#1 · last 30 daysTheme parkLIVE DEAL2 dealsWHAT'S ONWarming up
Nov 20 – Jan 3 · Knott's Merry Farm
Knott's Berry Farm
Buena Park
Bring-A-Friend Ticket
From $65 per personmilitary rates
View →29 dated events
Christmas lights in California
29 Christmas events at 23 California attractions, running Nov 7 to Jan 10: light displays, decorated trees and visits with Santa, with prices and times on each venue’s page.
Popular over the last 30 days: Christmas venues in California
Most popular on daysout.com, 27 September – 26 October 2026
- #1 · last 30 days
#2 · last 30 daysTheme parkWHAT'S ONWarming upOct 31 · Halloween at the Boardwalk
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Santa Cruz
From $44.95 per personView →
#3 · last 30 daysMuseumLIVE DEAL2 dealsWHAT'S ONWarming upDec 5 – 19 · Santa Meet & Greet
Blackhawk Museum
Danville
From $20 per personChildren Under 6 Free Admissionmilitary & senior ratesView →
#4 · last 30 daysFarmLIVE DEALWHAT'S ONNov 18 · Peltzer Ice Rink
Peltzer Farms
Temecula
From $4 per personChildren Under 2 Free with Paid AdultView →
#5 · last 30 daysTour & cruiseWHAT'S ONDec 6 · Shop Catalina Holiday Kick Off & Community Tree Lighting
Catalina Express
Avalon
Checked October 24, 2026View →
#6 · last 30 daysHistoric siteLIVE DEALWHAT'S ONDec 10 – 20 · Holiday Lights & Victorian Nights Evening Tours
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
Redlands
From $15 per person · from $12 onlineMuseums for All ProgramEBT ratesView →
Christmas lights season runs from the start of November to the first week of January: drive-through and walk-through light shows, festivals of decorated trees, seasonal ice rinks and visits with Santa. A holiday market or a holiday concert is a different evening out and is not listed here, and nor is an autumn lantern or light festival that opens before November.
What’s on
29 dated events across 23 attractions, soonest first. Many run on selected evenings only and several are ticketed separately — the venue’s own page, linked under every quote, is the one to check before you set off.
Nov 7Event
Folsom Historic District Ice Rink, Folsom
Historic Folsom Ice Rink Opening Day
The Folsom Historic District Ice Rink opens for the holiday season, offering families a favorite spot for ice skating and holiday fun from mid-November through mid-January.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“✨ The Folsom Historic District Ice Rink is the Sacramento area's favorite spot for holiday fun! Open daily from mid‑November through mid‑January”
Nov 12 – Dec 20Season
Campbell Historical Museum, Campbell
Holidays at the Ainsley House
The Ainsley House is decorated in unique holiday styles by community groups and volunteers. Families explore festive rooms and can attend special events including teas, evening open houses, and photos with Santa.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 12 - December 20 Thursday - Sunday from 11 AM- 3 PM”
Nov 14 – Jan 10Season
Filoli Historic House & Garden, Woodside
Holidays at Filoli: Holiday Daytime & Holiday Lights
The historic House and Garden transform for the holidays with daytime exploration of Thistlewyck Village and evening Holiday Lights displays featuring 300,000 twinkling lights, a 210-foot light tunnel, and 78 glowing lanterns in the Rose Garden.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 14, 2026–January 10, 2027”
Nov 18Event
Peltzer Farms, Temecula
Peltzer Ice Rink Opening
Peltzer Ice Rink opens for the season starting November 18th. Families can visit the rink daily along with Peltzer Winery attractions.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Peltzer Ice Rink starting November 18th”
Nov 19Event
Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Fresno
ZooLights
The Zoo transforms into a dazzling display of thousands of twinkling lights with spectacular holiday displays, festive food, seasonal drinks, photos with Santa, and the new Snowball & Flurry holiday show.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“ZooLights – Starting November 19th”
Nov 20 – Jan 3Season
Ice House Museum at Hotel del Coronado, Coronado
Lightshow Spectacular
Families experience the magic of the season as The Del's historic pine trees are draped in a spectacular light show set to festive music and a finale of snow flurries.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Lightshow Spectacular Nov 20-Jan 3”
Nov 20 – Jan 3
Ice Skating By The Bay, Monterey
Season
An outdoor ice rink overlooking Monterey Bay operates as a seasonal winter attraction. Families can skate at the Custom House Plaza location from mid-November through early January.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“This season we're open from November 20, 2026 until January 3, 2027.”
