California Events
Friday, December 8, 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.
ANGWIN: Christmas on the Hill free concerts, December 8-9, 2023 at Pacific Union College Church. PUC's department of music invites the community to an annual celebration of holiday music featuring Pacific Union College Chorale and select choir, Vox Pro Musica, directed by Ronnie Zanella. In this grand stage production which includes Pacific Union College Orchestra directed by Rachelle Berthelsen Davis, enjoy a mix of Christmas favorites and new music, along with the spoken word. Location: 10 Angwin Avenue, Angwin, CA 94508. Free admission, puc.edu
ANTIOCH: Black Diamond Ballet The Nutcracker December 8-17, 2023 at El Campanil Theater, 602 W. 2nd St., Antioch, CA. $20-36, elcampaniltheatre.com
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.
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: Season of Wonder & Light Tree Lighting December 8, 2023, 4-8 p.m. Arcata Downtown Plaza. Location: G & H from 9th to 9th, 8th and 9th from G to H Street. Free, arcatachamber.com
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 17, 2023-January 8, 2024 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
BAKERSFIELD: Holiday Lightasmic! November 25-December 30, 2023, evenings at CALM Zoo. Location: 10500 Alfred Harrell Highway Bakersfield, CA $, calmzoo.org
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
AGOURA HILLS: Agoura Hills Holiday Boutique December 8-9, 2023, agourahillscity.org
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 25-December 30, 2023, 5:30-8:30 p.m. 3 million lights, approx.
BUELLTON: Santa Ynez Valley Holiday Lights December 1-17, 2023, 5-8:30 p.m. at Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden at River View Park $25, $10 kids, syvholidaylights.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.
COACHELLA: Christmas Parade Dec.8, 2023, 6 p.m.
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
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.
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
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
FALLBROOK: Holiday Wine & a Bite Art Walk December 8, 2023, 5:30-8:30 p.m. $, fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org
FELTON: Holiday Tree Walk December 2-3, 2023 at Bear Mountain on a Roaring Camp Railroads train. $, roaringcamp.com
FOLSOM: Folsom Zoo Wild Nights, Holiday Lights December 1, 2, 8, 9 & 15-22, 2023, 5-8:30 p.m. at Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary, 403 Stafford Street
FORT BRAGG: Mendocino Botanical Garden Lights November 24-December 17, 2023, 5-7 p.m. Annual event featuring holiday-lit trees, animated shapes and themed designs created by Mendocino County's favorite garden. $10, gardenbythesea.org
FRESNO: Timeless Toys, Christmas at Kearney Mansion Museum Nov.24-Dec.31, 2023, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $10, valleyhistory.org
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
GRASS VALLEY: Grass Valley Cornish Christmas Fridays November 24-December 23, 2023, 6-9 p.m. in Downtown Grass Valley. Rekindle the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas at this delightful holiday event. downtowngrassvalley.com
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
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Live Nativity December 7-8, 2023, 6-9 p.m. at First Christian Church, 1207 Main St. Free, fcchb.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 Special Abridged Version for younger audiences at Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612. $, 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
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/
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
fashion, Japanese culture, art, yummy snacks or awesome people, then this is the event for you! by. After meeting 5 brilliant in , she felt that the their work. This event will be selling and showcasing (you have to come see them to figure out what that means!). It is meant to be an all-ages event that can be enjoyed on its own, whether or not you choose to buy something :) Hope to see you there! It will take place from 3-8pm on the 8th-10th and 15th-16th of December 2023, at Chung King Plaza, or 959 N Hill Street. The RSVP link is here: https://partiful.com/e/msWmEypduancORUFHVHM
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: Los Angeles Ballet's The Nutcracker December 1-26, 2023, appearing in UCLA Royce Hall December 8-9, 2023. Tickets $40-137 approx., losangelesballet.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.
MISSION VIEJO: Drive-Thru Nativity December 8 & 9, 2023, 5:30-9:30p.m. at Mount of Olives Church, 24772 Chrisanta Drive, Canned food donations, moochurch.org
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
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
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
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/
POWAY: Poway Christmas in the Park December 8-9, 2023, 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Tree Lighting expected time 5:15 p.m. Old Poway Park 14134 Midland Rd Poway, California (858)668-4576 poway.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
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square November 29-December 8, 2023, 6-7:30 p.m. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
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
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: 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
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 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 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: Union Square Ice Rink November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO: Holiday Spectacular with San Francisco's Gay Men's Chorus More than 150 men of the Chorus with zany holiday antics dance and sing traditional carols , along with new surprises. San Francisco's Sydney Goldstein Theater, 275 Hayes Street, San Francisco, CA December 8-9, 2023, $25-145 San Francisco's Castro Theatre, 429 Castro December 24, 2023 $40-50 $25-up, sfgmc.org
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO: Capistrano Lights at San Juan Capistrano Mission December 2-30, 2023.
SAN JOSE: San Jose Dance Theatre The Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at Center for the Performing Arts, 255 Almaden Blvd.
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 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 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 LUIS OBISPO: Nature Nights November 17-December 31, 2023, 5-8 p.m., at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Location: 3450 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 $27 general admission sold online, slobg.org
SAN MARINO: Tree Lighting Ceremony December 8, 2023
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 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: Una Noche de Las Posadas December 8, 2023, 7-10 p.m. Begins at the Chapel at El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park and ends at Casa de la Guerra 15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara
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 FE SPRINGS: Las Posadas December 8, 2023, 6:30- 9:30 p.m. at Heritage Park. Music and dance performances, holiday-themed crafts for the whole family and a cherished tradition with a candle-lit procession symbolizing Mary and Joseph's search for shelter in Bethlehem. Guests are invited to participate by carrying candles to reenact the journey. To participate in the procession, meet at the main entrance of Heritage Park by 6:30 p.m. For more information, call the Heritage Park Office at (562) 946-6476.
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 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
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.
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
SANTA MARIA: Christmas in the Country Elks Drive-thru November 24 -December 24, 2023 at Elks Unocal Event Center $60 per car, $75 VIP, elksrec.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
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!
UKIAH: Mendocino Ballet Nutcracker December 8-10, 2023 at Mendocino College Center Theater. $26, mendocinoballet.org
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
VACAVILLE: Live Nativity December 8-10, 2023. Free
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
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
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
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.