California Events
Olympic Valley Tree Lighting & Ice Skate Opening
Saturday, November 29, 2025
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/
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 November 21-December 28, 2025 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!
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 29, 2025-January 3, 2026, 5:30 p.m. Stroll through millions of lights in holiday-themed lands featuring over 200 displays. $18, calmholidaylights.org
*BAKERSFIELD: City of Bakersfield Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025 (please confirm), 5:30 p.m. Downtown Bakersfield in the Centennial Plaza in front of Dignity Health Arena, where the Condors ice hockey game and annual Teddy Bear Toss commence afterward. Free tree lighting, bakersfieldcity.us
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
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/
JULIAN: Julian Country Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 12-7:30 p.m. | 6 p.m. Tree Lighting Julian Town Square Main & Washington Julian, CA Free, visitjulian.com
LAGUNA BEACH: Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy November 21-December 21, 2025, 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
LAKEPORT: Lakeport Lighted Boat Parade, November 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Visible from Xabatin Community Park, watch and vote for your favorite, then stick around for the Tree Lighting Ceremony held in the park afterward.
LAKEPORT: Lakeport Dickens Faire Pet Parade November 29, 2025, 11:30 a.m. Parade; Dickens Faire 11 a.m.-6 p.m. lakeportmainstreet.com
LAKEPORT: Christmas Trees on Main Street November 29, 2025-January 3, 2026. Decorated & lit trees sponsored and designed by community members to brighten the holiday season. discoverlakeportca.com
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.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
Past events
BIG BEAR LAKE: Big Bear Lake Village Tree Lighting with Santa's Grand Entrance November 29, 2024, 5-8 p.m. Village at Big Bear Lake Village Drive & Pine Knot Ave. Big Bear Lake, CA Free, bigbearlakevillage.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
FELTON: Holiday Lights Train November 28-29, December 6-7, 13-23, 2025. Evening ride on a beautifully lit vintage train which begins in the Santa Cruz mountains at Roaring Camp Railroads. $tickets, roaringcamp.com
FRESNO: Christmas at Kearney: Beyond Santa, Delivering Holiday Magic November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $12, valleyhistory.org
GILROY: North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens theme park November 28-December 31, 2025 includes Ice Skating, Santa's Workshop, Train, Lighting Displays, stage shows and more. $65-80, gilroygardens.org
GRASS VALLEY: Grass Valley Cornish Christmas Fridays November 28-December 19, 2025, 6-9 p.m. in Downtown Grass Valley. Rekindle the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas at this delightful holiday event. downtowngrassvalley.com
GRASS VALLEY: Country Christmas Faire November 29-December 1, 2024 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: 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
HOLLYWOOD: David Benoit's Charlie Brown Christmas Concert November 29 & 30, 2024 Doors: 7 p.m. / Show: 8:30 p.m. Catalina Bar & Grill 6725 Sunset Boulevard Hollywood CA 90028 All Ages $55-65, catalinajazzclub.com
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
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
JACKSON: Christmas Delights Tree Lighting & Open House November 29-30, 2024 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
KERNVILLE: Tree Lighting Ceremony in Circle Park. Kick of the month-long celebrations of Christmas and meet Santa every weekend in the park. gotokernville.com
KINGSBURG: Julgransfest Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2024, 5-7 p.m. Swedish Village, Memorial Park Draper Street Kingsburg, CA Free, kingsburgchamber.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
LA PUENTE: Tree Lighting Ceremony 5-8 p.m.
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
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
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
MONTEREY: Cannery Row Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29, 2024, 12-9 p.m. Monterey, CA Free, canneryrow.com
MT. SHASTA: Mount Shasta Hometown Holiday Light Parade November 29, 2024, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Winter Magic Festival Lights Parade 6 p.m. | Tree Lighting after parade
NAPA: Silverado Resort Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29, 2024, 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
NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Dunes Fire & Ice Rink Official Lighting of the Bay with Santa, holiday crafts and so much more!
OAKDALE: Cowboy Christmas November 29-30, 2024 at Gene Bianchi Community Center. Presented by the Cowboy Museum, Cowboy Santa appears Saturday, November 30, 2024, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Location: 110 S. 2nd Ave. Oakdale, CA 355 E. F Street Oakdale, CA Free, oakdalecowboymuseum.org
OAKLAND: Temple Hill Days of Christmas November 29-December 31, 2025. A beacon for spectacular holiday lights, Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, nativity and creche presentations on panoramic Temple Hill. Free, templehill.org
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
OLYMPIC VALLEY: Everline Resort (formerly Squaw Valley) Grand Tree Lighting Ceremony + Ice Rink Opening November 29, 2024, 6:45 p.m. Festivities 3-9 p.m. Everline Resort Lake Tahoe 400 Squaw Creek Road Olympic Valley, CA everlineresort.com
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2025.
PASO ROBLES: Paso Robles Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. Downtown Paso Robles City Park 12th & Spring Streets Paso Robles, CA Cost: Free, pasoroblesdowntown.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
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square December 4-13, 2024. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
SACRAMENTO: Hmong New Year November 29-December 1, 2024 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 29, 2024, 5-9 p.m. Live entertainment | Tree lighting | Rady Children's Ice Rink. libertystation.com | rchicerink.org
SAN FRANCISCO: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 22-December 21, 2025, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Cow Palace. 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. $33-up, dickensfair.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
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
SANTA CRUZ: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m. at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Soquel Jazz Band performs and complimentary Cookies & Hot Cocoa (first-come first-serve) Location: 400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA. Free, beachboardwalk.com
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.
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 DIEGO: Old Town Cygnet Theatre November 29-December 24, 2024. Location: 4040 Twiggs St. San Diego, CA 92110 $, cygnettheatre.com | carol
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park November 28, 2025-January 1, 2026, 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: 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
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
SANTA ROSA: Winter Lights Tree Lighting November 29, 2024, 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 29, 2024, 5:30-9 p.m. at Blaney Plaza. Tree Lighting includes kids Candy Cane Village. Wine Stroll for adults takes place downtown where the tree lighting is held.
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Holiday Tree Lighting November 29, 2024, 5 p.m., tree lighting at 6:30 p.m. at The Shops at Heavenly. Music by Kristen Brown from NBC The Voice. Location: 1001 Heavenly Village Way, South Lake Tahoe, CA. Free, public invited, theshopsatheavenly.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
WATSONVILLE: Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Drive Through November 29-December 24, 2024, 5:30-9 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Location: 2601 East Lake Ave Watsonville, CA 95076 $20-25 per car, fairgrounds-foundation.org/ holiday-lights
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
YUCAIPA: Apple Butter Festival at Historic Los Rios Rancho November 29-December 1, 2024 at Riley's at Los Rios Rancho. Location: 39611 Oak Glen Rd. #13, Yucaipa, CA. Free admission, losriosrancho.com
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.