California Events
Long Beach Downtown Tree Lighting at Convention Center
Thursday, December 5, 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.
ARCADIA: City of Arcadia Holiday Celebrations Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 6 p.m. Arcadia Transit Plaza North First Avenue & East Santa Clara Street Arcadia, CA Free, arcadiaca.gov
ANAHEIM: Disneyland Festival of Holidays November 15, 2024-January 6, 2025. Christmas Fantasy Parade is back along with Haunted Mansion's Nightmare Before Christmas, It's a Small World Christmas-themed ride, festive costumes, towering Christmas trees for photos, great fan merchandise, gifts, and candy and sweets decorated like Mickey Mouse. Location: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA. $Tickets, disneyland.com
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
BAKERSFIELD: Bakersfield Christmas Parade December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. 2024 theme is Musical Notes and Holiday Floats. Location: Downtown Bakersfield, CA bcparade.com
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 30, 2024-January 4, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Stroll through millions of lights in holiday-themed lands featuring over 200 displays. $18, calmholidaylights.org .
BALDWIN PARK: Baldwin Park Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 6 p.m. Free, baldwinpark.com You're invited to begin your holiday season with performances along with a visit from Santa and last but not least, the Lighting of the Tree. The festivities start with free train rides
BREA: Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 6:30 p.m. Brea Civic & Cultural Center, front steps, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA. Free, ci.brea.ca.us
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood on Ice November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 across from City Hall on 2nd Street celebrates its 8th season in Contra Costa County. $17, brentwoodonice.com
BUENA PARK: Knott's Berry Farm Christmas November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025. 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. $60-up, knotts.com
CARMICHAEL: Carmichael Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 4:30-7:30 p.m. Carmichael Park 5750 Grant Avenue Carmichael, CA. Free, carmichaelpark.com
CARSON: Carson Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6 p.m. Carson Event Center Atrium 801 East Carson Street Carson, CA 90745
CARLSBAD: Holidays at Legoland California November 23, 2024-January 5, 2025 | Fireworks on December 7, 14, and 21- 30, 2024. 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 $79-94, legoland.com/california
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza November 15, 2024-January 12, 2025 in City Plaza features events like Ugly Sweater, Barbie, Adult Skate and Silent Disco. $5-25, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
CITRUS HEIGHTS: Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 6-8:30 p.m. at City Hall (6360 Fountain Square Drive). The evening begins with a 40-foot tree lighting ceremony located at City Hall, followed by holiday traditions such as pictures with Santa, train rides, hot cocoa, activities for children, and more! Free, citrusheights.net
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.
CORONA DEL MAR: Nights of 1000 Lights December 5-22, 2024, 5-9 p.m. at Sherman Library and Gardens. Light displays, live music, Santa and hot chocolate & s'mores. $, slgardens.org
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
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
CULVER CITY: Holiday Tree Lighting and Sled-Tacular December 5, 2024, 5-8:30 p.m. | Tree Lighting 6 p.m. Town Plaza 9500 Culver Blvd. (Next to Culver Hotel & Pacific Theatres) Culver City, CA Free admisssion, downtownculvercity.com
DAVIS: Davis Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6:30 | following the Candlelight Parade which meets at 5:45 p.m. 835 4th St. parking Davis, CA cityofdavis.org
DIXON: Dixon Light Up the Night Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 4 -8 p.m. Dixon's Annual Tree Lighting Festival, "Light Up the Night" is fun for the whole family. Dixon, CA downtowndixonca.com
DUBLIN: Dublin Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 6 p.m. Dublin Civic Center dublin.ca.gov
EL SEGUNDO: Joy Around the World Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, at City Hall Plaza and 300 Block of Main Street.
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. $26-34 general admission, sdbg.org
EXETER: Exeter Christmas Open House December 5, 2024, 5-8 p.m. Downtown. The most wonderful time of the year sparkles with holiday cheer - festive lights, holiday treats and shopping galore! Location: Pine Street, Downtown Exeter, CA. Free, facebook.com/exeterchamber | Additional dates: December 12 & 19, 2024.