Nov 20 – Jan 3Season
Knott's Berry Farm, Buena Park
Knott's Merry Farm
A holiday-themed seasonal event featuring Christmas decorations, festive entertainment, and seasonal attractions throughout the park, with a giant Christmas tree lighting up the midway.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Nov. 20, 2026 - Jan. 3, 2027”
Nov 21Event
Hanford Winter Wonderland, Hanford
Season Kickoff & Tree Lighting
The Winter Wonderland season opens with a tree-lighting celebration on Saturday evening. Families gather to mark the start of the holiday season with festive magic and special performances.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Saturday, November 21 · 6:00 PM Celebrate the start of the season with the magic of Winter Wonderland and our special tree-lighting celebration.”
Nov 26 – Jan 3Season
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
Winter Wonderland
Families enjoy holiday-themed Boardwalk fun with rides, games, festive decorations and lights, photos with Santa, holiday treats, and fire pits throughout the season.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 26, 2026 - January 3, 2027”
Nov 27 – Dec 24Season
Agricultural History Project Center & Museum, Watsonville
Sparky's Holiday Lights
A holiday lights production runs select dates from late November through December 24. Families can visit the illuminated display; tickets become available in fall 2026.
Venue admission is free; event tickets may differ.
The venue: “Admission is free but visitors are asked to help support the work of the Agriculture History Project (AHP) with a suggested donation of $5.00 per person.”
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Next Event – select dates, November 27 thru December 24, 2026”
Nov 27 – Dec 23Season
Roaring Camp, Felton
Holiday Tree Walk
Families ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train through wintry redwoods to Bear Mountain, sip hot cider, and greet Santa Claus. Winter-themed activities are available in town.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 27-29, December 5-6, 12-13, 19-23”
Nov 27 – Dec 21Season
Underwood Family Farms, Moorpark
Christmas on the Farm
The farm center and tree lot open for the holiday season with visits with Santa on weekends and November 27 from 11am to 4pm. Families select Christmas trees and enjoy festive farm activities.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Tree Lot: Friday November 27 - Sunday, December 21, 2026”
Nov 28Event
Yerba Buena Ice Arena, San Francisco
2026 Holiday Tree Lighting
The Yerba Buena Gardens Conservancy hosts its second annual Holiday Tree Lighting event. Families gather for the celebration with special surprises unveiled throughout the afternoon.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“November 28, 2026 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM”
Dec 3### Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the BayRegular dates
Flagship Cruises & Events, San Diego
December Nights on the Bay
Evening cruises running Thursday through Sundays in December with festive holiday lights, waterfront views, and semi-private space available for smaller groups.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the Bay”
Dec 4Event
Folsom Historic District Ice Rink, Folsom
Christmas Tree Lighting
Historic Folsom lights the Community Christmas Tree on December 4 from 6:00–9:00 PM with visits from Santa, ice skating, festive music, and holiday cheer throughout the district.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Friday, December 4, 2026 | 6:00–9:00 PM”
Dec 4 – 6Event
Ice House Museum at Hotel del Coronado, Coronado
Photos with Santa
Photos with Santa — Dec 4-6, 11-13, 18-24. Celebrate the holidays with a classic family photo with jolly Old St. Nick.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dec 4-6, 11-13, 18-24”
Dec 5 – 19Season
Blackhawk Museum, Danville
Santa Meet & Greet
Santa Claus visits Blackhawk Museum for two special appearances on Saturday, December 5th and Saturday, December 19th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM inside the Museum.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“December 5, 2026 at 11:00am Santa Meet & Greet The holiday season is about to get a whole lot merrier at the Blackhawk Museum! On Saturday, December 5th and Saturday, December 19th, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM”
