December is a magical time in California; because these top December events in California are very popular, we also recommend you learn about the guide to holiday fun and festivities!
California offers a vibrant mix of holiday festivities, cultural celebrations, and outdoor adventures in December, making it the perfect destination for year-end fun and excitement.
Top December Events in California
Some top December events in California for 2024:-
| Event | Location | Date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mission Inn Festival of Lights | Riverside | Nov 22, 2024 – Jan 6, 2025 | Over 5 million lights, holiday vendors, and live entertainment. |
| Holiday Boat Parade | Marina del Rey | Dec 14, 2024 | Boat parade with festive lights, fireworks kickoff. |
| Winter Fest OC | Costa Mesa | Nov 22, 2024 – Jan 5, 2025 | Snow play, ice skating, light displays, and live performances. |
| Yuletide Cinemaland | Los Angeles | Nov 30 – Dec 23, 2024 | Holiday movie screenings in a Dickensian setting. |
| Parol Lantern Festival & Parade | San Francisco | Dec 14, 2024 | Filipino cultural lantern parade and festivities. |
| Santa Skivvies Run | San Francisco (Castro) | Dec 8, 2024 | Charity run featuring participants in festive undergarments. |
| Lighted Boat Parade | San Francisco Bay | TBD | Holiday-lit boats cruising along iconic San Francisco landmarks. |
| Christmas Eve & Day Events | Statewide | Dec 24-25, 2024 | Holiday-themed performances, dining, and attraction specials. |
| Skiing Under the Stars | Big Bear | Select Dates | Holiday-lit boats are cruising along iconic San Francisco landmarks. |
Holiday Parades and Festivals
| Festival | web/contact | web / contact |
| City | California | seecalifornia.com |
| Boat Parade of Lights | Oceanside | oceansideyc.com |
| Bracebridge Dinner | Yosemite NP | yosemitepark.com |
| Christmas in the Park | San Jose | christmasinthepark.com |
| Cowboy Christmas | Templeton | templetonchamber.com |
| Christmas Boat Parade | Newport Beach | christmas boatparade.com |
| Christmas in Calico | Yermo | calicotown.com |
| Cornish Christmas | Grass Valley | historicgrassvalley.com |
| Cruise of Lights | Huntington Beach | cruiseoflights.org |
| Country Christmas Festival | Auburn | oldtown auburnca.com |
| Christmas Tree Lighting | Bishop | bishopvisitor.com |
| Christmas Light Boat Parade | San Diego | |
| Christmas Keepers Faire | Roseville | ahometownaffair.com |
| Downtown Ice | San Jose | |
| First Night | Fullerton | ci.fullerton.ca.us |
| Holiday Lights Train | Felton | roaringcamp.com |
| Holiday Night of Lights | Fairfield | fairfielddowntown.com |
| Holiday Auction & Taste of | Buena Park | buenapark chamber.org |
| La Posada Candlelight Parade | Monterey | |
| Lighted Yacht Parade | Sausalito | syconline.org |
| Lighted Tractor Parade | Ferndale | victorian ferndale.org |
| Living Nativities | California | seecalifornia.com |
| Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival | Monterey | montereycowboy.org |
| North Park Toyland Parade | San Diego | |
| Nutcracker Ballets | California | seecalifornia.com |
| New Year’s Eve Catalina | Catalina Island | catalinachamber.com |
| Sawdust Winter Fantasy | Laguna Beach | sawdustart festival.org |
| Seal Beach Holiday Parade | Seal Beach | ci.seal-beach.ca.us |
| Truckers Christmas Convoy | Eureka | keka101.com |
| Tallest Living Tree Lighting | Ferndale | victorianferndale.org |
| Tamale Festival | Indio | tamalefestival.org |
| Torchlight Parade | Squaw Valley | squaw.com |
| Valhalla Holiday Gala | South Lake Tahoe | valhalla-tallac.com |
| Winter Wonderland | Atascadero | atascadero mainstreet.org |
Winter Wonderland Experiences in California
Here are some fascinating winter wonderland experiences in California:
- Snow N Glow Holiday Festival – Ventura:- It includes holiday light displays, snow tubing, and opportunities to play in real snow.
- Winter Fest OC – Orange County:- A winter-themed spectacular event at the OC Fair & Event Center offering ice skating, snow play areas, holiday lights, and live entertainment.
- Enchant Magic: Lake Tahoe Winter Wonderland – South Lake Tahoe:- Combines Tahoe’s natural snow with festive holiday décor and winter activities like skiing, snowboarding, and seasonal village events.
- Santa’s Village – SkyPark at Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead:- A charming, year-round Christmas-themed park with holiday activities, visits from Santa, ice skating, and a festive atmosphere.
Christmas Markets and Holiday Shopping Events
Best Christmas Markets near Los Angeles:-
- Cambria Christmas market
- Unique L.A. Holiday Market
- The Unique L.A. Holiday Market
- Union Station Holiday Festival
Music, Light Shows, and Theater Performances
Here is a brief list of concerts, light shows, and theater performances happening during the holidays in California:
- LA Zoo Lights – The Los Angeles Zoo is lit up with dazzling holiday lights, glowing animal exhibits, and immersive light experiences.
- Festival of Lights – Riverside’s Mission is transformed with millions of lights, animated displays, and seasonal festivities.
- A Christmas Carol – A heartwarming theatrical performance at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
- Holiday Pops Concert – The San Diego Symphony performs festive classics in a gorgeous concert hall.
Outdoor Winter Sports and Activities
Here’s a summary of the top outdoor winter sports and activities in California:
- Mammoth Mountain – Enjoy snowboarding and skiing on world-class slopes.
- Union Square Ice Skating – San Francisco – Skate amid the city’s festive holiday decorations.
- Pershing Square Ice Rink – Los Angeles – A seasonal outdoor rink with a vibrant city backdrop.
- Big Bear Lake Sledding and Tubing – Family-friendly fun in the snow.
New Year’s Eve Events in California
:
| Event | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Eve Countdown | Disneyland Resort, Anaheim | Fireworks, live entertainment, and themed celebrations. |
| Grand Park’s NYE Countdown to 2024–25 | Los Angeles | Live music, food trucks, and a projection countdown. |
| San Francisco’s Fireworks Show | Over the Bay | Midnight fireworks over the Bay. |
| Big Bear Lake Torchlight Parade | Big Bear Lake | Skiers with torches lighting up the slopes. |
Tips for Enjoying December Events in California
Before visiting and enjoying December events in California, you should check the weather, holiday lights, outdoor adventures, festivals, theater and music, crowds, holiday markets, advance booking, etc.
Check out Eventbrite, Meetup, Facebook, local city websites, and pet-friendly platforms like BringFido. Use social media, libraries, and word of mouth for event recommendations.
Travel Tips for December in California
California is an Iconic Destination you must visit; completely safe during the day and is a major tourist attraction. December is actually the best month to visit. California’s best city is Los Angeles; if you want to visit Santa Monica Pier, then you must know Is Santa Monica Pier is Safe or not.
You also must know tips for traveling in California in December:
- December is a good time to visit California’s cities.
- In Los Angeles, it can get cold in the winter.
- California is a diverse state with many things to see and do.
FAQ:-
What is a famous event in California?
California Gold Rush
Is December a good month to visit California?
December is actually the best month to visit.
What is California iconic for?
He is known for his significant contributions to the field of technology and entertainment.
What to wear in California in December?
Sweaters, long sleeves, and layers are the best tops to bring.
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