Your ultimate holiday season resource for Van Nuys is here! Explore our guide for all the top festive events and activities. From Van Nuys old-timers to newcomers, our guide ensures you make the most of the holidays.
Popular Events: Experience the magic of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, where beautifully decorated boats sail through the harbor, transforming the water into a glistening spectacle. Additionally, immerse yourself in the holiday spirit with Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park, featuring dazzling lights and thrilling rides. And the enchanting Knott's Merry Farm is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering seasonal entertainment and festive treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Van Nuys
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Newport Beach)
- Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
- 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade (Los Angeles)
- Enchanted: Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Grinchmas - Universal Studios Hollywood (Los Angeles)
- LA Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
- John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas (Anaheim)
See these and even more events listed below!
Van Nuys Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday trail with interactive installations and festive 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
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Decorated boats and kayaks sailing through Newport Harbor.
Description:
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a spectacular event featuring hundreds of beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor. The parade includes a waterfront decorating competition and special fireworks on the opening night. It is a family-friendly event with optimal viewing locations like Marina Park, offering a nautical-themed playground and picnic area.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
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 vibrant holiday destination with millions of twinkling lights, immersive themed areas, and festive entertainment. Guests can explore eight distinct areas, including Rockin’ Universe, Merry Lane, The Underground, Winter Wonderland, Holiday Square, Snowy Nights, North Pole Plaza, and Gleampunk District. The event features distanced greetings from holiday characters, iconic decorations, and a drive-by with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Where: Valencia | More Info: Six Flags Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
LA Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Nature-focused holiday celebration with immersive lantern sculptures and interactive experiences.
Description:
LA Zoo Lights features immersive lantern sculptures, wildlife-inspired displays, and interactive experiences set amidst blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers. The event includes all-new wonders like the magical Holiday Forest and spectacular holiday photo spots, with Santa photos available for an additional fee. VIP experiences, sensory-inclusive evenings, and all-ages Pride Night are also available.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Zoo Lights
Enchanted: Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a vibrant, illuminated botanical artscape with interactive light installations, including stained glass houses, geometric displays, and synchronized flower lights, creating a dynamic and immersive nighttime experience.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted: Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with life-sized characters and dinosaurs.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over a mile of spectacular light displays, including larger-than-life Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. The event brings to life your favorite holiday scenes and characters in a dazzling display.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights
Festival of Lights - Mission Inn
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with live music and animated displays.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, hundreds of animated figures, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Festival of Lights - Mission Inn
Christmas Nights - 123 Farms
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with over one million lights and festive activities.
Description:
Christmas Nights at 123 Farm features over one million lights illuminating lavender fields, olive groves, and historic buildings. Enjoy festive food and drinks, tractor wagon rides, s'mores pits, and Santa's Workshop. Explore charming cottage shops in the Organic Galleries and visit the life-size gingerbread house.
Where: Beaumont | More Info: Christmas Nights - 123 Farms
Van Nuys Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Knott's Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration with winter wonderland-inspired decor and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings.
Description:
Knott's Merry Farm transforms the park into a classic holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and jumbo snowflakes. Enjoy Christmas shows, a beloved ice show starring the Peanuts Gang, and delectable holiday dining food.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott's Merry Farm
Holiday Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
What to Expect:
Live music and Santa's arrival in a red convertible T-Bird.
Description:
Join City Center Bishop Ranch for the Holiday Tree Lighting, featuring heartwarming performances by the Monte Vista band, singers, and dancers. Witness Santa's grand entrance and enjoy memorable visits with Santa on various dates throughout the season.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Holiday Tree Lighting - Center City Bishop Ranch
Grinchmas - Universal Studios Hollywood
What to Expect:
Whimsical holiday celebration with Grinch and friends.
Description:
Grinchmas at Universal Studios Hollywood features a whimsical celebration with the Grinch and his friends, offering a delightful holiday experience with decorations, characters, and special activities.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Grinchmas - Universal Studios Hollywood
91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade
What to Expect:
Iconic parade with legendary celebrities and charitable mission.
Description:
The 91st Annual 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 supporting Toys for Tots and other organizations.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: 91st Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
A Broadway-style holiday spectacular with contemporary circus arts.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze combines the world's finest contemporary circus artists with dynamic choreography and whimsical storytelling, featuring a world-renowned cast of performers, aerial circus acts, sleight-of-hand jugglers, and breath-catching acrobatics.
Where: Pasadena | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
What to Expect:
Intimate performance of John Denver's holiday classics by a talented tribute artist.
Description:
Rick Schuler's performance of John Denver's music in a holiday setting features classic hits and heartwarming carols, transporting audiences back to the 1970s.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
Van Nuys Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Family-friendly entertainment with a working farm and veterans museum.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center features live music, family fun, and diverse entertainment zones, including Trans Central and The Leather and Fetish Zone. Explore the working farm with animals and crops, and visit the veterans museum for educational enrichment.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
What to Expect:
Daily skating sessions with themed events.
Description:
The Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink at City Center Bishop Ranch offers daily skating sessions, special weekend hours, and themed events like character nights. Enjoy the holiday spirit with local skaters and festive activities.
Where: San Ramon | More Info: Kristi Yamaguchi Holiday Ice Rink
Fire & Ice Festival with Ice Skating
What to Expect:
Scenic outdoor ice rink with festive activities.
