Last updated: November 11, 2024
Embark on a holiday adventure in Compton! Discover all the exciting festive events with our guide. For Compton aficionados and novices alike, our guide is the key to unlocking yuletide treasures.
Popular events light up the season, like the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, where beautifully decorated boats glide across the water in a celebration of holiday cheer. The Winter Fest OC offers a magical winter wonderland complete with ice skating, carnival rides, and warm seasonal treats. And the Riverside Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning light displays and festive activities throughout the city. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Compton Holiday Light Displays
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
- What to Expect
- Spectacularly decorated boats and waterfront estates competing for awards.
- 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 called the Ring of Lights, with participants eligible for awards. The event offers optimal viewing at Marina Park, which is the largest public viewing location along the parade route.
- Where
- Newport Beach | More Info : Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Nightly Snow Flurries - The Grove
- What to Expect
- Artificial snowfall experience with Disney+ presentation.
- Description
- The Grove transforms into a winter wonderland with nightly snowfalls, a 100-foot Christmas tree, and spirited photo moments at Santa's Workshop.
- Where
- Los Angeles | More Info : Nightly Snow Flurries - The Grove
Riverside Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Nation's largest holiday light collection with interactive workshops and live art demonstrations.
- Description
- The Riverside Festival of Lights at the Historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa features millions of holiday lights, live music, rides, and attractions. Enjoy holiday-themed decorations in the downtown area, food vendors, and activities. The event includes an ice rink, Santa Claus visits, and the Merry Art Market.
- Where
- Riverside | More Info : Riverside Festival of 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 immersive experience includes a mile-long walking trail, interactive photo moments, a festive souvenir shop, premium holiday bars, and top food trucks.
- Where
- Calabasas | More Info : Holiday Road
LA Zoo Lights
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting with interactive light displays.
- Description
- Explore an immersive landscape filled with dazzling new lantern sculptures of animals among blooming flowers, towering trees, and glowing rivers. This nature-focused holiday celebration features all-new wonders, including a magical Holiday Forest with majestic pine trees and snow-loving animals, as well as spectacular holiday photo spots and the return of Santa himself.
- Where
- Los Angeles | More Info : LA Zoo Lights
Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
- What to Expect
- Interactive light and art installations in a botanical garden setting.
- Description
- Descanso Gardens transforms into a spectacular display of light and art with Enchanted Forest of Light, featuring interactive installations, ambient music, and whimsical botanical artscapes.
- Where
- La Cañada Flintridge | More Info : Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
- What to Expect
- Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with interactive elements and festive characters.
- Description
- Magic of Lights in Los Angeles is a dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience featuring spectacular light displays, including a larger-than-life Holiday Barbie display, a supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs of Prehistoric Christmas. The event offers a festive and family-friendly atmosphere with various interactive elements and holiday characters.
- Where
- Pomona | More Info : Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
Compton Holiday Markets and Shopping
Holiday Family Faire
- What to Expect
- Artisan holiday marketplace with festive performances and local shopping.
- Description
- The Holiday Family Faire at Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum features an artisan holiday marketplace, festive food and drinks, special performances, caroling, and singing madrigals. Guests can take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and enjoy winter holiday stories from various traditions.
- Where
- Topanga | More Info : Holiday Family Faire
Los Angeles Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Blends European traditions with local artisans and festive activities.
- Description
- The Los Angeles Christmas Market at ROW DTLA offers a unique blend of European traditions and cultural heritage. Explore dozens of open-air booths featuring seasonal favorites like soft pretzels, hot chocolate, and handicrafts made by local artisans. Enjoy festive food and drink vendors, twinkling lights, family-friendly activities, and musical entertainment.
- Where
- Los Angeles | More Info : Los Angeles Christmas Market
Compton Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel
- What to Expect
- Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse entries and performances.
- Description
- The Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel is a vibrant community event featuring entries, marching bands, and festive floats, celebrating the holiday season with local residents and visitors.
- Where
- Laguna Niguel | More Info : Holiday Parade in Laguna Niguel
South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
- What to Expect
- Live music and holiday activities with Santa photos and ornament decorating.
- Description
- South Lake Avenue Holidayfest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, holiday activities, and in-store promotions. Guests can enjoy free Santa photos, cookie decorating, ornament making, and shopping and dining experiences from local businesses.
- Where
- Pasadena | More Info : South Lake Avenue Holidayfest
Queen Mary Christmas
- What to Expect
- Historic ship setting with diverse festive activities.
- Description
- The Queen Mary Christmas event offers a variety of festive activities and entertainment, including concerts, festivals, and special events, all set against the historic backdrop of the iconic ship.
- Where
- Long Beach | More Info : Queen Mary Christmas
Knott's Merry Farm
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with live entertainment and unique holiday dining options.
- Description
- Knott's Merry Farm is a holiday celebration featuring winter wonderland-inspired decor, thousands of twinkling lights, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings. Enjoy Christmas shows, a beloved ice show starring the Peanuts Gang, and delectable holiday dining food. The event also includes a Christmas Crafts Village and a magical Snow and Glow experience.
- Where
- Buena Park | More Info : Knott's Merry Farm
Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday experiences with themed attractions and entertainment.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season at Universal Studios Hollywood with immersive experiences, themed attractions, and festive entertainment.
- Where
- Universal City | More Info : Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood
Compton Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
- What to Expect
- Interactive farm activities and culinary workshops.
- Description
- Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities, including farm garden workshops, food preservation classes, and chocolate truffle making. The event features a working farm with animals and crops, as well as a veterans museum, making it an ideal destination for family fun and educational experiences.
- Where
- Costa Mesa | More Info : Winter Fest OC
Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
- What to Expect
- Unique outdoor ice skating experience with special events.
- Description
- The Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square offers outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles, with 60-minute sessions available daily from November 21 through January 12, 2025. General admission includes skate rental, and special events like weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions are part of the season.
- Where
- Los Angeles | More Info : Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
Santa Ana Winter Village
- What to Expect
- Outdoor ice skating in Southern California with festive activities.
- Description
- The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long celebration featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and special events like a toy giveaway and breakfast with Santa. It includes family-friendly activities and entertainment throughout its duration.
- Where
- Santa Ana | More Info : Santa Ana Winter Village