It's time for holiday magic, Oceanside! Dive into our guide for all the best seasonal events. For both Oceanside locals and visitors, our guide is the ultimate resource for holiday activities.
Popular events include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, featuring the iconic Rockettes and their dazzling dance routines that bring festive cheer to audiences of all ages. In addition, the beautifully crafted performances of The Nutcracker by the New York City Ballet will enchant families with its timeless story and stunning choreography. And the Hollywood Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing spectacular floats and celebrity appearances in a vibrant display of holiday spirit. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Oceanside
- New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker (New York City)
- Radio City Christmas Spectacular (New York City)
- Hollywood Christmas Parade (Hollywood)
- Elf The Musical (New York City)
- SnowSide Winter Festival
- Mariah Carey Christmas Time (Hollywood)
- A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin (Newark)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Holiday Tree Lighting
- Holiday Gift Market
See these and even more events listed below!
Oceanside Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities with Santa's arrival on a vintage fire truck.
Description:
The Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony in Oceanside, CA, features kids' activities from 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm, including a visit with Santa, kids' crafts tables, and various amusement rides. The event culminates with Santa's arrival on a fire truck and the tree lighting ceremony at 6:00 pm. Free activities include a fire truck display, milk and cookies, and holiday music and carolers.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with extensive Christmas light displays and interactive 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 immersive experience includes a mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, and premium holiday bars.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Oceanside Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Sunset Market
What to Expect:
Expansive food and shopping experience with live entertainment.
Description:
The Sunset Market in Oceanside, California, is a vibrant weekly food and music street fair featuring over 200 merchants across four city blocks. Every Thursday from 5-9 PM, the market offers a diverse array of hot food, gourmet goodies, and desserts, along with eclectic shopping and live entertainment. The event includes Dorothy’s KidZone with children’s activities and live music on the main stage.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Holiday Sunset Market
Holiday Gift Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with diverse artisanal goods and international cuisine.
Description:
The Holiday Gift Market in Oceanside features eclectic holiday gifts from 200 artisans and merchants, offering one-stop shopping and dining with international and American street fare, gourmet goodies, live music, and kids' activities.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: Holiday Gift Market
Poughkeepsie’s Winter Fest Market
What to Expect:
Unique handmade crafts and community support.
Description:
The Winter Craft Fair at the MJN Majed J. Nesheiwat Convention Center in Poughkeepsie features over 75 vendors selling handmade crafts, with a portion of the proceeds supporting local family services. The event offers a variety of unique gifts and seasonal items, making it a great place to find one-of-a-kind holiday presents.
Where: Poughkeepsie | More Info: Poughkeepsie’s Winter Fest Market
Oswego Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Local vendors selling fresh produce and handmade items.
Description:
The Oswego Holiday Market is a seasonal event held at the charming Little White School Museum in Oswego, IL. Visitors can explore a variety of local vendors offering fresh produce, artisanal cheeses, specialty foods, and handmade items. This event provides a unique opportunity to shop local and support community businesses.
Where: Oswego | More Info: Oswego Holiday Market
Oceanside Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Precision dance troupe performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Radio City Christmas Spectacular is a classic holiday show featuring the world-famous Rockettes, with intricate choreography, stunning special effects, and beloved numbers like "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers."
Where: New York City | More Info: Radio City Christmas Spectacular
Elf The Musical
What to Expect:
Hilarious tale of a young orphan's journey to find his birth father and rediscover Christmas.
Description:
Elf The Musical is a heartwarming stage adaptation of the family-favorite holiday film, following Buddy, a human raised as an Elf, on his journey from the North Pole to New York City in search of his true identity and the spirit of Christmas. With catchy songs and lively choreography, it tells a touching story about love and friendship.
Where: New York City | More Info: Elf The Musical
New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
New York City Ballet's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker features Tschaikovsky's melodies, Balanchine's choreography, and Karinska's sumptuous costumes. The ballet transports audiences to a world where mischievous mice and toy soldiers clash, and an onstage blizzard leads to the enchanted Land of Sweets. With awe-inspiring set pieces and grand visual effects, this beloved production delights audiences of all ages.
