Universal Studios Holidays: Grinchmas & Harry Potter Christmas
Special Holiday Entertainment | Enjoy holiday themed Character Encounters, dazzling décor throughout the park, and more.
Holiday Merchandise | Shop for Universal movies themed holiday ware, including ornaments, stockings, tree toppers and figurines.
Enjoy Holiday Treats | Discover holiday cheer in every bite with festive food and drinks around the park.
Universal CityWalk | Brighten up your holidays at CityWalk with our spectacular Christmas tree, sumptuous dining, and fun holiday shopping.
- Admission Included with Your Theme Park Ticket or Annual/Season Pass
- Event Dates Nov. 25, 2022 – Jan. 1, 2023
Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter
Join the celebration as Hogwarts™ castle lights up for the holidays and festive decor brightens up the streets of Hogsmeade™ in Universal Studios Hollywood. Enjoy a hot Butterbeer™ while the Frog Choir puts a holiday spin on its performances. Then shop delightful seasonal merchandise.
Grinchmas at Universal Studios
During the holiday season, Nov. 25 – Jan 1, get together with the Grinch™ at a Who-tacular celebration to enjoy the music and fun of Grinchmas™. Meet the maven of mischief himself, his dog Max, and favorite Who-ville residents. You’ll also witness the spectacular lighting of our one-of-a-kind Dr. Seuss inspired tree to join in a celebration of music, song and light. Plus much more. Put a little snark in your holiday spirit with the Grinch™!|
A Winter Weekend in Palm Springs
The Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade is marching its way along Palm Canyon Drive in early December to brighten up your mood. Elaborate floats mingle with underrated community displays, harmonizing in a caravan of togetherness. All eyes are on the best fest in the west, which is why the Festival of Lights has earned its spot among the most praiseworthy holiday displays in the country. It truly glows beyond the borders of Coachella Valley!
VillageFest welcomes local vendors, every Thursday night, who are overflowing with Christmas cheer. Stock up on tasty treats and artistic keepsakes, all amidst the sprawling crispness of a temperate desert evening. Browse everything from house wares to resort wear and drink in the spirit of the season (and enjoy some actual spirits while you’re there). 401 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs
The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is perfect if family fun is at the top of your list, for a soul-satisfying safari. From November through the end of the year, their habitat illuminates in a WildLights display that will dazzle the most diehard decoration hounds. While you’re there, experience the new rhino exhibit. It’s a tusk-see event! 47900 Portola Ave, Palm Desert
Skypark at Santa’s Village | Lake Arrowhead
Admission to the holidays at SkyPark at Santa’s Village includes use of all their facilities, activities and entertainment, including the bike park (weather permitting), their rock climbing, zip line, and ice rink. It is an Outdoor Adventure Park with year-round mountain biking, hiking, fly fishing and open air activities in the Skyforest section of Lake Arrowhead, California. The Park resides on 230 acres of natural forest with meadowlands, ponds and an apple orchard.
At the core of SkyPark is The Village, which includes historic log cabin restaurants and shops, seasonal entertainment, and open-air activities.
HOLIDAY SEASON OFFERINGS: NOVEMBER 17th – JANUARY 8th
Admission:
Adults $69 Children $59 Seniors $59
Skypark at Santa’s Village | 28950 California 18, Skyforest, CA 92385
114th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
309 Palm St., Ste. #A, Newport Beach, CA 92661
The 2022 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is the premier Christmas event for Southern California. With more than 114 years of history, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade of Lights has hundreds of decorated yachts & watercraft of all kinds competing for top honors in several categories. Over 2 million views each holiday season and The New York Times called the parade and light displays “one of the top 10 holiday events in the country”.
RING OF LIGHTS:
Homes along the Christmas boat parade route participate in a decorating contest called the Ring of Lights where each house features its own extravagantly themed decorations. From lights on every façade to roof-top animated scenes and dancing Christmas trees, the Ring of Lights has become as celebrated as the boat parade itself. Visitors can view homes by walking around Newport Beach waterfront neighborhoods such as Balboa Island and Balboa Village or view by boat charter or boat rental.
