California Events
Friday, December 12, 2025
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink November 7, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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 14, 2025-January 7, 2026. 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
ARCATA: Season of Wonder & Light Tree Lighting December 12, 2025, 5-7 p.m. Plaza, G & H from 9th to 9th, 8th and 9th from G to H Street. Enjoy Open House Downtown complete with Santa's Arrival. cityofarcata.org
ATWATER: Old Town Atwater Ice Skating Center returns for its fifth season November 21, 2025-January 2026, promising affordable holiday fun.
ALAMEDA: Christmas Tree Lane returns December 1-31, 2025 nightly. An annual favorite holiday tradition for 85 years, is a community gift to the public. Free to see and experience.
ALTADENA: Christmas Tree Lane returns December 6, 2025-January 1, 2026. The free to see event is produced by volunteer citizens carrying the 105-year tradition.
BENICIA: Benicia Lighted Boat Parade December 12, 2025, 7 p.m. Benicia Marina, Benicia CA. beniciayachtclub.org
BIG BEAR LAKE: Big Bear Alpine Zoo Wild Lights November 6, 2025-January 4, 2026, 5-9 p.m. Wed-Sun. New event shines one million holiday lights on the treasured zoo where injured wildlife is cared for. $20, bigbearzoo.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 21, 2025-January 4, 2026. 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
CAMPBELL: LIGHT with Silicon Valley Gay Men's Chorus December 12-14, 2025 at Campbell United Methodist Church. Location: 1675 Winchester Blvd., Campbell, CA $40, svgmc.org/tickets
CARLSBAD: Holidays at Legoland California November 22, 2025-January 4, 2026. 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
CAYUCOS: Cayucos Holiday Tree Lighting December 12, 2025, 5 p.m. Corner of D St. & Ocean Ave. Cayucos, CA cayucoschamber.com
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza returns for the 2025/2026 season running November 14, 2025-January 4, 2026 in City Plaza. $12-15, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
CLAREMONT: Living Nativity December 12-15, 2025 with timed entry 5-7:30 p.m. at Granite Creek Community Church. Location: 1580 N Claremont Blvd., Claremont, CA. Free tickets required due to popularity. Go to granitecreek.org/living-nativity/
COARSEGOLD: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink November 22, 2025-January 4, 2026, 12-10 p.m. at Chukchansi Gold Resort Casino. Seasonal outdoor ice skating, all ages. $, chukchansigold.com
CONCORD: Ice at the Veranda November 7, 2025-February 15, 2026 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
CORNING: Corning Lighted Trolley Tour December 12, 2025, 6 & 7 p.m. Trolley leaves from Corning Chamber of Commerce Office, 1110 Solano Street, Corning, CA. $10, $5 youth, corningcachamber.org
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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: Snoopy House December 12-19, 2025, 5:30-8:30 p.m. at Costa Mesa City Hall. Join the City of Costa Mesa in celebrating a tradition featuring lights displays, letters to Santa, stage performers, food vendors and the Snoopy House! Location: 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. Free admission, costamesaca.gov
COSTA MESA: American Ballet Theatre The Nutcracker December 11-21, 2025 with Pacific Symphony, Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626. $39-250, scfta.org
COSTA MESA: Winter Fest OC returns November 28, 2025-January 4, 2026 (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
DANA POINT: Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights December 12-14, 2025. Location: Dana Point Harbor by the Water's Edge 34555 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA danapointharbor.com
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 14, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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. $, sdbg.org
ESCONDIDO: Wild Holidays November 28, 2025-January 4, 2026 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 8, 2025-January 19, 2026 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/
FOLSOM: Folsom Zoo Wild Nights, Holiday Lights December 5-22, 2025. Nighttime lights experience illuminates Folsom's beloved Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary. Location: $10; $6 optional Starlight Express Train Ride, folsomzoofriends.org
FREMONT: Twilight Time Holiday Open House at the Patterson House Fridays - Sundays | December 5-21, 2025, 4:30-8 p.m. Location: Ardenwood Historic Farm, Fremont 34600 Ardenwood Blvd. Fremont, CA 94555 $, fremont.gov
FRESNO: Christmas Tree Lane December 3-25, 2025, 6 p.m. Lights off 10 p.m. Sun-Thurs; Lights off 11 p.m. Fri-Sat. Location: North Van Ness Boulevard, Fresno, CA. Free but donations encouraged, christmastreelane.com
FRESNO: Downtown Fresno Ice Skating Rink December 5, 2025-January 9, 2026 returns to Mariposa Plaza Winter Village with twinkling streets lined with food vendors and artisans. $20, skate rental included
GLENDALE: World Ballet Series The Nutcracker in Glendale December 11-12 , 2025, 7 p.m. Alex Theatre 216 N. Brand Blvd. Glendale, CA $50-150 approx., thealex.com
GLENDORA: Living Nativity December 12-14, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at Church of the Open Door. Shows at 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Location: 701 W. Sierra Madre Ave. Glendora, CA Free, churchoftheopendoor.churchcenter.com/
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating returning November 22, 2025-January 11, 2026 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.com
IRVINE: Dream Glow Lights Festival November 14-December 31, 2025, Wednesday-Sunday at Wild Rivers Waterpark. West Coast debut of the newest lights spectacular for the holidays! Location: 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA. $37-53, dreamglowfestival.com
INDIO: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights Drive Thru November 10-December 31, 2025 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 1, 2025-January 4, 2026 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $24-27 general admission, irvinespectrumcenter.com
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE: Enchanted Forest of Light November 16, 2025-January 4, 2026 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. $27-45, descansogardens.org
