Looking for some fun things to do with the kids in SoCal to kick off the Winter Holidays? Amidst Coronavirus and quarantine, many of our favorite beloved holiday events in LA are cancelled this year and you may be wondering, what holiday events in 2020 will be open near me? Where can I go to see Christmas lights in Los Angeles? Are there kid-friendly Christmas movie drive-ins in SoCal? We have the answers for everything there is to do here in Southern California and Los Angeles during the holidays this year. 2020 will bring many fun, safe, socially distanced holiday activities for kids and families in Los Angeles, Orange County and throughout Southern California. We’ll keep updating our holiday list as more family-friendly events are announced!
Holiday Events 2020
Please be sure to check with each individual holiday event host on their covid 19 compliance, requirements and restrictions. To ensure safety, social distance and comfort, some of these events may be different this year than in prior years. Most venues require advance reservations, small groups, masks and other accommodations for 2020. Click here if you’re looking for holiday events for kids in Orange County!
2020 Southern California Family Holiday Event List:
Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm
The Christmas spirit shines bright this year at Knott’s Taste of Merry Farm, a seasonal holiday food event. The family-friendly event features enchanted holiday décor, thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, a variety of picturesque holiday settings, and the tastiest holiday foods around.
Adult tasting cards (12+) are $40 and Junior tasting cards (3-11) are $20.
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Holiday Lights
Watch a floating parade of beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor in the 112th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. The event runs Wednesday through Sunday, December 16-20, 2020. The Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Route runs through Newport Harbor, and can be viewed from almost any place on the shore FREE of cost. Allows plenty of extra time for parking, it’s TRICKY!
LA Dodgers Holiday Festival 2020 Drive-Thru Experience
The 2020 MLB World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are hosting a drive-thru Holiday Festival at Dodgers Stadium. Complete with a light show, LED video displays, fake snow and interactive displays honoring the Dodgers World Championship, this is a socially distanced way to celebrate the Dodgers’ World Series win and the 2020 holiday season!
Advanced tickets required, and start at $55 per vehicle.
Elf on the Shelf Journey Christmas Drive-Through Event
Join the Scout Elves on their mission to round up Christmas Spirit for Santa so that he and his sleigh can fly again! Elf on the Shelf’s Magical Holiday Journey drive-thru adventure features a dazzling light spectacle with toy-repair workshops, gingerbread villages, and all the sights and sounds of the holidays.
Tickets start at $39.95 for adults and $34.95 for children. Located in Pomona.
Read Also: Los Angeles Halloween Events Open for 2020
Tanaka Farms Hikari Festival of Lights Drive-Through Holiday Light Experience
Tanaka Farms Presents Hikari – A Festival of Lights drive through event. Be dazzled by farm-themed lighting from trees, to scarecrows, tractors…even our sugarcane got the holiday light treatment! Plus, every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday we have a very special visit from Santa, himself!
$49 per vehicle on weekdays; $59 per vehicle on weekends
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
‘Tis the season for Irvine Park Railroad’s annual Christmas Train. Ride the “magical” train to the North Pole where Mr. and Mrs. Claus will greet passengers (from a distance).
2020 Christmas Train Tickets Go on Sale November 2nd and start at $17 per person.
Holiday in The Park Drive-Thru Experience at Six Flags
New for 2020, the Holiday in the Park Drive-thru Experience at Six Flags Magic Mountain will include eight distinctly different areas throughout the park with millions of twinkling lights choreographed to festive music, beloved holiday characters decked out for the holidays, iconic Holiday in the Park decorations, and a drive-by featuring Santa and his elves. Event goers may also take a ride in The Underground featuring several of the famous West Coast Customs show cars on display. This event extends into the New Year, allowing extra time and flexibility for those who wish to attend.
Tickets must be purchased in advance, and start at $20 per person, minimum of two individuals per vehicle.
The Polar Express at the Roadium Drive-In 2020
The Roadium’s classic 1950’s drive-in will be showing the holiday classic Polar Express for one night only on December 11th.
$25 per ticket and covers everyone in the car.
Holiday Movie Nights 2020 at The Hilton Long Beach
Enjoy delicious food and a wonderful line up of outdoor Christmas movies at Holiday Movie Nights at the Hilton Long Beach. Apple Cider, Hot Cocoa and S’mores Kits available for purchase, as well as a Full Bar and Restaurant menu.
Hilton Long Beach Outdoor Holiday Movie Schedule:
- Tuesday 11/03 -Coco
- Thursday 11/05-Up
- Tuesday 11/10-The Pursuit of Happyness
- Thursday 11/12-St.Vincent
- Tuesday 11/17-The Santa Clause (1994)
- Thursday 11/19-Klaus (2019)
- Tuesday 11/24-Mrs.Doubtfire
- Tuesday 12/01-How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
- Thursday 12/03-Home Alone
- Tuesday 12/08-Jingle All The Way
- Thursday 12/10-Elf
Admission is $10 (food and drink not included).
