Connect with the Calexico community this holiday season! Discover all the festive events in our guide. Whether you're a Calexico veteran or a fresh face, this guide helps you navigate the seasonal landscape.
One highlight of the season is the Festival of Lights at Mission Inn, where dazzling displays illuminate the historic venue, creating a charming holiday atmosphere. Additionally, the Holiday Road offers a whimsical journey filled with vibrant decorations and interactive experiences for visitors of all ages. And the Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring thrilling rides and festive entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Join the Calexico Discussion!
Top Holiday Events In and Around Calexico
- Festival of Lights at Mission Inn (Riverside)
- Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- December Nights at Balboa Park (San Diego)
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Newport Beach)
- Temecula On Ice (Temecula)
- LEGOLAND Christmas (Carlsbad)
- Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park (San Diego)
- Fontana Festival of Winter (Fontana)
See these and even more events listed below!
Calexico Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights at Mission Inn
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with live entertainment.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, live entertainment, and holiday-themed decorations, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Festival of Lights at Mission Inn
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday installations with thousands of lights and interactive experiences.
Description:
Holiday Road is an immersive holiday event featuring larger-than-life installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and countless candy canes. Guests can explore an immersive mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, and enjoy premium holiday bars and top food trucks.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday-themed areas with world-class coasters and festive treats.
Description:
Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a dazzling holiday destination with over two million twinkling lights, thrilling rides, and festive treats. The park features immersive themed areas, including The North Pole, HollyRock!, and Gleampunk District, offering something for all ages.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacular holiday light displays and decorated boats.
Description:
The 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade features beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor, accompanied by fireworks and a waterfront decorating competition called the Ring of Lights.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
What to Expect:
Spectacular lighted displays with holiday carols.
Description:
Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds features a 3/4 mile drive-through of spectacular lighted displays, including giant Christmas trees, Santa, reindeer, and snowmen. Enjoy holiday carols from local radio stations while viewing millions of lights decorating tractors, trees, lawns, and buildings. The event also includes community and family entries, as well as a youth designer awardee.
Where: Watsonville | More Info: Holiday Lights at Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Traditional walk-in Christmas display with fairy grotto and snow.
Description:
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland is a traditional walk-in Christmas display in midtown Santa Cruz, featuring numerous Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, and a log cabin. It also includes a fairy grotto with two waterfalls and fairies, creating a charming and immersive holiday experience.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Calexico Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
What to Expect:
Live reindeer and carnival games.
Description:
The Holiday Market at Petco Park features local artisan shops, Christmas lighting displays, seasonal food and drinks, Santa and other holiday characters, a 40-foot Christmas Tree, and live entertainment. It offers a variety of activities including a carousel, kids Christmas Train, and nightly snow fall. Kids can tell Santa their Christmas wish as part of the admission.
Where: San Diego | More Info: Holiday Market and Trail at Petco Park
Calexico Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Knott's Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Classic holiday festival with themed garland and jumbo snowflakes.
Description:
Knott's Merry Farm is a holiday celebration featuring winter wonderland-inspired décor, thousands of twinkling lights, and festive activities for all ages. Enjoy Christmas shows, ice skating performances, and delectable holiday dining options.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott's Merry Farm
December Nights at Balboa Park
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with STEAM activities and free Santa photos.
Description:
Balboa Park December Nights is a two-day event celebrating the holiday season with twinkling lights, live music, STEAM activities, free photos with Santa, and a variety of delicious food options.
Where: San Diego | More Info: December Nights at Balboa Park
LEGOLAND Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive LEGO build zones and holiday character meet-and-greets.
Description:
LEGOLAND California transforms into a holiday destination with a towering LEGO Christmas tree, live music, and interactive LEGO build zones. Families can enjoy special performances, meet beloved holiday LEGO characters, and participate in seasonal activities.
Where: Carlsbad | More Info: LEGOLAND Christmas
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Traditional Mexican holiday celebration with mariachi and dance.
Description:
Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande present Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, a vibrant show weaving cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season. The event features the joyous rhythms of mariachi and colorful Mexican dance, capturing the spirit of Posadas, the majesty of the Reyes Magos, and the thrill of breaking piñatas.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
Cabrillo College: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker, presented by the International Academy of Dance in Santa Cruz County, is a captivating ballet featuring Clara and her friends as they journey to the Land of Sweets. With vivid costumes and sets, this performance promises an unforgettable experience.
Where: Aptos | More Info: Cabrillo College: The Nutcracker
Mission Hill: Christmas with the Santa Cruz Chorale
What to Expect:
Classical music performance with traditional and modern compositions.
Description:
The Santa Cruz Chorale presents a colorful program featuring Johann Pachelbel's Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt and Francesco Durante's Magnificat, along with gems by modern composers like Ola Gjeilo and John Tavener. The concert concludes with beloved carols from around the world, showcasing the Chorale's collaboration with the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Mission Hill: Christmas with the Santa Cruz Chorale
Calexico Other Holiday Activities
Temecula On Ice
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art ice rink with rental skates and music.
Description:
Temecula On Ice features a state-of-the-art ice rink, rental skates, Bobby skating aids, and its own radio station playing the best ice skating music. Open daily, including Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, with special hours and fees.
Where: Temecula | More Info: Temecula On Ice
Fontana Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow sledding and interactive activities for all ages.
Description:
The Fontana Festival of Winter is a free community event featuring train rides, attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow sledding and a Tot Lot where children can experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Festival of Winter
Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
What to Expect:
Holiday-themed rides and attractions by the beach.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with select rides, attractions, arcade games, festive decorations, photos with Santa, and delicious Boardwalk treats.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Winter Wonderland at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa's arrival and festive activities.
Description:
Join Boulder Creek for a festive holiday event featuring music, tree lighting, Santa's arrival, a food court, and vendors. Enjoy activities like a petting zoo, photos with Santa, and DIY crafts.
Where: Boulder Creek | More Info: Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
Annieglass Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
What to Expect:
DIY ornament-making with gold and silver decorations.
Description:
Create your own unique holiday ornaments by decorating 4 frosted glass shapes with gold and silver decorations. Use stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and find inspiration for your designs.