Explore the key highlights of the festive season in Rancho Cucamonga. Our guide has all the must-see events. For Rancho Cucamonga residents and newcomers, this guide is your ticket to a joyful holiday season.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony at Central Park illuminates the night with dazzling lights and creates a magical atmosphere. Delight in the outdoor spectacles and enchanting displays during the annual Holiday Magic at the Los Angeles County Arboretum. And the Ontario Christmas Parade is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring festive floats, music, and holiday cheer. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Rancho Cucamonga
See these and even more events listed below!Rancho Cucamonga Holiday Light Displays
Tree Lighting Ceremony at Central Park
What to Expect:
Community-centered tree lighting in a picturesque park setting
Description:
Rancho Cucamonga's Central Park transforms into a holiday hub for the annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This cherished tradition brings together residents and visitors to witness the illumination of a towering evergreen. The event features local school choirs performing seasonal tunes, adding a melodious backdrop to the festivities. You can create personalized ornaments at craft stations scattered throughout the park. Established in 1977, Central Park has been the heart of community gatherings for decades, making this ceremony a testament to the city's strong communal spirit.
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Tree Lighting Ceremony at Central Park
Nearby Events
Holiday Magic at the Los Angeles County Arboretum (Arcadia)
What to Expect:
Botanical garden transformed with holiday lights and displays
Description:
The Los Angeles County Arboretum in Arcadia bursts with color during Holiday Magic. This botanical wonderland showcases its diverse plant collection through innovative light installations. Stroll through illuminated pathways that highlight the arboretum's unique flora, including its famous peacock population. Visitors can participate in guided twilight tours, learning about the garden's history and nighttime ecosystem. Founded in 1947, the arboretum's 127 acres serve as a living museum, preserving both native and exotic plant species. The event offers a rare opportunity to experience this horticultural gem after dark.
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Holiday Magic at the Los Angeles County Arboretum
Ontario Christmas Parade (Ontario)
What to Expect:
Small-town charm meets holiday spirit in this community parade
Description:
Ontario's Christmas Parade embodies small-town charm with a holiday twist. The procession features local marching bands, elaborately decorated floats, and community groups showcasing their holiday spirit. Spectators line Euclid Avenue, cheering as the parade passes by. You can join in the fun by decorating your own "float" – whether it's a bicycle, wagon, or even yourself! This tradition dates back to the early 1900s when Ontario was known for its citrus groves, a heritage still celebrated in some of the parade's themes and decorations.
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Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
What to Expect:
Historic hotel transformed into a dazzling light spectacle
Description:
Riverside's Mission Inn Hotel sparkles with over five million lights during the Festival of Lights. This National Historic Landmark becomes a beacon of holiday cheer, its Spanish Mission-style architecture accentuated by intricate light displays. Visitors can explore the hotel's grounds, marveling at animated figurines and themed decorations. The aroma of fresh gingerbread wafts from the hotel's kitchens, where chefs craft a life-sized gingerbread house. Dating back to 1876, the Mission Inn has hosted numerous celebrities and presidents, adding a layer of historical significance to this luminous celebration.
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Mission Inn Festival of Lights
Christmas Night at the Fairplex (Pomona)
What to Expect:
Fairgrounds transformed into a drive-through holiday experience
Description:
The Fairplex in Pomona reinvents itself for Christmas Night, offering a unique drive-through holiday experience. Visitors navigate their vehicles through a series of themed light tunnels and displays, each telling a different holiday story. The event incorporates the Fairplex's expansive grounds, utilizing areas typically reserved for the LA County Fair. You can tune your car radio to a special station broadcasting holiday music synchronized with the light show. This innovative approach to holiday celebrations reflects the Fairplex's century-long history of adapting to serve the community's changing needs.
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Christmas Night at the Fairplex
Ontario Reign Hockey Christmas Game (Ontario)
What to Expect:
Professional hockey game with a festive twist
Description:
The Ontario Reign Hockey Christmas Game combines the thrill of professional ice hockey with holiday cheer. Players don specially designed Christmas-themed jerseys, adding a festive flair to the fast-paced action on the ice. Between periods, fans can participate in holiday-themed contests and games on the rink. The Toyota Arena buzzes with excitement as spectators cheer on their team while surrounded by seasonal decorations. This unique event, part of the American Hockey League, showcases how sports and holiday traditions can blend seamlessly for an unforgettable experience.
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Ontario Reign Hockey Christmas Game
Pomona Christmas Parade (Pomona)
What to Expect:
Historic downtown parade celebrating community and diversity
Description:
Pomona's Christmas Parade winds through the city's historic downtown, showcasing the community's rich cultural diversity. Floats adorned with twinkling lights represent various local organizations and businesses, each interpreting the holiday theme in unique ways. The parade features performances by cultural dance groups, highlighting Pomona's multicultural heritage. You can admire vintage cars decorated for the season, a nod to the city's automotive history. This annual tradition, dating back to the 1940s, continues to bring together Pomona's residents, celebrating both the holiday season and the city's enduring community spirit.