Most Magical Things to Do in Southern California for Christmas

The Christmas season has always been one of my favorites, and each year I love exploring the best spots to experience the holiday spirit around Southern California.

Spending the holiday season in Southern California is a unique experience that blends festive cheer with sunny skies. While there may not be snow, Southern California makes up for it with spectacular holiday light displays, festive villages, and a distinctive coastal twist on holiday traditions.

If you’re searching for places to embrace the holiday spirit, I’ve put together a list of the best spots to enjoy Christmas in Southern California:

The Mission Inn’s Festival of Lights is a holiday tradition that feels straight out of a fairytale. Every year, this historic hotel lights up with over 5 million lights, stunning decorations, and a dazzling fireworks show to kick off the season. Wander through the grand corridors, take in holiday scenes, and enjoy carriage rides around this winter wonderland.

This year, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights will begin on Saturday, November 23rd, with a Switch On Ceremony at 5pm, guaranteed to set the town aglow.

Disneyland goes all out for the holidays, creating a magical experience for all ages. Main Street U.S.A. is decked out with festive garlands, a massive Christmas tree, and even snow! Attractions transform with seasonal themes—don’t miss the Haunted Mansion Holiday or “it’s a small world” Holiday. Stick around for the “Believe… in Holiday Magic” fireworks and a gentle snowfall over Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.

The Cambria Christmas Market in Central California is the most breathtaking Christmas displays I’ve ever seen! Over 3 million Christmas lights illuminate the village, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that truly captures the spirit of the season. To add to the festive ambiance, live entertainment is provided and you can also enjoy delicious food and beverages. The Cambria Christmas Market will be open from November 29 to December 31, 2024.

Universal Studios Hollywood is a lot of fun during Christmas! The park creates a festive atmosphere with holiday decorations, special holiday-themed shows, holiday-themed food, and tons of photo opportunities. Grinchmas is especially popular, with live performances, character meet-and-greets with the Grinch, and Whoville-themed decor. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter also shines during this season, with Hogsmeade dressed up for the holidays, complete with a magical Christmas show on Hogwarts Castle. Christmas at Universal Studios Hollywood runs from Tuesday, November 26, 2024 through January 9, 2025

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a beloved holiday tradition in Southern California, celebrating over a century of festive spirit. Throughout the parade, beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes light up Newport Harbor with elaborate holiday lights, music, and animated displays. This year, the parade runs from December 18 to 22, 2024. The event begins each evening at 6:30 p.m. from Bay Island and wraps up around 9 p.m. with a stunning fireworks display launched from Balboa Pier on both the opening and closing nights.

Additionally, exploring Balboa Island via ferry boat during Christmas is a fun experience that truly captures the holiday spirit. The ride is quick and it takes you to cross between Balboa Peninsula and Balboa Island. You can take a stroll around Balboa Island to see the light display of bay front estates with their Ring of Lights competition. There are also numerous restaurants by the bay where you can enjoy watching boats sail by.

Julefest is a charming holiday celebration in Solvang, California, that captures the spirit of Danish Christmas traditions. Held annually from late November through early January, this festive event features a variety of activities, including a parade, tree lighting ceremony, and a holiday market. Visitors can enjoy twinkling lights adorning the village, live entertainment, and various seasonal foods, such as Danish pastries and mulled wine.

The Solvang Julefest Parade typically takes place on the first Saturday of December. For 2024, the parade is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. The event features festive floats, marching bands, and a variety of holiday-themed entries, celebrating the community’s Danish heritage and the holiday season. It’s a highlight of the Julefest festivities in Solvang!

The holiday lights at Dana Point, known as the “Dana Point Harbor Lights,” create a dazzling waterfront display each winter. Thousands of colorful lights illuminate the harbor, decorating trees, docks, and boats, transforming the area into a coastal holiday wonderland. Visitors can stroll along the harbor to enjoy themed displays, light tunnels, and vibrant sculptures. Many of the harbor’s boats are also decorated, adding to the festive atmosphere, and some local restaurants and shops offer seasonal treats to enjoy while taking in the view. It’s a family-friendly and free holiday experience that’s popular with both locals and visitors. This year, Holiday lights will illuminate Dana Point Harbor from November 13, 2024 to January 12, 2025 starting at 5pm each evening.

This “Merry Kiss Me” sign at Dana Point will definitely get you in the holiday spirit. Couples gather together and kiss under the sign like it is a mistletoe.

