California Events
Annual Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree 12/10/23
Sunday, December 10, 2023
ALAMEDA: Christmas Tree Lane, December 2-31, 2023, an annual favorite holiday tradition for 85 years, is a community gift to the public. Free to see and experience.
ALTADENA: Christmas Tree Lane December 9, 2023-January 6, 2024. For more than 100 years, Altadena's Deodar trees have been lit for public enjoyment at a place called Christmas Tree Lane.
ANAHEIM: Holidays at Disneyland Resort November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024 in Disneyland features Christmas Fantasy Parade, Holiday Magic fireworks, Christmas decor at It's a Small World and Haunted Mansion, plus Viva Navidad celebration of Latin culture at California Adventure theme park.
ANTIOCH: Black Diamond Ballet The Nutcracker December 8-17, 2023 at El Campanil Theater, 602 W. 2nd St., Antioch, CA. $20-36, elcampaniltheatre.com
ARCADIA: Lightscape November 17, 2023-January 2, 2024 at Los Angeles County Arboretum. Reimagined this year with all new experiences, the magical holiday event includes professional lighting and musical scoring throughout the gardens. $33-39 + $20 parking, arboretum.org
ARCATA: 22nd Annual Holiday Craft Market December 9-10, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at Arcata Community Center. Holiday music, food, and great shopping for handcrafted items. Location: 321 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Arcata, CA. $1 admission to benefit Youth Development Scholarship Fund, cityofarcata.org
ARROYO GRANDE: Tree Lighting Ceremony and Snow December 10, 2023, includes tons of real snow for kids to play in. It's a delightful holiday celebration for all ages.
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 17, 2023-January 8, 2024 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
AUBURN: Placer Theatre Ballet Nutcracker December 1-10, 2023 at Placer Theatre. $10-25, placertheatreballet.org
BAKERSFIELD: Holiday Lightasmic! November 25-December 30, 2023, evenings at CALM Zoo. Location: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway Bakersfield, CA $, calmzoo.org
BALBOA ISLAND: The 25th Annual Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tour 8 tastefully decorated island homes and cottages at your leisure and all are sure to spark holiday cheer! Plus, new this year please visit the Holiday Market at the Royal Hen Restaurant on Marine Avenue 11 a.m.-3 p.m. $35-40, balboaislandnb.org | holiday homes
BUENA PARK: Knott's Merry Farm November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 is back with the famous Snoopy's Ice Show featuring professional ice skaters. Christmas sing-alongs, plays, carolers and holiday bands all included with admission. knotts.com
CAMPBELL: Ainsley House "Christmas Cravings" Holiday Tea & Tour December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10, 2023 View and tour the home decorated with enchanting holiday Tickets $60 campbellmuseums.com
CARLSBAD: Legoland Holidays November 18, 2023-January 7, 2024 with LEGO brick 30-ft. tree, character meet & greets and special shows.
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink November 17, 2023-January 14, 2024 in the City Plaza is the centerpiece of downtown Chico with themed nights, cabana rentals, skate lessons and holiday festivities.
