California Events
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ARCADIA: Arcadia Winter Concert December 4, 2024, 7 p.m. at Arcadia Public Library. Baldy View Brass Quintet performing favorites like We Wish You a Merry Christmas, All I Want for Christmas, and more! Location: 20 West Duarte Road, Arcadia, CA 91006. arcadiaca.gov
COLTON: Tree Lighting Ceremony December 4, 2024, 5:30 p.m. at Colton City Hall Colton, CA ci.colton.ca.us
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
GLENDALE: Glendale Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony December 4, 2024, 6-8 p.m. City Hall - Perkins Plaza 141 N. Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA Free, glendaleca.gov
HAYWARD: H.A.R.D. Holiday Lights free event to light up three of the city's Historical Mansions December 3-5, 2024, celebrate the season with some fun activities at Mt. Eden Mansion, Meek Mansion and McConaghy Mansion, and enjoy some hot chocolate. haywardrec.org | house museum Christmas
LA PALMA: Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, December 4, 2024, 4-8:30 p.m. Santa's Village with Santa and Mrs. Claus, arts and crafts, a letter to Santa station, and more! Free, CityofLaPalma.org/ TreeLighting
LONG BEACH: Terrace Plaza Tree Lighting December 4, 2024, 5-8 p.m. at Terrace Theater Plaza. 10th Annual Tree Lighting features a spectacular 67-foot live White Fir Christmas tree. Location: 300 E. Ocean Blvd. Long Beach, CA Free, longbeachcc.comwhich
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square, 6-7:30 p.m. Vernon Town Square. Come visit the Tree Grove on the square. Local businesses, organizations and schools have the opportunity to decorate trees in the square. This night, trees in the grove are officially lit, and families can make holiday crafts, enjoy music, visits with Santa and dine on food. Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
ALAMEDA: Christmas Tree Lane, December 7-31, 2024, an annual favorite holiday tradition for 85 years, is a community gift to the public. Free to see and experience.
ANAHEIM: Disneyland Festival of Holidays November 15, 2024-January 6, 2025. Christmas Fantasy Parade is back along with Haunted Mansion's Nightmare Before Christmas, It's a Small World Christmas-themed ride, festive costumes, towering Christmas trees for photos, great fan merchandise, gifts, and candy and sweets decorated like Mickey Mouse. Location: 1313 S. Harbor Blvd. Anaheim, CA. $Tickets, disneyland.com
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
CALABASAS: Holiday Road USA November 29-December 28, 2024, 5-10 p.m. at King Gillette Ranch. Larger than life holiday installations and thousands of Christmas lights. Location: 26800 Mulholland Hwy., Calabasas, CA. $24.99-up, holidayroadusa.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
BUENA PARK: Knott's Berry Farm Christmas November 22, 2024-January 5, 2025. Enjoy Christmas Crafts Village, Snoopy's Night Before Christmas Ice Show, Santa's Christmas Cabin photos, Home for the Holidays musical production and seasonal foods, plus all the great rides in one awesome day & night. Location: 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA. $60-up, knotts.com
CARLSBAD: Holidays at Legoland California November 23, 2024-January 5, 2025 | Fireworks on December 7, 14, and 21- 30, 2024. Meet Lego characters, see the Lego Christmas Tree made of 360,000 Lego & Duplo bricks, life-size Lego reindeer & Santa, hear the Brass Band, and enjoy the fun. Location: One Legoland Drive Carlsbad, CA $79-94, legoland.com/california
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.
FRESNO: IllumiNature November 26, 2024-January 31, 2025 at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a special holiday event featuring lighted lantern displays that entertain and amaze! $, fresnochaffeezoo.org
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
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
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 JOLLA: La Jolla Tree Lighting Ceremony December 4, 2024, 4:30-9 p.m. La Valencia Hotel 1132 Prospect St. La Jolla, CA 92037 Free and open to the public, lavalencia.com Celebrate La Valencia's annual holiday tree lighting with warm holiday beverages, homemade cookies, live music and children's crafts counting down to the lighting.
