Create a memorable festive season in San Bernardino with our itinerary guide. Find all the best events and activities. For San Bernardino experts and beginners, this guide is your compass through the winter wonderland.
Among the highlights of the season is the Mission Inn Festival of Lights, where dazzling displays illuminate the historic inn, creating a charming backdrop for holiday cheer. Additionally, The Polar Express offers an enchanting train ride that captures the magic of Christmas through captivating storytelling and festive sights. And the Festival of the Trees Holiday Fair showcases beautifully decorated holiday trees while supporting local charities. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Bernardino
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- The Polar Express (Perris)
- Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony (Indio)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
- Santa’s Electric Light Parade (Temecula)
- The Nutcracker Ballet Performance
- The Festival of the Trees Holiday Fair (Riverside)
- Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- A Christmas Carol (Temecula)
- Temecula Holiday Market (Temecula)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Bernardino Holiday Light Displays
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
Santa’s Electric Light Parade
What to Expect:
Electric light parade with festive entries.
Description:
The Santa’s Electric Light Parade in Temecula features a spectacular display of electric lights as entries travel south along the parade route into Old Town Temecula. The event begins at 7:00 PM sharp at the intersection of Jefferson Ave and Del Rio Rd.
Where: Temecula | More Info: Santa’s Electric Light Parade
Christmas on Euclid
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historic nativity scenes and festive activities.
Description:
Christmas on Euclid features a holiday light parade, tree lighting ceremony, and craft vendors along historic Euclid Avenue in Ontario, California, with iconic nativity scenes displayed throughout the season.
Where: Ontario | More Info: Christmas on Euclid
Twentynine Palms Light Parade and City Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Santa's special appearance during the tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Twentynine Palms Light Parade and City Tree Lighting feature a festive light parade along Adobe Road, culminating in a tree lighting ceremony at Veterans Park. Santa Claus makes a special appearance, adding to the holiday cheer.
Where: Twentynine Palms | More Info: Twentynine Palms Light Parade and City Tree Lighting
Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Live entertainment and surprise visit from the North Pole.
Description:
The Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony is a family-friendly event featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and a surprise visit from the North Pole. It kicks off the holiday season with a spectacular tree lighting ceremony at City Hall.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Tree-Lighting Ceremony
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
What to Expect:
Holiday light display with festive food and shopping.
Description:
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm features over one million lights illuminating lavender fields, olive groves, and historic buildings. Enjoy festive food and drinks while exploring charming cottage shops and taking a tractor-pulled wagon ride through the property.
Where: Cherry Valley | More Info: Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
San Bernardino Holiday Markets and Shopping
The Festival of the Trees Holiday Fair
What to Expect:
Unique holiday event with beautifully decorated trees and local artisans.
Description:
The Festival of the Trees Holiday Fair at the Riverside Convention Center features over 46 beautifully decorated holiday trees, 50 local craft vendors and artisans, delicious holiday treats, free kids' activities, local holiday dance performances, and Santa. Children can create holiday cards and crafts to take home and visit Santa for a photo.
Where: Riverside | More Info: The Festival of the Trees Holiday Fair
Menifee Hometown Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Community holiday shopping with diverse vendors and activities.
Description:
The Menifee Hometown Holiday Festival is a community event featuring over 60 vendors, food and drinks, a visit with Santa, an Ugly Sweater Contest, and a Charity Toy Drive.
Where: Menifee | More Info: Menifee Hometown Holiday Festival
Temecula Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Celebration of community, creativity, and entrepreneurship with a rich tapestry of local vendors.
Description:
The Temecula Holiday Market is a three-day event that brings together small businesses, artisans, and craftsmen to showcase handmade goods, delectable treats, and unique treasures. Visitors can meet passionate entrepreneurs and enjoy various activities, character meets, and entertainment for all ages.
Where: Temecula | More Info: Temecula Holiday Market
San Bernardino Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Polar Express
What to Expect:
Live theatrical onboard entertainment and a keepsake sleigh bell for each guest.
Description:
Relive the classic holiday story of The Polar Express on a real train ride, featuring hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa.
Where: Perris | More Info: The Polar Express
The Nutcracker Ballet Performance
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes in a classic ballet performance.
Description:
Inland Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a classic ballet featuring beautiful sets, intricate costumes, and Tchaikovsky's iconic score. The performance tells the story of Clara and her journey to the Land of the Snow and the Kingdom of Sweets.