CORONA DEL MAR: Nights of 1000 Lights December 9-22, 2023, 6-9 p.m. at Sherman Library and Gardens. Light displays, live music, Santa and hot chocolate & s'mores. $35, slgardens.org
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 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 3, 2023-February 14, 2024 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda, a newly reimagined mixed-use retail center with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
COSTA MESA: American Ballet Theatre Nutcracker December 8-17, 2023 with Pacific Symphony at Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive. $39-250, scfta.org
COSTA MESA: Winter Fest OC November 24, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Orange County Fair & Event Center. Snow, ice tubing, ice skating, rides, North Pole, fire pits and more. Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. $35-110, winterfestoc.com
CULVER CITY: Culver City CHANUKAH Celebrates the fourth night of Chanukah, 4:30-6 p.m. at Ivy Station. Experience a festive evening with live klezmer music, face painting, games, delicious hot latkes, donuts, chocolate gelt, dreidels, arts & crafts, a free raffle, and a grand menorah lighting! This is a free event with free parking validation available from event staff, JewishCulverCity.com
DANA POINT: Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights December 8-10, 2023. Location: Dana Point Harbor by the Water's Edge 34555 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA danapointharbor.com
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 17, 2023-January 1, 2024, 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. $29-35, sdbg.org
FELTON: Holiday Tree Walk at Bear Mountain on a Roaring Camp Railroads train. $, roaringcamp.com
FREMONT: Twilight Time Holiday Open House at the Patterson House December 10, 2023. Location: Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont, CA 94555 $10, fremont.gov
FRESNO: IllumiNature November 24-December 30, 2023 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays and a visit from a real reindeer! $, fresnochaffeezoo.org
FRESNO: Timeless Toys, Christmas at Kearney Mansion Museum Nov.24-Dec.31, 2023, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $10, valleyhistory.org
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating November 18, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with the family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.com
HOLLYWOOD: Christmas Variety Show @ The Hollywood Improv, 7 p.m. Santa's Swingin' Sack, Holidays with the Rat Pack! features Santa's Swingin' Sack, Holidays with the Rat Pack! ft. Kira Soltanovich, Brad Williams, Eddie Pence, Olivia Olson, Carolyn Hennesy, Aaron Steinberg, Christian Malmin, hosted by Ralph Garman. Location: 8162 Melrose Avenue Hollywood, CA $25, age 21+ improv.com/hollywood
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Huntington Beach Christmas Boat Parade December 9 & 10, 2023 with the theme: The Power of Music
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Ballet Repertory Theatre's The Nutcracker December 9-24, 2023 at Golden West College Mainstage Theater. Location: 15751 Gothard Street, Huntington Beach, CA. $30, gwctheater.com
INDIO: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights Drive Thru November 17-December 31, 2023, 5:30 p.m. at Empire Polo Club. Location: 81800 Avenue 51, Indio, CA. $, magicoflights.com
IRVINE: Skating Under the Stars November 3, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Irvine Spectrum Ice Rink in the Giant (Ferris) Wheel Court features themed nights with DJs spinning tunes surrounded by restaurants and shopping.
IRVINE: Festival Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker December 9-24, 2023 at Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612. $tickets, thebarclay.org
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE: Enchanted Forest of Light November 19, 2023-January 7, 2024 features an after-dark, mile-long walkthrough of holiday lights in Descanso Gardens, a unique Southern California botanic garden of historical significance.
LAGUNA BEACH: Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy November 17-December 17, 2023 on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays. Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd. $10, sawdustartfestival.org
LAGUNA HILLS: Journey to Bethlehem December 8-10, 2023 at Crossline Community Church. $5, tickets: crosslinechurch.com
LOS ANGELES: Tokyo Haus Pop-up December 8-16, 2023 at Chung King Plaza. Esme Salzman, a model born and raised in LA but living in Tokyo, shares a treasure trove of Japanese fashion, culture and art discovered from Harajuku upcoming designers. Wire headpieces, remade kimonos, wacky necklaces and pants that are actually three pants are a few imported, custom designs to peruse and buy, just in time for the holidays. Open 3-8 p.m. Location: 959 N. Hill St., Los Angeles, CA. Please RSVP, partiful.com/e/msWmEypduancORUFHVHM
LAKE FOREST: Heritage Hill Candlelight Walk December 8, 9 & 10, 2023. Time: 5-9 p.m. Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA. Event & parking are free! ocparks.com/heritagehill/
LANCASTER: Antelope Valley Ballet NutcrackerDecember 9-10, 2023 at Lancaster Performing Arts Center $25-30, lpac.org
LIVERMORE: Valley Dance Theatre Nutcracker BalletDecember 9-17, 2023 at Bankhead Theate. Tickets: $39-49, valleydancetheatre.com
LONG BEACH: Rancho Los Cerritos After Hours Holiday Tours December 9-10, 2023, 3:30-7:30 p.m. (Tours last 30 minutes) 4600 Virginia Rd. Long Beach, CA $tickets online rancholoscerritos.org (sells out)
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 at LA Zoo. Special holiday display seen only at night. Location: 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA, $, lazoo.org
LOS ANGELES: Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square November 16, 2023-January 7, 2024 Willy Bietak Productions is back at Pershing Square for ice entertainment during the holidays.