Huntington Harbour Boat Parade
2020 marks the 58th Annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade, an entirely volunteer effort, will be held in the evenings of December 12th and 13th.
Please note public viewing areas at the beaches fill up quickly with very limited parking. One of the best ways to see it is to be in it by entering your boat! Note: The Cruise of Lights has been cancelled.
Holiday Treats for Animals at the Aquarium of the Pacific
The Holiday Treats for the Animals Festival kicks off Aquarium Holidays (December 5-23) and features special holiday décor, holiday shopping, snowfall in the Great Hall, and appearances by Santa Diver and the Aquarium characters in their holiday outfits. On weekends the Aquarium will have a snow play area, photos with Santa, and Hanukkah storytelling with opportunities to play dreidel.
Festival activities are FREE with general admission.
WonderLAnd Drive-Thru Holiday Lights Experience
This frosted, family-friendly adventure celebrates the holiday season with millions of lights and themed decor during a festive drive-thru show. WonderLAnd is an inclusive showcase of the most wonderful time of the year, enjoyed from the safety & comfort of your own car.
$60 per car (not per person) – must make reservations
Christmas on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms
Christmas on the Farm includes a tractor ride, animal show and free visits with Santa (weekends only). Onsite Big Wave Dave’s Christmas Trees sells Fresh cut Noble, Grand, Fraser, Nordman and Douglas Fir Silver Tip Trees.
$8.00/per person and children under 2 free.
GLOW Nighttime Exhibit at The South Coast Botanic Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden is hosting a festive night time art installation called GLOW, or Garden Lights & Ocean Waves. The visually stunning light exhibition will transform the lush botanical oasis into a nighttime oceanic experience, set to electro-pop music.
$24.95 per person for Members, $34.95 per person for non-members, Children 4 and under are free.
Happy Place Drive-Thru Experience
HAPPY PLACE returns to LA this winter with an all-new reimagined Drive Thru experience designed to deliver pure happy entertainment. The journey begins on the 3rd floor of Westfield Century City’s parking structure, covering over 50,000 square feet with 18 unique and vibrant exhibits, all designed to embrace and accentuate enjoyment while experiencing the event from the safety of your own car.
Tickets to Happy Place 2020 start at $49.50 per vehicle (not per person).
Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
The 2020 Festival of Lights will be modified this year to a simpler socially-distanced light displays and decor. There will not be a switch-on ceremony or vendors, attractions or programming for 2020. But you can visit the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa to take in all their lights and decor (masks required) and the downtown light displays produced by the City.
Holidays in Your Car Presents Santa Saves Christmas Live Performance
A live holiday stage show at the drive-in perfect for the whole family. Just as Santa and his elves pull their sleigh into town, they run out of gas! Santa and his elves need to fill the tank with holiday cheer or Christmas will be ruined! More info on Santa Saves Christmas here.
Holidays in Your Car Presents Ventura County Ballet 22nd Annual The Nutcracker
Ticket info for the 2020 live performance of The Nutcracker here.
Also Read:
- Why You Should Fight for Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder – Even if it Could be Wrong
- Nanny Interview Questions and Discussion Topics – Read This Before You Hire or Accept a New Nanny Job
- Santa Barbara’s Top Summer Camps for 2024
- 5 Affordable Family Friendly Resorts in San Diego
- Bullying and What To Do…After Your Meeting or Verbal Conversation with School
Neighborhood Holiday Lights in Los Angeles
- Candy Cane Lane Torrance AKA Sleepy Hollow (South Bay) from a helpful local mom: “Located at Pacific Coast Highway / Calle Mayor, Torrance, CA 90505 – You can drive thru it or you can walk thru it. They have Santa to take pictures, kids selling hot chocolate, cookies, churros, popcorn, they also have the grinch.”
- Candy Cane Lane El Segundo (El Segundo)
- Candy Cane Lane Woodland Hills (Woodland Hills)
- Why You Should Fight for Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder – Even if it Could be Wrong
- Nanny Interview Questions and Discussion Topics – Read This Before You Hire or Accept a New Nanny Job
- Santa Barbara’s Top Summer Camps for 2024
- 5 Affordable Family Friendly Resorts in San Diego
- Bullying and What To Do…After Your Meeting or Verbal Conversation with School
Cancelled 2020 Los Angeles Holiday Events
Zoo Lights at the LA Zoo
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
ICE skating rink at Santa Monica
Polar Express
The Chill at Queen Mary (Long Beach)
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