Get ready for a holiday adventure in Coachella! Our guide has all the exciting festive events and activities. For those who breathe Coachella air daily and those just sampling it, this guide unlocks seasonal wonders.
Popular events during the holiday season include the enchanting Magic of Lights Coachella Valley, where dazzling light displays illuminate the night. Holiday in the Park offers family-friendly activities and festive entertainment in an inviting atmosphere. And the Winter Fest OC is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a variety of winter-themed attractions and celebrations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Coachella
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Magic of Lights Coachella Valley (Palm Springs)
- WildLights at The Living Desert (Palm Desert)
- Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
- Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico (Rancho Cucamonga)
- Mission Inn Hotel’s ‘Festival Of Lights’ (Riverside)
- Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Santa: Shops On El Paseo (Palm Desert)
See these and even more events listed below!
Coachella Holiday Light Displays
Magic of Lights Coachella Valley
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday lights with life-sized dinosaurs and Holiday Barbie.
Description:
Magic of Lights Coachella Valley is a drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including life-sized dinosaurs and a larger-than-life Holiday Barbie display.
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Magic of Lights Coachella Valley
WildLights at The Living Desert
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with over three million lights.
Description:
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens presents WildLights, featuring over three million dazzling lights, live nightly entertainment, and Instagram-worthy photo ops. Guests can stroll through the African Safari section, see iconic animals like rhinos and giraffes, and enjoy festive displays like the Tunnel of Lights and holiday-themed G-Scale model trains. Delectable wintertime treats and a full bar with beer, wine, and specialty cocktails are available for guests 21 and older.
Where: Palm Desert | More Info: WildLights at The Living Desert
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, and premium holiday bars. Guests can enjoy seasonal beverages and food from top LA food trucks while exploring the various holiday-themed attractions.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Holiday Light Parade: Downtown
What to Expect:
Holiday light parade with local food vendors and handmade gift market.
Description:
The Holiday Light Parade in Downtown Beaumont features a festive procession of lights, accompanied by local food vendors and a holiday market offering handmade gifts and crafts. Santa and Mrs. Claus make free visits, and ice skating is available on a synthetic rink.
Where: Beaumont | More Info: Holiday Light Parade: Downtown
Christmas Nights: 123 Farm & Highland Springs Ranch
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with over one million lights and festive activities.
Description:
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm features over one million lights illuminating lavender fields, olive groves, and historic buildings. Enjoy festive food and drinks, tractor wagon rides, s'mores pits, and Santa's Workshop. Explore charming cottage shops in the Organic Galleries and visit the 12 Days of Christmas shops for unique gifts.
Where: Cherry Valley | More Info: Christmas Nights: 123 Farm & Highland Springs Ranch
Holiday ‘WildLights’: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with synchronized light displays.
Description:
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens presents WildLights, featuring over three million dazzling lights, live nightly entertainment, and festive photo ops. Guests can stroll through the African Safari section, see iconic animals like rhinos and giraffes, and enjoy holiday-themed displays and activities.
Where: Palm Desert | More Info: Holiday ‘WildLights’: Living Desert Zoo & Gardens
Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Santa: Shops On El Paseo
What to Expect:
Santa and Mrs. Claus special appearance
Description:
Join The Shops On El Paseo in Palm Desert, CA, for their annual Tree Lighting celebration. Enjoy dazzling decorations, delightful carolers, and Santa and Mrs. Claus making a special appearance. Immerse yourself in the sounds of the season and indulge in delicious seasonal treats while finding perfect gifts for your loved ones.
Where: Palm Desert | More Info: Annual Tree-Lighting Ceremony & Santa: Shops On El Paseo
Mission Inn Hotel’s ‘Festival Of Lights’
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today. Every year, it attracts over 500,000 visitors, showcasing a dazzling display of lighted decorations and festive activities.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Hotel’s ‘Festival Of Lights’
Coachella Holiday Markets and Shopping
Altis Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Local artisans presenting handmade, holiday-themed crafts.
Description:
The Altis Holiday Craft Fair features local arts and crafts, including holiday-themed items, available for purchase. It is a community event showcasing creativity and unique homemade gifts.
Where: Beaumont | More Info: Altis Holiday Craft Fair
Coachella Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Spectacular light display with seasonal entertainment.
Description:
Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a vibrant winter spectacle with millions of lights, seasonal entertainment, and festive eats.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Holiday in the Park
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
Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and family-friendly musical with science themes.
Description:
Winter Lights is a holiday musical spectacle at Discovery Cube Orange County, featuring an original story, captivating music, and interactive light displays. The show blends hope, resilience, and magic, set against the backdrop of the Aurora Borealis. It includes unique characters like a science fairy and a lovable robot crafted from a toaster. The event also offers a variety of festival activities such as a large holiday tunnel walkthrough, Brite Lites, interactive snowfall, and singing snowmen.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
Desert Rose Playhouse ‘Christmas With The Crawfords’
What to Expect:
"Campy and hilarious holiday musical with Joan Crawford and her family."
Description:
"Desert Rose Playhouse presents 'Christmas With The Crawfords,' a campy and hilarious holiday musical featuring Joan Crawford and her family in a dysfunctional Christmas Eve celebration. The show is based on an actual 1949 interview and includes musical highlights and comedic performances."
Where: Palm Springs | More Info: Desert Rose Playhouse ‘Christmas With The Crawfords’
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a spectacular ballet production featuring beautiful sets, dazzling costumes, and Tchaikovsky's classic score. It tells the story of Clara, who receives a magical nutcracker doll on Christmas Eve and embarks on a wondrous journey to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets. The performance includes toy soldiers, life-sized dancing dolls, falling snow, and the delightful Sugar Plum Fairy.
Where: Riverside | More Info: The Nutcracker
Coachella Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Unique blend of agricultural activities and live music.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities, including farm-fresh fun, live music, and educational workshops. The event features a working farm with animals and crops, as well as a veterans museum, making it an ideal destination for field trips and family outings. The venue rental space is ideal for meetings, parties, corporate events, cultural festivals, trade shows, fundraising runs, and concerts.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides.
Description:
The Festival of Winter at Miller Park features train rides, attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow play and the chance to sled down over 40 tons of fresh snow.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Annual Tamale Festival
What to Expect:
Unique blend of tamale culture, live music, and family-friendly entertainment.
Description:
The Indio International Tamale Festival is a vibrant celebration of tamale culture, featuring a diverse array of traditional and creative tamale vendors, live music, dancing, and family-friendly entertainment. The event includes a Tamale Trail, live performances, and a Luchador Throwdown, making it a rich cultural experience for all attendees.
Where: Indio | More Info: Annual Tamale Festival
Holiday Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Seasonal arts and crafts with Santa Claus visits.
Description:
The Holiday Craft Fair at the local community center features seasonal arts and crafts, cookie decorating, and visits from Santa Claus.
Where: Indio | More Info: Holiday Craft Fair
Chanukah Festival: Riverside County Historic Courthouse
What to Expect:
Grand Menorah Lighting with traditional festivities.
Description:
The 19th Annual Chanukah Festival at Riverside County Historic Courthouse features a grand menorah lighting, traditional food, live music, and fun activities for the whole family.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Chanukah Festival: Riverside County Historic Courthouse
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Indio (4 miles)
- La Quinta (8 miles)
- Cathedral City (18 miles)
- Palm Springs (24 miles)
- Desert Hot Springs (27 miles)
- Twentynine Palms (32 miles)
- Yucca Valley (33 miles)
- Banning (44 miles)