Welcome to your comprehensive guide for the holidays in Ceres! Discover the top festive events and attractions. From Ceres experts to wide-eyed newcomers, this guide illuminates the path to holiday magic.
Popular events during the season include the enchanting Polar Express Train Ride, where families can experience the storybook journey to the North Pole. With its immersive atmosphere and fun activities, the ride brings tales of Christmas to life. You may also enjoy the whimsical Holiday Road, which features stunning light displays and festive decorations that create a cheerful driving experience. And the Winter Fest OC is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a blend of entertainment, shopping, and seasonal cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Ceres
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- The Polar Express Train Ride (Perris)
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
- Fontana Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- Temecula On Ice (Temecula)
- Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair (Santa Cruz)
- Farley’s Christmas Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
- Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico (Rancho Cucamonga)
- Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies (Rancho Cucamonga)
See these and even more events listed below!
Ceres Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with interactive installations and festive activities.
Description:
Holiday Road is a premier holiday event in Los Angeles featuring larger-than-life holiday installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and countless candy canes. The event includes an immersive mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, premium holiday bars, and top food trucks.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Ceres Holiday Markets and Shopping
Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with handmade crafts and antiques.
Description:
The Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair is a premier holiday event featuring handmade crafts, unique gifts, antiques, collectibles, and toys. The fair takes place in three large buildings at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, offering a wide range of shopping options. Great food favorites are available in the Heritage Holiday Kitchens, and the event is complemented by holiday lights throughout the fairgrounds.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Heritage Holiday Craft and Gift Fair
Ceres Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Live theatrical onboard entertainment with Santa and his helpers.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a family-friendly event where passengers embark on a one-hour journey to the North Pole. On board, they enjoy hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of The Polar Express. Santa and his helpers greet passengers, and each guest receives a silver sleigh bell as the first gift of Christmas.
Where: Perris | More Info: The Polar Express Train Ride
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Rich cultural tapestry of Mexican Christmas traditions.
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
Christmas with the Santa Cruz Chorale
What to Expect:
Classical music celebration with international carols and modern compositions.
Description:
The Santa Cruz Chorale presents a vibrant holiday concert featuring works by Pachelbel, Durante, and modern composers like Ola Gjeilo and John Tavener. The program includes beloved carols from various countries, joined by the Monterey Bay Sinfonietta, creating a rich tapestry of music and nostalgia.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Christmas with the Santa Cruz Chorale
Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
What to Expect:
Nostalgic holiday variety show with tap dancing and vocal arrangements.
Description:
Celebrating its 31st Christmas season, Tibbies' Holiday Follies features tap dancing, breathtaking vocal arrangements, and high-energy dance numbers. Dazzling costumes and hilarious holiday parodies make this show special, inspired by classic TV specials hosted by legendary celebrities. Join a nostalgic journey through favorite holiday moments with a multi-talented cast performing beloved holiday hits.
Where: Rancho Cucamonga | More Info: Stargazer’s Presents Tibbies’ Holiday Follies
Ceres Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Year-round farm-fresh fun and diverse event venues.
Description:
The OC Fair & Event Center offers a diverse range of activities, including a working farm with animals and crops, a veterans museum, and various year-round events. It provides 157,000 square feet of venue rental space ideal for meetings, parties, corporate events, cultural festivals, trade shows, fundraising runs, and concerts.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Temecula On Ice
What to Expect:
State-of-the-art ice rink with its own radio station.
Description:
Temecula On Ice features a state-of-the-art ice rink, rental skates, Bobby skating aid, 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 play and sled rides down over 40 tons of fresh snow.
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 play and sled rides down over 40 tons of fresh snow, making it an exciting experience for all ages.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Festival of Winter
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Traditional Irish-inspired Christmas display with fairy grotto and waterfalls.
Description:
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland is a traditional walk-in Christmas display in Santa Cruz, featuring numerous Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, and a log cabin. The exhibit also includes a fairy grotto with waterfalls and fairies, making it a unique holiday experience.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Annieglass Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
What to Expect:
Hands-on ornament crafting with gold and silver decorations.
Description:
Create your own unique holiday ornaments by decorating 4 frosted glass shapes with gold and silver decorations. This workshop provides stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for creative designs.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Annieglass Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with Santa visit and diverse activities.
Description:
Join Boulder Creek for a festive holiday celebration featuring tree lighting, Santa's arrival, live music, a food court, and various activities like a petting zoo, photos with Santa, and DIY crafts.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive lights and rides.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with festive decorations, holiday lights, and a 3-story tall Christmas tree. Enjoy select Boardwalk rides, attractions, and arcades, as well as delicious treats and photos with Santa.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland
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