{"id":68783,"date":"2025-11-25T06:55:26","date_gmt":"2025-11-25T06:55:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/68783\/"},"modified":"2025-11-25T06:55:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T06:55:26","slug":"here-are-12-ways-to-celebrate-the-holidays-in-southern-california-daily-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/68783\/","title":{"rendered":"Here are 12 ways to celebrate the holidays in Southern California \u2013 Daily News"},"content":{"rendered":"

The holidays are here and there\u2019s no reason anyone has to sit around just waiting for Santa to drop down the chimney, because there are plenty of ways to get outside and celebrate the season.<\/p>\n

Whether it\u2019s taking a walk through spectacular lights shows, checking out a parade, or even\u00a0 sliding down an ice slide, here are 12 things you can do in the area to celebrate the holiday season.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe South Coast Botanic Garden is bringing the stars down for a visit to illuminate the park with the Astra Lumina celestial experience. (Photo courtesy Moment Factory)<\/p>\n

Astra Lumina<\/p>\n

When: Through Dec. 31<\/p>\n

Where: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd, Palos Verdes Estates<\/p>\n

Information: astralumina.com\/los-angeles<\/a><\/p>\n

Astra Lumina returns with an interactive walk-through light display that takes over the 87-acre Botanical Garden<\/a>. The show mixes lights and sounds with a celestial theme that feels like it brings the night skies within reach. There are nine immersive zones where people can see displays that show falling stars, lanterns and walk through brightly lit archways.<\/p>\n

\"SoCalSoCal Corgi Nation at the Belmont Shore Christmas Parade. The parade and the corgis return Dec. 6. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Belmont Shore Christmas Parade<\/p>\n

When: 6 p.m. Dec. 6<\/p>\n

Where: On Second Street starting at Livingston Drive in Long Beach\u2019s Belmont Shore neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Information: belmontshore.org\/christmasparade<\/a><\/p>\n

Wear your pajamas and be part of a world-record setting attempt because the theme for this long-running parade this year is Jingle Jammies. The goal is to set the world record for the most people in pajamas at an event or gathering. So organizers are encouraging all 30,000 expected attendees to wear pajamas, just make sure they\u2019re warm PJs because it can get cold at night. Spectators will also see Lit Riderz bicycles, the SoCal Corgi club, marching bands, floats, and Santa along the parade route.<\/p>\n

Dream Glow Lights Festival<\/p>\n

When: Through Dec. 31<\/p>\n

Where: Wild Rivers Waterpark, 10000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine<\/p>\n

Information: dreamglowfestival.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The new winter attraction transforms Wild Rivers into a holiday adventure that includes an area dubbed \u201cThe Realm of Dragons,\u201d where people can try to survive a world of fire-breathing dragons and frost-covered beasts including the 20-foot tall Eastern Dragon. But it is a holiday event so expect to see a towering Christmas tree with lights, candy houses, gingerbread figures, tons of light displays and holiday themed food and drinks.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Ancient Forest lights up the night for visitors at the Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens in LA Canada Flintridge, CA on Monday, November 18, 2024. The Enchanted Forest of Light is an annual holiday light show featuring a variety of lighting effects and runs through January 5th. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Enchanted Forest of Light<\/p>\n

When: Through Jan. 4<\/p>\n

Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Ca\u00f1ada Flintridge<\/p>\n

Information: descansogardens.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The lush gardens light up at night during the park\u2019s annual Enchanted Forest of Light. As people walk along the illuminated one-mile pathway through the woods they can expect to see geometric sculptures, stained-galls cottages, a bright flower garden and the Descanso Railroad lit up in holiday lights. New this year are Music and Mixology Nights on Dec. 10-11 featuring live performances by Yachty by Nature.<\/p>\n

\"VisitorsVisitors cross Main Street after the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa\u2019s 32nd annual Festival of Lights Switch On Ceremony in downtown Riverside on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Milka Soko, Contributing Photographer)<\/p>\n

Festival of Lights<\/p>\n

When: Through Jan. 6<\/p>\n

Where: Mission Inn, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside<\/p>\n

Information: missioninn.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The Mission Inn has become a holiday staple thanks to the millions of dazzling lights that make up this elaborate holiday display. Make sure to take a ton of selfies as you walk through a self-guided tour and see giant nutcrackers, palm trees and pretty much everything around the inn wrapped in holiday lights.<\/p>\n

Fontana Christmas Parade and Festival of Winter<\/p>\n

When: 10 a.m. Dec. 13<\/p>\n

Where: 8353 Sierra Ave., for tree lighting and Miller Park Amphitheater, 17002 Arrow Blvd., Fontana<\/p>\n

Information: fontanaca.gov\/387\/Festival-of-Winter<\/a><\/p>\n

The city\u2019s celebration start at 10 a.m. at Sierra Avenue and Arrow Boulevard with a parade featuring floats and live music. Then it\u2019s off to the Festival of Winter at Miller Park Amphitheater where people can go on rides, dance to live music, take pics with Santa, and even slide down a hill made of more than 40 tons of\u00a0 snow.<\/p>\n

\""Grand\u201cGrand Illuminations,\u201d featuring large-scale kinetic sculptures by LA-based art collective Liquid PXL, returns to the Yard at Cal Plaza from Dec. 3 through Jan. 4. (Photo by Axel Koester, Contributing Photographer)<\/p>\n