Description:
The Fire & Ice Festival at Newport Dunes features an outdoor ice rink with stunning water views, festive drinks at the Igloo Bar, and holiday lights floating on the bay. Enjoy fire tables and s'more kits, as well as fire dancer performances on select nights.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Fire & Ice Festival with Ice Skating
Santa's House & North Pole - Skypark at Santa's Village
What to Expect:
Interactive Santa visits with limited reservations.
Description:
Visit Santa's cozy North Pole Cabin, where the fire is always warm and memories last a lifetime. Send your list to Santa or write a thank-you note for gifts received. Just outside, feel the icy North Pole and watch it glow with the Northern lights.
Where: Skyforest | More Info: Santa's House & North Pole - Skypark at Santa's Village
Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday train ride with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad offers a festive holiday experience where families can ride a decorated train to the North Pole, meet Santa, and enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations on the return journey to Santa’s Village.
Where: Orange | More Info: Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with festive lights and decorations.
Description:
Santa's Village at Irvine Park Railroad offers a variety of activities including ice fishing, cookie decorating, and Rudolph Racers. The village is filled with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights and offers many photo opportunities. Food and snacks are available, along with hot chocolate and coffee.
Where: Orange | More Info: Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow play and train rides for all ages.
Description:
The Festival of Winter at Miller Park 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
Astra Lumina - South Coast Botanic
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound journey through a celestial pathway.
Description:
Astra Lumina at South Coast Botanic Garden is an immersive night walk experience using light, scenography, original soundscape, and projection to create an imaginative world where visitors can encounter the wonder of the stars and embrace their own human light.
Where: Palos Verdes Peninsula | More Info: Astra Lumina - South Coast Botanic
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Valley Glen (0 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (2 miles)
- Encino (4 miles)
- Studio City (4 miles)
- North Hills (4 miles)
- North Hollywood (4 miles)
- Northridge (6 miles)
- Universal City (6 miles)
- San Fernando (7 miles)
- Burbank (8 miles)
- Beverly Hills (8 miles)
- West Hollywood (8 miles)
- Canoga Park (9 miles)
- Woodland Hills (9 miles)
- Hollywood (9 miles)
- Chatsworth (10 miles)
- Tujunga (10 miles)
- Calabasas (11 miles)
- West Hills (11 miles)
- Glendale (11 miles)
- Santa Monica (12 miles)
- Culver City (12 miles)
- Koreatown (12 miles)
- Silver Lake (12 miles)
- Echo Park (13 miles)
- Venice (14 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (15 miles)
- Los Angeles (15 miles)
- Santa Clarita (15 miles)
- Canyon Country (16 miles)
- Inglewood (16 miles)
- Agoura (17 miles)
- Boyle Heights (17 miles)
- Pasadena (18 miles)
- South Pasadena (18 miles)
- Lennox (18 miles)
- Altadena (18 miles)
- Westmont (19 miles)
- Agoura Hills (19 miles)
- Huntington Park (19 miles)
- Florence-Graham (19 miles)
- East Los Angeles (19 miles)
- Alhambra (19 miles)
- Hawthorne (19 miles)
- Simi Valley (20 miles)
- Valencia (20 miles)
- Maywood (20 miles)
- Monterey Park (21 miles)
- San Gabriel (21 miles)
- Bell (21 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (21 miles)
- South Gate (21 miles)
- Lawndale (21 miles)
- Willowbrook (22 miles)
- Cudahy (22 miles)
- Gardena (22 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (22 miles)
- Lynwood (22 miles)
- Rosemead (23 miles)
- Bell Gardens (23 miles)
- Temple City (23 miles)
- Montebello (23 miles)
- Redondo Beach (24 miles)
- Arcadia (24 miles)
- Compton (24 miles)
- Pico Rivera (25 miles)
- South El Monte (25 miles)
- Downey (25 miles)
- Torrance (25 miles)
- El Monte (25 miles)
- Moorpark (26 miles)
- Monrovia (26 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (26 miles)
- Carson (26 miles)
- Paramount (26 miles)
- West Carson (27 miles)
- Duarte (27 miles)
- Whittier (28 miles)
- Lomita (28 miles)
- Bellflower (28 miles)
- South Whittier (29 miles)
- Baldwin Park (29 miles)
- Norwalk (29 miles)
- West Puente Valley (29 miles)
- Lakewood (29 miles)
- West Covina (30 miles)
- Valinda (31 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (31 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (31 miles)
- La Puente (31 miles)
- Azusa (31 miles)
- La Mirada (31 miles)
- Cerritos (32 miles)
- San Pedro (32 miles)
- Long Beach (33 miles)
- Covina (33 miles)
- Palmdale (33 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (33 miles)
- Glendora (34 miles)
- Camarillo (34 miles)
- La Habra (34 miles)
- Buena Park (34 miles)
- Rowland Heights (34 miles)
- Cypress (35 miles)
- Walnut (35 miles)
- Brea (37 miles)
- Seal Beach (37 miles)
- Santa Paula (37 miles)
- Fullerton (37 miles)
- San Dimas (37 miles)
- Stanton (37 miles)
- Diamond Bar (38 miles)
- Westminster (39 miles)
- Anaheim (39 miles)
- La Verne (39 miles)
- Lancaster (40 miles)
- Placentia (40 miles)
- Garden Grove (41 miles)
- Pomona (41 miles)
- Oxnard (42 miles)
- Chino Hills (42 miles)
- Yorba Linda (42 miles)
- Claremont (42 miles)
- Port Hueneme (43 miles)
- Fountain Valley (44 miles)
- Orange (44 miles)
- Montclair (44 miles)
- Huntington Beach (45 miles)