Ready for the holiday season in Hollister? Dive into our ultimate guide for all the festive events and activities! From Hollister old-timers to newcomers, our guide illuminates the path to holiday joy.
Popular Events: Experience the enchanting spectacle of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, where dazzling floats and marching bands fill the streets with holiday cheer. Enjoy the magical ambience of Knott's Merry Farm, featuring festive decorations, unique seasonal attractions, and a chance to meet beloved characters. And the Mariah Carey Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering stunning performances that will get you in the holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Hollister
- Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood)
- Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Mariah Carey Christmas (Hollywood)
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Riverside)
- Farley’s Christmas Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
- John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas (Anaheim)
See these and even more events listed below!
Hollister 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. Guests can enjoy live Santa photos, holiday-themed face painting, and carolers on select dates.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection.
Description:
The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, live music, and holiday-themed decorations.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Festival of Lights
34rd Annual Lights On Celebration
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a parade and tree decorating.
Description:
The 34th Annual Lights On Celebration in Downtown Hollister features a festive parade with exciting displays and surprises, a Dec-A-Tree project, and local nonprofit groups decorating trees for San Benito County families. The event encourages community participation with canned food and toy donations, and it showcases beautifully decorated storefronts.
Where: Hollister | More Info: 34rd Annual Lights On Celebration
Hollister Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Vibrant celebration with legendary celebrities and charitable mission.
Description:
The Hollywood Christmas Parade is a cherished tradition that brings the Hollywood community together with dazzling floats, marching bands, and performances. It features legendary celebrities and a profound charitable mission supporting Toys for Tots and other organizations helping underprivileged people.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Mariah Carey Christmas
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday songs performed by Mariah Carey.
Description:
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time at the Hollywood Bowl features the legendary singer performing her iconic holiday songs in a spectacular concert.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Mariah Carey Christmas
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
What to Expect:
Intimate performance of John Denver's iconic songs and carols.
Description:
Join Rick Schuler, America's Top John Denver Tribute, for an intimate holiday show featuring all your favorite John Denver hits and heartwarming carols. The show includes classics like "Rocky Mountain High," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and "Take Me Home Country Roads," along with inspirational carols from John Denver's memorable TV specials and Christmas albums.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
Knott's Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Winter-themed festivities with classic holiday entertainment and dining.
Description:
Knott's Merry Farm transforms into a holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and jumbo snowflakes. Enjoy Christmas shows, ice skating, and delectable holiday dining. Visit Santa's Christmas Cabin and explore the Christmas Crafts Village.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott's Merry Farm
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
Dazzling circus arts and Broadway-style production.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a spectacular holiday show featuring a troupe of 30 performers from over 12 countries. The show combines contemporary circus arts with a Broadway-style production, transforming Christmas ornaments into living characters. With an original musical score and dazzling costumes, it celebrates the holiday season with imagination and whimsical joy.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
Hollister Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Unique blend of agriculture, entertainment, and educational experiences.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, CA, features farm-fresh fun, live music, and family activities amidst a working farm and veterans museum.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Veterans' Day Celebration
What to Expect:
Tribute to military service and sacrifice.
Description:
The Veterans' Day Celebration honors the courageous men and women of the armed forces who protect and serve our country with a parade and ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Building Plaza.
Where: Hollister | More Info: Veterans' Day Celebration
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive lights and rides.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk with festive decorations, holiday lights, and a 3-story tall Christmas tree. Enjoy select Boardwalk rides, games, and arcades, along with delicious treats and holiday shopping. Take photos with Santa and experience special events like mini-Nutcracker performances and holiday movie screenings.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Winter Wonderland
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 Santa Cruz, CA, featuring Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, and a fairy grotto with waterfalls. Visitors can enjoy the festive atmosphere, including special nights with snow and fairy sightings.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
Boulder Creek Tree Lighting and Santa Visit
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa visit and tree lighting.
Description:
Join Boulder Creek for a festive holiday event featuring music, tree lighting, Santa's arrival, and a food court with 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:
Hands-on ornament-making with gold and silver decorations.
Description:
Decorate 4 frosted glass holiday-shaped ornaments with gold and silver decorations. This workshop provides stencils for tracing directly onto the glass and inspiration for decorating the ornaments.
Where: Santa Cruz | More Info: Annieglass Holiday Ornament Making Workshop
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Gilroy (14 miles)
- Salinas (19 miles)
- Watsonville (20 miles)
- Morgan Hill (24 miles)
- Marina (25 miles)
- Soledad (30 miles)
- Seaside (30 miles)
- Monterey (32 miles)
- Los Banos (34 miles)
- Santa Cruz (36 miles)
- Los Gatos (41 miles)
- Campbell (43 miles)
- San Jose (43 miles)
- Saratoga (45 miles)