Where: San Bernardino | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet Performance
A Christmas Carol
What to Expect:
Ebenezer Scrooge's transformative journey through his past, present, and future.
Description:
A Christmas Carol, a musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale, follows Ebenezer Scrooge as he is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, leading him to transform from a miserly man to one filled with love and compassion.
Where: Temecula | More Info: A Christmas Carol
Blue Jay Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with a "Christmas Vacation" theme.
Description:
The Blue Jay Christmas Parade is an annual event in Lake Arrowhead, featuring festive floats, community groups, and holiday cheer. This year's theme is "Christmas Vacation," celebrating the spirit of the season with local participation and joy.
Where: Lake Arrowhead | More Info: Blue Jay Christmas Parade
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 showcasing physics and illumination.
Description:
Winter Lights is a holiday musical spectacle at Discovery Cube Orange County, featuring original songs, unique characters, and interactive light displays that blend hope, resilience, and magic.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony
What to Expect:
World-class soprano performing holiday classics with orchestra and choir.
Description:
Renowned soprano Sarah Brightman performs her critically acclaimed holiday show, featuring her holiday classics and greatest hits, accompanied by an orchestra and choir.
Where: Indio | More Info: Sarah Brightman Christmas Symphony
San Bernardino Other Holiday Activities
Big Bear Village Christmas
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with festive lights and snow-covered mountains.
Description:
Big Bear Village transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with twinkling lights, Santa's Hut, and glistening snow across the mountain landscape. The village offers a variety of seasonal events and activities for the whole family to enjoy.
Where: Big Bear | More Info: Big Bear Village Christmas
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides in a festive atmosphere.
Description:
The Festival of Winter at Miller Park Amphitheater features train rides, attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow play and a Tot Lot for children to experience snow for the first time.
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!
- Colton (3 miles)
- Loma Linda (4 miles)
- Rialto (5 miles)
- Highland (5 miles)
- Bloomington (7 miles)
- Redlands (7 miles)
- Fontana (8 miles)
- Rubidoux (10 miles)
- Moreno Valley (12 miles)
- Riverside (12 miles)
- Glen Avon (13 miles)
- Yucaipa (15 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (15 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (17 miles)
- Eastvale (19 miles)
- Norco (19 miles)
- Upland (21 miles)
- Ontario (21 miles)
- Beaumont (22 miles)
- Hesperia (22 miles)
- Corona (23 miles)
- Perris (23 miles)
- Montclair (23 miles)
- Chino (24 miles)
- Claremont (25 miles)
- Pomona (27 miles)
- Banning (27 miles)
- La Verne (27 miles)
- Menifee (28 miles)
- Apple Valley (28 miles)
- Chino Hills (28 miles)
- San Jacinto (29 miles)
- Victorville (30 miles)
- San Dimas (30 miles)
- Diamond Bar (30 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (30 miles)
- Hemet (31 miles)
- Glendora (33 miles)
- Adelanto (33 miles)
- Walnut (34 miles)
- Yorba Linda (34 miles)
- Covina (34 miles)
- Wildomar (35 miles)
- Azusa (35 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (36 miles)
- Rowland Heights (36 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (37 miles)
- Placentia (37 miles)
- West Covina (37 miles)
- Brea (37 miles)
- North Tustin (37 miles)
- Valinda (38 miles)
- La Puente (38 miles)
- Baldwin Park (38 miles)
- Murrieta (39 miles)
- West Puente Valley (39 miles)
- Orange (39 miles)
- Lake Forest (39 miles)
- Duarte (39 miles)
- La Habra (40 miles)
- Tustin (40 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (40 miles)
- Fullerton (40 miles)
- Anaheim (40 miles)
- Monrovia (41 miles)
- Mission Viejo (41 miles)
- Santa Ana (42 miles)
- Laguna Hills (42 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (42 miles)
- El Monte (42 miles)
- Arcadia (43 miles)
- Irvine (43 miles)
- Temecula (43 miles)
- La Mirada (43 miles)
- Whittier (43 miles)
- South El Monte (43 miles)
- Buena Park (44 miles)
- Garden Grove (44 miles)
- Temple City (44 miles)
- South Whittier (44 miles)
- Rosemead (45 miles)