California Events
Palm Desert WildLights, The Living Desert
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
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
SACRAMENTO: Old Town Sacramento Tree Lighting Ceremony November 27, 2024. 60 foot tree is followed by Theater of Lights. Free, oldsacramento.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
ATWATER: Razzari Ice Skating Center November 15, 2024-January 5, 2025 in Old Town Atwater. Seasonal ice skating rink offers affordable holiday fun.
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
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
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
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
NAPLES: Lighting of the Trees in the Bay nights through New Year's Day.
ONTARIO: Christmas on Euclid Street Nativity thru January 1, 2025.
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
SACRAMENTO: Theatre of Lights November 27-December 24, 2024 performed from a balcony overlooking the the streets of Old Town. Based on Clement Clarke Moore's classic Christmas poem 'Twas the night before Christmas. Free, oldsacramento.com
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: Union Square Ice Rink November 6, 2024-January 20, 2025. Themed days and special events add to the fun.
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
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. $26-35, sdbg.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
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
MONTEREY: Skating by the Bay November 22-December 31, 2024 at Custom House Plaza. $20 includes skate rental, iceskatingbythebay.com
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
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 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
SAN JOSE: Christmas in the Park daily through New Year's
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
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.