California Events
Tuesday, December 16, 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/
ARCADIA: Enchant Christmas November 21-December 28, 2025 at Santa Anita Park / Racetrack. Holiday attraction includes "World's Largest Christmas Maze," ice slides, ice skating rink, Santa Village, Marketplace shops and foods & beverages. $29-up!
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/
Past events
ALAMEDA: Christmas Tree Lane returns in December 2025. Approx. dates Dec.6-31, to be confirmed. An annual favorite holiday tradition for 85 years, is a community gift to the public. Free to see and experience.
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
ATWATER: Old Town Atwater Ice Skating Center returns for its fifth season November 21, 2025-January 2026, promising affordable holiday fun.
ALTADENA: Christmas Tree Lane survived the fire but this event may not happen this year. For 104 years, Altadena's Deodar trees have been lit for public enjoyment at a magical place called Christmas Tree Lane.
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 29, 2025-January 3, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Stroll through millions of lights in holiday-themed lands featuring over 200 displays. $, calmholidaylights.org
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
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. $, knotts.com
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
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
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.
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: 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
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
FELTON: Holiday Lights Train November 28-29, December 6-7, 13-23, 2025. Evening ride on a beautifully lit vintage train which begins in the Santa Cruz mountains at Roaring Camp Railroads. $tickets, roaringcamp.com
GILROY: North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens theme park November 28-December 31, 2025 includes Ice Skating, Santa's Workshop, Train, Lighting Displays, stage shows and more. $65-80, gilroygardens.org
FRESNO: IllumiNature returning November 22, 2025-January 31, 2026 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fcz.org
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: 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
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
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
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 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
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 at Custom House Plaza. $21.10 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
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
OXNARD: Oxnard Christmas Tree Lane open 2nd Sunday in December, December 14-26, 2025, 6-10 p.m. in historic district features elegant and festive home lighting displays.
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
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
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 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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. $, reddinggardenoflights.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
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
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
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
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 DIEGO: Nutcracker Magical Christmas Ballet (formerly Moscow Ballet's Great Russian Nutcracker) December 16, 2024, 7 p.m. at Jacobs Music Centre, San Diego, CA. $, nutcracker.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes December 4-21, 2025 at Curran Theatre. Location: 445 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA. $, broadwaysf.com
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 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.
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park November 28, 2025-January 1, 2026, 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 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
SAN SIMEON: Hearst Castle Holiday Twilight tours. $40-up, reservations 1-800-444-4445 hearstcastle.org | home tours
SACRAMENTO: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink November 5, 2025-January 19, 2026 at the Square on 7th & K Street. A tradition for over 30 years, the affordable holiday attraction only charges $15, skate rental included! godowntownsac.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
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
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2025-March 31, 2026, subject to change. Ice Skating at the outdoor rink at The Shops at Heavenly Village features central location near shopping, dining and skiing.
TEMECULA: Peltzer Ice Rink November 10, 2025-Janaury 19, 2026 at Peltzer Farm & Winery. Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA. $23.05 for 75 minute skate session, rental skates included, peltzerfarms.com
VISTA: Jingle Terrace Live December 5-20, 2025, 5:30-9 p.m. at Brengle Terrace Park Moonlight Amphitheatre. Location: 1250 Vale Terrace Drive, Vista, CA. Free, moonlightstage.com
TAFT: Polar Express Holiday Light Tour December 15-20, 2024. $5, Trains leave at 5, 6 & 7 p.m. Haybale Rides begin at Westside Tech, first come first serve. 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
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
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice November 21, 2025-January 16, 2026. Skate 90 minutes for $20, ice skate rental included or $20 Ice Slide. Location: Civic Park, Walnut Creek, CA. walnutcreekonice.com
WOODSIDE: Filoli Holiday Lights November 22, 2025-January 11, 2026, 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.