California Events
Santa Barbara ZooLights sbzoo.org
November 25, 2024
Past events
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.
ANGELS CAMP: 31st Annual Lighted Christmas Parade, Santa & Mrs. Claus meet & greet, and open house, as well as Tree Lighting. Fun starts at 5 p.m.
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink November 3, 2023-January 7, 2024, 3-10 p.m. daily Viejas Casino & Resort invites the public to enjoy Southern California's largest outdoor ice rink throughout the season!
BENICIA: Wine Walk & Shop Small November 25, 2023, 1-5 p.m. Wine Walk Downtown Benicia at participating merchants on First Street -- stroll First Street on a beautiful afternoon and taste over a dozen wines being poured inside downtown shops. Benicia, CA. Benicia, CA. $, BeniciaMainStreet.org
BRENTWOOD: Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Park, 710 2nd Street, following the Chamber of Commerce annual Brentwood Lighted Holiday Parade which is themed: Ho Ho Ho Holiday Parade.
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood on Ice November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 celebrates its 7th season in Contra Costa County.
CALABASAS: Holiday Road USA November 24-December 27, 2023, 5-10 p.m. King Gillette Ranch 26800 Mulholland Hwy Calabasas, CA 91302 $29.99-65, holidayroadusa.com
ELK GROVE: Dickens Faire November 25, 2023, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Held every year on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving in Old Town Elk Grove on Elk Grove Blvd. oldtownelkgrove.com
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
HOLLISTER: Lights On Holiday Parade Rockin' Round the Christmas Tree + Tree Lighting Ceremony. It's a full day of fun!
LAKEPORT: Lakeport Dickens Faire Pet Parade November 25, 2023, 12 p.m. Parade; Dickens Faire 11 a.m.-6 p.m. lakeportmainstreet.com
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
OAK GLEN: Apple Butter Festival November
24-26, 2023 (must confirm)
Riley's at Los Rios Rancho
39611 Oak Glen Rd. #13, Yucaipa, CA Free admission, losriosrancho.com
Harvest Dinner & Dance
Pioneer families made a custom of gathering together in late fall to cook up
apple butter from the last apples of the season.
OAKLAND: Oakland Zoo Glowfari, Wildly Illuminating Lantern Festival November 10, 2023-January 28, 2024, 5-9 p.m. $26 adults, advanced ticket purchase is required: oaklandzoo.org
SAN FRANCISCO: The Winter San Francisco Crystal Fair November 25-26, 2023 at San Francisco County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. National, international and local California vendors have awe-inspiring gifts of minerals, gems, jewelry and services such as healers, psychics, and aura readers. Hours: Saturday 10-6; Sunday 10-4. Location: 1199 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, San Francisco, CA. $14 (good for both days) 12 and under free with parent, crystalfair.com
CARLSBAD: Legoland Holidays with LEGO brick 30-ft. tree, character meet & greet characters. Experience Holidays at LEGOLAND this season between Select days Kicking off November 18, 2023-January 7, 2024 Included with Daily Tickets
FELTON: Holiday Lights Train, Roaring Camp Railroads
FELTON: Holiday Tree Walk, November 24-26, December 2-3, 9-10, 16-17, 2023. roaringcamp.com $, roaringcamp.com | Christmas walks
FOLSOM: Historic Folsom Ice Rink November 10, 2023-January 15, 2024 in Downtown Folsom, 2oo Wool Street (behind Chamber of Commerce), Folsom, CA $, historicfolsom.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
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink November 3, 2023-January 1, 2024 Located at a shopping & dining destination, the rink is in the heart of it all where there's something for everyone!
JACKSON: Main Street Holiday Open House Tree Lighting November 24 & 25, 2023, 6-9 p.m. Main Street Jackson, CA Free, amadorchamber.com
LA CANADA-FLINTRIDGE: Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Light, November 19, 2023-January 7, 2024. Walk-through holiday attraction featuring lit gardens with music. Location: 1418 Descanso Drive La Canada Flintridge, CA $34-40, descansogardens.org
LAKEPORT: Dickens Festival Christmas Pet Parade Nov.25, 2023
MONTEREY: Ice Skating by the Bay November 24-December 31, 2023. There's no place more in the holiday spirit than Monterey Bay for this ice skating adventure surrounded by shops, dining, and the ever-close Pacific Ocean.
MOUNT SHASTA: Siskiyou Ice Rink, If you're a local, you know that this is one fun hangout for winter entertainment.
NAPA: Ice Skating at Vista Colina November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Meritage Resort, open to the public
NAPLES: Lighted Trees in the Bay, Nightly at Sunset, November 23, 2023-January 1, 2024. This annual tradition in not a ceremony per se, but more of an esthetic pleasure for the holidays, brought to the public by donors, volunteers and Long Beach City workers.
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
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2024.
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
SACRAMENTO: Hmong New Year November 24-26, 2023 at Cal Expo, 1600 Exposition Blvd. Bands, Food & Merch Vendors, Volleyball Competition, Hmong Idol, Miss Hmong California Beauty Contest and more. Doors open at 8 a.m. calexpo.com | $, sacramentohmongnewyear.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: Downtown Holiday Ice November 8, 2023-January 15, 2024. The cool place to go, the Downtown Holiday Ice Rink combines a vibrant, urban scene with old-fashioned fun.
SAN DIEGO: Rady Children's Ice Rink at Liberty Station November 16, 2023-January 7, 2024. A perfect San Diego setting combined with the glorious (mellow) winter weather makes for comfort & joy this holiday season.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 18-December 17, 2023, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Cow Palace. Step into another century to eat, drink and be merry at this huge Victorian party with characters you'll remember from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Guests are encouraged to come in costume. $30-45, dickensfair.com
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: San Mateo on Ice November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024. Placed in the city's beloved Central Park, there's no better spot for ice skating to your heart's content.
SANTA CLARA: California's Great America Holiday Ice Rink
SANTA MARIA: Christmas in the Country Elks Drive-thru November 24 & 25; December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23 & 24, 2023 at Elks Unocal Event Center $60 per car, $75 VIP, elksrec.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Holiday Tree Lighting November 25, 2022, 6:30 p.m. at The Shops at Heavenly Village. 70' tall cut Christmas tree! Free, theshopsatheavenly.com
TWAIN HARTE: Long Barn Lodge Outdoor Rink November 2023 - February 2024 Long Barn Lodge Ice Skating at its finest!
WOODSIDE: Holidays at Filoli, November 18, 2023-January 7, 2024. See 20 miles of Holiday lights, food delights, shopping ops, and Santa visits at an historic 654-acre estate featuring a 54,000+ square-foot Georgian revival-style mansion, 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens, a 6.8-acre Gentleman's Orchard, and hundreds of acres of Natural Lands with 5 distinct ecosystems.SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
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
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.
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
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
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 24-December 31, 2023 at Custom House Plaza. $, iceskatingbythebay.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/
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
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 17, 2023-January 7, 2024 at Cal Expo. Location: 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento, CA. $21-27, imaginarium360.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 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 RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 10, 2023-January 7, 2024 at City Center Bishop Ranch $21 approx., citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 1, 2023-January 15, 2024
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2023-March 31, 2024
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
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
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.