Enjoy the joy of the season in Santa Clarita with our detailed event guide. Whether you know Santa Clarita like the back of your hand or you're just finding your way, this guide is your festive roadmap.
The Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting is a beloved tradition, lighting up the hearts of locals and visitors alike. Experience the charm of a western Christmas at the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, where holiday traditions meet cowboy culture. And the Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park is something you definitely don’t want to miss, featuring thrilling rides and dazzling decorations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Santa Clarita
See these and even more events listed below!Santa Clarita Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Showcases creatively decorated trees for charity
Description:
The Festival of Trees in Santa Clarita spotlights an array of imaginatively adorned evergreens, each telling a unique story through its decorations. Local businesses, organizations, and individuals compete to create the most eye-catching tree, with proceeds benefiting local charities. Visitors can stroll through a forest of twinkling lights and ornate ornaments, casting votes for their favorite designs. This event originated as a small fundraiser in the 1990s and has since grown into a beloved community tradition that captures the spirit of giving during the holiday season.
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Santa Clarita Other Holiday Activities
Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Combines a parade with tree lighting ceremony
Description:
Santa Clarita's annual Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting transforms the city into a winter spectacle. This dual-event celebration features elaborately decorated floats gliding through downtown streets, followed by the illumination of a towering evergreen. Children can wave to Santa as he passes by on his sleigh. The tradition dates back to the 1960s when Santa Clarita was still a small, close-knit community. Today, it unites thousands of residents and visitors, embodying the area's strong sense of togetherness during the holiday season.
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Holiday Parade & Tree Lighting
Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival
What to Expect:
Blends Western heritage with holiday cheer
Description:
The Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival saddles up for a unique holiday experience, blending Western heritage with yuletide cheer. Visitors can don their cowboy hats and boots while exploring a winter-themed Old West town. Live country and western music fills the air as performers croon holiday classics with a twang. You'll have the chance to try your hand at lasso throwing or pan for "gold" in ice-cold streams. This distinctive celebration pays homage to Santa Clarita Valley's rich cowboy history, which dates back to the 1800s.
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Holiday Home Tour
What to Expect:
Showcases elaborately decorated private homes
Description:
The Holiday Home Tour in Santa Clarita opens the doors to some of the area's most exquisitely decorated private residences. Each home on the tour boasts its own distinctive style, from classic elegance to modern chic, all adorned with elaborate holiday decor. Visitors can gather inspiration for their own seasonal decorating as they explore these stunning interiors. The event supports local charities and has become a cherished tradition since its inception in the early 2000s, reflecting the community's commitment to both beauty and philanthropy during the holiday season.
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Nearby Events
Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park (Valencia)
What to Expect:
Combines thrill rides with holiday theming
Description:
Six Flags Magic Mountain's Holiday in the Park event delivers an adrenaline-pumping twist on seasonal celebrations. Towering roller coasters and heart-stopping thrill rides operate alongside dazzling light displays and holiday-themed areas. Visitors can soar through the night sky on their favorite coasters, then warm up with a steaming cup of hot cocoa. The park's transformation includes a nightly snowfall in certain areas, bringing a touch of winter wonder to sunny Southern California. This unique event has been thrilling holiday revelers since 2014.
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Magic Mountain Holiday in the Park
Christmas Tree Train (Fillmore)
What to Expect:
Offers a scenic train ride to choose and cut Christmas trees
Description:
The Christmas Tree Train in Fillmore whisks passengers away on a nostalgic journey through picturesque countryside to select their perfect holiday evergreen. Vintage rail cars, lovingly restored to their former glory, transport families to a tree farm where they can choose and cut their own Christmas tree. The rhythmic clacking of wheels on tracks provides a soothing backdrop to the excursion. This unique experience harkens back to the area's rich railroad history, which played a crucial role in the development of Ventura County in the late 19th century.