2, 2024-January 12, 2025 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 29, 2024-January 6, 2025 showcases 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 28, 2024-January 5, 2025, 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
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice November 22, 2024-January 12, 2025. Skate 90 minutes for $20, ice skate rental included or $20 Ice Slide. Location: Civic Park, Walnut Creek, CA. walnutcreekonice.com
WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Drive Through November 29-December 24, 2024, 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
WOODSIDE: Holidays at Filoli November 16, 2024-January 12, 2025. Georgian revival-style mansion with 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens at an historic 654-acre estate (as seen in Falcon Crest show) is all decked out with 20 miles of Holiday lights, food delights, Santa visits and add-on experiences like firepit nights. $41-45, filoli.org
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.