The season of enchantment is upon us! All around the Southern California area is transforming into a wonderland of lights, holiday cheer, and mesmerizing Christmas displays. To make the most of the season, check out these Southern California Christmas events and light displays. From festive markets to parades and festivals, there is nothing like twinkle lights and a cup of cocoa to fill you with holiday cheer!
Los Angeles
Enchanted Forest of Light
Descanso Gardens hosts a beautiful sensory experience that will immerse you in a wonderland of lights and displays. Stained glass sculptures, and lighted art installations along a one-mile walk through the garden. My favorite part was the light-up tulip field and each year there are added elements and new displays. You will want to allow about an hour for this experience. Purchase tickets and find more information at Descanso Gardens.
Lighted Train Ride at Griffith Park
Immerse yourself in a festive evening on an evening train journey through Griffith Park. Tens of thousands of twinkling lights come together to craft enchanting scenes, providing a magical and entertaining experience for the season. You can also stop by the photo opportunity areas and the holiday kiosk while visiting. The ride lasts about 10 minutes and requires tickets to be purchased in advance. Check Griffith Park Train Rides for more information.
Rodeo Drive Beverly Hills
If you are looking for an easy and free place to enjoy the holiday spirit, check out Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Holiday displays and lights are located all around Rodeo Drive and of course, a decked-out Christmas tree. This is most beautiful at night when you can see the full effect of the lights.
Winterland at The Grove
Dive into the enchantment of the season, surrounded by sparkling lights, festive scenes, and joyful experiences at every turn. Winterland at The Grove is more than just a fun shopping ambiance, there are thousands of twinkle lights adding a little glimmer to the season. Snow falls magically twice nightly, with a melody of holiday music and two of the West Coast’s tallest trees dazzle with 25,000 lights and ornaments.
Astra Lumina
Enjoy the one-mile night walk through the South Coast Botanic Garden to enjoy the magical lights, music, and projections. This experience is a celestial celebration that will give you a deeper appreciation and connection to the stars and sky above. While this isn’t a Christmas-themed experience, it is such a fun experience only available this time of year so I had to include it on my list. Plan to spend about an hour to complete the walk. For tickets and more information, visit Astra Lumina LA
LA Zoo Lights
This is known as L.A.’s “wildest” holiday tradition. Walk through the zoo after dark and enjoy the holiday magic with light displays and sculptures that celebrate the animals and nature. You can even add a VIP experience that includes a dinner and drinks to make a full event of your visit. The self-guided tour can take between 60 to 90 minutes depending on how much you want to linger and soak up the magic. Ticket sales for this event support the zoo’s mission to save wildlife and enrich communities. Find more information and buy tickets at L.A. Zoo.
Downtown Santa Monica
Ice skating, tree lighting, pet photos with Santa, Hanukkah festival, there is plenty to enjoy in Downtown Santa Monica, all surrounded by millions of lights and dozens of holiday displays. Check out the calendar of events for Downtown Santa Monica and plan your visit.
Lightscape
The L.A. Arboretum hosts one of the best light displays and each year it grows better and better. The walk-through Lightscape experience brings life to the gardens after the sun sets and combines art with nature. Explore the Fire Garden, dancing palms, and Winter Cathedral then enjoy treats and snacks from the food trucks and grab a seasonal cocktail. You don’t want to miss this event, get your tickets from The Arboretum.
Orange County
Snoopy’s Holiday House in Costa Mesa
This family-friendly seasonal event is an annual favorite! There is a Snoopy House light display, train rides, caroling, performances, photos and letters with Santa, and food at this festive event located right at city hall. Be sure to add it to your calendar and check out Snoopy’s Holiday House.
Dana Point Harbor
Head to Dana Point Harbor if you are looking for a fun and festive spot to enjoy the holiday spirit. While you can walk around among the lighted displays and decorate docks, you can also go on a holiday lights harbor cruise. Enjoy the lights are free, the cruise is a ticketed event. Find more information and a calendar of events at Dana Point Harbor.
