Experience the excitement of the holidays in Rancho Palos Verdes! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. Whether Rancho Palos Verdes is your lifelong home or your holiday destination, this guide maximizes your seasonal enjoyment.
Popular Events: Get ready to glide across ice at the Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink, where you can enjoy skating under twinkling lights in a charming outdoor setting. For those seeking thrill and fun, Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park transforms into a winter wonderland filled with festive rides and spectacular shows. And don't forget, the Water Lantern Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring stunning lanterns illuminating the water for an unforgettable evening. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Rancho Palos Verdes
- Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
- Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink (Los Angeles)
- Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Water Lantern Festival (South El Monte)
- Candlelight Concert (Los Angeles)
- Astra Lumina
- Hermosa for the Holidays (Hermosa Beach)
- Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony (Fontana)
See these and even more events listed below!
Rancho Palos Verdes Holiday Light Displays
Astra Lumina
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound experience amidst botanical gardens.
Description:
Astra Lumina is an immersive night walk experience at the South Coast Botanic Garden, featuring light, scenography, and original soundscape to create an imaginative world where visitors can encounter the wonder of the stars and embrace their own human light.
Where: Rancho Palos Verdes | More Info: Astra Lumina
Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa's mailbox and food trucks.
Description:
The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Malaga Cove Plaza features food trucks, craft activities, and a bell choir performance. Guests can enjoy hot chocolate and purchase meals from a taco food truck. The event includes ornament decoration stations and a Santa's mailbox for letter writing.
Where: Malaga Cove (Palos Verdes Estates) | More Info: Tree Lighting Ceremony
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday installations 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. 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, carolers, face painting, and a winter market with local vendors selling holiday gifts and decorations.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday light displays and themed areas.
Description:
Six Flags Magic Mountain transforms into a dazzling holiday destination with over two million twinkling lights, world-class roller coasters, and immersive themed areas featuring festive treats, live music, and personalized meet-and-greets with Santa and his helpers.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and Santa visit.
Description:
The Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony is a family-friendly event featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and a surprise visit from Santa Claus at City Hall.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Rancho Palos Verdes Holiday Markets and Shopping
Hermosa for the Holidays
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities and local shopping.
Description:
Hermosa for the Holidays is a festive event featuring a Holiday Open House, Tree Lighting Ceremony, and various family-friendly activities. Enjoy shopping at local artisans and retailers, ride carnival rides and inflatables, and participate in storytime, Santa letter writing, and a Rock Tots concert. The event also includes a Giving Village and a scavenger hunt for hidden elves.
Where: Hermosa Beach | More Info: Hermosa for the Holidays
Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday attractions and Santa procession.
Description:
The Riviera Village Holiday Stroll is an annual event featuring interactive attractions, a Santa procession, and plenty of photo opportunities with festive lighting and holiday characters. Shops stay open late, and dinner reservations are recommended.
Where: Redondo Beach | More Info: Christmas Market
Rancho Palos Verdes Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Candlelight Concert
What to Expect:
Live classical music performed by candlelight in unique venues.
Description:
Candlelight Concerts offer a unique musical experience where classical, jazz, pop, and movie soundtracks are performed under flickering candlelight in various spectacular locations. The events feature talented musicians and a wide variety of themes and genres, creating an intimate and memorable atmosphere.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Candlelight Concert
Knott's Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Winter wonderland-inspired decorations and festive holiday dining.
Description:
Knott's Merry Farm transforms into a classic holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and picturesque seasonal settings. Enjoy Christmas shows, ice skating, and delectable holiday dining.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott's Merry Farm
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Rich cultural tapestry of Mexican Christmas traditions.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande. This vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season, 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
Rancho Palos Verdes Other Holiday Activities
Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Unique blend of holiday cheer and outdoor ice skating.
Description:
The Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink offers outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles, open daily from November 21 through January 12, 2025. Sessions are 60 minutes long, and general admission includes skate rental. The rink features special events like weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Pershing Square Holiday Ice Rink
Water Lantern Festival
What to Expect:
Emotional lantern launch with community connection.
Description:
The Water Lantern Festival is a family-friendly event where thousands of lanterns are launched onto the water, creating a serene and emotional experience. Participants write down their hopes and dreams on the lanterns, which are then sent out onto the water, fostering a sense of community and connection.
