California Events
Olympic Valley Tree Lighting & Ice Skate Opening
Friday, November 29, 2024
ANAHEIM: Anaheim Ballet The Nutcracker with Symphony Irvine November 29-30, 2024 at The City National Grove of Anaheim. Location: 2200 E. Katella, Anaheim, CA. $54-95, anaheimballet.org/ nutcracker
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
BAKERSFIELD: CALM Zoo Holiday Lights November 30, 2024-January 4, 2025, 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 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
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood on Ice November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 across from City Hall on 2nd Street celebrates its 8th season in Contra Costa County. $17, brentwoodonice.com
CHICO: Chico Ice Rink in the Plaza November 15, 2024-January 12, 2025 in City Plaza features events like Ugly Sweater, Barbie, Adult Skate and Silent Disco. $5-25, chicorec.gov/chico-ice-rink
CORONADO: Skating by the Sea November 21, 2024-January 5, 2025 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 9, 2024-February 2025 at The Veranda shopping mall. Come glide on Ice at The Veranda with open-air shopping, dining and entertainment.
COSTA MESA: Winter Fest OC November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 at Orange County Fair & Event Center. Snow, ice tubing, ice skating, rides, fire pits and more. Location: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA. $35-110, winterfestoc.com
DANVILLE: Lighting of the Old Oak Tree November 29, 2024, 5:15-8 p.m. Diablo Road, Old Oak Tree Hartz & Prospect Ave. Danville, CA danville.ca.gov
ENCINITAS: Lightscape November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025, 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. $26-34 general admission, sdbg.org
FELTON: Holiday Lights Train November 29-December 23, 2024. Evening ride on a beautifully lit vintage train which begins in the Santa Cruz mountains at Roaring Camp Railroads. $tickets, roaringcamp.com
FOLSOM: Historic Folsom Ice Rink November 8, 2024-January 20, 2025 in Downtown Folsom, 2oo Wool Street (behind Chamber of Commerce), Folsom, CA $, historicfolsom.org
FRESNO: Holiday Sweets & Winter Treats at Kearney Mansion Museum November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $12, valleyhistory.org
GILROY: North Pole Nights at Gilroy Gardens theme park November 29-December 30, 2024 includes Ice Skating, Santa's Workshop, Rudy's Roadtrip, Tinsel's Groove Train, Lighting Displays, stage shows and more. $40-50, gilroygardens.org
GRASS VALLEY: Grass Valley Cornish Christmas Fridays November 29-December 20, 2024, 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: Christmas Parade November 29, 2024, 6-8 p.m. Theme: Season of Lights, hanfordchamber.com
HANFORD: Winter Wonderland Ice Skating November 23, 2024- January 12, 2025 at Civic Park, Downtown Hanford. Make it a date with the 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 19-December 29, 2024, 5:30 p.m. 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. $15-40, magicoflights.com
IRVINE: Irvine Spectrum Holiday Ice Rink November 1, 2024-January 5, 2025 next to the Giant Wheel. Skating, shopping and dining all in one place! Location: 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine, CA. $25, 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
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 17, 2024-January 5, 2025 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. $22, descansogardens.org
LA PUENTE: Tree Lighting Ceremony 5-8 p.m.
LOS ANGELES: LA Zoo Lights, Animals Aglow November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025, 6-10 p.m. at Los Angeles Zoo. Special holiday display seen only at night 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 November 21, 2024-January 12, 2025. Sharpen your blades and skills or just go to chill with themed events and great music. $25, holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 22-December 31, 2024 at Custom House Plaza. $20 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.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
NAPLES: Lighted Trees in the Bay, Nightly at Sunset, November 28, 2024-January 1, 2025. 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.
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, 2024. 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 8, 2024-January 6, 2025, 5-9 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
PLACERVILLE: Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting November 29, 2024, 4-7 p.m. Tree Lighting at approx. 6 p.m. Downtown Placerville Main Street Placerville, CA cityofplacerville.org
REDDING: Garden of Lights November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 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, 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: Pier 39 Tree Lighting Show nightly November 26, 2024-January 5, 2025, every half hour , 5-10 p.m. Location: Beach Street & The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA. Free, public invited
SAN FRANCISCO: The Great Dickens Christmas Fair November 23-December 22, 2024, 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 22-December 28, 2024, 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 CLARA: Great America WinterFest November 29, 2024-January 5, 2025. Ice Skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia and marvel at spectacular live shows. More than 60 rides and holiday attractions. Location: 237 W to Great America Parkway. $ tickets
SANTA BARBARA: ZooLights November 13, 2024-January 12, 2025, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Santa Barbara Zoo. Walk through the Zoo to see thousands of handcrafted silk-covered lanterns aglow with more than 50,000 LED bulbs, showcasing animal and nature scenes depicting wild places from around the world. Location: 500 Niños Drive, Santa Barbara, CA. $21-35 sbzoo.org
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
SANTA MARIA: Christmas in the Country Elks Drive-thru Holiday Lights Experience November 29-December 24, 2024 at Elks Unocal Event Center. Timed entry starts at 6 p.m. Pick available day and time online. Location: 2325 Skyway Drive, Santa Maria, CA. $40 per car, elksrec.com
POMONA: Imaginarium at Fairplex November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025. Over 5 million lights in colorful displays, 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/
SACRAMENTO: Imaginarium November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025 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 29, 2024-January 1, 2025, 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: Holiday Lights Drive Thru November 21, 2024-January 1, 2025, 5-11 p.m. in History Park San Jose. More than one mile of magical scenes and displays synced to favorite holiday tunes. $25-31, approx., christmasinthepark.com
SAN JOSE: Downtown Ice November 15, 2024-January 20, 2025 in Circle of Palms Plaza on Market Street. $21, sjdowntownice.com
SAN MATEO: IlluminOdyssey November 16, 2024-January 26, 2025 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 15, 2024-January 12, 2025 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! $21 approx., onicerinks.com
SAN RAMON: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Skating Rink November 8, 2024-January 5, 2025 at City Center Bishop Ranch. Many special events include Elsa, Santa Claus, Barbie and Kristi's skating clinic. $26, citycenterbishopranch.com
SANTA MONICA: ICE November 8, 2024-January 20, 2025 at 5th & Arizona. DJs spin tunes on Wed., Classical Music Sunday sessions. $22 includes skate rental for hour session, 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, 2024-March 31, 2025
WALNUT CREEK: Walnut Creek on Ice November 22, 2024-January 12, 2025. 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: Holidays at Filoli November 16, 2024-January 12, 2025. Georgian revival-style mansion with 16 acres of exquisite English Renaissance gardens at an historic 654-acre estate (as seen in Falcon Crest show) is all decked out with 20 miles of Holiday lights, food delights, Santa visits and add-on experiences like firepit nights. $41-45, 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.