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10 Festive Things to Do Near Los Angeles

Kim Orlando

Updated

November 13, 2025

Santa talking to kids. Photo credit: San Luis Obispo

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You don’t need to travel far to find holiday spirit in Southern California. Within a few hours of LA, you’ll find towns lit with twinkle lights, coastal parades, and mountain getaways that actually feel like winter. Here are some of the best spots to celebrate the season close to home.

1. Big Bear Alpine Zoo Wild Lights (Nov. 6 – Jan. 4)

Giant lighted bear at Big Bear’s Alpine Zoo. Photo Credit: Big Bear

Big Bear Alpine Zoo is lighting up the mountains this season with Alpine Zoo Wild Lights, a dazzling new holiday experience that blends festive fun with wildlife conservation. From November 6, 2025, through January 4, 2026, nearly two million LED and solar-powered lights will transform the zoo into a glowing winter wonderland.

Visitors can explore four themed light zones, from a 100-foot illuminated pine tree and a walk-through ornament to glowing snowmen and Santa’s sleigh. Don’t miss the Dark Sky Grove, a peaceful stop highlighting Big Bear’s efforts to reduce light pollution.

Warm up with a hot cocoa or pastry from Moonridge Coffee Company Zoo Café and enjoy watching mountain lions, foxes, and owls come “alive” after dark.

November 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Wednesday–Sunday, 5 p.m.–9 p.m.
$20 adults, free for kids under 5 and zoo members

Proceeds from Alpine Zoo Wild Lights support wildlife rehabilitation and local conservation programs, making this a meaningful way to enjoy the holidays in Big Bear.

2. Malibu: Hanukkah Family Fun Day at the Shalom Institute (Dec. 14)

Happy Hanukkah sign at the Shalom Institute, Malibu, CA. Photo credit: Shalom Institute

Celebrate the first night of Hanukkah outdoors at this family-friendly community event on Sunday, December 14 at the Shalom Institute in Malibu. Open to everyone, the day features summer-camp-style activities like candle dipping, menorah crafts, edible dreidels, and even a “Macca-blue” bike blender for festive drinks.

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Families can climb the rock wall and ropes course, enjoy a sing-along with Robbo, visit the Shemesh Farms stand and share in a community menorah lighting at sunset. It’s a welcoming, nature-filled way to celebrate Hanukkah in Southern California.

Sunday, December 14, 2025, Open to all ages

3. San Luis Obispo: Small-Town Sparkle Meets Central Coast Wine Country (throughout December)

Over-the-top holiday decor at the Madonna Inn bar. Photo credit: SLO

Create a Hallmark-style holiday getaway without the snow, San Luis Obispo (about a 3.5–4 hour drive north of LA) delivers all the charm — twinkle lights downtown, cozy boutique inns, and wineries serving mulled wine under oak trees. It’s festive, walkable, and far less crowded than Santa Barbara or Paso Robles.

The season kicks off with the Downtown Holiday Parade in early December, filling Higuera Street with marching bands, floats, and small-town cheer. Throughout the month, Downtown SLO Holiday Nights brings outdoor dining, boutique shopping, and lights glowing around Mission Plaza.

Just ten minutes from downtown, the Edna Valley wineries host candlelight dinners and festive tastings among rolling vineyards. For over-the-top holiday décor, the Madonna Inn is pure Christmas magic — pink trees, peppermint-striped ceilings, and endless photo ops.

Stay at Hotel SLO or Granada Hotel & Bistro for a blend of downtown convenience and Central Coast style, or make it a weekend escape with side trips to Avila Beach and Pismo Beach, both decked out in holiday lights

4. Buellton: Small-Town Lights and Wine Country Cheer (Dec. 7)

Mr and Mrs Claus at the Buellton Winter Fest. — Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Buellton Winter Fest. Photo credit: Buellton Chamber

Buellton brings a laid-back holiday spirit to the Santa Ynez Valley. The annual Winter Fest fills the town with twinkling lights, live music, and family activities, capped by the festive Parade of Lights and a neighborhood-wide light contest.

Visitors can stop by Flying Flags RV Resort for cocoa and campfire s’mores or pop into a local tasting room to warm up with a glass of Pinot.

5. Santa Ynez Valley (3 weekends in December)

Santa Ynez Botanical Gardens holiday lights. Photo credit: SYV Holiday Lights

Just north of Santa Barbara, and near Buellton, the Santa Ynez Botanic Garden turns into an Enchanted Garden of Lights for three weekends only, offering a magical walk through glowing displays, falling snow, and festive carolers. Families can enjoy photos with Santa, local food and craft vendors, and wine and beer for adults. Tickets start at $25 for adults and $15 for kids.

Weekend 1: Dec 5, 6 & 7
Weekend 2: Dec 12, 13 & 14
Weekend 3: Dec 19, 20 & 21

6. Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks (Dec. 12–13)

Ohana float at the Ventura Harbor boat parade. Photo credit: Ventura Harbor

Celebrate the holidays by the coast at the 49th Annual Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks, a California seaside tradition. This year’s theme, “Let It Glow,” transforms the harbor into a glowing waterfront festival with illuminated boat parades, live entertainment, and a stunning fireworks finale each evening.

Event Highlights:

Boat Parade: Dozens of boats decked out in lights and holiday décor cruise the harbor starting at 6:30 PM.
Carnival on the Main Lawn: Classic rides and games add to the festive fun for all ages.
Fireworks Show: Enjoy a brilliant fireworks finale after the parade both nights.
Village Festivities: Shop, dine, and dance to seaside DJs, with faux snow adding a touch of California winter magic.

Need to Know:

Dates: December 12–13, 2025, at 4 pm
Admission: Free
Parking: Paid and free parking available, plus complimentary shuttles from Harbor & Schooner Drive and Portside Ventura.