Dec 5Event
Gilchrist Farm, Santa Clarita
Breakfast with Santa
Pancake breakfast with Santa runs 8am–10am on the first three weekends of December. Families receive early entry, pancakes with toppings, Santa photos, a petting zoo visit, and a reserved parade spot. Reservations required.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Pancake Breakfast with Santa - First 3 full weekends of December 5/6, 12/13, 19/20. 8AM-10AM”
Dec 5 – 19Season
Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Portola
Santa Trains
Families ride festive holiday trains covered in lights, enjoy free homemade cookies and hot beverages, and children meet Santa and Mrs. Claus. Museum opens at 4 PM with train rides starting at 5 PM on five dates in December.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“December 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2026”
Dec 5Event
Western Pacific Railroad Museum, Portola
Santa Trains 2026
Santa Trains 2026 — December 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2026. Photos from last year's Santa Trains... 2025 Santa Train Photos
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“December 5, 11, 12, 18 & 19, 2026”
Dec 6Event
Catalina Express, Avalon
Shop Catalina Holiday Kick Off & Community Tree Lighting
Catalina Island's annual holiday event features shopping, a festive parade, Christmas tree lighting and pictures with Santa on the Wrigley Stage from 12pm to 8pm.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Shop Catalina Holiday Kick Off & Community Tree Lighting is back in town on December 6. This event is packed with holiday shopping, a festive parade, the Christmas tree lighting and pictures with Santa on the Wrigley Stage. Get a head start on your holiday shopping in beautiful Avalon from 12pm to 8pm.”
Dec 6### Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the BayRegular dates
Flagship Cruises & Events, San Diego
December Nights on the Bay
Evening cruises running Thursday through Sundays in December with festive holiday lights, waterfront views, and semi-private space available for smaller groups.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the Bay”
Dec 10### Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the BayRegular dates
Flagship Cruises & Events, San Diego
December Nights on the Bay
Evening cruises running Thursday through Sundays in December with festive holiday lights, waterfront views, and semi-private space available for smaller groups.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday – Sundays December Night's on the Bay”
Dec 10 – 20Season
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens, Redlands
Holiday Lights & Victorian Nights Evening Tours
Families stroll through historic gardens lit with festive lights, then tour the French chateau decorated in Victorian holiday tradition. Each hour-long tour accommodates up to 10 guests; a signature sweet treat is included.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Thursday, December 10th – Sunday December 20th | 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM Thursdays, Fridays & Sundays only”
Dec 12 · 11:30 amEvent
Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Lake
Santa Paws
Families visit the zoo to meet Santa Paws on December 12 at 11:30 am for holiday fun with the animals.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dates: December 12, 2026 at 11:30 am”
Dec 13Event
Condor Express Whale Watching, Santa Barbara
Parade of Lights Cruise
Families board the Condor Express to view Santa Barbara's illuminated boat parade from the water, with fireworks starting around 7pm over West Beach. Santa's Village opens at 3pm on the City Pier.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“SUNDAY DECEMBER 13TH Board at 4:00 PM, Boat leaves at 5:00 PM”
Dec 19 · 11:30 amEvent
Friends of the Big Bear Alpine Zoo, Big Bear Lake
Santa Paws
Families visit the zoo to meet Santa Paws on December 19 at 11:30 am for holiday fun with the animals.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Dates: December 19, 2026 at 11:30 am”
Jan 1Event
Providence Riverland Farm, Redding
Winter Light Show
Winter Light Show — Fri, Jan 1, 2027 2:00 PM.
Check event details and ticket requirements with the venue.
“Fri, Jan 1, 2027 2:00 PM”