FIREWORKS:
The parade will have an exhilarating firework display from the Newport Pier at 6:15 p.m. on opening night and 9 p.m. on closing night.
WHERE TO VIEW:
Marina Park Event on Opening Night: Bring the entire family to Marina Park on opening night (Dec. 15) for the 113th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade kick-off event, which includes a full evening of festivities: an opening ceremony, front-row parade viewing and first-ever Holiday Market! The opening night ceremony starts at 5 p.m. and includes the parade’s Grand Marshals: local Orange County 2021 summer Olympians, speakers and a live musical performance. Partnering with OC’s premier pop-up market group Creative Communal, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade’s first-ever holiday market will feature 35 local makers, food vendors, live music, entertainment, photo ops and kids activities. The opening night event is not to be missed, with an opportunity to meet the Olympians, shop last-minute holiday gifts, enjoy good food, the festivities and watch the parade. The Opening Night event starts at 5 p.m., the holiday market begins at 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Fireworks at 6:15 p.m. and the parade sails by Marina Park at 6:45 p.m. Admission is free.
Marina Park
1600 W Balboa Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Dine + Watch
There are over a dozen restaurants throughout Newport Harbor that offer a front-row view of the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and dozens more located near the water to dine and then view.
Stay + Watch
Let the Boat Parade serve as a reason to book a holiday-inspired staycation in Newport Beach for a roster of festive events, shop for last-minute holiday gifts, enjoy winter menus and much more!
- Balboa Bay Resort
- Lido House
- Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel
- Hyatt Regency John Wayne Airport Newport Beach
- Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
- Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa
- Newport Beach Marriott Bayview
- The Resort at Pelican Hill
Float + Watch
Book one of Newport Beach’s premier cruise boats to see the holiday lights and displays on the boats in the parade and homes along the water that is guaranteed to be a magical evening under the stars.
Park + Watch
Bundle up, bring a chair and break out the hot cocoa, here are the places to your waterfront spot at all of the vantage points in Newport Beach.
- Balboa Peninsula is also home to many vantage points of the spectacle. In Balboa Village, consider areas along Edgewater Place, Marina Park and at the Balboa Fun Zone.
- Balboa Island provides prime viewing location of the Boat Parade and the Ring of Lights home decorating competition.
- Boats pass directly in front of China Cove Beach, and Lookout Point offers an amazing view. For park settings, choose West Jetty View Park or Via Lido Park.
- Reserved seating is available at the Newport Boy Scout Sea Base (1931 West Coast Highway).
There are over 50 viewing locations along Newport Harbor, please visit www.christmasboatparade.com for parade route, timing and more information.
Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn | Riverside
Nov 25, 2022 – Jan 6, 2023
As always the Festival of Lights will commence the day after Thanksgiving on Friday, November 25, 2022, and The Inn’s six-week holiday merriment will be celebrated until Friday, January 6, 2023. We welcome you!
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights is one of the nation’s largest holiday light collections, voted “Best Public Lights Display” by USA Today. Every year The Inn’s festival gains new energy, grows in popularity, and ushers in an increasing number of visitors to the Riverside area. Countless individuals make the yearly trek to The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa.
This time of year represents so many important things to many people. You, your family and friends make this event so special for all of us here at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa. As Keepers of The Inn, we are most humbled by your presence and we are excited that you are now a part of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa’s Festival of Lights extravaganza!
https://www.missioninn.com/experiences/events/festival-of-lights
The Langham Huntington Hotel Christmas Tree Lighting & Teddy Bear Tea
Teddy Bear Tea
The Lobby Lounge at The Langham Huntington Hotel
1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, CA 91106
This beloved annual event is back for the first time since 2019! Kids and adults alike will savor an enchanting afternoon of seasonal sandwiches, scones, and sweets, plus enjoy a holiday puppet show and a visit from Santa Claus! Each child will receive a teddy bear to take home as a memento. Offered December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17–24, seatings at 10 am and 1 pm on each date.
