Last updated: November 11, 2024
Celebrate the festive season in Thousand Oaks with our ultimate holiday guide. From Thousand Oaks old-timers to fresh faces, our guide illuminates the path to holiday cheer.
One attraction that captures the spirit of the season is the Mission Inn Festival of Lights, where dazzling displays and festive activities invite families to explore the magic of the holidays. The Nutcracker, a beloved classic, enchants audiences with its beautiful choreography and timeless music. And the Holiday Road is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering an immersive experience filled with whimsical displays and seasonal delights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Thousand Oaks Holiday Light Displays
Holiday Road
- What to Expect
- Immersive holiday installations and interactive walking trail.
- Description
- Holiday Road is an immersive holiday event featuring larger-than-life installations, thousands of Christmas lights, Santa, Mrs. Claus, Elves, and countless candy canes. The event includes an interactive walking trail, festive souvenir shops, premium holiday bars, and top food trucks.
- Where
- Calabasas | More Info : Holiday Road
Wild Lights and Ocean Nights
- What to Expect
- Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
- Description
- Explore the Moorpark College Teaching Zoo transformed into a luminous display of light and interactive attractions, featuring illuminated jungle and dark garden, Santa's Workshop, and Ira the Lion under his expanded canopy lights.
- Where
- Moorpark | More Info : Wild Lights and Ocean Nights
Lightscape
- What to Expect
- Illuminated trail featuring striking light installations throughout a scenic outdoor setting.
- Description
- A stunning display of light installations transforms a picturesque landscape into a captivating experience. Visitors wander through a trail adorned with brilliant colors and artistic designs, showcasing creativity and innovation in lighting. The event invites people to embrace the beauty of the season amidst a backdrop of nature, providing a delightful atmosphere for all ages.
- Where
- Arcadia | More Info : Lightscape
Thousand Oaks Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Nutcracker
- What to Expect
- World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
- Description
- Pacific Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker, a timeless holiday tradition featuring elegant ballet, intricate sets, and festive music.
- Where
- Thousand Oaks | More Info : The Nutcracker
Night in Bethlehem
- What to Expect
- Live musical nativity with cultural interactive elements.
- Description
- Night in Bethlehem is a live nativity event celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. The event features three areas: an outdoor interactive town where visitors can learn about the culture, an outdoor live musical nativity show, and an indoor reception area with live music and refreshments. Spanish translation is available at every show, and interpreters are available starting at 7 PM for the 8 PM show each night.
- Where
- Thousand Oaks | More Info : Night in Bethlehem
Thousand Oaks Other Holiday Activities
Santa to the Sea
- What to Expect
- Flat and fast course supporting local charities.
- Description
- The Santa to the Sea is a nonprofit running event that supports local charities and children's programs. It includes a half marathon, quarter marathon, 5K run, and 1K kids fun run. The event takes place in Oxnard, California, and features a flat and fast course that runs through historic areas and ends at the beach.
- Where
- Oxnard | More Info : Santa to the Sea
Holly Trolley, The Holiday Tour
- What to Expect
- Guided tour of Gingerbread Exhibit and holiday lights.
- Description
- Embark on a 50-minute guided tour aboard a grand double-decker trolley through Heritage Square's Gingerbread Exhibit and Oxnard's Historic District's spectacular holiday light displays. Enjoy hot cocoa and cookies as you explore the festive decorations.
- Where
- Oxnard | More Info : Holly Trolley, The Holiday Tour
Festival of Trees
- What to Expect
- Community-driven charity event with decorated trees and wreaths.
- Description
- The Festival of Trees is a community event featuring beautifully decorated trees and wreaths, handmade gifts, and sweet treats. It benefits cancer patients and their families by raising funds for living expenses in Ventura County.
- Where
- Thousand Oaks | More Info : Festival of Trees
Nights of the Jack
- What to Expect
- Immersive walking trail with hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns and live pumpkin carvings.
- Description
- Explore a 1-mile trail at King Gillette Ranch illuminated by thousands of hand-carved jack-o'-lanterns, featuring live pumpkin carvings, a souvenir shop, and the Spookeasy bar with seasonal cocktails.
- Where
- Calabasas | More Info : Nights of the Jack
Reign of Terror
- What to Expect
- Immersive, fear-filled experience with custom animatronics and new effects.
- Description
- Reign of Terror is the largest indoor, professional walk-through haunted house in Southern California, featuring over 142 custom rooms across 11 interconnected haunt themed sections. The attraction includes a new 11th section, Forest of Fear, and offers special events like Lights ON and Lights OUT. It covers an enormous 32,000 square feet of floor space, packed with terrifying scenes, living and mechanical monstrous characters, and spectacular special effects.
- Where
- Thousand Oaks | More Info : Reign of Terror