Did you know California invites more than 6.3 million tourists just for the Christmas holidays? Christmas in California is a fun blend of classic holiday magic and laid-back West Coast vibes!
You can find many Church services like Christmas Eve and Day Masses that offer peaceful moments amidst the festive hustle.
If you want to decorate your tree, you’ll see everything from traditional fir trees to creative spins like coastal-themed trees, sometimes even adorned with seashells and surfboards!
Gift-giving kicks off Christmas morning, followed by delicious holiday meals where turkey and ham share the spotlight with local California treats—think fresh avocado salads or citrus-glazed dishes.
Baking Christmas cookies is always a family favorite, filling homes with that sweet scent. And, of course, Santa Claus makes plenty of appearances, from malls to Christmas festivals.
Christmas carolers bring cheerful tunes to the streets, while nativity scenes and holiday parades (with floats and jolly old Saint Nick) create a festive buzz.
Christmas markets pop up with all the goods—handmade crafts, artisanal foods, and unique gifts.
California-specific traditions? Surfing Santas hit the waves, lighting up beachside communities, while “snow” is often brought to outdoor festivals that make California a snowy wonderland.
And don’t forget the wineries offering festive tastings—it’s Christmas, California style, funky and fabulous! Ready to spend your holidays in CA? Here’s your guide!
1) Party hard at San Francisco
San Francisco offers a magical holiday season with various events to enjoy in 2024-2025. You can kick off December at the Union Square Ice Rink, which is a perfect spot for some festive skating.
At around $25 per person, this iconic attraction includes skate rentals and operates through the end of the year. Meanwhile, the Fairmont Gingerbread House in Nob Hill will delight visitors with its life-sized creation that is open to the public for free.
Tree Lighting is significant in California during Christmas 2024, including the Presidio Tree Lighting Ceremony on the first Friday of December and the dazzling Rainbow World Tree of Hope Lighting at Grace Cathedral.
For a serene experience, don’t miss a sunset Golden Gate Bay Cruise, starting at $38, which takes you under the Golden Gate Bridge and around Alcatraz.
Like the colorful Parol Lantern Festival, San Francisco’s Christmas Parades celebrate local traditions and are free to attend.
Budget-conscious visitors can also explore the Alamo Square Painted Ladies or stroll Lombard Street, enjoying San Francisco’s iconic scenery.
For a splurge, try the Hornblower Christmas Dinner Cruise, which offers a gourmet buffet for $150 per person, or catch the Golden State Warriors taking on the Lakers on Christmas Day at Chase Center.
San Francisco offers holiday fun for all budgets this Christmas season, from free tree lighting and parades to paid ice skating and dinner cruises.
However, if you plan road trips with your friends after enjoying Christmas festivities, you should go from San Francisco to Seattle. It’s worth a try!
2) Enjoy the cold Christmas Weather of San Diego
San Diego’s Christmas season for 2024-2025 is packed with festive fun for all ages! One of the highlights is December Nights at Balboa Park (Dec 6-7), which is a massive and free celebration that features light displays, live music, dancing, and delicious food vendors.
It’s a local favorite, so plan to arrive early as parking fills up quickly. The event is free to enter, but bring cash for food and drinks.
For a unique experience, check out the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights (Dec 8 & 15), where over 80 boats decorated in dazzling holiday lights cruise along the bay. You can watch for free from various waterfront spots like the Embarcadero.
Head to Hotel Del Coronado’s Skating by the Sea for ice skating with a view. Skating tickets cost around $30-$35, and you can glide by the beach while sipping hot cocoa.
Another place to visit in California on Christmas this year is the Little Italy Tree Lighting and Christmas Village (Dec 7). It’s free to attend, and you’ll enjoy live music, carriage rides, and Santa sightings.
If you’re looking for something wild, SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration (Nov 13-Jan 7) is perfect for families, with over a million lights, live shows, and a Sesame Street Christmas Village. Tickets are around $60+, depending on the date.
Be sure to grab your passes early for popular attractions, and dress warmly to enjoy the crisp winter evenings!
But don’t worry about carrying extra layers of clothes because winters can be cold but bearable, so you don’t have to worry about snow in San Diego.
3) Enjoy Christmas with Los Angeles
Visit Los Angeles once in a lifetime because it is California’s best city to be in during Christmas. It shines with festive cheer and offers a variety of events for every taste.
