Experience the holiday joy in Santa Monica! Our guide has all the exciting festive happenings. From Santa Monica regulars to first-time tourists, our guide highlights the season's best activities.
One of the must-see attractions is the charming Winter Village, where twinkling lights and cozy markets create a delightful atmosphere for all ages. With its ice skating rink and festive food stalls, it captures the essence of the season. Meanwhile, the enchanting Winter Lights illuminates the streets with vibrant displays, transforming the city into a holiday wonderland. And the Winter Fest OC is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a variety of family-friendly activities and live entertainment. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Santa Monica
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Winter Village (Santa Ana)
- Festival of Winter (Fontana)
- Winter Lights (Santa Ana)
- Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel (Laguna Niguel)
- Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico (Rancho Cucamonga)
- South Lake Avenue Holidayfest (Pasadena)
See these and even more events listed below!
Santa Monica Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Lights
What to Expect:
Interactive light displays and science-themed activities.
Description:
Winter Lights is a holiday musical spectacle at Discovery Cube OC, featuring an original story, unique characters, and captivating music. The event transforms the venue into a dazzling display of lights and decorations, blending science and holiday spirit.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Lights
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
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
What to Expect:
Live music and holiday activities with local businesses offering prizes.
Description:
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, holiday activities, in-store promotions, and a raffle with prizes from local businesses. Guests can enjoy free photos with Santa, cookie decorating, ornament making, and more.
Where: Pasadena | More Info: South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
Santa Monica Other Holiday Activities
Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long celebration featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and special events like a toy giveaway and breakfast with Santa.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Winter Village
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides for all ages.
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 also includes snow play and a Tot Lot for kids to experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Festival of Winter
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Educational workshops on food preservation and chocolate truffle making.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities, including farm garden workshops, live music, and family fun events. The event features educational workshops on food preservation and chocolate truffle making, making it an ideal destination for both kids and adults.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse entries.
Description:
The Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel is a vibrant community event featuring festive floats, marching bands, and holiday-themed entries. It celebrates the spirit of the season with a lively procession down Crown Valley Parkway.
Where: Laguna Niguel | More Info: Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Venice (3 miles)
- Culver City (5 miles)
- Beverly Hills (6 miles)
- Inglewood (9 miles)
- West Hollywood (9 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (9 miles)
- Encino (10 miles)
- Lennox (10 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (10 miles)
- Studio City (10 miles)
- Hawthorne (11 miles)
- Hollywood (11 miles)
- Koreatown (11 miles)
- Universal City (11 miles)
- Van Nuys (12 miles)
- Valley Glen (12 miles)
- Westmont (12 miles)
- Lawndale (12 miles)
- Woodland Hills (12 miles)
- North Hollywood (12 miles)
- Calabasas (13 miles)
- Redondo Beach (13 miles)
- Silver Lake (13 miles)
- Echo Park (14 miles)
- Gardena (14 miles)
- Canoga Park (14 miles)
- Los Angeles (14 miles)
- Florence-Graham (15 miles)
- Northridge (15 miles)
- North Hills (15 miles)
- West Hills (15 miles)
- Burbank (15 miles)
- Willowbrook (15 miles)
- Torrance (15 miles)
- Huntington Park (15 miles)
- Glendale (16 miles)
- Boyle Heights (16 miles)
- Agoura (16 miles)
- South Gate (17 miles)
- Lynwood (17 miles)
- Chatsworth (18 miles)
- Bell (18 miles)
- Maywood (18 miles)
- Carson (18 miles)
- Compton (18 miles)
- West Carson (18 miles)
- Cudahy (18 miles)
- Agoura Hills (18 miles)
- East Los Angeles (18 miles)
- San Fernando (18 miles)
- Lomita (19 miles)
- Bell Gardens (20 miles)
- Tujunga (20 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (20 miles)
- South Pasadena (21 miles)
- Paramount (21 miles)
- Downey (21 miles)
- Monterey Park (21 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (21 miles)
- Alhambra (22 miles)
- Pasadena (22 miles)
- Montebello (22 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (22 miles)
- San Pedro (23 miles)
- San Gabriel (23 miles)
- Pico Rivera (23 miles)
- Bellflower (23 miles)
- Lakewood (23 miles)
- Altadena (24 miles)
- Simi Valley (24 miles)
- Rosemead (24 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (24 miles)
- Long Beach (25 miles)
- Norwalk (25 miles)
- Temple City (26 miles)
- South El Monte (26 miles)
- Santa Clarita (26 miles)
- South Whittier (26 miles)
- Whittier (26 miles)
- El Monte (27 miles)
- Cerritos (27 miles)
- Arcadia (27 miles)
- Canyon Country (28 miles)
- La Mirada (28 miles)
- Moorpark (29 miles)
- Seal Beach (29 miles)
- Monrovia (30 miles)
- Cypress (30 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (30 miles)
- West Puente Valley (30 miles)
- Valencia (30 miles)
- Buena Park (30 miles)
- Duarte (31 miles)
- Baldwin Park (31 miles)
- La Puente (31 miles)
- Valinda (31 miles)
- West Covina (32 miles)
- La Habra (32 miles)
- Stanton (32 miles)
- Westminster (33 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (34 miles)
- Rowland Heights (34 miles)
- Fullerton (34 miles)
- Camarillo (34 miles)
- Azusa (34 miles)
- Brea (35 miles)
- Covina (35 miles)
- Anaheim (35 miles)
- Garden Grove (36 miles)
- Walnut (36 miles)
- Glendora (37 miles)
- Placentia (37 miles)
- Fountain Valley (38 miles)
- Huntington Beach (38 miles)
- Diamond Bar (39 miles)
- San Dimas (40 miles)
- Santa Paula (40 miles)
- Yorba Linda (40 miles)
- Orange (40 miles)
- Santa Ana (40 miles)
- Oxnard (41 miles)
- Port Hueneme (41 miles)
- La Verne (42 miles)
- Chino Hills (42 miles)
- Costa Mesa (42 miles)
- Pomona (42 miles)
- Newport Beach (43 miles)
- Tustin (43 miles)
- North Tustin (44 miles)
- Palmdale (44 miles)
- Claremont (44 miles)