Where: New York City | More Info: New York City Ballet: The Nutcracker
A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
What to Expect:
Macaulay Culkin shares behind-the-scenes stories from "Home Alone."
Description:
Join Macaulay Culkin for a nostalgic evening at NJPAC, where he will screen "Home Alone" followed by a conversation about his experiences and favorite memories from filming.
Where: Newark | More Info: A Nostalgic Night with Macaulay Culkin
Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade 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, including Toys for Tots, to help underprivileged children during the holiday season.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Hollywood Christmas Parade
Mariah Carey Christmas Time
What to Expect:
Iconic holiday performances by Mariah Carey.
Description:
Mariah Carey's Christmas Time at the Hollywood Bowl features the legendary singer performing her iconic holiday hits with DJ Suss One.
Where: Hollywood | More Info: Mariah Carey Christmas Time
Oceanside Other Holiday Activities
O’side Handmade Holiday
What to Expect:
Scenic beachside 5K course with flat stretches, water views, and ocean breezes.
Description:
Join the O’side Turkey Trot, a Thanksgiving tradition featuring a scenic beachside 5K course, costume contest, live entertainment, and finisher medals for all participants.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: O’side Handmade Holiday
SnowSide Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Real snow and sledding in Southern California.
Description:
SnowSide Winter Festival is a family-friendly event at Emerald Isle Golf Course in Oceanside, featuring real snow, sledding, Santa Claus, live entertainment, bounce houses, silent disco, and festive food and drinks.
Where: Oceanside | More Info: SnowSide Winter Festival
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Rockville Centre (1 miles)
- Baldwin (2 miles)
- Freeport (3 miles)
- Long Beach (4 miles)
- Valley Stream (4 miles)
- Hempstead (5 miles)
- Uniondale (5 miles)
- Merrick (5 miles)
- Franklin Square (5 miles)
- Rosedale (5 miles)
- Elmont (6 miles)
- Laurelton (6 miles)
- Garden City (6 miles)
- Cambria Heights (6 miles)
- Far Rockaway (6 miles)
- Springfield Gardens (7 miles)
- East Meadow (7 miles)
- Queens Village (8 miles)
- Hollis (8 miles)
- Hillside (9 miles)
- Massapequa (9 miles)
- Jamaica (9 miles)
- South Ozone Park (10 miles)
- Howard Beach (10 miles)
- Briarwood (10 miles)
- Fresh Meadows (10 miles)
- Queens (11 miles)
- Hicksville (11 miles)
- Richmond Hill (11 miles)
- Ozone Park (11 miles)
- Bayside (11 miles)
- Kew Gardens Hills (11 miles)
- Woodhaven (12 miles)
- Forest Hills (12 miles)
- Rego Park (13 miles)
- East New York (13 miles)
- Copiague (13 miles)
- Plainview (13 miles)
- Cypress Hills (13 miles)
- Glendale (14 miles)
- Canarsie (14 miles)
- Middle Village (14 miles)
- Corona (14 miles)
- Elmhurst (14 miles)
- Whitestone (14 miles)
- Lindenhurst (14 miles)
- East Elmhurst (15 miles)
- Ridgewood (15 miles)
- Brownsville (15 miles)
- College Point (15 miles)
- Bushwick (15 miles)
- Jackson Heights (15 miles)
- East Flatbush (15 miles)
- Maspeth (15 miles)
- Glen Cove (15 miles)
- Flatlands (16 miles)
- Woodside (16 miles)
- Throgs Neck (16 miles)
- West Babylon (16 miles)
- Brooklyn (16 miles)
- Sheepshead Bay (16 miles)
- Flatbush (17 miles)
- Sunnyside (17 miles)
- Unionport (17 miles)
