Discover the charm of the holidays in Anaheim with our detailed guide. From Anaheim enthusiasts to curious travelers, this guide illuminates the city's seasonal treasures.
One highlight of the holiday season is the Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker, a delightful performance that brings the classic tale to life through enchanting choreography and mesmerizing music. Another attraction features dazzling displays as homes and businesses participate in the 31st Annual Festival of Lights, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the city. And the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully decorated boats gliding through the coastal waters. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Anaheim
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Newport Beach)
- 31st Annual Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker
- Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park (Irvine)
- Anaheim Nutcracker Holiday Village Tree Lighting
- Santa Ana Winter Village (Santa Ana)
- Winter Lights in Santa Ana (Santa Ana)
- John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
- 52nd Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire (Buena Park)
- Muzeo Express: Holiday Train Exhibit
See these and even more events listed below!
Anaheim Holiday Light Displays
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light displays on water and land.
Description:
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a 116th annual event featuring beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor. The parade takes place from December 18 to 22, 2024, with participants starting and ending at the tip of Lido Isle. It includes a special opening fireworks display on the first night and offers various public viewing spots, including the largest public viewing area at Marina Park.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Anaheim Nutcracker Holiday Village Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Special tree lighting ceremony with holiday activities.
Description:
The Anaheim Nutcracker Holiday Village Tree Lighting features holiday entertainment, food, and fun in Downtown Anaheim. Guests can enjoy a variety of holiday happenings, including a dog costume contest, holiday crafts, unique shopping, and pictures with Santa. The event culminates with a special tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Anaheim Nutcracker Holiday Village Tree Lighting
Laguna Niguel Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with games, crafts, and Santa visit.
Description:
Join the City of Laguna Niguel for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall. Enjoy an evening filled with games, crafts, performances, and Christmas treats, including a visit from Santa.
Where: Laguna Niguel | More Info: Laguna Niguel Tree Lighting
Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Santa's arrival on a fire engine to illuminate the holiday lights.
Description:
Join the community in Mission Viejo for a festive celebration featuring fun interactive activities, a petting zoo, and live entertainment. The event will be held at 200 Civic Center, where Santa will arrive on a fire engine at 6 pm to turn on the festive lights.
Where: Mission Viejo | More Info: Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a 90-foot decorated tree.
Description:
Fashion Island's 90-foot tree is beautifully decorated with a choreographed light display and snowfall in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard, visible every half hour from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
31st Annual Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light display with live music and festive activities.
Description:
The 31st Annual Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa features millions of holiday lights, live music, rides, attractions, and food vendors. The event includes an ice rink, Santa Claus visits, and a Merry Art Market showcasing diverse artists and live art demonstrations.
Where: Riverside | More Info: 31st Annual Festival of Lights
Anaheim Holiday Markets and Shopping
52nd Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire
What to Expect:
Snow slide and over 100 artisan vendors.
Description:
The 52nd Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire is a holiday event featuring entertainment, food, games, and free raffles. Discover unique treasures from over 100 artisans, perfect for last-minute gifts. Santa Claus will be in attendance to delight children and spread holiday cheer. Admission is free, but parking is limited, with shuttle service available from Peak Park Pool.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: 52nd Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire
Anaheim Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Anaheim Ballet's Nutcracker is a heartwarming tale of Clara and her Nutcracker Doll, transforming a woeful winter into a fanciful feast in Candyland. The full-length ballet, presented with Symphony Irvine, features staging and choreography by Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg. The production includes a towering Christmas tree, waltzing flowers, battling toy soldiers, and menacing mice, with an enduring theme of good overcoming evil.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
What to Expect:
Intimate holiday concert featuring John Denver's classic hits and carols.
Description:
John Denver's music comes alive in this intimate holiday show featuring all your favorite hits and heartwarming carols, transporting audiences back to the '70s with Rick Schuler's captivating performance.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
44th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Live entertainment by over 17 local bands.
Description:
The 44th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk is a community event celebrating merchants and restaurants in Corona del Mar Village with live entertainment, Santa's visits, beer and wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, and children's activities.
Where: Corona del Mar | More Info: 44th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
Anaheim Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride to meet Santa Claus.
Description:
The Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park offers a family-friendly holiday experience where guests can ride a decorated train to the North Pole, meet Santa Claus, and have their photo taken. After visiting Santa, passengers enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations on the return ride to Santa's Village.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park
Santa Ana Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice-skating in Southern California with festive activities.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long holiday event featuring an outdoor ice-skating rink, a holiday light show, food vendors, and family-friendly activities like story time with Mrs. Claus and visits with Santa Claus.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Santa Ana Winter Village
Winter Lights in Santa Ana
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with ice skating and festive activities.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village features an outdoor ice-skating rink, holiday light show, food vendors, and special events like a toy giveaway and breakfast with Santa.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights in Santa Ana
Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and special appearance by Santa Claus.
Description:
The Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration at the Civic Center features family-friendly games, crafts, face painting, balloon artists, and photo opportunities. Enjoy inflatables, trackless train rides, food vendors, and holiday-themed entertainment with special guests. The event includes a beer and wine garden with a wide variety of last-minute gift choices. A special appearance by Santa Claus is also part of the festivities.
