Experience the magic of the holiday season in Ontario, CA, with a variety of enchanting events that will warm the hearts of both locals and visitors. The Ontario Reign Hockey Game brings thrilling action to the ice, complete with festive jerseys and winter-themed intermission games. Meanwhile, the Christmas on Euclid Experience transforms Euclid Avenue into a nostalgic winter wonderland, featuring vintage decorations and live performances.
Don't miss the annual Christmas Parade, where vibrant floats and marching bands celebrate Ontario's strong sense of community. This season, Ontario offers a festive blend of holiday cheer, local heritage, and community togetherness that promises unforgettable memories for everyone.
Please contact us if you have suggestions or corrections!
Got questions? Like to help? Check out our Ontario Holiday discussion here!
The Top Christmas Events in Ontario
See these and even more events listed below!Ontario Holiday Light Displays
Christmas on Euclid Experience
What to Expect:
Historic downtown street transformed into a holiday spectacle
Description:
Euclid Avenue transforms into a winter spectacle, showcasing Ontario's rich heritage. Vintage decorations adorn historic buildings, transporting visitors to Christmases past. Stroll down the avenue to admire the elaborate window displays in local shops. The event pays homage to Ontario's agricultural roots with citrus-themed ornaments. Live performances by local musicians fill the air with nostalgic melodies. You can take a guided tour to learn about the avenue's storied past and its significance to the community.
Website:
Christmas on Euclid Experience
Ontario Other Holiday Activities
Ontario Reign Hockey Game
What to Expect:
Professional ice hockey with a holiday twist
Description:
The Ontario Reign skates onto the ice for a thrilling holiday-themed hockey game. Players don festive jerseys as they face off against their rivals. You can participate in intermission games with a winter twist. The arena buzzes with excitement as fans cheer on their team. Ontario's hockey tradition dates back to the 1940s when amateur teams first formed in the area. The crisp sound of skates cutting across the ice fills the air as players execute precision passes and powerful shots.
Website:
Nearby Events
Christmas Parade (Upland)
What to Expect:
Community-driven parade with local flair
Description:
Ontario's streets come alive with the annual Christmas Parade, a beloved tradition since 1958. Floats crafted by local organizations showcase the city's diverse community. Marching bands from area schools fill the air with festive tunes. You can join in the fun by decorating your own "walking float" to participate in the parade. The event highlights Ontario's strong sense of community and civic pride. Spectators line the streets, bundled up against the cool air, as they watch the colorful procession pass by.
Website:
Knott's Merry Farm (Buena Park)
What to Expect:
Theme park transformed into a holiday celebration
Description:
Knott's Berry Farm undergoes a jolly metamorphosis into Knott's Merry Farm. The park blends thrilling rides with holiday cheer, creating a unique experience. Ghost Town transforms into Santa's Christmas Cabin, where you can meet St. Nick himself. The event pays homage to the park's humble beginnings as a berry farm in the 1920s. Artisans demonstrate traditional crafts, keeping alive the spirit of early California. The aroma of freshly baked treats wafts through the air, tempting visitors with seasonal delights.
Website:
Snow N Glow Holiday Festival (Ventura)
What to Expect:
Combines real snow play areas with light displays
Description:
The Snow N Glow Holiday Festival brings a frosty touch to sunny Southern California. Real snow play areas offer a rare opportunity for winter fun in the region. Millions of twinkling lights create dazzling displays throughout the festival grounds. You can zoom down snow tubing lanes for an exhilarating winter thrill. The event celebrates the contrast between Southern California's mild climate and traditional winter activities. Visitors can warm up by fire pits while sipping on hot cocoa, creating a cozy atmosphere amidst the cool evening air.
Website:
Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights (Dana Point)
What to Expect:
Illuminated boat parade in a picturesque harbor setting
Description:
Dana Point Harbor sparkles with the annual Boat Parade of Lights. Vessels of all sizes deck their hulls with dazzling light displays, creating a floating spectacle. The event honors Dana Point's rich maritime history, dating back to the 19th century. You can vote for your favorite boat design as they cruise by the harbor. Local restaurants offer special viewing dinners, allowing you to enjoy the parade in comfort. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore provides a soothing backdrop to the colorful maritime procession.
Website:
Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival (Laguna Beach)
What to Expect:
Artist-driven holiday market in a unique outdoor setting
Description:
The Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival transforms Laguna Beach into an artist's winter retreat. Local artisans showcase their creations in charming wooden booths nestled among towering eucalyptus trees. The event celebrates Laguna Beach's long-standing reputation as an artist colony. You can participate in hands-on art workshops to create your own holiday masterpiece. Live glassblowing demonstrations mesmerize visitors as skilled craftsmen shape molten glass into delicate ornaments. The scent of pine mingles with the salty ocean air, creating a unique sensory experience.