One of the top highlights is Holidays at Universal Studios, where “Grinchmas” and “Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter” bring magical vibes with themed shows, festive treats, and Hogwarts Castle’s light show.
Although passes to Universal Studios are around $109+, multi-day passes are more budget-friendly.
Head to Knott’s Merry Farm for a nostalgic twist, starting November 22, 2024. This LA’s winter wonderland is decked with lights, featuring a Christmas Crafts Village and “Home for the Holidays” shows. Tickets typically range from $59 to $99.
For outdoor ice skating, LA Kings Holiday Ice brings festive skating to downtown Los Angeles, priced at $25 and includes skate rentals.
Las Posadas at Olvera Street (Dec 16-24) offers free evening processions, music, and piñata breaking in this rich, historic reenactment if you want more cultural activities.
Budget-wise, family-friendly events like Westfield Century City’s Holiday Market (through Dec 26) are free to explore, and they offer live performances, snowfall, and gourmet treats.
You can also catch the 92nd Hollywood Christmas Parade on December 1, which is free for the public to enjoy.
Whether you’re after holiday shows, festive markets, or twinkling light displays, LA’s Christmas season has something special at all price points!
4) Have a lively holiday at Lake Tahoe
Lake Tahoe’s snow fills Christmas with excellent festive activities and fun, which makes it a magical destination to visit on Christmas if you’re in California for families and adults.
North and South Lake Tahoe will be brimming with events, so there’s plenty to enjoy.
In North Lake Tahoe, events like Winter Wonders at Northstar run from December 15–31, which offer everything from visits with Santa to DJ performances and face painting, perfect for kids.
They even have free ice skating and holiday lights displays. Don’t miss out on Disco Tubing at Palisades Tahoe—a neon-lit snow tubing experience with live DJ music bound to be a blast for the whole family.
For adults, the Snowshoe Tour & Chalet Dinner at Alpine Meadows (Dec 22 and 27) combines a guided snowshoe hike with a four-course Bavarian meal at a cozy mountain chalet. Tickets are $140, but snowshoes and champagne are included.
In South Lake Tahoe, the Heavenly Holidays will feature a tree-lighting ceremony, live music, and fireworks from mid-December through New Year’s Eve.
The new Tahoe Blue Event Center also hosts holiday concerts, which makes it a great place to catch a show while warming up.
Budgets vary, but many family-friendly activities, like ice skating and holiday light displays, are free. Premium experiences like chalet dinners or concerts may cost between $100-$150.
For skiing, the budget for lift passes typically starts at $120 per day at significant resorts like Palisades Tahoe or Heavenly.
With snow-covered peaks, twinkling lights, and a mix of free and ticketed activities, Lake Tahoe has something for every holiday visitor in 2024.
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5) Greet Christmas with Palm Springs
Palm Springs is another California must-see spot on Christmas that offers a festive lineup of holiday events.
Start with the Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade on December 2nd. This much-loved tradition brings marching bands, illuminated floats, and even Disney characters down Palm Canyon Drive.
Grab a hot cocoa and enjoy the Christmas spirit in a magical desert setting because this event is free.
Another must-see is the WildLights at The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens. It runs from November 22 to December 30 and features over a million twinkling lights, a giant Christmas tree, and a light tunnel.
Admission is around $16, and it’s a great place to explore wildlife-themed displays, perfect for families looking for an enchanting evening.
For a different experience, check out Magic of Lights at the Empire Polo Club in Indio. From November 17 to December 31, this drive-through display sparkles with millions of synchronized lights.
The ticket price starts at around $30 per car, which makes it an affordable option for a fun holiday road trip.
If you’re into something more interactive, visit the Santa Fly-In at the Palm Springs Air Museum from December 18-23.
With real snow, holiday train rides, and food trucks, it’s a winter wonderland for families. Tickets cost around $20 for adults, but kids under 3 enter free.
From spectacular parades to enchanting light shows, Palm Springs offers a budget-friendly holiday experience filled with festive fun.
6) Attend Christmas parties in Santa Monica
Santa Monica is set to host a festive array of Christmas events for 2024-2025 that blends seaside charm with holiday magic.
One of the main attractions is ICE Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot outdoor ice rink near the beach that offers a surreal experience of skating by the sea.
The rink is at 5th Street and Arizona Avenue and will open through early January.
Skate rentals and all-day admission come at just $20 which makes it a budget-friendly activity. Whether you’re enjoying lessons, skating with friends, or booking a private cabana, it’s a unique seasonal treat.
