California Events
Palm Desert WildLights, The Living Desert
Thursday, November 27, 2025
THANKSGIVING DAY
ALAMEDA: Thanksgiving Turkey Dip or Roll November 27, 2025. Starts at 7:30 a.m. at Encinal Swim Center (30 minute swim time). Registration: $6, alamedaca.gov
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink November 7, 2025-January 4, 2026, 3-10 p.m. daily 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/
BAKERSFIELD: Bakersfield Turkey Day 5K, 1 Mile Run November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at The Park at River Walk 11298 Stockdale Hwy Bakersfield, CA $44.15-50 approx., runsignup.com
BENICIA: 'Hand Up' Thanksgiving Turkey Trot & Costume Contest November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Benicia Community Park. Location: 540 Rose Drive, Benicia, CA. $35, runsignup.com
BIG BEAR LAKE: Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 9 a.m. at 42612 Moonridge Road Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 $46-65 approx., bigbearturkeytrot.com
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood Turkey Trot for Schools 5K November 27, 2025, 8-11 a.m. at Streets of Brentwood 2455 Sand Creek Rd. Brentwood, CA $43.40-55, brentwoodturkeytrot.org | runsignup.com
CLAREMONT: Claremont Sunrise Rotary 5K Run/Walk Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 7:30 a.m. | Kids 1K Fun Run $50-60 approx., runsignup.com
CONCORD: Concord Turkey Trot 5K Run Walk November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Newhall Park 1351 Newhall Parkway Concord, CA $35-50 approx., runsignup.com
DANA POINT: Turkey Trot 5 & 10K Race and Costume Contest November 27, 2025, 7 a.m.-12 p.m. Dana Point Harbor 34624 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA. $56-70 approx., turkeytrot.com
ELK GROVE: Gobble Wobble November 27, 2025, 8 a.m- 12 p.m. California Correctional Health 8280 Longleaf Dr. Elk Grove, CA $, elkgrovegobblewobble.itsyourrace.com
ENCINITAS: Turkey Trot 5K/10K November 27, 2025, 7:30 a.m. at D Street & S Coast Highway 101 Encinitas, CA $58-90 approx., encinitasturkeytrot.org
EUREKA: Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk November 27, 2025, 9 a.m. at Old Town Eureka Gazebo 2nd & F Streets Eureka, CA $15-20 approx., eurekamainstreet.org | eurekaca.gov
FAIRFIELD: Thanksgiving Day Solano 10K, 5K, Kids Run Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Solano Community College, 4000 Suisun Valley Rd., Fairfield, CA. $35-50, solanoturkeytrot.org
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/
FOLSOM: Turkey Trot 5K Run/Walk & 10K Run November 27, 2025, 8:50 a.m. at Folsom Lion's Park / Rodeo Park (Folsom Zoo/Library) 200 Stafford Street, Folsom, CA 95630 $31-41, folsomturkeytrot.com
FRESNO: Turkey Trot 5K & 2 Mile Run/Walk November 27, 2025 at Woodward Park Mountain View Shelter 7775 N Friant Rd Fresno, CA $32.80-45 approx., runsignup.com
GRANITE BAY: The Wild Turkey 10K, 5K, 1K November 27, 2025, 9 a.m. at Beals Point Recreation Area 9704 Auburn Folsom Rd. Granite Bay, CA $41.28-50 approx., singletrackrunning.com/ turkeytrot/
HANFORD: Kings County Turkey Trot 3K, 5K and Kids Run November 27, 2025 Champions Corporate Office 311 N. Douty Street Hanford, CA $28-45 approx., facebook.com/ ChampionsRecoverySJV
HEALDSBURG: Thanksgiving 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk November 27, 2025 at 8 am. at Healdsburg Running Company, 333 Center St., Healdsburg, CA, $25, ci.healdsburg.ca.us
HUNTINGTON BEACH: Causelife Turkey Wobble 5K/10K November 27, 2025, 7 a.m.-10 a.m. Location: 21599 Pacific Coast Highway Huntington Beach, CA $25-55, hbturkeywobble.com
IRVINE: Orange County Turkey Trot 5k Thursday, November 27, 2025, 7:30 a.m. at Irvine Valley College 5500 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618. $33-56, runsignup.com
LA CAÑADA: Thanksgiving Day 5K Run/Walk and Kids' Mile Run November 27, 2025, 8:15 a.m. at Olberz Park 1 Civic Center Drive La Cañada, CA $45 approx., cclcf.org
LOS ANGELES: Turkey Trot L.A. 5K/10K November 27, 2025, 8 a.m.-12 p.m. City Hall 200 N Spring St. Los Angeles, CA $38-75 approx., turkeytrot.la
MOUNTAIN VIEW: MVHS Sports Boosters Spartan Turkey Trot 5k & 1 Mile Run/Walk plus Kids Dash November 27, 2025, 8:20 a.m. at Mountain View High School Track 3535 Truman Ave. Mountain View, CA. $50, spartanturkeytrot.com
NORTH HOLLYWOOD: Drumstick Dash 5K/10K November 27, 2025, 8:30 a.m. at Magnolia & Lankershim North Hollywood, CA $34.25-55 approx., drumstickdashla.com
NOVATO: Marin Turkey Trot 1 Mile, 5K, 10K, November 27, 2025, 8:30 p.m. Indian Valley College 1800 Ignacio Blvd. Novato, CA $30-85 approx., marinturkeytrot.com
OAKLAND: Oakland Turkey Trot 5K November 27, 2025, 8:30 a.m. at Lake Merritt's Pegola 550 El Embarcadero Oakland, CA $50-100 approx., oaklandturkeytrot.org
OCEANSIDE: O'Side Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 6:45 a.m. at Oceanside Civic Center 330 N. Coast Highway Oceanside, CA $54.99-100 approx., osideturkeytrot.com
PACIFIC PALISADES: Pacific Palisades Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at 15777 Bowdoin St. Pacific Palisades, CA. $59.90-90 approx., paliturkeytrot.com
PALM DESERT: Thanksgiving Day 5K benefiting Martha's Village and Kitchen! Thursday Nov. 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at San Pablo & El Paseo Palm Desert, CA $39.25-60 approx., marthasvillage.org
PALM SPRINGS: Wild Turkey Trot 5K November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at 100 N. Palm Canyon Corner of Tahquitz & Palm Canyon Palm Springs, CA $45.20-55 approx., palmspringsmarathonrunners.org
PASADENA: Rose Bowl 5K Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 8:30 a.m. at Rose Bowl Stadium 1001 Rose Bowl Drive Pasadena, CA $38.10-50 approx., rosebowlturkeytrot.com
RANCHO CUCAMONGA: 5K Turkey Trot Run/Walk November 27, 2025, 7:30 a.m. at Central Park 11200 Base Line Road Rancho Cucamonga, CA $, eventbrite registration
RANCHO MISSION VIEJO: 9th Annual Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Little Gobblers 1K on The Ranch November 27, 2025 The Pavilion 2 Tierno Road Rancho Mission Viejo, CA 92694 $48.70-55 approx.
ROSEVILLE: Turkey Trot 5K, 10K November 27, 2025, 9 a.m. Starts & finishes on Vernon Street Town Square $30-60 approx. registration, roseville.ca.us
SACRAMENTO: Run to Feed the Hungry 10K, 5K November 27, 2025, 8-11:30 a.m. at Sac State J Street entrance to University Carlson Drive at J Street Sacramento, CA $38-52, runtofeedthehungry.com
SAN DIEGO: North County Turkey Trot 5K, 1K November 27, 2025, 7:45 a.m. at 4S Ranch Sports Park 16118 4S Ranch Parkway San Diego, CA $43.40; Kids 1K Fun Run $27.50, northcountyturkeytrot.org
SAN DIEGO: Father Joe's Villages Thanksgiving Day 5K November 27, 2025, 7:15 a.m. at Balboa Park starts at Cabrillo Bridge 1549 El Prado San Diego, CA 92101 $56-66.80 approx., my.neighbor.org
SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Turkey Trot 5M, 3M and Kids Gobbler Chase 100Meter Thanksgiving Run & Walk Thursday, November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Golden Gate Park Polo Field San Francisco, CA 94122 $52, sfturkeytrot.wixsite.com/sftt
SAN JOSE: Zoom Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 8:30 a.m. at Hellyer County Park Buena Vista Pavilion 985 Hellyer Ave. San Jose, CA $48.70-80 approx.,
SAN JOSE: Silicon Valley Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Kids Fun Run November 27, 2025, 8:30 p.m. race begins, but come at 7:30 a.m. for pre-run activities Downtown San Jose, W Santa Clara Street, and N 1st Street 11 S 1st St San Jose, CA $49.50-65 approx., svturkeytrot.com
SAN MATEO: Gobble Wobble 5K, 10K, 1 Mile, Kids Dash November 27, 2025, 8-10 a.m. at Coyote Point Park San Mateo, CA $40-50 approx., arunnersmind.com/gobblewobble A
SAN PABLO: Nitro Turkey 5K & 10K Run November 27, 2025, 9 a.m. at Point Pinole Regional Park 5551 Giant Highway San Pablo, CA $58-73, brazenracing.com
SAN RAMON: Bishop Ranch Fast or Festive 5K Turkey Trot and Kids Tiny (50-yard) Turkey Dash November 27, 2025, 8:30 a.m. at Bishop Ranch City Center 6000 Bollinger Canyon Road San Ramon, CA $40.75 approx., runsignup.com | bishopranch.com
SANTA ROSA: Santa Rosa Turkey Trot Fast or Festive 5K and Tiny Turkey Kids Run November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Courthouse Square Santa Rosa, CA $40.75, $16.90 Tiny Turkey Kids Run, santarosaturkeytrot.com
SOLVANG: Turkey Trot November 27, 2025, 10 a.m. at Sunny Fields $25, cityofsolvang.com P
TEMECULA: Temecula Turkey Trot & Food Drive November 27, 2025, 7 a.m. at 28582 Harveston Drive Temecula, CA US 92591 $48.70, runsignup.com
TORRANCE: Turkey Trot 3 Mile Fun Run November 27, 2025, 8-10 a.m. at Sam's Club Parking Lot 2601 Skypark Drive Torrance, CA $30-40, torranceca.gov
TUSTIN: Orange County Rescue Mission 5K Turkey Trot OC November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at Village of Hope 1 Hope Dr Tustin, CA 92782 $30-40 Racers of all levels and ages are welcome!
UPLAND: City of Upland Turkey Trot 5K & 1K Run/Walk November 27, 2025, 8 a.m. at San Antonio Park 2393 N. Mountain Ave. Mountain Avenue & 24th Street Upland, CA $30-35, uplandca.gov | runsignup.com
VAN NUYS: Turkey Trot 5k, 10k, 15k, Half Marathon November 27, 2025, 7:30 a.m. at Woodley Park Woodley Ave. & Victory Blvd. Van Nuys, CA $27-50 approx., abetterworldrunning.com
VISALIA: Visalia Emergency Aid Race Against Hunger 5k / 2 Mile November 27, 2025, 8-10 a.m. at Downtown Visalia Garden Street Plaza (Main St. & Garden) Visalia, CA $22.70-50, visaliaturkeytrot.com
WALNUT CREEK: Forma Gym Turkey Trot 5K/10K November 27, 2025, 8-10:30 a.m. at Civic Park 1375 Civic Dr Walnut Creek, California $fundraiser with team goals, walnutcreekturkeytrot.com | raceroster.com
Past events
SACRAMENTO: Old Town Sacramento Tree Lighting Ceremony November 27, 2024. 60 foot tree is followed by Theater of Lights. Free, oldsacramento.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Nature Nights November 26-December 27, 2025, 5-8 p.m., at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. Stunning lighting exhibitions and art throughout eight acres of gardens, live music each night, local culinary treats, plus regional wine and beer for sale. Location: 3450 Dairy Creek Rd. San Luis Obispo, CA. $28, slobg.org
ATWATER: Old Town Atwater Ice Skating Center returns for its fifth season November 21, 2025-January 2026, promising affordable holiday fun.
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
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
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 13, 2025-January 11, 2026, 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
NAPLES: Lighting of the Trees in the Bay nights through New Year's Day.
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2025.
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
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 26-December 24, 2025 performed from a balcony overlooking the the streets of Old Town. Based on Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem 'Twas the night before Christmas. Free, oldsacramento.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes December 4-21, 2025 at Curran Theatre. Location: 445 Geary Street, San Francisco, CA. $, broadwaysf.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 DIEGO: Rady Children's Ice Rink November 20, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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 November 5, 2025-January 19, 2026. Themed days and special events add to the fun. $22 session includes skate rental.
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza returns for the 2025/2026 season running November 14, 2025-January 4, 2026 in City Plaza. $12-15, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
CONCORD: Ice at the Veranda November 7, 2025-February 15, 2026 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
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 28, 2025-January 4, 2026 (Thursday-Sunday) 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 November 14, 2025-January 4, 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
LOS ANGELES: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Skating Rink returns November 20, 2025-January 11, 2026. Sharpen your blades and skills or just go to chill with themed events and great music. $, holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating returning November 22, 2025-January 11, 2026 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 November 1, 2025-January 4, 2026 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $24-27 general admission, irvinespectrumcenter.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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 November 25, 2025-January 4, 2026. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
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
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars at South Coast Botanic Garden November 6-December 31, 2025, 5-10 p.m. Celestial, multisensory experience features out-of-this-world light sculptures in 9 themed areas. $30-65, astralumina.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
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 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
SAN JOSE: Blinky's Holiday Lights Drive Thru November 21-December 31, 2025, 5 p.m. at Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. More than one mile of magical scenes and displays synced to favorite holiday tunes. $25-31, approx., christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice November 26, 2025-January 2026 in the iconic Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 15, 2025-January 25, 2026 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 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
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park daily through New Year's
SACRAMENTO: Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink November 5, 2025-January 19, 2026 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
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 7, 2025-January 19, 2026 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 November 10, 2025-Janaury 19, 2026 at Peltzer Farm & Winery. Location: 39925 Calle Contento, Temecula, CA. $23.05 for 75 minute skate session, rental skates included, peltzerfarms.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: Filoli Holiday Lights November 22, 2025-January 11, 2026, 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.