LAKE ELSINORE: Electric Light Festival Drive-Thru November 8-December 31, 2025, 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Lake Elsinore Outlet Mall. Over a million lights in fun, fantasy scenes and shapes. Drive through or ride the train. $15-up, electriclightfestival.com
LAGUNA BEACH: Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy November 21-December 21, 2025, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. every Friday through Sunday rain or shine! 175 award-winning artists, sculptors, jewelers and designers sell their works in the beautiful Laguna Canyon venue. Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA. $, sawdustartfestival.org
LAGUNA HILLS: Journey to Bethlehem December 12-14, 2025, 5-8 p.m. Crossline Community Church 23331 Moulton Parkway Laguna Hills, CA $ donation, ticket required, crosslinechurch.com
LAKE FOREST: Heritage Hill Holiday Lights December 12-14, 2025, 5-9 p.m. at Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA. Event & parking are free! ocparks.com/heritagehill
LAKE ELSINORE: The Ballet Studio Nutcracker December 12 & 14, 2025. Location: Lakeside HS Tom Thomas Rotary Theater, 32593 Riverside Dr., Elsinore, CA. $45-140, tickets.temeculatheater.org
LOS ALAMITOS: A Night in Bethlehem December 12-14, 2025, 5:30-9 p.m. at Long Beach East Meetinghouse. Location: 4142 Cerritos Avenue, Los Alamitos, CA. Free, but ticket required, anightinbethlehem.org
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 13, 2025-January 11, 2026, 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, $29-35, lazoo.org
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink returns November 20, 2025-January 11, 2026. 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 28, 2025-January 10, 2026, 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Location: 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. $27 general admission, lalive.com
LOS GATOS: Fantasy of Lights Drive Through December 9-30, 2025. Extremely popular drive-through holiday display at Vasona Lake Park sells quickly. $30/car with online sales only, parks.sccgov.org
MARTINEZ: Martinez Lighted Boat Parade December 12, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Celebration of the holiday on Martinez cherished waterways! Location: Martinez Marina, 7 N. Court Street, Martinez, CA. Free, public invited to a new event, cityofmartinez.org
MISSION VIEJO: Drive-Thru Nativity December 12-13, 2025, 5:30-9:30p.m. at Mount of Olives Church. Location: 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Mission Viejo, CA. Free, moochurch.org
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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
MORRO BAY: Holiday Shop, Sip and Stroll, December 12, 2025, 4-8 p.m. Downtown check in by Giant Chess Board. Wine, beer, cider, spirits, nonalcoholic & food! Each General Admission Ticket gets you access and a map to locations and a wine glass! $, morrochamber.org
MT. SHASTA: Siskiyou Ice Rink November 15, 2025-February 22, 2026 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 is open to public November 25, 2025-January 4, 2026. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
OAKLAND: Oakland Zoo Glowfari November 7, 2025-January 25, 2026, 4:30-9 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
OAKLAND: Twas the Night Before Fairy Winterland (21+) An Adults-Only Soulful Celebration Under the Stars December 12, 2025, 6-10 p.m. at Children's Fairyland. Part music, part soul, and all party, concert performers, food trucks, beer, wine, and a signature spiked apple cider also sold. Location: 699 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland, CA. Tickets $40, fairyland.org
OAKLAND: Make the Yuletide Gay! with Oakland Gay Men's Chorus December 12-13, 2025, 7:30 p.m. at Valley Center for the Arts 90-minute concert packed with Christmas classics. $, oaklandgmc.org/tickets
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
OAKDALE: Living Nativity December 12-14, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at Oakdale Family Church of the Nazarene. Location: 1700 West F Street Oakdale, CA 95361 Free, ofcnaz.com
OAKLAND: Temple Hill Days of Christmas November 29-December 31, 2025. A beacon for spectacular holiday lights, Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, nativity and creche presentations on panoramic Temple Hill. Free, templehill.org
OROVILLE: Walk Through Nativity December 12-13, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at Oroville Seventh-day Adventist Church. Location: 1180 Robinson Street, 2nd & Robinson, Oroville, CA. Free, orovillesdachurch.org
PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink October 18, 2025-April 12, 2026, is back with public skating sessions, lessons and more. $20 session, $6 skate rental, winterlodge.com
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express November 20-December 31, 2025. Family adventure on a magical train ride complete with dancing chefs, caroling, cookies and cocoa, re-creates the classic children’s story. $49-56, socalrailway.org
PORTERVILLE: Zalud House Old Fashioned Christmas Candlelight Tours December 5, 6, 12 & 13, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Built in 1891, the Zalud House is one of few museums in the nation that is furnished entirely with the original owners' possessions. Location: 393 N. Hockett St., Porterville, CA. $3 no reservation needed, ci.porterville.ca.us
POWAY: Poway Christmas in the Park December 12-13, 2025, 3:30-8:30 p.m. Tree Lighting expected time 5:15 p.m. Location: Old Poway Park, 14134 Midland Rd., Poway, CA. Free, poway.org
RIVERSIDE: Mission Inn Festival of Lights November 22, 2025 - January 5, 2026. 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
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights November 12, 2025-January 11, 2026, 4:30 to 8:30 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
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 26-December 24, 2025 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
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes December 4-21, 2025 at Curran Theatre. Location: 445 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA. $, broadwaysf.com
SACRAMENTO: Sacramento Ballet's The Nutcracker December 12-21, 2025 Memorial Auditorium, 1515 J Street Sacramento, CA Tickets: $35-109, sacballet.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 5, 2025-January 19, 2026. Themed days and special events add to the fun. $22 session includes skate rental.
