Explore the best of the season in Burbank with our ultimate holiday guide. From locals to holiday travelers, this guide highlights the best of Burbank's season.
One standout attraction this holiday season is L.A. Zoo Lights, where stunning light displays transform the zoo into a winter wonderland, offering a unique experience for all ages. The whimsical Knott's Merry Farm features festive entertainment and seasonal treats that bring holiday cheer. And the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautifully decorated boats parading through the harbor. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Burbank
- Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- L.A. Zoo Lights (Los Angeles)
- Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Newport Beach)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- LA Kings Holiday Ice (Los Angeles)
- Holiday Road (Calabasas)
- Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Sarah Brightman's A Christmas Symphony (Indio)
- Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood (Universal City)
- Enchanted Forest of Light (La Cañada Flintridge)
See these and even more events listed below!
Burbank Holiday Light Displays
L.A. Zoo Lights
What to Expect:
Nature-focused holiday celebration with dazzling new lantern sculptures.
Description:
L.A. Zoo Lights features immersive wildlife-inspired lantern displays, interactive experiences, and festive photo opportunities amidst blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: L.A. Zoo Lights
Holiday Road
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience 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 event includes an immersive mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, premium holiday bars, and top food trucks. Guests can also enjoy live Santa photos, holiday-themed face painting, and a Winter Market for the perfect gift.
Where: Calabasas | More Info: Holiday Road
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Spectacularly decorated boats and kayaks sailing through Newport Harbor.
Description:
The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is a 116th annual event featuring beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor. The parade includes a waterfront decorating competition and offers special commemorative items to participants. It is hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce and features a large public viewing area at Marina Park, which is open to the public with free admission.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with animated characters and festive decorations.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4 million dazzling holiday lights, animated characters, and festive decorations. It attracts over 500,000 visitors each year, offering a joyous celebration for all ages.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Festival of Lights
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic characters and scenes.
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 in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights
Enchanted Forest of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and ambient music in a 150-acre botanical garden.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a vibrant, illuminated botanical garden with interactive light installations, ambient music, and whimsical artscapes.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light
Burbank Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holidayfest
What to Expect:
Live raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.
Description:
Holidayfest Shop, Dine & Win on South Lake Avenue is a community event where guests can shop and dine at local businesses within the South Lake Avenue District. Participants can submit receipts from their purchases to enter a raffle for various prizes. The event features family-friendly activities, live music, and complimentary activities available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Where: Pasadena | More Info: Holidayfest
Holidays on Main Street
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse local entertainment and shopping.
Description:
Holidays on Main Street is a community event featuring over 70 vendors, local talent shows, artisan shopping, and family activities like petting zoos and slime-making stations.
Where: Yorba Linda | More Info: Holidays on Main Street
Burbank Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Knott's Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Christmas celebration with winter wonderland-inspired decor and holiday activities.
Description:
Knott's Merry Farm transforms into a classic holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and jumbo snowflakes. Enjoy Christmas shows, a beloved ice show, and delectable holiday dining. Visit Santa's Christmas Cabin and explore the Christmas Crafts Village.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott's Merry Farm
Sarah Brightman's A Christmas Symphony
What to Expect:
World-class soprano performing holiday classics with orchestra and choir.
Description:
Renowned soprano Sarah Brightman performs her critically acclaimed holiday show, featuring her holiday classics and greatest hits, accompanied by an orchestra and choir.
Where: Indio | More Info: Sarah Brightman's A Christmas Symphony
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday-themed experiences with festive decorations and special events.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at Universal Studios Hollywood with immersive themed experiences, festive decorations, and special events that bring the magic of Hollywood to life.
Where: Universal City | More Info: Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
Traditional ballet with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
The Nutcracker is a traditional, family-friendly ballet featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score and colorful scenery. It tells the story of Clara and her Nutcracker Prince as they journey through mystical lands, accompanied by world-renowned guest artists and exceptional young talent.
Where: Irvine | More Info: The Nutcracker
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
What to Expect:
Vibrant celebration of Mexican holiday traditions through music and dance.
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
Burbank Other Holiday Activities
LA Kings Holiday Ice
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles.
Description:
The LA Kings Holiday Ice brings outdoor ice skating to L.A. LIVE's Peacock Place, offering a unique holiday experience right out front of Crypto.com Arena.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: LA Kings Holiday Ice
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with live music and farm activities.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center features festive activities, live music, and family-friendly entertainment amidst a working farm and veterans museum.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Fontana Festival of Winter
What to Expect:
Snow sledding and play areas for kids.
Description:
The Fontana Festival of Winter is a free community event featuring train rides, rides and attractions, live entertainment, photo opportunities with Santa, and a variety of vendors and activity booths. It includes snow sledding and play areas for kids to experience snow for the first time.
Where: Fontana | More Info: Fontana Festival of Winter
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Universal City (4 miles)
- North Hollywood (4 miles)
- Glendale (4 miles)
- Hollywood (6 miles)
- Van Nuys (8 miles)
- Valley Glen (8 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (8 miles)
- Koreatown (9 miles)
- Los Angeles (10 miles)
- Pasadena (10 miles)
- North Hills (11 miles)
- Boyle Heights (12 miles)
- Alhambra (12 miles)
- East Los Angeles (13 miles)
- Monterey Park (13 miles)
- Northridge (13 miles)
- Huntington Park (15 miles)
- Rosemead (15 miles)
- Florence-Graham (15 miles)
- Santa Monica (15 miles)
- Inglewood (15 miles)
- Arcadia (16 miles)
- South Gate (17 miles)
- Canoga Park (17 miles)
- Montebello (17 miles)
- Woodland Hills (17 miles)
- El Monte (18 miles)
- Lynwood (18 miles)
- Pico Rivera (18 miles)
- Hawthorne (18 miles)
- Canyon Country (19 miles)
- Downey (19 miles)
- Santa Clarita (20 miles)
- Gardena (20 miles)
- Compton (20 miles)
- Baldwin Park (21 miles)
- Whittier (21 miles)
- Paramount (22 miles)
- South Whittier (22 miles)
- West Covina (23 miles)
- Azusa (23 miles)
- Norwalk (23 miles)
- Redondo Beach (23 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (23 miles)
- Bellflower (23 miles)
- Torrance (24 miles)
- Carson (24 miles)
- Lakewood (25 miles)
- Covina (25 miles)
- La Mirada (25 miles)
- Valencia (25 miles)
- Glendora (26 miles)
- Cerritos (26 miles)
- La Habra (27 miles)
- Rowland Heights (27 miles)
- Simi Valley (28 miles)
- Buena Park (28 miles)
- Long Beach (29 miles)
- Cypress (30 miles)
- Palmdale (30 miles)
- Thousand Oaks (30 miles)
- Diamond Bar (30 miles)
- Fullerton (31 miles)
- San Pedro (31 miles)
- Anaheim (33 miles)
- Placentia (33 miles)
- Pomona (33 miles)
- Westminster (34 miles)
- Chino Hills (34 miles)
- Yorba Linda (35 miles)
- Garden Grove (35 miles)
- Lancaster (37 miles)
- Chino (37 miles)
- Orange (38 miles)
- Upland (38 miles)
- Fountain Valley (38 miles)
- Ontario (39 miles)
- Santa Ana (39 miles)
- Huntington Beach (40 miles)
- Tustin (41 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (41 miles)
- Camarillo (42 miles)
- Costa Mesa (43 miles)
- Newport Beach (45 miles)
- Irvine (45 miles)