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
PALOS VERDES PENINSULA: Astra Lumina, An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst The Stars at South Coast Botanic Garden November 9-December 15, 2024, 5-10 p.m. Celestial, multisensory experience features out-of-this-world light sculptures. $35-65, southcoastbotanicgarden.org
PERRIS: Southern California Railway Polar Express November 20-December 31, 2024. Family adventure on a magical train ride complete with dancing chefs, caroling, cookies and cocoa, re-creates the classic children’s story. $84.25 general admission, socalrailway.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
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/
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
RIVERSIDE: Mission Inn Festival of Lights November 23, 2024 - January 6, 2025. 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
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square December 4-13, 2024. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA Free, roseville.ca.us
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: A Christmas Carol November 29-December 24, 2024 at Old Town Cygnet Theatre. Location: 4040 Twiggs St. San Diego, CA 92110 $, cygnettheatre.com | carol
SAN FRANCISCO: Golden Girls Christmas Episodes December 5-22, 2024 at The Victoria Theatre 2961 16th Street San Francisco, California 94103 $, thegoldengirlslive.com
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: Civic Center Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting December 4, 2024, 4-7 p.m. | Tree Lighting 5:30 p.m. at San Francisco Civic Center Plaza. Tons of entertainment, "snow flurries" and a night market with vendors, foods and a jolly good time. Location: 335 McAllister Street, San Francisco, CA. Free, sfciviccenter.org
SAN FRANCISCO: The Ritz-Carlton Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony December 4, 2024, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. The holiday season begins at twilight when The Ritz-Carlton's 40-foot holiday tree is illuminated by Santa Claus. Location 600 Stockton Street, San Francisco, CA Free, ritzcarlton.com
SAN FRANCISCO: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
SANGER: Sanger Christmas Tree Lighting December 4, 2024, 5:30-8 p.m. | 6:30 p.m. Tree Lighting Brehler Square 7th & N Street Sanger, CA Free, sanger.org
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 CLARA: California's Great America WinterFest Ice-skate in front of the iconic Carousel Columbia and marvel at spectacular live shows. More than 60 rides and holiday attractions, sending letters to the North Pole, checking out Santa's workshop and baking cookies in Mrs. Claus' kitchen. Location: 237 W to Great America Parkway. Ice skating available, too. $ tickets
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
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE: Heavenly Village Ice Rink November 1, 2024-March 31, 2025
Past events
LOS ANGELES: LA Phil's Dudamel Nutcracker Concert: Tchaikovsky & Ellington December 3, 4 & 10, 2022 Walt Disney Concert Hall 111 S. Grand Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90012 $92-259, musiccenter.org
LOS ANGELES: South LA cicLAvia CicLAvia Car-Free Open Streets Between Expo Park & Watts, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Show up anywhere along the route at any time and have fun! Hubs have restrooms, free water refilling stations, free basic bike repair, bike parking, and first aid. Free pedicab rides courtesy of AARP are available at each information booth. This 42nd CicLAvia event connects Exposition Park, Historic South Central, Florence-Firestone, and Watts. ciclavia.org/south_la22dec
LOS ANGELES: Los Angeles Ballet Academy The Nutcracker December 3-4, 2022 Cal State University Northridge (CSUN) Soraya Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA $50, thesoraya.org
MONTEREY: Monterey Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade, 5:30-8 p.m. Old Fisherman's Wharf 1 Fisherman's Wharf Monterey, California 93940 mpyc.org
ORANGE: Tree Lighting Ceremony with Candlelight Choir Procession, 3:30-7 p.m. Program begins at 5:15 p.m. Plaza Park Chapman & Glassell St. Orange, CA cityoforange.org
PLACERVILLE: Holiday Parade Dec.4, 2022
RANCHO CUCAMONGA: The Nutcracker, ballet, December 3-4 & 10-11, 2022 at Lewis Family Playhouse. Location: 12505 Cultural Center Drive Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739 $tickets, ipballet.org
REDWOOD CITY: Academy of American Ballet Nutcracker December 3-4, 2022 at Canada College Theater, 4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City, CA. Cost: $22-50, americanballet.com
ROSEVILLE: Tree Grove on the Square Nightly through December 8, 2022. Vernon Town Square Roseville, CA roseville.ca.us/events
SAN PEDRO: Shop for a Cause, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Marine Mammal Care Center. Shop at the Holiday Boutique for unique, fun gifts, meet Santa, enjoy some yummy treats, free hot chocolate, games, crafts, and view recovering seal and sea lion patients. Location: MMCC, 3601 South Gaffey, San Pedro, CA. Free free tickets in advance, space is limited: marinemammalcare.org
SHASTA LAKE: City of Shasta Lake Tree Lighting December 4, 2024, 5:30-7 p.m. Shasta Lake Community Center 4499 Main Street Lake Shasta, CA Free, facebook.com/ CityShastaLake
TEMECULA: The Ballet Studio Nutcracker December 1-4, 2022 at Europa Village Winery. Location: 41150 Via Europa, Temecula, CA 92591 $45-140, tickets.temeculatheater.org
SAUSALITO: Sausalito Gingerbread House Tour December 8-31, 2024 features nearly 20 unique displays in a walking tour. Free to see, sausalito.org/gingerbread-house-tour
UKIAH: Ukiah on Ice December 2, 2024-January 12, 2025 next to Alex R. Thomas Plaza on School Street. Seasonal holiday ice rink open daily for holiday fun! Location: 310 S. State St., Ukiah, CA. $12, cityofukiah.com/ukiahonice
UNIVERSAL CITY: Universal Studios Hollywood Christmas November 29, 2024-January 6, 2025 showcases the holiday makeover of three major attractions: Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Grinchmas with costumes, colors and decor. The thrills remain true to form! $95-up, tickets
VALENCIA: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park, November 28, 2024-January 5, 2025, 5 p.m. rocks each night with 2 million lights in 7 themed areas featuring dance, music & light shows, cocktail bars, holiday sweets, s'more fire pits & Santa Claus. Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, Valencia, CA. $49-75, sixflags.com/magicmountain
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
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
Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.