Last updated: November 11, 2024
Join the holiday festivities in Glen Avon! Our guide has all the community events and activities. Whether you're intimately familiar with Glen Avon or just getting acquainted, this guide maximizes your seasonal joy.
Popular events include the enchanting Mission Inn Festival of Lights, where stunning light displays create a vibrant nocturnal wonderland. The Holiday Road offers a whimsical journey through festive displays and holiday cheer, making it a delightful experience for families. And don't forget the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train, which invites visitors to enjoy a scenic ride through a magical landscape. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Glen Avon Holiday Light Displays
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
- What to Expect
- Nation's largest holiday light collection with live entertainment.
- Description
- The Mission Inn Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year. It includes live entertainment, holiday performances, and festive activities.
- Where
- Riverside | More Info : Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Santa’s Electric Light Parade
- What to Expect
- Electric light parade with festive entries in Old Town Temecula.
- Description
- The Santa’s Electric Light Parade in Temecula, CA, features a spectacular display of electric lights and festive entries traveling south along the parade route into Old Town Temecula. The event begins at 7:00 PM sharp at the intersection of Jefferson Ave and Del Rio Rd.
- Where
- Temecula | More Info : Santa’s Electric Light Parade
Glen Avon Holiday Markets and Shopping
It's Peachy Merry Everything Holiday Market
- What to Expect
- Meet Frozen's Elsa and Anna at this bustling holiday market.
- Description
- Join us at the Merry Everything Holiday Market at Promenade Temecula, featuring 55+ local businesses, DJ music, photo ops, and special guests Frozen's Elsa and Anna. This family-friendly event is a great place to shop for everyone on your Christmas list.
- Where
- Temecula | More Info : It's Peachy Merry Everything Holiday Market
Los Angeles Christmas Market
- What to Expect
- Blends European traditions with downtown LA's cultural heritage.
- Description
- The Los Angeles Christmas Market at ROW DTLA offers a diverse array of festive food and drink vendors, twinkling lights, family-friendly activities, and musical entertainment. Explore open-air booths featuring seasonal favorites like soft pretzels, hot chocolate, and handicrafts made by local artisans. This event uniquely blends European traditions with downtown LA's cultural heritage.
- Where
- Los Angeles | More Info : Los Angeles Christmas Market
Glen Avon Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve”
- What to Expect
- Theatrical rock opera with elaborate light and sound effects.
- Description
- Trans-Siberian Orchestra presents "The Ghosts of Christmas Eve," a theatrical rock opera featuring a runaway girl who turns her life around on a snowy Christmas Eve. The show combines music, lights, and storytelling, showcasing TSO's unique blend of rock, classical, and orchestral elements.
- Where
- Ontario | More Info : Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve”
The Polar Express Train Ride
- What to Expect
- Live theatrical production on a real train with Santa and hot chocolate.
- Description
- The Polar Express Train Ride is a live theatrical production aboard a slow-moving train, featuring scripted scenes, live singing, dancing, and audience interaction. Passengers enjoy hot chocolate and a sweet treat while reading along with the classic children’s book, The Polar Express. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and give each guest the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell.
- Where
- Perris | More Info : The Polar Express Train Ride
Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico
- What to Expect
- Traditional Mexican music and dance celebrating the holiday season.
- Description
- Celebrate the holiday season with Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico, featuring Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande. This vibrant show weaves cherished Mexican traditions into a heartwarming story of the season, 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
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
- What to Expect
- Intimate performance of John Denver's classic hits and holiday carols.
- Description
- John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas features Rick Schuler performing all your favorite Denver hits, including "Rocky Mountain High," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The show weaves in heartwarming inspirational carols and holiday classics from John Denver's memorable TV specials and Christmas albums.
- Where
- Anaheim | More Info : John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
A Christmas Carol
- What to Expect
- Classic tale of redemption through musical adaptation.
- Description
- Ebenezer Scrooge, a wealthy but miserly man, is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve, leading him to reevaluate his life and values. This musical adaptation of Charles Dickens' classic tale features music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens.
- Where
- Temecula | More Info : A Christmas Carol
Glen Avon Other Holiday Activities
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
- What to Expect
- Interactive holiday train ride with Santa Claus.
- Description
- Take a festive ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The train departs from the station and drops passengers off at the North Pole, where children can share their wish lists and have photos taken. After visiting Santa, guests enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations on the ride back to Santa's Village.
- Where
- Orange | More Info : Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
Santa Ana Winter Village
- What to Expect
- Outdoor ice skating in Southern California.
- Description
- The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long event featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and family-friendly activities. It includes special events like a toy giveaway and breakfast with Santa.
- Where
- Santa Ana | More Info : Santa Ana Winter Village
Queen Mary Christmas
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration with ice skating and Santa meet-and-greets.
- Description
- The Queen Mary Christmas event transforms the historic ship into a holiday destination with activities like ice skating, meet-and-greets with Santa Claus, and festive North Pole Village.
- Where
- Long Beach | More Info : Queen Mary Christmas
Hemet Christmas Parade
- What to Expect
- Celebrates Christmas while saluting America's bravest.
- Description
- The Hemet Christmas Parade is a nighttime event celebrating Christmas with the theme "Star Spangled Christmas," honoring America's bravest. Decorations must adhere to the Christmas theme, and entries include floats, bands, motorized vehicles, and animals. The parade route remains the same as last year, starting on Gilbert St. and Florida Ave. and ending on Santa Fe St. and Florida Ave.
- Where
- Hemet | More Info : Hemet Christmas Parade