California Events
Polar Express at Southern California Railway Museum, Perris
Saturday, November 28, 2026
Past events
ALPINE: Viejas Casino Resort Ice Rink , 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/
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
ANAHEIM: Anaheim Ballet The Nutcracker with Symphony Irvine November 28-29, 2025 at The City National Grove of Anaheim. Location: 2200 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA. $, anaheimballet.org/ nutcracker
ARCADIA: Enchant Christmas at Santa Anita Park / Racetrack. Holiday attraction includes "World's Largest Christmas Maze," ice slides, ice skating rink, Santa Village, Marketplace shops and foods & beverages. $29-up!
ATWATER: Old Town Atwater Ice Skating Center returns for its 2026-2027 Season, promising affordable holiday fun.
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. $18, 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
BIG BEAR LAKE: Big Bear Lake Village Tree Lighting with Santa's Grand Entrance November 28, 2025, 4:30-7 p.m. Village at Big Bear Lake Village Drive & Pine Knot Ave. Big Bear Lake, CA Free, bigbearlakevillage.com
COARSEGOLD: Coarsegold Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 6-10 p.m. at Chukchansi Gold Resort. Public invited. Location: 11 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, CA. Free, chukchansigold.com
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza in City Plaza. $12-15, 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
COARSEGOLD: Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 6-10 p.m. | 7 p.m. Tree Lighting Community Tree Lighting at Chukchansi Gold Resort. Location: 11 Lucky Lane, Coarsegold, CA. Free, 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 with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea 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 (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
DANVILLE: Lighting of the Old Oak Tree November 28, 2025, 5:15-8 p.m. Diablo Road, Old Oak Tree Hartz & Prospect Ave. Danville, CA danville.ca.gov
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
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/
GRASS VALLEY: Country Christmas Faire November 28-30, 2025 at Nevada County Fairgrounds. Strolling entertainment, festival foods, the magical Gingerbread House exhibit, elves, and a community bonfire. Wagon rides around the Fairgrounds will be offered; and Victorian singers perform throughout the event. Santa available each day. Location: 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley, CA. $5, nevadacountyfair.com
HANFORD: Christmas Parade November 28, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Theme: Season of Lights, hanfordchamber.com
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
HOLLYWOOD: David Benoit's Tribute to Charlie Brown, an annual Christmas tradition concert December 28-29, 2025 at Catalina Bar & Grill. $, davidbenoitmusic.com
IRVINE: Dream Glow Lights Festival , Wednesday-Sunday at Wild Rivers Waterpark. West Coast debut of the newest lights spectacular for the holidays! Location: 10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA. $37-53, dreamglowfestival.com
INDIO: Coachella Valley Magic of Lights Drive Thru 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
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink next to the Giant Wheel. Skating! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $24-27 general admission, irvinespectrumcenter.com
JACKSON: Christmas Delights Tree Lighting & Open House November 28-29, 2025 on Historic Main Street. Christmas Delights Festival of Trees, a winter wonderland of magic where guests vote for your favorite decorated tree and Great Christmas Light Show competition for residents within the city limits to enter to compete. ci.jackson.ca.us
KINGSBURG: Julgransfest Christmas Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 5-7 p.m. Swedish Village, Memorial Park Draper Street Kingsburg, CA Free, kingsburgchamber.com
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
LAKE ELSINORE: Electric Light Festival Drive-Thru , 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Lake Elsinore Outlet Mall. Over a million lights in fun, fantasy scenes and shapes. Drive through or ride the train. $15-up, electriclightfestival.com
LAGUNA BEACH: Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy 2026 10 a.m.-7 p.m. every Friday through Sunday rain or shine! 175 award-winning artists, sculptors, jewelers and designers sell their works in the beautiful Laguna Canyon venue. Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA. $, sawdustartfestival.org
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
MAMMOTH LAKES: Mammoth Lakes Tree Lighting in the Village November 28, 2025, 5-7:30 p.m. Location: Village at Mammoth 6201 Minaret Rd. Mammoth Lakes, CA Free, mammothmountain.com
MONTEREY: Cannery Row Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 2-9 p.m. Monterey, CA Free, canneryrow.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay at Custom House Plaza. $21.10 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
MORENO VALLEY: Electric Light Festival Drive-thru , 5:30-10:30 p.m. at Moreno Valley Mall. Over a million dazzling lights! Location: 22631 Town Circle, Moreno Valley, CA. $, electriclightfestival.com
MT. SHASTA: Mount Shasta Hometown Holiday Light Parade November 28, 2025, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Winter Magic Festival Lights Parade 6 p.m. | Tree Lighting after parade
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: Silverado Resort Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. Guests are invited to bring an unwrapped toy for the Toys for Tots, Napa toy drive. Location: Silverado Resort and Spa, Mansion Lawn, 1600 Atlas Peak Rd., Napa, CA. Free, silveradoresort.com
NAPA: Meritage Ice Skating Rink is open to public. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Dunes Fire & Ice Rink Official Lighting of the Bay with Santa, holiday crafts and so much more!
OAKDALE: Cowboy Christmas November 28-29, 2025 at Gene Bianchi Community Center. Presented by the Cowboy Museum, Cowboy Santa appears Saturday 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: 110 S. 2nd Ave. Oakdale, CA 355 E. F Street Oakdale, CA Free, oakdalecowboymuseum.org
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 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2026on Euclid Avenue. 12 Historic Drive or Walk Thru Nativity Scenes on display from "C" Street through "F" Street on Euclid, Ontario, CA Free, gocvb.org
PALO ALTO: Winter Lodge Seasonal Ice Rink October 18, 2025-April 12, 2026, is back with public skating sessions, lessons and more. $20 session, $6 skate rental, winterlodge.com
PASO ROBLES: Paso Robles Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 5:30-7 p.m. Downtown Paso Robles City Park 12th & Spring Streets Paso Robles, CA Cost: Free, pasoroblesdowntown.org
PLACERVILLE: Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 4-8 p.m. Tree Lighting at approx. 6 p.m. Downtown Placerville Main Street Placerville, CA cityofplacerville.org
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars at South Coast Botanic Garden, 5-10 p.m. Celestial, multisensory experience features out-of-this-world light sculptures in 9 themed areas. $30-65, astralumina.com
PORTERVILLE: City of Porterville Tree Lighting Ceremony 6 p.m. in Centennial Park. Lighting of the Main Street Tree, musical performances and refreshments. Free, ci.porterville.ca.us
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: Hmong New Year November 28-30, 2025 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
SAN DIEGO: Liberty Station Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 5-9 p.m. Live entertainment | Tree lighting | Rady Children's Ice Rink. libertystation.com | rchicerink.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. Themed days and special events add to the fun. $22 session includes skate rental.
SAN FRANCISCO: Ghirardelli Square Tree Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 4:30-8 p.m. Santa Lights the Square Square-wide Holiday Lighting 5 p.m. Ghirardelli Square Fountain Plaza 900 North Point Street San Francisco, CA, 94109 ghirardellisq.com
SAN JOSE: Tree Lighting at the launch of the annual Christmas in the Park on November 28, 2025,
SAN JOSE: Blinky's Holiday Lights Drive Thru, 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 in the iconic Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $, sjdowntownice.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Central Coast Craft Fair November 28-29, 2025, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Veterans Memorial. Largest Hand-made Craft Show on the Central Coast in beautiful downtown San Luis Obispo includes contemporary and country crafters and artisans, plus free Cider and Cookies in the Boutique Location: 801 Grand Ave., San Luis Obispo, CA. Free admission, free parking californiacraftshow.com
SAN LUIS OBISPO: Downtown San Luis Obispo Holiday Plaza Lighting Ceremony November 28, 2025, 5 p.m. (Santa House opens at 1 p.m.) San Luis Obispo Mission in the Mission Plaza. Free to see, downtownslo.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 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
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
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
SANTA PAULA: Santa Paula Christmas Parade November 28, 2025, 7-8:30 p.m. brings out Santa and his crew, the big lighted trucks and tractors, low-riders, floats, kids groups, and holiday cheer beyond compare. santapaulachamber.com
SANTA ROSA: Winter Lights Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 4-7 p.m. at Old Courthouse Square 50 Old Courthouse Square Santa Rosa, CA Free, downtownsantarosa.org/ winterlights
SARATOGA: Wine Stroll and Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 3-9 p.m. . Tree Lighting at Blaney Plaza. Event includes kids Candy Cane Village. Wine Stroll for adults takes place downtown where the tree lighting is held.
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.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Holiday Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 5 p.m., tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. at The Shops at Heavenly. Music by Mark Mackay from NBC The Voice. Location: 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Free, public invited, theshopsatheavenly.com
SUTTER CREEK: Plaid Friday November 28, 2025 on Main Street, Sutter Creek, CA Wear something plaid to receive discounts throughout downtown on and around Main Street. Free, suttercreek.org
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
TURLOCK: Turlock Festival of Lights November 28, 2025, 5-8 p.m. Held on Black Friday evening the event begins at 5 p.m. with a vendor fair. Free to see, turlockdowntown.com
VACAVILLE: Vacaville Tree Lighting Ceremony, part of Merriment on Main annual celebration.
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
WRIGHTWOOD: Wrightwood Mountain Holiday Celebration Village Tree Lighting November 28, 2025, 6 p.m. presented by the Wrightwood Chamber of Commerce. Meet, greet, and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy festive music & food, and participate in The Great Elf Hunt. Public invited, wrightwoodchamber.org
YOUNTVILLE: Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Community Center. Organized with the support of our businesses, donors and volunteers! Location: 6550 Yount Street, Yountville, CA 94599 (707) 944-8851
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.