Holidayz at the Park
Enjoy the holidays at Great Park all season long with lighted displays, holiday markets, photo ops, and music. Great Park in Irvine becomes a winter wonderland for Christmas. You can enjoy the park for free, certain events are ticketed or a donation is suggested. Learn more about this fun month-long event at Great Park.
Hikari Festival of Lights
Relax for an evening at Tanaka Farm where you can take a wagon ride through displays of over a million twinkling lights. Hikari is Japanese for “shine” and this event is full of shine and shimmer! After the ride, you can enjoy food, visiting the farm animals, the lighted photo ops and games, crafts, and a Santa meet and greet. This is a family-friendly event that everyone will enjoy! Learn more at Tanaka Farms.
Winter Fest OC
Don’t miss Southern California’s largest winter festival! Experience a winter wonderland in Costa Mesa filled with outdoor ice skating, a thrilling nine-lane,150-foot-long ice tubing slide, ice bumper cars, LED mini golf, carnival delights, and a plethora of other festive activities! Embark on the captivating “North Pole Journey,” an immersive walk-through adventure that leads you to North Pole Village to meet Santa Claus with a mission to save the holiday spirit. This is a Southern California Christmas favorite! Learn more and purchase your tickets in advance at Winter Fest OC.
Irvine Spectrum
The Irvine Spectrum Center knows how to deck the halls. Come see the fun holiday light displays and nightly tree lighting with a choreographed light show. You can also skate under the stars at the Giant Wheel Court ice rink. Check out Irvine Spectrum Center for more information.
Outlets of San Clemente
Come see the tallest fresh-cut Christmas tree in Southern California. It takes weeks to decorate the tree with over 10,000 bows and ornaments and over 18,000 lights. While you are there, check out the giant ornaments, holiday truck, holiday scavenger hunt, and get your gift shopping done. Learn more and view the full events calendar at Outlets at San Clemente.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Cruise
Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with a festive 75-minute cruise through Newport Harbor, decorated with holiday lights. While cruising, you’ll be able to see beautiful estates all aglow to celebrate the season. There is hot cocoa and beverages available for purchase on board. I recommend spending time on the starboard (right) side for the best view. Dates determine if the event will be a cruise or a parade. To check the calendar and purchase tickets visit Newport Beach Christmas Cruise.
Fashion Island
While doing your holiday shopping, be sure to stroll through Fashion Island for festive cheer. There is also a nightly tree lighting with a snowfall, light display at the 90-foot tree in the Neiman Marcus Bloomingdales Courtyard. Find more details at Fashion Island Newport Beach.
Other Southern California Christmas Events
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
Embark on a magical journey through Christmas Nights at 123 Farm, where you can enjoy festive treats, sip on delightful drinks, take a wagon ride, gather around and make s’mores, and meet Santa, all amidst the dazzling display of over one million lights. It is a unique experience that has something fun for everyone. It is highly recommended to purchase tickets in advance and online, find more information at 123 Farm.
Christmas at Live Oak Canyon
This is a Christmas event you don’t want to skip! Christmas at Live Oak Canyon feels like a Christmas carnival blended with a Hallmark movie. Enjoy rides and attractions like a carousel, ferris wheel, mini coaster, and activities like ice skating and visiting Santa’s village. You can take the lighted train on a ride to see Santa and there are tons of lighted displays throughout. You can even bring home your Christmas tree from the farm. Check out everything Live Oak Canyon has to offer this holiday season!
Festival of Lights at Mission Inn Hotel and Spa
The Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa stands as one of the nation’s most extensive holiday light exhibits, earning the award of “Best Public Lights Display” by USA Today. Each year, the festival attracts a growing multitude of visitors to the Riverside area to see the spectacular light show and it’s one you just have to see in person to fully experience the magic! Find more details at Mission Inn Hotel.
Upper Hastings Ranch in Pasadena
This suburban town in Pasadena is known for having some of the most elaborate residential light displays. If you are in the area, check out Upper Hastings Ranch for multiple streets of creative home holiday light displays.
With this list, you are ready for a glowing season of fun! Happy Holidays!
Looking for even more fun things to do in Southern California?
Check out my post about The Magic Castle in Hollywood.