California Events
Long Beach Downtown Tree Lighting at Convention Center
Friday, December 5, 2025
FOLSOM: Folsom Ice Rink November 7, 2025-January 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/
AMERICAN CANYON: American Canyon Community Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2025, 5-8 p.m. at Shenandoah Park. Location: 100 Sonoma Creek Way, American Canyon, CA. Free, cityofamericancanyon.org
BUENA PARK: City of Buena Park Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. The public is invited to join in celebrating the lighting of the city's holiday tree. Free, buenapark.com
CONCORD: Tree Lighting December 5, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m. Todos Santos Plaza Willow Pass Road (between Mt. Diablo & Grant) Concord, CA cityofconcord.org /DowntownEvents
FAIRFIELD: Fairfield Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2025, 6-8:30 p.m. Country Plaza Texas & Jefferson Fairfield, CA Free, fairfield.ca.gov
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
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
PASADENA: City of Pasadena Tree Lighting Ceremony December 5, 2025, 5 p.m. at Centennial Square. Public invited to help launch the holiday merriment with beautiful lights, songs, wishes of good cheer and Santa officiating, perhaps.
SAN CARLOS: Night of Holiday Lights 5-8:30 p.m. Downtown On Laurel Street, from San Carlos Avenue to Cherry Street, with the main stage located on Cherry Street. This free community event features: Family Fun and Kids Activities Carolers Arts and Crafts Beer and Wine sales Hot Chocolate and Holiday Goodies Holiday Show, Festive Lights, and Snow Musical performances! Free, cityofsancarlos.org
SEAL BEACH: Seal Beach Christmas Parade December 5, 2025, 7 p.m. Final entries start by 8:10 p.m. and the parade ends at 8:30 p.m. with Santa Claus waving to the crowds. Seal Beach Downtown Main St. Seal Beach, CA sealbeachlions.org
WHITTIER: Gordon D. Crowell Observatory Public Nights 8-10 p.m. at Rio Hondo College. Meade 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, one of the largest in Southern California, is open to the public, free on special nights. Location: 3600 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, CA. Free, gorio.page/observatory-nights
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 is returning for the 2025/2026 season, promising affordable holiday fun.
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 mid November through mid-January in City Plaza. $5-25, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 2025-January 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
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 2025-January 2026 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
FRESNO: IllumiNature returning November 2025-January 2026 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fresnochaffeezoo.org
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating returning November 2025-January 2026 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.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 2025-January 4, 2026 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $, 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
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay to be announced: November-December 31, 2025 at Custom House Plaza. $20 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
OAKLAND: Temple Hill Days of Christmas December 2025 information coming soon. 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
PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink October 18, 2025-April 2026, is back with public skating sessions, lessons and more. $, winterlodge.com
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink returns mid-November 2025-January 2026. Sharpen your blades and skills or just go to chill with themed events and great music. $, holidayicerinkdowntownla.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
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
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
SALINAS: Streets of Bethlehem December 4-7, 2025, 6-8 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Salinas 1130 San Vincente Avenue Salinas, CA 93901 Free admission, streetsofbethlehem.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
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 28, 2025-January 1, 2026, 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 Information to be announced about November 2025-January 2026 season in Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
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 MONICA: ICE mid-November 2025-January 2026 at 5th & Arizona. Details coming soon! $, iceatsantamonica.com
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.
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium Information to be announced for 2025-2026 season 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
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: Holidays at Filoli November 2025-January 2026 to be announced soon! Georgian revival-style mansion with 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens at an historic 654-acre estate (as seen in Falcon Crest show). $, filoli.org
Past events
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
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
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
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. $, thesherman.org
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
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.
FONTANA: Fontana Tree Lighting December 5, 2024, 6-8 p.m. City Hall 8353 Sierra Ave. Fontana, CA fontana.org
FRESNO: Fresno La Comida Guild Home Tour, Tea & Boutique December 5-6, 2024. lacomidaguild.org | holiday homes
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
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: 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
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
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
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
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square December 4-13, 2024. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
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 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
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 select days November-December 2025, 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, 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
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
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.