Where: Lake Forest | More Info: Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Muzeo Express: Holiday Train Exhibit
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday model train dioramas with historical relics.
Description:
Muzeo Express is a downtown Anaheim tradition featuring whimsical holiday model train dioramas that bring festive scenes to life. The exhibit includes miniature scenes and hands-on activities, celebrating the holiday season with historical relics and interactive elements.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Muzeo Express: Holiday Train Exhibit
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Fullerton (2 miles)
- Placentia (4 miles)
- Garden Grove (5 miles)
- Orange (5 miles)
- Stanton (5 miles)
- Buena Park (5 miles)
- Brea (6 miles)
- Santa Ana (7 miles)
- Yorba Linda (7 miles)
- La Habra (7 miles)
- Cypress (7 miles)
- Westminster (7 miles)
- La Mirada (8 miles)
- Tustin (8 miles)
- North Tustin (8 miles)
- Cerritos (9 miles)
- Fountain Valley (9 miles)
- Rowland Heights (10 miles)
- Norwalk (11 miles)
- South Whittier (11 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (11 miles)
- Whittier (12 miles)
- Bellflower (12 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (12 miles)
- Irvine (13 miles)
- Lakewood (13 miles)
- Seal Beach (13 miles)
- La Puente (13 miles)
- Huntington Beach (13 miles)
- Walnut (13 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (13 miles)
- Costa Mesa (13 miles)
- Chino Hills (14 miles)
- Downey (14 miles)
- Paramount (15 miles)
- Valinda (15 miles)
- Pico Rivera (15 miles)
- Diamond Bar (15 miles)
- Newport Beach (15 miles)
- West Puente Valley (15 miles)
- West Covina (16 miles)
- Montebello (16 miles)
- Bell Gardens (16 miles)
- Long Beach (16 miles)
- South El Monte (17 miles)
- El Monte (17 miles)
- Baldwin Park (17 miles)
- Covina (18 miles)
- Cudahy (18 miles)
- Chino (18 miles)
- Pomona (18 miles)
- Compton (18 miles)
- Lynwood (18 miles)
- Lake Forest (18 miles)
- Bell (18 miles)
- Maywood (19 miles)
- South Gate (19 miles)
- Rosemead (19 miles)
- Laguna Hills (19 miles)
- East Los Angeles (20 miles)
- Monterey Park (20 miles)
- San Dimas (20 miles)
- Corona (20 miles)
- La Verne (20 miles)
- Willowbrook (20 miles)
- Huntington Park (20 miles)
- Temple City (21 miles)
- Azusa (21 miles)
- Glendora (21 miles)
- Florence-Graham (21 miles)
- San Gabriel (21 miles)
- Carson (21 miles)
- Montclair (21 miles)
- Claremont (21 miles)
- Duarte (21 miles)
- Mission Viejo (21 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (22 miles)
- Boyle Heights (22 miles)
- Laguna Beach (22 miles)
- Alhambra (22 miles)
- West Carson (22 miles)
- Ontario (22 miles)
- Eastvale (22 miles)
- Norco (22 miles)
- Arcadia (22 miles)
- Monrovia (22 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (22 miles)
- San Pedro (23 miles)
- Gardena (23 miles)
- Lomita (23 miles)
- Westmont (23 miles)
- South Pasadena (24 miles)
- Upland (24 miles)
- Los Angeles (24 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (24 miles)
- Torrance (24 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (25 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (25 miles)
- Pasadena (25 miles)
- Lawndale (25 miles)
- Hawthorne (26 miles)
- Echo Park (26 miles)
- Lennox (26 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (26 miles)
- Inglewood (27 miles)
- Silver Lake (27 miles)
- Koreatown (27 miles)
- Redondo Beach (27 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (27 miles)
- Altadena (27 miles)
- Glen Avon (27 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (28 miles)
- Dana Point (28 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (29 miles)
- Glendale (29 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (30 miles)
- Hollywood (30 miles)
- Culver City (30 miles)
- Riverside (31 miles)
- West Hollywood (31 miles)
- Rubidoux (31 miles)
- Beverly Hills (32 miles)
- Fontana (33 miles)
- Universal City (33 miles)
- Burbank (33 miles)
- Venice (33 miles)
- San Clemente (33 miles)
- Bloomington (34 miles)
- Studio City (35 miles)
- North Hollywood (35 miles)
- Santa Monica (35 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (36 miles)
- Tujunga (36 miles)
- Rialto (36 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (38 miles)
- Colton (38 miles)
- Van Nuys (39 miles)
- Valley Glen (39 miles)
- Perris (40 miles)
- Moreno Valley (40 miles)
- Wildomar (40 miles)
- Loma Linda (40 miles)
- Encino (40 miles)
- San Bernardino (40 miles)
- North Hills (43 miles)
- San Fernando (43 miles)
- Redlands (45 miles)
- Murrieta (45 miles)
- Menifee (45 miles)
- Northridge (45 miles)