The Langham Winter Festival and Tree Lighting
Join the Langham as they kick off the 2022 Holiday Season with a tree lighting, treats, and festive activities for the entire family to enjoy. Their annual celebration is back with festive activities for the entire family to enjoy outdoors on their Horseshoe Garden, including kids’ holiday train rides, cookie decorating, live carolers singing holiday music, and a visit from Santa after the tree is lit!
Refreshments and treats will include*:
- Hot Chocolate Bar with toppings such as mini marshmallows, candy canes, chocolate shavings and whipped cream
- Hot Apple Cider
- Vegetable Spring Rolls
- Turkey Cranberry Sliders
- Apple Pie Empanadas
- Regular and Caramel Popcorn
- Festive Holiday Cookies and Brownies
- Mini Cupcakes
- Warm Candied Nuts
Beer and wine will also be available for purchase for attendees 21 and over.
Sun, November 27, 2022, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM PST
The Langham, Huntington, Pasadena – Horseshoe Garden 1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue Pasadena, CA 91106
Dana Point Harbor Lights and Holiday Events
Holidays At The Dana Point Harbor
Admission: FREE
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP) is spreading holiday cheer by hosting the annual holiday light display, consisting of over 700,000 LED lights, set to illuminate the Harbor beginning November 16. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor include a giant whale sculpture, lighted palm trees, giant beach-ball-like ornaments, the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch and much more.
BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS
The Harbor’s much anticipated 47th annual Boat Parade of Lights will take place December 9-11 with a “Surfin’ USA” theme. The parade will begin at 7 p.m. on December 9 and at 6 p.m. on December 10 and 11. Boaters will decorate their vessels to the theme of the parade, for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes across several award categories, courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners. Award categories include Best Use of Theme, People’s Choice, Supervisor’s Cup, Mayor’s Cup and more. Boaters can sign up at The Marina at Dana Point office.
The City of Dana Point’s Jolly Trolley will run from 5 – 10:30 pm on Dec. 9 and from 4:30 -10 pm on Dec. 10 & 11. Click here to view the trolley routes throughout the Boat Parade of Lights.
Santa Photos
Santa’s coming to the Harbor on November 27 and December 10 from 10 am – 1 pm and taking residence in the Clock Courtyard. Visitors can book professional photos with Santa in front of a holiday-themed photo op created by Style My Holiday. The holiday display will remain up throughout the month of December for all to enjoy.
Boat Rides with Santa
Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching will host Boat Rides with Santa on Saturday, December 3 and Sunday, December 4 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea for a $5 donation with proceeds supporting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations will be required. Please visit danawharf.com for more information.
MENORAH GATHERING
DPHP in partnership with the Chabad Jewish Center of Dana Point will place a 12-foot Menorah in the Harbor for the duration of Hanukkah from Sunday, December 18 to Monday, December 26.
Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens
Enchanted Forest of Light returns Nov. 20–Jan. 8 5:30 pm-10 pm
Discovery and wonder abound across the 10 or so illuminated installations in Descanso Gardens’ holiday tradition. The botanical garden’s nighttime experience masterfully mixes hands-on art installations with atmospheric, luminescent forests, all against a background of uplit trees and shimmery sound effects.
Holiday Ice Rink at Pershing Square in Downtown LA
Downtown Financial District
L.A. doesn’t typically seem like much of a winter wonderland, until, that is, you create an ice skating rink right in the midst of Downtown skyscrapers. Come glide around and pretend there’s snow on the ground at Pershing Square’s outdoor holiday skating rink—which returns after a nearly three-year break. Skate rentals are included in admission, though lockers and skating aids costs a few dollars extra.
https://holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
Hanukkah Festival in Westlake Village
Thu Dec 2, 2021
5:30pm to 7:00pm
All ages
Free Admission
Shoppes at Westlake Village
Celebrate Hanukkah Festival with The Shoppes and Chabad of Conejo. In addition to the Grand Menorah lighting, guests can enjoy special performances, singing, latkes, jelly donuts, crafts, and more.
Scheduled performances include a circus act by Ivan Pecel and music from Jimmy Gamliel and Yossi Levy.
This event is free and open to the community.