LOS GATOS: Fantasy Lights Drive Through December 2-30, 2023. December 2-30, 2023. Extremely popular holiday display at Vasona Lake Park.
MODESTO: Central West Ballet The Nutcracker December 8-17, 2023 at Gallo Center for the Arts $27-73, galloarts.org
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 24-December 31, 2023 at Custom House Plaza. $, iceskatingbythebay.com
NEWPORT BEACH: Fire and Ice, seasonal outdoor ice skating rink & bonfires overlooking Newport Bay November 24, 2023-January 1, 2024 at Newport Dunes, 1131 Back Bay Drive. $, NewportDunes.com
NORTH HOLLYWOOD: The Very Hungry Caterpillar Holiday Show November 25, 2023-January 21, 2024 at El Portal Theatre. Includes four Eric Carle stories presented with a menagerie of over 75 magical puppets. Location: 5269 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood, CA. Dates: Fridays and Sundays 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.; Saturdays 10 a.m., 12 p.m. & 2 p.m. $30-up, hungrycaterpillarshow.com
NOVATO: Marin Ballet Nutcracker December 9-10, 2023 at Novato High School - Marin School of the Arts Theater 625 Arthur Street Novato, CA $30-55, marinballet.org
OAKLAND: Handel's Messiah Sing-along 7 p.m. at Temple Hill Days of Christmas. Spectacular concerts, theatrical, nativity and creche presentations, plus nightly holiday lights.
OXNARD: Oxnard Christmas Tree Lane December 10-26, 2023, 6-10 p.m. in historic district features elegant and festive home lighting displays.
OXNARD: Ventura County Ballet Company's The Nutcracker December 9-10, 2023 Oxnard Performing Arts Center 800 Hobson Way. $, venturacountyballet.com
PALO ALTO: Christmas Tree Lane December 9-31, 2023, christmastreelane.org
PALM DESERT: WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens November 22-December 30, 2023 includes light exhibits and lighted animal-shaped lanterns in themed displays. $, livingdesert.org
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: South Coast Botanic Garden Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars in Los Angeles, November 9-December 31, 2023. The limited engagement, multisensory immersive experience that holds a special connection to the stars above, brings special meaning to the holidays. $ tickets, southcoastbotanicgarden.org
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Outdoor Ice Skating Rink November 24, 2023-March 2024 at Everline Resort at Squaw Creek. destinationhotels.com
PARADISE: Paradise on Ice November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Terry Ashe Park and Recreation Center is open for seasonal ice skating among towering trees of the Sierra Nevada foothills, $, paradiseprpd.com
POMONA: Imaginarium at Fairplex November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024. Over 5 million lights in colorful displays, life-size Chinese lanterns, 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: Inland Pacific Ballet December 9-10, 2023 at Lewis Family Playhouse, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. $70-86, ipballet.org
REDDING: Garden of Lights November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 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, $20-25, reddinggardenoflights.org
RIVERSIDE: Mission Inn Festival of Lights November 18, 2023 - January 7, 2024. The National Historic Landmark dazzles with millions of holiday lights. Some say it is one of the best Christmas displays in the U.S. Free, missioninn.com
SACRAMENTO: Sacramento Ballet The Nutcracker December 9-23, 2023 SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center 1301 L Street. $26-100+, sacballet.org
SACRAMENTO: Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass! Gay Chorus December 8-10, 2023 at Cress Theatre. Location: 1013 K Street Sacramento, CA $35-50, sacgaymenschorus.org
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 22-December 24, 2023. Based on Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem 'Twas the night before Christmas, the half hour show is staged in Old Town Sacramento. Free, oldsacramento.com
SACRAMENTO: Sacramento Ballet The Nutcracker December 9-23, 2023 at the Performing Arts Center. Location: 1301 L Street Sacramento, CA Tickets: $49-99, sacballet.org
SACRAMENTO: Downtown Holiday Ice November 8, 2023-January 15, 2024 is an annual, seasonal ice rink combining a vibrant, urban scene with old-fashioned fun.