Where: South El Monte | More Info: Water Lantern Festival
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides in a festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Festival of Winter at Miller Park features train rides, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow play and attractions for all ages.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Lomita (5 miles)
- San Pedro (5 miles)
- Torrance (7 miles)
- Redondo Beach (7 miles)
- West Carson (8 miles)
- Carson (9 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (10 miles)
- Lawndale (10 miles)
- Gardena (11 miles)
- Long Beach (11 miles)
- Hawthorne (12 miles)
- Lennox (14 miles)
- Willowbrook (14 miles)
- Compton (14 miles)
- Westmont (14 miles)
- Inglewood (15 miles)
- Seal Beach (16 miles)
- Lynwood (16 miles)
- Lakewood (16 miles)
- Paramount (16 miles)
- Florence-Graham (17 miles)
- Venice (18 miles)
- South Gate (18 miles)
- Bellflower (18 miles)
- Huntington Park (19 miles)
- Cudahy (19 miles)
- Culver City (19 miles)
- Bell (20 miles)
- Downey (20 miles)
- Santa Monica (20 miles)
- Cerritos (20 miles)
- Maywood (20 miles)
- Bell Gardens (20 miles)
- Norwalk (21 miles)
- Cypress (21 miles)
- Westminster (22 miles)
- Koreatown (22 miles)
- Boyle Heights (23 miles)
- Beverly Hills (23 miles)
- Los Angeles (23 miles)
- East Los Angeles (23 miles)
- Stanton (23 miles)
- Huntington Beach (23 miles)
- Pico Rivera (23 miles)
- Buena Park (24 miles)
- West Hollywood (24 miles)
- Echo Park (24 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (24 miles)
- Montebello (24 miles)
- South Whittier (25 miles)
- Silver Lake (25 miles)
- La Mirada (25 miles)
- Hollywood (25 miles)
- Fountain Valley (25 miles)
- Garden Grove (26 miles)
- Whittier (26 miles)
- Monterey Park (27 miles)
- Universal City (27 miles)
- Newport Beach (28 miles)
- Anaheim (28 miles)
- Costa Mesa (28 miles)
- Fullerton (28 miles)
- Studio City (28 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (28 miles)
- La Habra (28 miles)
- Alhambra (28 miles)
- Glendale (29 miles)
- South El Monte (29 miles)
- South Pasadena (29 miles)
- San Gabriel (29 miles)
- Rosemead (29 miles)
- Encino (29 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (30 miles)
- North Hollywood (30 miles)
- Santa Ana (30 miles)
- Brea (30 miles)
- El Monte (30 miles)
- Burbank (30 miles)
- Van Nuys (31 miles)
- Orange (31 miles)
- Placentia (31 miles)
- Valley Glen (31 miles)
- Pasadena (31 miles)
- Temple City (31 miles)
- La Puente (32 miles)
- Woodland Hills (32 miles)
- Rowland Heights (32 miles)
- Calabasas (32 miles)
- West Puente Valley (32 miles)
- Tustin (32 miles)
- Irvine (33 miles)
- Valinda (33 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (33 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (33 miles)
- Canoga Park (34 miles)
- Baldwin Park (34 miles)
- Arcadia (34 miles)
- Altadena (34 miles)
- West Covina (34 miles)
- North Tustin (34 miles)
- Agoura (34 miles)
- Yorba Linda (34 miles)
- North Hills (34 miles)
- Northridge (35 miles)
- West Hills (35 miles)
- Agoura Hills (35 miles)
- Walnut (35 miles)
- Tujunga (36 miles)
- Monrovia (36 miles)
- Duarte (36 miles)
- Covina (37 miles)
- San Fernando (37 miles)
- Laguna Beach (37 miles)
- Chatsworth (37 miles)
- Azusa (38 miles)
- Diamond Bar (38 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (39 miles)
- Laguna Hills (40 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (40 miles)
- Chino Hills (40 miles)
- Glendora (40 miles)
- Lake Forest (41 miles)
- San Dimas (42 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (42 miles)
- Pomona (42 miles)
- Mission Viejo (42 miles)
- Simi Valley (43 miles)
- La Verne (43 miles)
- Dana Point (44 miles)
- Chino (44 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (45 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (45 miles)