Grand Illuminations<\/p>\n

When: Wednesday, Dec. 3-Jan. 4<\/p>\n

Where: The Yard at Cal Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Information: downtownla.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Large-scale kinetic and light structures, plus nightly animations will illuminate the plaza for the second annual event. Expect to see things like electric dandelions that stand 28 feet tall, as well as a 25-foot LED tree, illuminated walkways and live entertainment.<\/p>\n

Holidays at the Cube<\/p>\n

When: Dec. 6-Jan. 4<\/p>\n

Where: Discovery Cube Los Angeles, 11800 Foothill Blvd., Sylmar, Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana<\/p>\n

Information: discoverycube.org<\/a><\/p>\n

Discovery Cube\u2019s Orange and Los Angeles county locations are focusing on the young kids with celebrations that include sing-alongs, a sleigh that takes people on a ride through a gingerbread village and an indoor toboggan slide at the OC location. In LA kids can go down\u00a0 outdoor slides, ride bumper cars and take pictures with Santa.<\/p>\n

\"VisitorsVisitors play in \u201csnow\u201d at the Holiday Road light attraction at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Holiday Road<\/p>\n

When: Select dates Nov. 28-Dec. 27<\/p>\n

Where: King Gillette Ranch, 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas<\/p>\n

Information: holidayroadusa.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Strolling along the paths at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas during the Holiday Road<\/a> event is like walking into another world. Everything around you is lit up or wrapped in lights as people walk the one-mile trek through the North Pole, an Elf Village, Gingerbread Lane and Christmas Tree Forests. There are tunnels of lights and music that accompanies energetic light shows. And for the adults, there are a few bars along the way serving some naughty drinks.<\/p>\n

\""Gilmore\u201cGilmore Girls\u201d locations will be decorated for the holidays as part of a seasonal Holidays Made Here Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood. (Warner Bros. Studio Tour\/TNS)<\/p>\n

Holidays Made Here<\/p>\n

When: Dec. 18-Jan. 4<\/p>\n

Where: Warner Bros Studios, 3400 Warner Blvd., Burbank<\/p>\n

Information: wbstudiotour.com<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s the 25th anniversary of the insanely popular show \u201cGilmore Girls,\u201d<\/a> and fans of the show don\u2019t just have to watch re-runs, they can also spend the holidays in the fictional town of Stars Hollow thanks to the studio\u2019s \u201cHolidays Made Here\u201d tour. The set will be a selfie lover\u2019s dream because it will be decorated for the holidays as fans walk through Lorelai\u2019s House, Luke\u2019s Diner, and the Dragonfly Inn. There will be nightly light shows celebrating the anniversary and activities like cookie decorating, scavenger hunts, and caroling plus pop-up stores like Doose\u2019s Market, Kim\u2019s Antiques, and the Stars Hollow Bookstore.<\/p>\n

\"AsAs dusk descends over Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort lights from the 31st annual Lighting of the Bay holiday lighting display reflect off the still water in Newport Beach on Monday, November 29, 2021. (Photo by Leonard Ortiz, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Lighting of the Bay and Fire & Lights Festival<\/p>\n

When: Nov. 28-Jan 4<\/p>\n

Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach<\/p>\n

Information: newportdunes.com\/fire-and-lights-festival<\/a><\/p>\n

Don\u2019t miss out as Santa makes an appearance on opening night. But if you miss opening night don\u2019t worry because Santa will be back every Sunday. And when he\u2019s not there there\u2019s plenty to do at this long-running festival including chilling at an Igloo Bar, or watching fire dancer perform. Be sure to check out the holiday-themed inflatables like the Toboggan Tunnel, the Giant Snowzilla slide and the Gingerbread Slide.<\/p>\n

\"AA guest rides a tube down a snowy slope in the Snow Play area at Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, November 23, 2024. This year, Winter Fest OC runs Nov. 28 through Jan. 4. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register\/SCNG)<\/p>\n

Winter Fest OC<\/p>\n

When: Nov. 28-Jan 4<\/p>\n

Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa<\/p>\n

Information: winterfestoc.com<\/a><\/p>\n

The Winter Fest OC pretty much transports people to another world where everything around you is all about the holidays. There\u2019s ice skating, tubing down a 150-foot ice slide, snow and a 40-foot-tall Holiday Tree and the Holiday House. There are characters like Yowie the Yeti, Ice Princess, Jack Frost and Snowflake stilt walkers roaming around.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The holidays are here and there\u2019s no reason anyone has to sit around just waiting for Santa to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":68784,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[19023,7,9,8,29787,2646,610,2462,24193,47,137,611,40756,4065,29378,8634,612,5518,420],"class_list":{"0":"post-68783","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-california","8":"tag-calabasas","9":"tag-california","10":"tag-california-headlines","11":"tag-california-news","12":"tag-fontana","13":"tag-holidays","14":"tag-inland-empire","15":"tag-irvine","16":"tag-la-canada-flintridge","17":"tag-los-angeles","18":"tag-los-angeles-county","19":"tag-orange-county","20":"tag-palos-verdes-estates","21":"tag-palos-verdes-peninsula","22":"tag-rancho-palos-verdes","23":"tag-riverside","24":"tag-riverside-county","25":"tag-san-bernardino-county","26":"tag-things-to-do"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68783","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68783"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/68783\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68783"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=68783"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=68783"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}