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Cal Expo. Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA. $21-27, imaginarium360.com
SALINAS: Streets of Bethlehem, live nativity December 7-10, 2023, 6-8 p.m. at First Christian Church of Salinas. Free admission, streetsofbethlehem.com
SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld Christmas Celebration November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 is all fun with rides, sea life, Santa, reindeer and a sizzling musical show with America's Got Talent star Bryan Cheatham. SeaWorld is open Christmas Day & New Year's Day!
SAN BERNARDINO: Inland Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at California Theatre of the Performing Arts, 562 W. 4th St. $20-50 approx., idtnutcracker.org
SAN DIEGO: Jingle, Billed as The Super-Gay Sing Along, December 9-10, 2023 at Balboa Theatre. Loctaion: 868 Fourth Ave., San Diego, CA. $31.50-up, sdgmc.org
SAN DIEGO: Jungle Bells Aurora at San Diego Zoo December 9, 2023 -January 1, 2024 includes an incredible light show, reindeer games, brass band music, jugglers and acrobats, and forest pathway through holiday decor and lighted trees to visit polar bears, arctic foxes and reindeer. $65, sandiegozoo.org
SAN DIEGO: San Diego Safari Park Wild Holidays November 24-December 31, 2023 includes the same, great wild animal park experience with magical holiday lights, Santa and musicians playing holiday tunes at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, $, sdzsafaripark.org
SAN DIEGO: North Park Winter Wonderland December 9-10, 2023 North Park Main Street San Diego, CA Free, NorthParkMainStreet.com
SAN FRANCISCO: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 18-December 17, 2023, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Cow Palace. Step into another century to eat, drink and be merry at this huge Victorian party with characters you'll remember from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. $30-45, dickensfair.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Mark Foehringer Dance Project Nutcracker Sweets December 2-23, 2023 at Fort Mason Center for Arts and Culture, 2 Marina Blvd. $23.50-49.50, mfdpsf.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes November 30-December 23, 2023 at The Victoria Theatre 2961 16th Street San Francisco, California 94103 $, thegoldengirlslive.com
SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker December 13-30, 2023, at War Memorial Opera House. Location: 301 Van Ness Ave. San Francisco, CA $25-395, sfballet.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
SANGER: 98th Annual Trek to the Nation's Christmas Tree on a comfortable coach bus arranged by Sanger Chamber of Commerce. Catered brunch included!
SAN JOSE: San Jose Dance Theatre The Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.
SAN JOSE: Holiday Lights Drive Thru November 29, 2023-January 1, 2024, 5-11 p.m. at 635 Phelan Ave. $ per car, christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice is a seasonal holiday rink offering skating sessions, skate rentals and holiday festivities November 17, 2023-January 15, 2024.