The Wonderland by the Water at Santa Monica Pier promises holiday fun for the whole family, with interactive exhibits, live entertainment, and themed photo opportunities.
Don’t miss out on the Seadragons Village, displayed at the Merry-Go-Round building windows. For film buffs, Cinema on the Street offers free screenings of holiday classics at 1324 5th Street every Wednesday evening.
Another must-see is Winterlit at the Third Street Promenade, where Santa Monica lights up with festive decorations and live entertainment.
It’s also the perfect place to shop for holiday gifts while enjoying street performances. The event is free to explore and will add extra cheer to your visit without breaking the bank.
If you’re in the mood for dining, stop by Big Dean’s OceanFront Café, which offers affordable meals in a relaxed, family-friendly setting—ideal for refueling during your holiday adventure.
Make sure to check out pass requirements and dates for each event on their respective websites as schedules may vary.
7) Visit Anaheim for Christmas Fun
Anaheim is a hotspot in California during Christmas with plenty of activities perfect for the holiday season.
Disneyland Resort steals the spotlight with its magical transformation. At Disneyland, you can enjoy the famous Christmas Parade, the Wintertime Enchantment Castle Lighting, and the spectacular Believe… In Holiday Magic fireworks show.
Don’t miss the chance to meet characters dressed in festive costumes or catch the Dapper Dans and Dickens Yuletide Band caroling down Main Street.
In addition, Disney California Adventure offers its own holiday treats, such as the Disney ¡Viva Navidad! street party and the whimsical Holiday Toy Drummers performances.
Outside the parks, Anaheim offers various community events. The Great Christmas Craft Festival at Downtown Anaheim (Nov 2) is ideal for a budget-friendly experience, while live holiday concerts like Girl Named Tom and Michael W. Smith’s Every Christmas Tour at the Grove of Anaheim (Dec 8-19) adds to the holiday magic.
For Disneyland, standard day passes range from $104-$179 depending on the day, and multi-day tickets offer better value.
If you’re planning to attend multiple events outside of the parks, ticket prices for concerts or festivals vary, but expect a range of $30-$100 depending on the event.
Be sure to book early for holiday events to avoid last-minute price hikes.
8) Say Jingle Bells with Ferndale
If you’re planning to experience Ferndale’s fun things for Christmas 2024-2025, you’re in for a magical holiday experience!
This charming Victorian village lights up with festive activities which offer old-fashioned fun and plenty of events to get you into the holiday spirit.
The festivities kick off with the lighting of America’s tallest living Christmas tree, a 165-foot spruce on Main Street. It’s a beloved tradition since 1934, with carol singing and a countdown to light the tree.
Make sure to stop by early to enjoy holiday shopping, as Main Street merchants stay open late on Hospitality Night (Nov. 30) with goodies and live music.
Ice skating at the Humboldt Ice Rink is a must. Open from Nov. 30 to Jan. 6 at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds, this rink is perfect for family fun, complete with appearances from Santa and even Disney characters on select days.
For something unique, don’t miss the Christmas Lighted Tractor Parade on Dec. 16, where local farmers parade festively decorated tractors through town. It’s a quirky nod to Ferndale’s agricultural roots!
If you love live entertainment, catch A Christmas Story: The Musical at Ferndale Repertory Theatre or enjoy live music at The Old Steeple, which transforms a historic church into a cozy concert venue.
Budget-wise, many events are free, including the tree lighting, parades, and live music on Main Street.
The ice rink charges a small fee for skate rentals and entry, so plan for that if you’re skating. No passes are required for the parades or tree lighting.
In Ferndale, Christmas is alout soaking up the festive atmosphere, from hot cocoa and holiday treats to charming local shops.
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Best Hotels To Stay In California For Christmas
- The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
- Fairmont Grand Del Mar, San Diego
- Hotel del Coronado, San Diego
- The Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles
- The Ahwahnee, Yosemite National Park
- The Resort at Pelican Hill, Newport Beach
Conclusion
California Christmas is a unique celebration where tradition meets West Coast flair. From beautifully decorated trees and festive meals to joyful gift-giving and caroling, it captures the holiday spirit in a big way.
Highlights like Surfing Santas, lively parades, and sun-soaked beach vibes set it apart. Add in visits to Santa, bustling Christmas markets, and a sprinkle of coastal creativity, and you’ve got a Christmas season that’s both fun and unforgettable!