FELTON: Holiday Lights Train roaringcamp.com
FONTANA: Fontana Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. City Hall 8353 Sierra Ave. Fontana, CA fontana.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
FRESNO: Fresno La Comida Guild Home Tour, Tea & Boutique December 5-6, 2024. lacomidaguild.org | holiday homes
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
HAYWARD: H.A.R.D. Holiday Lights free event to light up three of the city's Historical Mansions December 3-5, 2024, celebrate the season with some fun activities at Mt. Eden Mansion, Meek Mansion and McConaghy Mansion, and enjoy some hot chocolate. haywardrec.org | house museum Christmas
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Live Nativity December 5-6, 2024, 6-9 p.m. at First Christian Church 1207 Main St. Huntington Beach, CA Free, fcchb.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
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
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
LODI: Christmas Parade of Lights December 5, 2024, 6:17-9:30 p.m. Route: Pine Street, Church St., Lodi Ave., School & Locust. A magical holiday parade that illuminates the streets of downtown Lodi with more than 80 entries. Free, kiwanislodi.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
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
MILPITAS: Milpitas Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 7-9 p.m. at Milpitas Civic Center Plaza. Location: 457 E. Calaveras Blvd. Milpitas, CA Free, milpitas.gov
MONROVIA: Monrovia Holiday Parade December 5, 2024, 7-9 p.m. Parade route: north on Myrtle Ave from Walnut to Palm Avenue. cityofmonrovia.org
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 22-December 31, 2024 at Custom House Plaza. $20 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
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 Lights Parade December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. theme is A Sand & Sea Holiday. 21st annual Parade route: Starts corner of Grand & Lighthouse Avenues, proceeds on Lighthouse to Park where it makes a u-turn and runs back down Lighthouse to Forest Downtown Pacific Grove. Free, pacificgrove.org
PITTSBURG: Pittsburg Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2024, 5-7 p.m. John Buckley Square Railroad between 5th & 6th Street Pittsburg, CA Free, pittsburgca.gov
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/
PORTERVILLE: Children's Christmas Parade "Razzle Dazzle Christmas" December 5, 2024, 7-9 p.m. on North Main Street. Porterville, CA. portervillechamber.org/ childrens-christmas-parade/
REDONDO BEACH: Riviera Village Holiday Stroll December 5, 2024, 5-9 p.m. Riviera Village Catalina Avenue from Avenue I to S Elena and Avenue I from S Catalina to S Elena are closed to cars Redondo Beach, CA Free, rivieravillage.net
ROSEVILLE: Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. at Vernon Town Square, Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
STANTON: Stanton Christmas Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Stanton City Hall/Civic Center. Location: 7800 Katella Avenue, Stanton, CA. Free, ci.stanton.ca.us
PALO ALTO: Gamble Garden Winter Festival Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Gamble Garden. Location: 1431 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA. $95, gamblegarden.org
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
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
ROSEVILLE: Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting is be held rain or shine. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA roseville.ca.us/events
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
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights November 13, 2024-January 12, 2025, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara Zoo. Walk through the Zoo to see thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs, showcasing animal and nature scenes depicting wild places from around the world. Location: 500 Niños Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. $21-35 sbzoo.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
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
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square December 4-13, 2024. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
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
SALINAS: Streets of Bethlehem December 5-8, 2024, 6-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Salinas 1130 San Vincente Avenue Salinas, CA 93901 Free admission, streetsofbethlehem.com
SAN DIEGO: A Christmas Carol November 29-December 24, 2024 at Old Town Cygnet Theatre. Location: 4040 Twiggs St. San Diego, CA 92110 $, cygnettheatre.com | carol
SAN FRANCISCO: Annual Noe Valley Holiday Wine Walk Thursday, December 5, 2024, 4-7 p.m. 24th Street from Diamond to Chattanooga San Francisco, CA. $44.52, eventbrite.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
SANTA CLARA: Great America WinterFest November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025. Ice-skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia and marvel at spectacular live shows. More than 60 rides and holiday attractions. Location: 237 W to Great America Parkway. $ tickets
TULARE: Holiday Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 5:30 p.m. is organized by the Tulare Downtown Association before the parade. It includes the big tree lighting, photos with Santa Claus, homemade cookies, hot chocolate, face-painting and more.
TULARE: Tulare Christmas Parade December 5, 2024, 6:30-8 p.m. 2024 theme is The Songs of Christmas The parade starts at K Street south to Inyo; then L Street north Free, tularedowntown.org
UKIAH: 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 Krampus Night 5:30-9 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Location: 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville, CA 95076 $10 walk through night, 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
Past events
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.