California Events
Sunday, November 30, 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/
ANDERSON: Christmas Trees and Memories Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting November 30, 2025 on East Center Street, Anderson, CA. Free, ci.anderson.ca.us
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!
ATWATER: Old Town Atwater Ice Skating Center returns for its fifth season November 21, 2025-January 2026, promising affordable holiday fun.
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
BIG BEAR LAKE: Big Bear Alpine Zoo Wild Lights November 6, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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
BRENTWOOD: Brentwood Lighted Holiday Parade November 29, 2025, 5-7 p.m. 'Holiday Toyland' route - starts on: First St., ends on Pine Brentwood, CA. After the Parade, stay for the Tree Lighting Ceremony. 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
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
COARSEGOLD: Winter Wonderland Ice Rink November 22, 2025-January 4, 2026, 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 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
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
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 November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026, Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays $12, valleyhistory.org
FRESNO: IllumiNature returning November 22, 2025-January 31, 2026 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fcz.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: 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
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: Hollywood Christmas Parade November 30, 2025, 6-8 p.m. on Hollywood Blvd. with Grand Marshal Luke Wilson. thehollywoodchristmasparade.org
IRVINE: Dream Glow Lights Festival November 14-December 31, 2025, 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
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
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
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
LAKE ELSINORE: Electric Light Festival Drive-Thru November 8-December 31, 2025, 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
LEMOORE: Jingle & Mingle Tree Raising & Tree Lighting Ceremony November 30, 2025, 12-8 p.m., Downtown Lemoore Fox & D St. Lemoore, CA
LOS ALTOS: Los Altos Festival of Lights Parade November 30, 2025, 6-8 p.m. Downtown Main & State Streets Los Altos, CA downtownlosaltos.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
MERCED: Hometown Christmas Tree Lighting November 30, 2025, 3-7 p.m. Free tree lighting, concert charges a fee (mercedsymphony.org) cityofmerced.org facebook.com/visitmerced/
MISSION VIEJO: Mission Viejo Tree Ceremony with Santa's Arrival November 30, 2025, 3-6 p.m. | 6 p.m. Santa arrives Civic Center 200 Civic Center Mission Viejo, CA mvactivities.com
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 at Custom House Plaza. $21.10 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
MORENO VALLEY: Electric Light Festival Drive-thru November 8-December 31, 2025, 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 November 25, 2025-January 4, 2026. $21.42 sessions, meritageresort.com
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
OAKLEY: Oakley on Ice November 21, 2025-January 4, 2026 across from Oakley City Hall with parking at Main Street & Norcoss Lane. $, oakleyonice.com
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2026.
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
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
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express November 20-December 31, 2025. 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
RANCHO CORDOVA: Rancho Cordova Christmas Tree Lighting and Fireworks! November 30, 2025, 4-7:30 p.m. | Tree Lighting and Fireworks at 7 p.m. at Village Green Park. Hayrides, Live Nativity, Food Trucks. cordovacouncil.org
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: 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
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
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
SALINAS: Holiday Parade of Lights November 30, 2025, 6-8 p.m. First, it was canceled, but then resounding support is making the parade happen - IT'S ON! Support it, don't miss it!
SALINAS: Tree Lighting Ceremony November 30, 2025 held in conjunction with the Holiday Parade of Lights, this time-honored tradition warms the hearts and minds of those who attend with beautiful, glowing lights and friendship.
SAN FRANCISCO: The Ritz-Carlton Holiday Tree
Lighting Ceremony, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Location:
600 Stockton Street,
San Francisco, CA. Free, public invited
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.
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 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 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
SANTA BARBARA: Santa Barbara Christmas Tree Lighting November 30, 2025, 6-9 p.m. at Paseo Nuevo. Location: 651 Paseo Nuevo, Santa Barbara, CA, Free, public invited, santabarbaraca.gov
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 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
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 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
SANTA YSABEL: Holiday Hayride 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with caroling, hoedown & jug band show, treasure hunt and more at Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures. Location: 4425 CA-78, Santa Ysabel CA 92070 fortcross.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
VISALIA: Visalia Tree Lighting Ceremony November 30, 2025, 6 p.m. in Lincoln Oval Park. Free event, public invited, visalia.city
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 28-December 24, 2025 , 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
YORBA LINDA: Messiah Sing Along Free Concert November 30, 2025, 10 a.m. 0r 12 p.m. seating at Nixon Library East Room. The Yorba Linda Arts Alliance Foundation's 19th annual concert with the famed Hallelujah Chorus is performed by a 50 member chorus and string orchestra. Doors open ½ hour prior to each concert; seating is open, no reservations required. Location: 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA. Free admission to this event only - not free to view the Museum, nixonlibrary.gov/ sunday-concert-series
YUCAIPA: Apple Butter Festival at Historic Los Rios Rancho November 29-30, 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.