The Holiday Lights Train Ride has been a beloved tradition at Griffith Park for many years. The train ride takes about 10 minutes, traveling along a mile-long loop where riders can enjoy festive scenes decorated with thousands of lights within Griffith Park. This year, the Holiday Light Festival Train Ride will run daily from November 29, 2024, through January 3, 2025.

Christmas on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is a glamorous celebration filled with luxury, sparkle, and holiday cheer. The iconic shopping street is transformed with elegant holiday decorations, sparkling lights, and festive displays, making it a prime spot for holiday sightseeing. Each year, Beverly Hills hosts a tree lighting ceremony, along with live music, performances, and family-friendly activities. Storefronts are often adorned with beautiful seasonal decor, and there are special events and promotions in the upscale boutiques. It’s a stylish and festive destination for those looking to experience a luxurious holiday atmosphere.

This year, the Lighting Celebration on Rodeo Drive will start on Thursday, November 14, at 5 p.m.

The Bloc in downtown LA embraces the holiday season with vibrant Christmas decorations that bring festive cheer to the heart of the city. The open-air shopping center is decked out with sparkling lights, beautifully decorated trees, and holiday-themed displays, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere for shoppers and visitors.

This year’s Grand Debut of Sparkle DTLA will be held on November 17, 2024 from 5pm-9pm, featuring the grand lighting of holiday decorations, including a towering Christmas tree and countless twinkling lights throughout the plaza.

The Christmas decorations at Beverly Canon Gardens, adjacent to The Maybourne Beverly Hills, transform the area into a festive winter oasis. Each year, the garden is adorned with beautifully decorated trees, lights, and festive holiday ornaments. With its fountains, lush greenery, and cozy seating areas, the garden becomes my favorite place for holiday photos.

The Outlets at San Clemente host festive Christmas celebrations that create a lively holiday atmosphere for shoppers and families alike.
Every year, they hold an Annual Tree Lighting Celebration showcasing a gigantic Christmas Tree beautifully decorated with multicolored lights, bows, and ornaments.

This year, the Tree Lighting Celebration will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 5 p.m., featuring live music, performances, and a visit from Santa Claus.

Step back in time aboard the Queen Mary, where the entire ship is transformed for the holidays. With themed zones, a Christmas village, ice skating, and festive décor throughout, this ocean liner provides a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Kids will enjoy meeting Santa and Mrs. Claus, and adults can sip on holiday cocktails while exploring the ship.

The Grove is a favorite shopping spot year-round, but it turns into a holiday wonderland come December. A giant Christmas tree, glittering decorations, and scheduled snowfall create a magical holiday atmosphere. You can shop for gifts, snap a photo with Santa, and take in the lights for a festive evening out. This year, the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration will kick off on Monday, November 25, 2024 at 7pm.

LA Arboretum’s Lightscape is a fun outdoor holiday experience for the entire family. Visitors traverse along a path where you’ll experience dazzling arrays of holiday lights, sights and sounds to celebrate the Christmas holiday season. 

Bring comfortable walking shoes and a jacket/blazer as it can get a bit chilly there in the evenings. Concession stands are at various spots along the exhibit that offers food and warm beverages.

Big Bear Lake, a glistening gem nestled in the heart of the mountains, takes on a whole new beauty during Christmas. It’s only a couple of hours from Los Angeles and it’s a perfect getaway for the whole family. The village is a cool place to walk around at night as the streets are lined with lighted trees and festive decors.

The Terrace Theatre Plaza in Long Beach transforms into a winter wonderland filled with thousands of twinklight lights, festive decorations, and holiday-themed displays. The illuminated fountains are truly a captivating spectacle and definitely a great place to hang out with family and friends. There are often live performances by local choirs and musicians, adding to the festive ambiance. This year, the Annual Tree Lighting Celebration kicks off on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 5pm-8pm, featuring a towering tree and over 500,000 lights.

The Hotel del Coronado was the first place I’ve stayed in San Diego during Christmas. The experience was absolutely magical with sparkling lights and Christmas decors throughout this historic Southern California landmark.

During Christmas, the hotel provides a range of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy such as beachside igloos, frostbite lounge, skating by the sea, and so much more.

Christmas at The Americana at Brand in Glendale is a festive experience featuring beautiful holiday decorations, a towering Christmas tree, and sparkling lights throughout the shopping and dining center.