7. Huntington Beach Poolside Igloos (Nov. 7 – Jan. 11)

Lighted holiday igloo overlooking Huntington Beach, CA. Photo credit: Huntington Beach

Snuggle & Stay: Holiday Igloo Package

Dates of Stay: November 7 – January 11, 2026
Offer: overnight stay, 2-hour igloo rental, two complimentary igloo cocktails, s’mores kit at the igloo

8. Julefest, Solvang, CA (Nov. 28 – Jan. 4)

Mr and Mrs Claus on a motorcycle in the center of Solvang. — Mr. & Mrs. Claus on a motorcycle in the center of Solvang. Photo credit: VisitCA

In the “Danish Capital of America,” Solvang brings a cozy touch of Scandinavia to Southern California. From Nov. 28 to Jan. 4, this storybook town transforms into a month-long Christmas celebration filled with Danish cheer. Enjoy twinkling lights, a classic tree lighting, a lively parade, carolers in traditional dress, and a European-style Maker’s Market. Solvang Park becomes Santa’s Village, where kids can meet Santa and take photos. Most events are free and open to the public.

9. “Wonder of Oz” Lightshow Spectacular at the Hotel Del Coronado (Nov. 21 – Jan. 4)

Holiday lighted entry at Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA. Photo credit: Visit San Diego

Experience an Oz-themed light show on the Founders Lawn, featuring the famed 1904 Norfolk Pine, the world’s first electrically lit outdoor Christmas tree. With a whimsical Oz-inspired soundtrack and a flurry of snow for a finale, this show runs nightly every 30 minutes from 5-9 p.m. FREE

Olivewood Holiday Bazaar – San Diego (Nov. 15)

Festive items on display against a red backdrop. — Photo credit: Olivewood Bazaar

If you’re looking for meaningful holiday gifts, this is a great one to add to your list. The Olivewood Holiday Bazaar brings together local makers, Kitchenistas, and small businesses. Shop garden-inspired, handmade, and truly one-of-a-kind items. Every dollar you spend goes right back into the community—supporting local entrepreneurs and helping fund Olivewood’s programs in health, environmental education, and youth and family services.

You can also grab lunch while you’re there. The High School Culinary Arts interns are cooking up an Olivewood-inspired meal available for purchase during the event.

Kim Orlando

Kim Orlando, founder of SheBuysTravel, is a lifelong traveler, an entrepreneur and a sought-after social media and marketing consultant. She has made hundreds of appearances on TV and in digital and print media, sharing advice and tips built on decades of travel experiences. Hailing from the hills of Kentucky and taking her story to New York, Los Angeles, and beyond, Kim built an online platform, the original TravelingMom, that has reached millions of moms and empowered them to explore the world with their families. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel. Kim has been featured on “News Nation,” “Today,” “Good Morning America” and on numerous satellite media tours. She has contributed travel guidance to outlets including The Washington Post, Good Housekeeping, Forbes, the Wall Street Journal and more. (Read more about Kim’s media appearances here) Her travel mantra is simple: All travel counts. “You don’t have to go far. Leaving your home is travel,” Kim says. “Wherever you go, even just to the next town over, you can learn something new, see someone and something you haven’t seen before. “It’s good for the brain and good for the soul.” An epiphany in early parenthood started Kim on the journey that led to SheBuysTravel. She’d been a fan of a newsletter for women travelers, and she saw an opportunity. “I thought something like that for moms could be extraordinarily helpful,” she said. “I was traveling for work, traveling for fun, and I was looking for support.” That seed grew into the award-winning website TravelingMom, created as a resource for traveling families of all stripes. Today, TravelingMom has evolved into SheBuysTravel, with an expanded mission to serve women travelers at any stage of life. Millions of readers have visited the site for trip planning help, travel secrets, destination information and gear recommendations. What sets SheBuysTravel’s content apart, Kim says, is its foundation in real-world experience. “Our writers and editors have actually gone out there and done this stuff,” she says. “They’ve booked the flights, tried the tour, tested travel clothing, visited that new hot spot to see if it’s worth the hype. It’s all real.” Memorable Adventures A 2022 tour Kim guided to Bhutan was a particularly standout experience. “Bhutan sounds so exotic, of course,” she said. “But the part where my heart just glows and warms is thinking of the people we met – amazing women doing amazing things in Bhutan.” Their ranks included a former police officer whose ventures into food science helped mitigate food insecurity for residents of Bhutan’s highlands. Top Tips Planning for travel can be daunting, Kim acknowledges. “I always say: Go anyway. No trip is going to be perfect. There’s always going to be something you didn’t expect, something that doesn’t go the way you pictured or planned it. And that something is what’s going to make it a great trip.” And on a practical note: “Go early! Getting to the airport or hitting the road just an hour earlier relieves so much stress.” Kim’s Background Kim, a graduate of the University of Arizona’s Eller College of Management, holds degrees in finance and entrepreneurship and has deep experience in developing and running businesses. Her previous work includes developing and running communications workshops and overseeing document management for corporations. SheBuysTravel hits a sweet spot where Kim’s two loves of travel and entrepreneurship meet. “The longer I work in this field, I only want to do more,” she says. “I find the travel world so exciting – not just the trips, but the whole online world of travel. There are still so many opportunities.” The World Awaits “The ‘best trip ever’ probably won’t be the same for an empty-nester or mom of three versus a single woman celebrating a bachelorette party with her friends,” Kim says. “We want to keep it real for traveling women, no matter what their age, life stage, where they came from or where they’re going. “We want to inspire women to travel in any shape or form.” In her free time, Kim enjoys visiting her adult kids, creating trips and traveling with her BFFs to explore the world. Her most recent adventures can be found on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.

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