Get ready for a holiday adventure in Soledad! Our guide features all the exciting festive events. Whether you're deeply connected to Soledad or just making connections, this guide enhances your holiday experience.
One standout event this season is the Mission Inn Festival of Lights, where dazzling displays transform the local area into a winter wonderland. Another highlight is Ice Skating By the Bay, offering a charming atmosphere for all ages on a picturesque rink. And the Polar Express is something you definitely don't want to miss, transporting families into a magical holiday adventure. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Soledad
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- The Polar Express (Perris)
- Santa’s Electric Light Parade (Temecula)
- Ice Skating By the Bay (Monterey)
- The Nutcracker Ballet Performance (San Bernardino)
- Farley’s Christmas Wonderland (Santa Cruz)
- Christmas on the Wharf (Monterey)
- Christmas in the Adobes (Monterey)
- Menifee Hometown Holiday Festival (Menifee)
See these and even more events listed below!
Soledad Holiday Light Displays
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with live entertainment.
Description:
The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is a renowned holiday event featuring millions of twinkling lights, live music, and festive activities. It transforms the historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa into a spectacular display of holiday cheer, attracting over 500,000 visitors annually.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Santa’s Electric Light Parade
What to Expect:
Vibrant light displays and community participation.
Description:
The Santa’s Electric Light Parade in Temecula, CA, is an annual event where colorful light displays and festive entries travel south along the parade route into Old Town Temecula. The parade begins at 7:00 PM sharp at the intersection of Jefferson Ave and Del Rio Rd, offering a delightful holiday experience for all attendees.
Where: Temecula | More Info: Santa’s Electric Light Parade
Soledad Holiday Markets and Shopping
Menifee Hometown Holiday Festival
What to Expect:
Large-scale holiday shopping event with community 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
Soledad Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas on the Wharf
What to Expect:
Free weekend live entertainment with holiday musical performances and Santa visits.
Description:
Christmas on the Wharf in Monterey, California, features stunning holiday decorations, live entertainment including choirs and youth dancers, and Santa visits at his Santa House. Enjoy festive atmosphere with California sea lions, otters, and other marine life.
Where: Monterey | More Info: Christmas on the Wharf
The Polar Express
What to Expect:
Live theatrical onboard entertainment with Santa and his helpers.
Description:
The Polar Express is a holiday event where families can relive the classic story aboard a real train. The journey includes hot chocolate, a cookie, and a reading of the book "The Polar Express" by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers board the train to give each passenger a silver sleigh bell, creating a memorable and festive experience.
Where: Perris | More Info: The Polar Express
The Nutcracker Ballet Performance
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Inland Dance Theatre presents The Nutcracker, a beloved holiday ballet featuring over 100 performers, including young dancers and professional artists, at the historic California Theatre in San Bernardino. This annual production brings Tchaikovsky's classic score to life with beautiful sets and dazzling costumes.
Where: San Bernardino | More Info: The Nutcracker Ballet Performance
Soledad Other Holiday Activities
Ice Skating By the Bay
What to Expect:
Seasonal ice skating by the scenic Monterey Bay coastline.
Description:
Ice Skating by the Bay is a seasonal ice skating rink located in Custom House Plaza behind the Portola Hotel & Spa in Monterey, California. Skaters can enjoy the scenic coastline while gliding on the ice. The rink is open daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Sundays, including holidays. Admission fees apply, with adults costing $15 and children under 12 costing $13. Skate rental is available for an additional $5.
Where: Monterey | More Info: Ice Skating By the Bay
Christmas in the Adobes
What to Expect:
Candle-lit luminarias lead the way to each historic adobe.
Description:
Explore historic adobes in Monterey adorned with holiday decorations, enjoy festive music, and hear stories about the city's earliest buildings.
Where: Monterey | More Info: Christmas in the Adobes
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland
What to Expect:
Traditional walk-in Christmas display with fairy grotto and waterfalls.
Description:
Farley’s Christmas Wonderland is a traditional walk-in Christmas display in Santa Cruz, featuring numerous Christmas trees, garlands, sleighs, an elf village, and a fairy grotto with waterfalls. Visitors can explore the exhibit, sit in the Fairy Garden, and enjoy the waterfall or relax in the log cabin by the fireplace.