Website:
Sawdust Winter Fantasy Festival
Corona Holiday Lighting Celebration (Corona)
What to Expect:
Community-centered event with a focus on local history
Description:
Corona's historic downtown ignites with holiday spirit during the annual Lighting Celebration. The event pays homage to Corona's citrus heritage with orange-themed decorations and displays. Local choirs perform traditional carols, their voices echoing through the streets. You can take a guided tour of the beautifully lit historic district, learning about Corona's past. The celebration showcases the city's commitment to preserving its small-town charm. As the main tree illuminates, it casts a warm glow over the gathered community, symbolizing unity and hope.
Website:
Corona Holiday Lighting Celebration
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train (Orange)
What to Expect:
Scenic train ride through a historic park decorated for the holidays
Description:
The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train chugs through a winter wonderland created in the heart of Orange County. Passengers embark on a journey through the park's 477 acres, adorned with thousands of lights and festive scenes. The train ride pays tribute to the park's rich history, dating back to 1897. You can disembark at Santa's Village to meet the jolly old elf himself. The event combines the nostalgia of a classic train ride with the joy of holiday celebrations. Children's eyes light up as they spot animated displays peeking out from behind ancient oak trees.
Website:
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
Victorville Winter Festival & Parade (Victorville)
What to Expect:
High desert community celebration with a small-town feel
Description:
Victorville's Winter Festival Parade brings holiday cheer to the high desert. The event showcases the unique character of this Mojave Desert community, blending holiday traditions with local flair. Floats feature desert-themed holiday scenes, celebrating the region's distinct landscape. You can join in decorating a community float, fostering a sense of togetherness. The parade honors Victorville's history as a key stop along Route 66. The cool desert air carries the sound of jingle bells and cheering spectators as the procession winds through the city streets.
Website:
Victorville Winter Festival & Parade
Temecula Chilled (Temecula)
What to Expect:
Wine country holiday celebration with ice skating
Description:
Temecula Chilled transforms the heart of Southern California's wine country into a winter escape. An outdoor ice skating rink takes center stage, offering a unique experience amidst rolling vineyards. The event celebrates Temecula's rich viticultural heritage with special holiday wine tastings. You can participate in a holiday-themed wine blending seminar, creating your own festive vintage. Local artisans showcase their crafts, offering one-of-a-kind gifts. The crisp winter air carries the aroma of mulled wine, enticing visitors to indulge in seasonal treats.
Website:
Santa Monica Holiday Market (Santa Monica)
What to Expect:
Beachside holiday market with an eco-friendly focus
Description:
The Santa Monica Holiday Market brings seasonal cheer to the iconic pier. Eco-friendly and locally-made gifts take center stage, reflecting the city's commitment to sustainability. The market pays homage to Santa Monica's history as a beachside resort town. You can join a workshop on creating sustainable holiday decorations from natural materials. Local musicians perform holiday tunes with a laid-back California twist. The sound of crashing waves provides a unique backdrop to this coastal holiday celebration, reminding visitors of the area's natural beauty.
Website:
Holiday Lights at the LA Zoo (Los Angeles)
What to Expect:
Zoo animals and habitats incorporated into light displays
Description:
The Los Angeles Zoo illuminates the night with a dazzling display of holiday lights. Animal-shaped light sculptures pay tribute to the zoo's diverse inhabitants, creating a unique after-dark experience. The event highlights the zoo's conservation efforts and educates visitors about nocturnal animals. You can embark on a self-guided tour to discover hidden light installations throughout the grounds. The zoo's rich history, dating back to 1966, is celebrated with vintage-inspired decorations. Twinkling lights reflect in the eyes of nighttime animals, creating a magical atmosphere for visitors of all ages.
Website:
Altadena Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony (Altadena)
What to Expect:
Historic mile-long deodar cedar tree display
Description:
Altadena's Christmas Tree Lane springs to life during the annual lighting ceremony. The event showcases the oldest large-scale outdoor Christmas display in the world, dating back to 1920. A mile-long stretch of deodar cedars transforms into a twinkling canopy of lights. You can take a leisurely stroll beneath the illuminated giants, marveling at their century-old beauty. The ceremony honors the vision of Altadena's early residents who planted the trees in 1885. As the switch is flipped, gasps of awe ripple through the crowd, marking the official start of the holiday season.
Website:
Altadena Christmas Tree Lane Lighting Ceremony
Orange Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession (Orange)
What to Expect:
Combines tree lighting with a candlelit choir procession
Description:
Orange's historic plaza transforms during the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession. The event blends the illumination of a towering Christmas tree with a solemn candlelit procession. Choirs from local schools and churches wind through the streets, their voices rising in harmony. You can join in singing traditional carols as the procession passes by. The ceremony pays tribute to Orange's rich citrus heritage and small-town charm. As candles flicker and voices soar, the community comes together in a powerful display of unity and holiday spirit.
Website:
Orange Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession