California Events
Tournament of Roses on New Year's Day, January 1, in Pasadena, CA. 2026 Grand Finale performers are Capital Cities + DEK of Hearts
Thursday, January 1, 2026
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS & BEACHES: 90+ First Day Hikes!
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink 2026-2027 Season 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/
ALTADENA: Christmas Tree Lane 2026-2027 Season. The free to see event is produced by volunteer citizens carrying the 105-year tradition.
ANAHEIM: Disneyland Festival of Holidays. 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 2026-2027 Season, promising affordable holiday fun.
AVALON: Polar Plunge January 1, 2026, 7:30 a.m. swim & 11:30 a.m. Polar Plunge from Middle Beach. Free admission event, public invited. Just show up! Join the City of Avalon & the Catalina Swim Club for a New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim at 7:30am at Casino Dive Park, Intermediate to Advanced Swimmers, approximately 1 mile, and Polar Bear Plunge at 11:30am, Middle Beach, family fun - just plunge or swim the pier with us. Hot chocolate & light refreshments served. Please contact the City of Avalon Recreation Department for more details. (310) 510-0220 for info.
AVILA BEACH: Avila Beach Polar Bear Plunge January 1, 2026, 11:30 a.m. Meet on the South side of the Avila Beach pier at 11:30 a.m. for pictures and encouragement from fellow plungers for the 12 p.m. event. Free, visitavilabeach.com
BAKERSFIELD: Polar Plunge January 1, 2026, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. returns to the City's McMurtrey Pool for another splashing-good time and happy new year
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights 2026-2027 Season, 5:30 p.m. Stroll through millions of lights in holiday-themed lands featuring over 200 displays. $, calmholidaylights.org
BIG BEAR LAKE: Big Bear Alpine Zoo Wild Lights 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. 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
CARLSBAD: Holidays at Legoland California. 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: Carlin Soule Memorial Polar Bear Dip January 1, 2026 Festivities begins at 9:30 a.m. but official event is at Noon. Location: Cayucos Pier cayucoschamber.com
CLOSED: CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza is closed January 1, 2026 to celebrate the New Year's Day. chicorec.gov/ chico-ice-rink
COARSEGOLD: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink, 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, shoptheveranda.com
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea is open New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. 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 is open New Year's Day, January 1, 2026, 5-10 p.m. 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 , 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 at San Diego Safari Park. Festive decorations, incredible light displays and holiday entertainment await. Location: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA. $, sdzsafaripark.org
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating 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 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $24-27 general admission, irvinespectrumcenter.com
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/
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
FRESNO: IllumiNature at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fcz.org
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Huntington Beach Surf City Splash January 1, 2026 more info $, Noon, hbsurfrider.org
LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE: Enchanted Forest of Light 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
LONG BEACH: Disney on Ice "Let's Dance" January 1-4, 2026 at Long Beach Arena. Mickey Mouse is rocking the DJ table, Asha's on a journey to save the Kingdom of Rosas and Ariel is grooving under the sea - some of the magic moments of Disney. Location: 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, CA. $, disneyonice.com
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink . 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 , 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Location: 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. $27 general admission, lalive.com
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow, 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
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay 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. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Everline Resort Winter Ice Skating Rink November 28, 2025-March 28, 2026, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. With direct lift service to Palisades Tahoe, site of the historic 1960 Winter Olympics, Everline Resort's ice skating rink adds to the fun. The resort offers snowshoe rentals, as well, plus perks to locals. Location: Everline Resort at Squaw Creek, 400 Squaw Creek Road, Olympic Valley, CA. $30 includes skate rental and 60 minutes of ice skating, everlineresort.com
CLOSED: PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink is closed January 1, 2026 for the New Year's holiday. winterlodge.com
OAKLAND: Oakland Zoo Glowfari, 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
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice is open January 1, 2026, 12 p.m. with special New Year's Day hours across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
PASADENA: Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, free to see and Rose Bowl Game $seating, sharpseating.com
PASADENA: Tournament of Roses Floatfest (post Parade viewing) January 1-3, 2026. Ride free shuttles from Pasadena City College. Floatfest is located in front of Pasadena High School. CA. Location: Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards, Pasadena, CA. $26.50, sharpseating.com
PASADENA: Tournament of Roses Float Fest (post Parade viewing) January 1, 2026, 1:30-5 p.m. at Rose Bowl Stadium. Ride free shuttles from Pasadena City College. Location: Sierra Madre and Washington Boulevards, Pasadena, CA. $25, sharpseating.com
PETALUMA: Luma Ice is open January 1, 2026 at Petaluma Fairgrounds. New ice rink attraction include REAL ice skating, themed days and great entertainment. Location: 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma, CA. $20 includes skate rental, lumaice.com
REDDING: Garden of Lights 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. 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: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink 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
SAN BRUNO: San Bruno Polar Plunge January 1, 2026 at the RAC Outdoor Pool. Prize for Best Costume, complimentary hot chocolate, limited edition commemorative item. sanbruno.ca.gov
SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration , 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 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
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights, 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 DIEGO: Rady Children's Ice Rink, 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 Polar Bear Skate January 1, 2026, 2:30-3:30 p.m. ($30 special event). Themed days and special events add to the fun. Regular $22 session includes skate rental.
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park, 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: Downtown Ice in the iconic Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey 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 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 PEDRO: Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears Plunge January 1, 2026, 12 p.m. free, public invited
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch. Many special events include Elsa, Santa Claus, Barbie and Kristi's skating clinic. $26, citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA MONICA: ICE 2026-2027 Season at 5th & Arizona. 8,000 square feet of skating ice, including a kids zone for little ones. $22 admission & skate rental, 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.
TEMECULA: Peltzer Ice Rink at Peltzer Farm & Winery. Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA. $23.05 for 75 minute skate session, rental skates included, peltzerfarms.com
TWAIN HARTE / LONG BARN: The Long Barn Lodge Ice Skating November 2025 mid-March 2026. Tucked in the Sierra Nevada mountains at around 5,000 feet elevation, Long Barn Lodge has the only ice skating rink in the area. Location: 25957 Long Barn Rd., Long Barn, CA facebook.com/ thelongbarnlodge $15, skate rental is $5. Closed Monday & Tuesday
UKIAH: Ukiah on Ice 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, 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, 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
VALLEJO: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom WinterFest , 12-7 p.m. most days. Special holiday guests, entertainment, foods, rides & attractions like Arctic Penguins. Location: 1001 Fairgrounds Dr. Vallejo, CA 94589 $35-39, sixflags.com/discoverykingdom
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice. 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 , 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.