- Williamsburg (17 miles)
- Brighton Beach (17 miles)
- Gravesend (17 miles)
- Greenpoint (17 miles)
- Kensington (17 miles)
- Hunts Point (18 miles)
- Long Island City (18 miles)
- Astoria (18 miles)
- Parkchester (18 miles)
- West Islip (18 miles)
- Park Slope (18 miles)
- Deer Park (18 miles)
- Van Nest (19 miles)
- Borough Park (19 miles)
- Bensonhurst (19 miles)
- The Bronx (19 miles)
- Mott Haven (19 miles)
- Brooklyn Heights (19 miles)
- Coney Island (19 miles)
- Huntington Station (19 miles)
- Melrose (19 miles)
- East Harlem (19 miles)
- Morrisania (19 miles)
- East Village (19 miles)
- Bath Beach (19 miles)
- Gramercy Park (19 miles)
- East Tremont (19 miles)
- Dyker Heights (19 miles)
- Chinatown (19 miles)
- Sunset Park (20 miles)
- Dix Hills (20 miles)
- Manhattan (20 miles)
- Harlem (20 miles)
- New York City (20 miles)
- Financial District (20 miles)
- Tremont (20 miles)
- Hell's Kitchen (20 miles)
- Fordham (20 miles)
- Morningside Heights (21 miles)
- Fort Hamilton (21 miles)
- Morris Heights (21 miles)
- University Heights (21 miles)
- Wakefield (21 miles)
- Washington Heights (21 miles)
- Bay Shore (22 miles)
- Mount Vernon (22 miles)
- Kings Bridge (22 miles)
- Hoboken (22 miles)
- West New York (22 miles)
- Cliffside Park (22 miles)
- Union City (22 miles)
- North Bergen (23 miles)
- Fort Lee (23 miles)
- Brentwood (23 miles)
- Commack (23 miles)
- Harrison (23 miles)
- East Northport (23 miles)
- Palisades Park (24 miles)
- Jersey City (24 miles)
- Yonkers (24 miles)
- Englewood (25 miles)
- Bayonne (25 miles)
- Port Chester (25 miles)
- Central Islip (25 miles)
- Hauppauge (26 miles)
- Teaneck (27 miles)
- Staten Island (27 miles)
- Hackensack (27 miles)
- Bergenfield (27 miles)
- Great Kills (27 miles)
- Smithtown (27 miles)
- New Springville (28 miles)
- Kearny (28 miles)
- White Plains (28 miles)
- Lodi (29 miles)
- Newark (29 miles)
- Belleville (29 miles)
- Stamford (29 miles)
- Greenburgh (29 miles)
- Long Branch (30 miles)
- Passaic (30 miles)
- Lake Ronkonkoma (30 miles)
- Garfield (30 miles)
- Elizabeth (30 miles)
- Woodrow (30 miles)
- Nutley (30 miles)
- Middletown (30 miles)
- Bloomfield (31 miles)
- East Orange (31 miles)
- Elmwood Park (31 miles)
- Paramus (31 miles)
- Carteret (31 miles)
- Hillside (31 miles)
- Clifton (31 miles)
- Darien (32 miles)
- Linden (32 miles)
- Holbrook (32 miles)
- Irvington (32 miles)
- Centereach (32 miles)
- Orange (32 miles)
- Roselle (32 miles)
- Montclair (32 miles)
- Union (33 miles)
- Fair Lawn (33 miles)
- West Orange (33 miles)
- Rahway (33 miles)
- Maplewood (34 miles)
- Paterson (34 miles)
- Perth Amboy (34 miles)
- Ridgewood (34 miles)
- Cranford (35 miles)
- East Norwalk (35 miles)
- East Patchogue (35 miles)
- North Stamford (35 miles)
- Millburn (35 miles)
- Medford (36 miles)
- Livingston (37 miles)
- Coram (37 miles)
- Westfield (37 miles)
- Westport (38 miles)
- Ossining (38 miles)
- Sayreville Junction (38 miles)
- Summit (38 miles)
- Wayne (39 miles)
- Marlboro (39 miles)
- Spring Valley (39 miles)
- Scotch Plains (39 miles)
- New City (40 miles)
- Sayreville (40 miles)
- Fairfield (40 miles)
- Plainfield (40 miles)
- South Plainfield (41 miles)
- Mahwah (41 miles)
- South Old Bridge (41 miles)
- Piscataway (41 miles)
- Old Bridge (41 miles)
- North Plainfield (41 miles)
- Edison (41 miles)
- Shirley (42 miles)
- East Brunswick (43 miles)
- Parsippany (44 miles)
- New Brunswick (44 miles)
- Bridgeport (44 miles)