The season typically kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony, including live music, entertainment, and even “snowfall” for a magical touch. Visitors can enjoy holiday-themed activities, including photos with Santa, a water fountain synchronized to holiday music, and festive store window displays, all with plenty of photo opportunities. Also, the decorated trolley is a popular attraction, operating Sunday-Thursday from 1pm to 6:45pm and Friday-Saturday from 1pm to 7:45pm. 

Astra Lumina is an enchanting place to visit during the holiday season. This multi-sensory experience uses light, audio, and projection technologies to create an immersive walk. It’s a one mile nighttime walk through a botanical garden where you will traverse diverse terrains and embark on a journey to explore the awe-inspiring beauty of the stars. Astra Lumina is set to open its gates on November 8 for its third year.

Southern California has several hotels that go all out with beautiful Christmas lights and displays each year, creating a magical holiday experience. Here are some top picks:

This historic hotel, with its ornate architecture and grand lobby, creates a magical holiday atmosphere each year. They typically set up a large, beautifully decorated Christmas tree in the lobby, along with garlands, wreaths, and twinkling lights that highlight the hotel’s elegant details. Book your room here.

Located in Beverly Hills, this iconic hotel has a grand Christmas tree in the lobby, along with elegant holiday lights and decorations that bring a classic, luxurious feel. Book your room here.

This Santa Monica hotel often features a gorgeous, illuminated Christmas tree in its lobby and an outdoor light display among the hotel’s iconic fig tree and gardens. Book your room here.

Known for its lush holiday decor, this hotel offers beautifully decorated trees and intricate lights around its gardens, rooftop, and lobby, creating a cozy and festive vibe. Book your room here.

This hotel celebrates with festive lights in its courtyard and decor throughout, including beautifully adorned trees and Christmas displays across its lush grounds. Book your room here.

Known for lavish holiday displays, this hotel adds sparkle with tastefully arranged lights, elegant wreaths, and a grand tree in its lobby, making it feel like a winter wonderland. Book your room here.

Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Terranea offers not only breathtaking ocean views but also holiday lights and decorations, including an impressive outdoor Christmas tree. Book your room here.

Located in downtown L.A., the Ritz-Carlton features sophisticated holiday decorations in its lobby, including a stunning tree and holiday lights that add sparkle to the cityscape view. Book your room here.

Known for chic, modern decor, the SLS Hotel often sets up a unique holiday display with whimsical elements, adding a stylish twist to the season. Book your room here.

With beautiful rooftop views, this hotel often decorates with holiday lights, trees, and other festive displays, making it feel magical both indoors and outdoors. Book your room here.

During the holiday season, the Mission Inn in Riverside transforms into a magical wonderland known as the “Festival of Lights.” The historic hotel becomes adorned with millions of twinkling lights, colorful holiday displays, and intricate decorations that attract visitors from near and far. The festive atmosphere includes carriage rides, a dazzling 20-foot-tall Christmas tree, live entertainment, and even appearances from Santa Claus. Book your room here.

This hotel brings Disney’s signature magic to its holiday decor, with themed Christmas trees, lights, and festive displays throughout, making it a must-visit for fans of Disney and the holiday season. Book your room here.

Located on the waterfront, this resort is beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and festive decor that makes for a picturesque holiday experience. Book your room here.

Known for its sophisticated holiday decor, the Montage features grand Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and seasonal floral arrangements that create a luxurious holiday ambiance. Book your room here.

This hotel goes all out with festive decor, including an extravagant gingerbread display, elegant holiday lights, and oceanfront views that add to the magic. Book your room here.

This iconic seaside resort is famous for its grand holiday displays, including a towering Christmas tree in the lobby, enchanting lights on the historic facade, and an ice-skating rink right on the beach. The “Del’s” Christmas decor combines traditional elegance with seaside charm. Book your room here.

This historic ship-turned-hotel goes all out with its “Queen Mary Christmas” event, transforming into a winter wonderland with festive lights, holiday displays, and even a Christmas village. The decorations and events create a unique, nautical holiday experience. Book your room here.

This intimate, European-style inn features refined holiday decor, with elegant trees, wreaths, and garlands that add a touch of festive elegance, perfect for a cozy, upscale holiday retreat. Book your room here.

Known for festive decor, this lodge-style hotel decorates its lobby with large Christmas trees, twinkling lights, and holiday accents throughout. Its central location makes it a popular spot for enjoying the town’s holiday activities. Book your room here.

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