California's Top Christmas Festivals in December

The holiday season is in full swing. Between the ugly Christmas sweater party you’ve been planning, the tree lightings throughout the state, the Disney Christmas Parade you can’t miss, and the Christmas activities (for kids) you’ve been adding to your Pinterest boards since April, there hardly seems to be time for all the festivals happening in December. But the Christmas season is far too festive to miss a thing, so we sought out California’s best events to keep the holly-jolly holidays going all month long. 

Queen Mary Christmas

Long Beach

Experience the magic of the holiday season at the Queen Mary, one of California’s most haunted destinations. Start your Christmas activities on land at the holiday ice rink before checking out the Christmas crafts, including gingerbread house–making and stocking decorating. After grabbing a sweet treat, it’s time to board the Queen Mary to see it in all of its holiday glory. A unique Christmas event on Dec. 17 comes complete with storytime with Mrs. Claus, photo ops with Santa himself in the Captain’s Quarters, and a Shwoing of Jack Frost. Grab your tickets to the movie screenings, reserve your spot for breakfast with Santa, and get ready for all the holiday spirit you can handle. Festivities run through the 22nd so check it out!

The Dickens Fair

Daly City

Formally known as The Great Dickens Fair and Victorian Holiday Party, The Dickens Christmas Fair is a truly unique way to celebrate Christmas in the city. Wander down the streets of Victorian London; view the Historic Exhibition Halls’ representation of Covent Garden; take photos of the characters from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol; shop for handmade goods; and eat as much French onion soup, English bangers, or fish and chips as you can—but for goodness sake, don’t eat the chestnuts. Sing, dance, and have a happy Christmas in London without leaving the San Francisco Bay Area. Stop by for a single afternoon, or wander through every weekend until December 22 with a season pass.  

Festival of Lights at Mission Inn Hotel and Spa

Riverside

You can stop your endless searches for “Christmas lights near me,” because the Mission Inn Hotel and Spa’s Festival of Lights is returning for its 31st annual event, and you won’t want to miss it. The festival runs until Jan. 6 so there's plenty of time to check it out Featuring one of the country’s largest Christmas light collections, this free, five-week celebration offers plenty of fun Christmas activities for the whole family. Check out one of the nation's top light shows located at the fantastic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa.

Christmas in the Park

San Jose

If you’re the kind of person who always has holidays on their mind, this lovely Christmas festival is right up your alley and it’s coming back even bigger and better this year. The park is open for Chistmas in the Park through Jan. 1.  According to Christmas in the Park’s Executive Director, people are going to have two very distinct experiences—there will be light show elements in downtown, and the drive-through will have more of a chill, wholesome kind of vibe. Plans for the free downtown event include a 65-foot-high walk-through Christmas tree, two new rides, live music, and jolly visits from Santa

LA Zoo Lights

Los Angeles 

The L.A. Zoo is staying open after dark every night through Jan. 5 during this light-up holiday season. Many of the lighting displays are inspired by the zoo’s wild residents—think elephant statues with whimsical projections, mosaic-like multicolor giraffes, and twinkling butterflies. And if you think that an event this big would lose its handmade, kitsch kind of quality, you’d have to think again. With the addition of a flickering tunnel of lights, Chinese lanterns, and a shimmering wall, this quirky walking event will stay imprinted in your memory for a while to come.

If you’re looking to check off a couple of items from your holiday shopping list, this event offers ample opportunity. Start from downtown merchants that boast over 50 craft and food vendors and make your way to Historic City Hall, where other cool trinkets await.