California Events
Tournament of Roses held on Jan.1, 2024 in Pasadena, CA
Monday, January 1, 2024
CALIFORNIA STATE PARKS & BEACHES: 65+ First Day Hikes!
ALPINE:
Viejas Casino Resort
Ice Rink open 3-10 p.m.
Viejas Casino & Resort invites the public to enjoy Southern California's
largest outdoor ice rink
ALTADENA: Christmas Tree Lane December 9, 2023-January 6, 2024. For more than 100 years, Altadena's Deodar trees have been lit for public enjoyment at a place called Christmas Tree Lane.
ANAHEIM: Jurassic Quest December 28, 2023-January 1, 2024 at Anaheim Convention Center. Jurassic Quest guests walk through the Cretaceous period, the Jurassic Period and The Triassic period and experience what it was like to be among over 80 true to life size dinosaurs created in collaboration with paleontologists. The event includes dinosaur-themed rides for kids, dino activities and crafts, shopping, bounce houses, fossil digs, baby dinos and more! Location: 800 W. Katella, Anaheim, CA. $22-36, jurassicquest.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
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 17, 2023-January 8, 2024 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
AVALON: Polar Plunge - at 11:30 a.m. 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.
AVILA BEACH: Avila Beach Polar Bear Plunge. 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, avilabeachpolarbearplunge.com
BAKERSFIELD: Polar Bear Plunge at McMurtrey Pool. Ages 7-up, $5 registrations required.
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood on Ice November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 celebrates its 7th season in Contra Costa County.
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
CARLSBAD: Legoland Holidays November 18, 2023-January 7, 2024 with LEGO brick 30-ft. tree, character meet & greets and special shows.
CAYUCOS: Carlin Soule Memorial Polar Bear Dip January 1, 2024. Festivities begins at 9:30 a.m. but official event is at Noon. Location: Cayucos Pier cayucoschamber.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.
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
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: 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
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
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: Huntington Beach Surf City Splash more info $, Noon, hbsurfrider.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.
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: 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.
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
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Outdoor Ice Skating Rink November 24, 2023-March 2024 at Everline Resort at Squaw Creek. destinationhotels.com
OAKLAND: Glowfari, Wildly Illuminating Lantern Festival November 10, 2023-January 28, 2024, 5-9 p.m. $26adults Advanced ticket purchase is required: oaklandzoo.org
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Nativity November 25, 2023-January 2, 2024. Twelve historic nativity scenes are on display during the holidays on Euclid Avenue.
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
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
PASADENA: Tournament of Roses Rose Parade, free to see and Rose Bowl Game $seating, sharpseating.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/
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
SAN DIEGO: SeaWorld San Diego Christmas Celebration November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Dolphin Island Christmas, Clyde & Seamore Christmas Special, and more! Location: 500 Sea World Drive
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park Drive Thru Light Show November 29, 2023-January 1, 2024 at History Park San Jose.
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park holiday attraction with music, lights and entertainment through Jan.2, 2022.
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
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
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 FRANCISCO: San Francisco Polar Bear Skate more info
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 JOSE: Christmas in the Park holiday attraction with music, lights and entertainment November 24, 2023-January 1, 2024.
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Nature Nights November 17-December 30, 2023. at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Location: 3450 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA 93405 $27, slobg.org
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: Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears Plunge, free, public invited
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024 at City Center Bishop Ranch $21 approx., citycenterbishopranch.com
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
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.
UKIAH: Ukiah on Ice seasonal holiday ice rink features daily ice skating sessions December 2, 2023-January 14, 2024.
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!
VISALIA: 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
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice December 15, 2023-January 15, 2024. This seasonal ice skating rink offers holiday exercise and fun in a beautiful outdoor setting. Location: Civic Park, Clay Arts Parking Lot, Walnut Creek, CA
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
WOODSIDE: Hair of the Dog Hike at Filoli January 1, 2024, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Utilize the Hair of the Dog remedy for New Year's Eve discomforts. Begin the hike at the trail entrance with sparkling water, take a mid-way break for mimosas at Red's Barn, and conclude with a Bloody Mary Bar by the pool. Location: 86 Cañada Road, Woodside, CA. $75, filoli.org
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.