California Events
Olympic Valley Tree Lighting & Ice Skate Opening
Sunday, November 29, 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/
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!
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
BASS LAKE: 34th Bass Lake Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Parade of Lights November 29, 2025, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Pines Village. Parade of Lights with decorated floats, Christmas tree lighting, Santa's arrival, Pictures with Santa & Mrs. Claus and Holiday craft fair. Location: Road 432, Bass Lake, CA. Free, facebook.com/ yosemitemadera
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
*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
BASS LAKE: Parade of Lights & Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 5:30-8 p.m. at The Pines Resort. 34th Bass Lake Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade of Lights. Participate by decorating a festive float, or just come over for a fun evening browsing the Pines Village Arts & Crafts Fair. The event is free, basslake.com
BENICIA: Wine Walk & Shop Small November 29, 2025, 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
BIG BEAR CITY: Big Bear City Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 5-7 p.m.with Santa Arrival Big Bear City Fire Station 282 Big Bear Blvd. 301 West Big Bear Blvd. Big Bear City, CA bigbearfire.org | facebook.com/ BigBearFire
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood Lighted Holiday Parade November 29, 2025, 5-7 p.m. 2025 theme: Holiday Toyland Parade route - starts on: First St., ends on Pine. After the parade, the Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place. Brentwood, CA brentwoodchamber.com
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
CAPITOLA: Capitola Surfing Santa Arrives November 29, 2025, 12-3 p.m. Main Beach in Capitola Village Capitola by the Sea, California cityofcapitola.org
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
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
DORRINGTON: Dorrington Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 6 p.m. Meet at the Dorrington Hotel Parking Lot 3450 CA Hwy-4 Dorrington, CA Dorrington Realty, (209) 795-4455 facebook.com/dorringtonrealty/
ELK GROVE: Dickens Faire & Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Held every year on the first Saturday after Thanksgiving in Old Town Elk Grove on Elk Grove Blvd. with over 145 arts and crafts vendors, commercial vendors, and community groups. oldtownelkgrove.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
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/
FRESNO: Christmas at Kearney: Beyond Santa, Delivering Holiday Magic, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $12, valleyhistory.org
GILROY: North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens theme park 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 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. $6, nevadacountyfair.com
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: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with family and friends for fun holiday ice skating. $, hanfordwinterwonderland.com
HOLLISTER: Lights On Holiday Parade Christmas Around the World + Tree Lighting Ceremony. It's a full day of fun with shopping galore, 30+ vendors, tree decorating, music, photos with Santa, food vendors and more.
HOLLYWOOD: David Benoit's Tribute to Charlie Brown, an annual Christmas tradition concert 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
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
KERNVILLE: Tree Lighting Ceremony in Circle Park November 29, 2025, 5:30 p.m. Kick of the month-long celebrations of Christmas and meet Santa every weekend in the park. gotokernville.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
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
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 2026-2027 Season. Decorated & lit trees sponsored and designed by community members to brighten the holiday season. discoverlakeportca.com
LEWISTON: Lewiston Christmas Bridge Lighting & Fireworks November 29, 2025, 3 -7 p.m. Free Fireworks begin at 5:30 p.m. Downtown Lewiston Turnpike & Deadwood Rd. Lewiston, CA lewistonsparkies.com/ bridge-lighting
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
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
MERCED: Castle Air Museum Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 5-8 p.m. Location: Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater, CA. Free, castleairmuseum.org
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: 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. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
NAPA: Meritage Tree Lighting Ceremony, Napa November 29, 2025, 4-8 p.m. The Meritage Resort and Spa. Location: 875 Bordeaux Way, Napa CA. Free Admission, Reservations Required, meritageresort.com
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: Temple Hill Days of Christmas. A beacon for spectacular holiday lights, Christmas concerts, theatrical performances, nativity and creche presentations on panoramic Temple Hill. Free, templehill.org
OAKLAND: Oakland Christmas Tree Lighting November 29, 2025, 5:45-8 p.m. Jack London Square 10 Washington St. Oakland, CA jacklondonsquare.com
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
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
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express. Family adventure on a magical train ride complete with dancing chefs, caroling, cookies and cocoa, re-creates the classic children’s story. $49-56, socalrailway.org
PETALUMA: Santa's Riverboat Arrival November 29, 2025, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. River Plaza Shopping Center East Washington St. Petaluma, CA Free, visitpetaluma.com
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
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
SACRAMENTO: Holiday Hits with a Splash of Sass! with Sacramento Gay Chorus November 29, 2025, 3 & 7 p.m. at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center. The chorus sings traditional seasonal favorites plus showstoppers. Location: 1301 L St, Sacramento, CA. $35-50, sacgaymenschorus.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: Surfing Santa in San Diego November 29, 2025, 1-4 p.m. at Seaport Village. Join in the fun at this free public event with great photo ops. Location: 849 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA. seaportvillage.com
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: The Winter San Francisco Crystal Fair November 29-30, 2025 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
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 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 JOSE: Christmas in the Park, 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 LUIS OBISPO: Nature Nights, 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
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 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
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights, 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
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 MONICA: Westside Ballet's The Nutcracker November 29-December 7, 2025, with live orchestration at The Broad Stage. Location: Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, CA. $66.50, westsideballet.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 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. 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 28-December 24, 2025, 5:30-9 p.m., 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
WEED: Olde Fashioned Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony November 29, 2025, 5-7 p.m. | Tree Lighting 6 p.m. at City Hall Centennial Plaza, 550 Main St., Weed, CA. weedchamber.com
WOODSIDE: Filoli Holiday Lights , 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
YREKA: Yreka Holiday Parade November 29, 2025, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Miner Street. The 76th annual Christmas Parade is brought to the community by the Elks Lodge 1980.
YUCAIPA: Apple Butter Festival at Historic Los Rios Rancho November 28-30, 2025 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.