SAUSALITO: Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour December 8-31, 2025 features nearly 20 unique displays in a walking tour. Free to see, sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour
SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Ballet Nutcracker December 5-28, 2025 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 DIEGO: Golden State Ballet's The Nutcracker December 12-21, 2025 with live music performed by San Diego Symphony at San Diego Civic Theatre. Location: 1100 3rd Avenue, San Diego, CA. $35-up, goldenstateballet.org
SAN DIEGO: Rady Children's Ice Rink November 20, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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 BERNARDINO: Miracle on Court Street Holiday Village December 10-21, 2025, 5-9 p.m. with Santa, synthetic skating rink, vendors and entertainment. Free admission, sbcity.gov/parks
SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration November 14, 2025-January 4, 2026, 10 a.m. daily. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, musical Tunnel of Lights, themed rides and shows, shopping, food and fun for all ages. Location: 500 Sea World Drive, San Diego, CA. $Tickets, seaworld.com
SAN DIEGO: Jungle Bells at San Diego Zoo December 19, 2025-January 4, 2026 includes light shows, reindeer games, brass band music, jugglers & acrobats, and forest pathways through holiday, lighted trees to visit polar bears, arctic foxes and reindeer. $ ticket, approx. sandiegozoo.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Holiday Spectacular with San Francisco's Gay Men's Chorus, December 12-24, 2025, 8 p.m. Performing at 4 location this year - San Francisco, Berkeley & Rohnert Park. 90 minutes filled with festive cheer from more than 150 men of the Chorus. $35-up, sfgmc.org
SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Decorated Boat Parade December 12. 2025, 6-9 p.m. Produced by St. Francis Yacht Club, stfyc.com Parade travels between Chrissy Field and Marina Green in San Francisco. Free viewing.
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice November 26, 2025-January 2026 in the iconic Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
SAN JOSE: San Jose Dance Theatre's Nutcracker Ballet at Center for the Performing Arts December 12, 2025. Location: 255 Almaden Blvd., San Jose, CA. $39.50-115, sanjosetheaters.org
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 15, 2025-January 25, 2026 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 14, 2025-January 11, 2026 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! $, onicerinks.com
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 7, 2025-January 4, 2026 at City Center Bishop Ranch. Many special events include Elsa, Santa Claus, Barbie and Kristi's skating clinic. $26, citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA BARBARA: Una Noche de Las Posadas (Night of the Posadas) December 12, 2025, 7-9 p.m. Begins at the Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park and ends at Casa de la Guerra. FREE sbthp.org
TAFT: Polar Express Holiday Light Tour 11, 12, 13, 18, 19 & 20, 2025, 5 p.m. Haybale Rides begin at Westside Tech, first come first serve. $5, taftchamber.com
UKIAH: Ukiah on Ice December 1, 2025-January 11, 2026 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 24, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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
VACAVILLE: Annual Living Nativity December 12-14, 2025, 6 & 7:30 p.m. Presentation using choirs, music, actors, lights, sound, and animals. Trinity Baptist Church 401 W. Monte Vista Ave. Vacaville, CA. tbcvacaville.com
VACAVILLE: The Nutcracker Ballet by Vacaville Ballet Company December 11-14, 2025 at Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre. Location: 1010 Ulatis Drive Vacaville, CA $25, vpat.net
VALENCIA: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park, November 28, 2025-January 5, 2026, 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
VENTURA: Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks December 12-13, 2025, 6:30-9 p.m. Annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks Friday & Saturday 1-5 p.m. Parade Starts at 6:30 p.m. Fireworks at 8 p.m. Ventura Harbor Village Ventura, California venturaharborvillage.com
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.