SAN LEANDRO: Ghirardelli's Annual Warehouse Sale December 8-10, 2023, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Factory Outlet. Shop great deals on Peppermint Bark, Caramel, Mint Cookie, and Peppermint Hot Cocoa, holiday gift baskets, baking mixes, chips and more. Location: 1111 139th Ave., San Leandro, CA
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 10, 2023-January 28, 2024 at CuriOdyssey, a zoo and learning center containing native, non-releasable animals such as river otter, bobcat, gray fox, snakes, birds, bugs and more. Location: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA. $26.64 approx., curiodyssey.org
SAN MATEO: Peninsula Ballet Theatre's Hip Hop Nutcracker Sweet December 9-10, 2023, 12:30, 2:30 & 4:30 p.m. at Peninsula Lively Arts, 1880 S. Grant St. $35-45, peninsulaballet.org
SAN PEDRO: San Pedro City Ballet Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. 6th Street, San Pedro, CA. $35-45, sanpedrocityballet.org
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024 at City Center Bishop Ranch $21 approx., citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA ANA: Santa Ana Winter Village Ice Rink December 2-31, 2023 at Orange County Civic Center Plaza of the Flags, $, santa-ana.org
SANTA BARBARA: Santa Barbara Festival Ballet The Nutcracker December 9-10, 2023 at Arlington Theatre, 1317 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA. $30-65, thearlingtontheatre.com
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights November 15, 2023-January 14, 2024 features vibrant, lighted lantern displays of elephants and other zoo animals at Santa Barbara Zoo, 500 Niños Drive. $, sbzoo.org
SANTA CLARA: Bethlehem, a living nativity, December 7-11, 2023, 6:30-9 p.m. at Santa Clara First Baptist Church, 3111 Benton Street, Santa Clara, CA. Free, scfbc.org
SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre The Nutcracker December 9-10, 2023, 1 & 4:30 p.m. at Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz, CA. $20.50-71.50, scbt.org
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
SANTA MONICA: Menorah Lightings December December 7-14, 2023. Menorah Lightings: Join local synagogues and community groups as their members celebrate the Festival of Lights, live music, crafts, hot cocoa, latkas and and lighting of the giant Menorah on the 1400 block of Third Street, with the final lighting at the ice rink this Hanukkah season. downtownsm.com
SAUSALITO: Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour December 8-31, 2023 features nearly 20 unique displays in a walking tour. Free to see, sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2023-March 31, 2024
TEMECULA: Peltzer Ice Rink November 18, 2023-Janaury 7, 2024 at Peltzer Farm & Winery. From the folks who know how to entertain comes their winter festival featuring an 8,400 square-foot outdoor ice rink, part of a winery and farm enterprise. Awesome!
TWAIN HARTE: Long Barn Lodge Seasonal Ice Skating Rink November 17, 2023-Mid March 2024 in Long Barn, Tuolumne County, CA.
TIBURON: Tree Lighting Ceremony December 10, 2023
UKIAH: Mendocino Ballet Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at Mendocino College Center Theater. $26, mendocinoballet.org
UKIAH: Holiday on Ice December 2, 2023-January 14, 2024, open daily
UNIVERSAL CITY: Universal Studios Hollywood Grinchmas. Meet the Grinch and see the bent Christmas tree. November 24, 2023-January 1, 2024 at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA. $, UniversalStudiosHollywood.com
VALENCIA: Holiday in the Park November 23-December 31, 2023 at Six Flags Magic Mountain features famous thrill rides, two million lights, stilt walkers, light shows, choreography, concerts, fire pits for s'mores and more!
VACAVILLE: Live Nativity December 8-10, 2023. Free
VACAVILLE: The Nutcracker Ballet by Vacaville Ballet Company December 7-10, 2023 at Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. Location: 1010 Ulatis Drive Vacaville, CA $25, vpat.net
VISTA: Jingle Terrace Live December 8-23, 2023, 5:30-9 p.m. at Brengle Terrace Park Moonlight Amphitheatre. Location: 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA. Free, moonlightstage.comVISALIA: Christmas on the Farm Ice Skating Rink November 25, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Vossler Farms. Food concessions, HoHoHoliday Hayrides, Candy Express Train Ride and Ice Skating on the farm makes for old-fashioned fun. $, vosslerfarms.com
WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights November 24-December 24, 2023, 5:30-9 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Location: 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville, CA 95076 $20, fairgrounds-foundation.org/ holiday-lights
WEST SACRAMENTO: Magical Christmas Train November 24-December 27, 2023. One hour train ride, personal Santa visit, sing-alongs, cocoa with souvenir mug, and a cookie. $79.92, riverfoxtrain.com
WILLITS: Christmas Tree Train November 24-December 31, 2023. Take the historic Skunk Train (referring to the smell of diesel fuel, not skunks,) to see the "Largest Living Christmas Tree" decorated with lights among redwood forests containing the world's tallest trees. $, skunktrain.com
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.