Holiday events in Southern California

Lightscape
November 11 - January 8
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 North Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia
Wander through the magnificent Winter Cathedral and more. Lightscape transforms the Arboretum into a night of wonder and light for an unforgettable holiday event for family and friends.
arboretum.org

World's Tallest Live-cut Christmas Tree
November 12 through December 31
Citadel Outlets
100 Citadel Drive, Los Angeles
The massive white fir tree from Northern California stands 115-feet tall. It's lit with more than 18,000 multi-colored and energy-efficient LED lights and adorned with 10,000 ornaments. Guests can experience falling snow every night at 5pm, 6pm, 7pm and 8pm.
citadeloutlets.com

Winterlit at Downtown Santa Monica
November 14 - January 16
3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica
The holidays return to the Third Street Promenade with Winterlit, transforming the downtown district into an immersive, festive experience. Tens of thousands of colorful lights, decor and garland will deck the Third Street Promenade, 2nd and 4th Streets, illuminating convenient shopping and cozy outdoor dining experiences.
downtownsm.com/winterlit

33nd Annual Pier Lighting And 28th Annual Holiday Open House
November 16
Downtown Manhattan Beach
Enjoy an evening of holiday music, shopping and dining. There will be live entertainment and they will be lighting the pier and adding snowflake lights to the streets.
downtownmanhattanbeach.com

SPARKLE DTLA
November 17 - January 1
The Bloc
750 W. 7th Street, Los Angeles
A magical holiday show with 18-million hues of lights that illuminate the night and synchronize to festive tunes. One of L.A.'s largest multi-colored interactive holiday displays where you can capture your perfect photo-op moments.
theblocla.com

Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration
November 17, 5pm-8pm
Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills
Activities include three stages of live entertainment, festive decor, the arrival of Santa Claus.
lovebeverlyhills.com

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow
November 18 - January 22
5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
Explore an immersive landscape filled with spectacular lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and more for, a wildlife-centered experience that's as inspiring as it is breathtaking.
lazoo.org

Santa Monica Place Holiday HQ
November 19 - December 24
395 Santa Monica Place, Santa Monica
Santa Monica Place will offer an array of festive activities for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season. Santa Claus will be in town and available for photos Nov. 19-Dec. 24. Visitors and shoppers can also catch special performances by the dancing sensation, Santa Monica Beach Belles, and acapella performances by the Oceanaires. Bring your furry friend to a special pet night and "sit" for a photo with Santa on Dec. 14 & 15.
santamonicaplace.com

Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
November 20 - January 8
1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
A one-mile walk through unique lighting experience in some of the most beloved areas of Descanso Gardens. New this year will be an entire town of magical stained glass creations built in the Rose Garden by contemporary sculptor Tom Fruin.
descansogardens.org

Universal Studios Hollywood Holidays
November 25 - January 1
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
Enjoy Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter where you can see Hogsmeade transformed with enchanting spirit, festive décor and holiday-themed food, beverages and entertainment. Spread the cheer and join in on the fun of Who-tacular festivities with The Grinch, Max and Who-ville with the return of Grinchmas.
universalstudioshollywood.com

Santa's Speedway Christmas Lights Drive-Thru
December 1 - December 31
500 Speedway Drive, Irwindale
Enjoy an 11-story Christmas Light Tree and spend time in the Christmas Village where you can stroll through the reindeer stables, grab dinner or drinks, and meet Santa for the perfect Christmas picture.
santasspeedway.com

Holiday Lights Cruise
December
Naples Canal, Long Beach
Want something different from your average holiday drive thru? Then get ready to board a private Gondola and see an enchanting light show along the Naples Canal with Gondola Getaway's Holiday cruise! This experience can be a romantic adventure for two or an event for up to 14 people!
gondolagetawayinc.com

The 29th Annual Chino Hills Boat Parade
December 16
Starts and ends on Peyton Drive at Eucalyptus Avenue
The Kiwanis Club of Chino Hills invites the community to enjoy decorated boats, bands, equestrians and other entries. The parade starts at 7pm, but crowds arrive early to park and gather on the route.
chinohills.org

The Holidays at the Disneyland Resort
November 11 - January 8
Downtown Disney
1580 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim
Disneyland is officially the "merriest" place on Earth! Sleeping Beauty Castle is decked out in a magical winter theme. The Christmas Fantasy Parade and "Believe...In Holiday Magic" Fireworks Spectacular are back too.
disneyland.com

Holidays at the Harbor
November 16 - Early January
Dana Point Harbor
Each night throughout the holiday season, the Harbor's magnificent light display will illuminate the evening sky for guests of all ages to enjoy. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor will include Candy Cane Lane, a "Merry Kiss Me" arch, lighted trees, and more.
danapointharbor.com

Magic of Lights
November 18 - January 1
Empire Polo Club
81800 Avenue 51 Coachella Valley
Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations.
magicoflights.com

Knott's Merry Farm
November 18 - January 8
Knott's Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park
The holiday spirit shines even brighter this year. Experience Knott's largest Christmas celebration with winter wonderland-inspired décor transforming the entire park into a classic holiday festival, featuring a landscape of thousands of twinkling lights, miles of themed garland, jumbo snowflakes, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings.
knotts.com

Holidays at the Ritz-Carlton
November 20 - January 2
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point
Tree lighting ceremony November 20. Embrace the southern California sunshine and admire endless ocean views while delighting in festive holiday experiences with family and friends to inspire memories that will last a lifetime.
ritzcarlton.com/holidays

Hikari-Festival of Lights
November 25 - December 30 (Closed November 11, 29 and December 5, 6, 12, 13)
Tanaka Farms
5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine
A cozy Wagon Ride around the festively lit farm that will take you to the "Land of a Thousand Lanterns" and once off the wagon, you will have the opportunity to wander through the light displays, with photo opportunities throughout.
tanakafarms.com

31st Annual Lighting of the Bay at Newport Dunes
November 25 - January 1
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Stroll the bay and savor the sights and sounds of the holidays. The Back Bay will glow from sunset to sunup with festive floating holiday lights.
newportdunes.com

Winterfest OC
November 25 - January 1
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair & Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making.
winterfestoc.com

Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
December 9-11
Dana Point Harbor
The Harbor's much anticipated annual boat parade will take place with a "Surfin' USA" theme. Boaters decorate their vessels to the theme of the parade, for a chance to win cash prizes across several award categories.
danapointharbor.com

Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
December 10 & 11
Huntington Harbour
The all-volunteer Huntington Harbour Boat Parade is the non-profit Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Commitee's way of saying "thank you" to the Harbour residents. Please note public viewing areas at the beaches fill up quickly with very limited parking.
hhboatparade.org

Christmas in Color
November 19 - January 2
Raging Waters
111 Raging Waters Drive, San Dimas
Drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you'll hear right through your radio. Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways and more.
christmasincolor.net

Christmas on the Farm
November 24 - December 25
Underwood Family Farms
3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark
Fun for the whole family including an animal center, holiday photo-ops, tractor-drawn wagon rides, a holiday store, visits with Santa, arts & crafts, sleigh rides with their draft horses, a holiday train, and more!
underwoodfamilyfarms.com

Holidays at Legoland
November 19 - January 8
Legoland California
One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
Your favorite holiday characters Santa, the Toy Solider and Gingerbread Man are back and ready for socially distanced meet-and-greets. Head over to Fun Town where there's a 30-foot, fully decorated LEGO Christmas tree with over 400 LEGO ornaments. And as the day winds down, the tree gets a-twinklin' to holiday tunes at the Holiday Light Show.
legoland.com