Spotlight on SoCal | Events & Things To Do in Southern California

Southern California

What's Going On In SoCal

Festivals, fall harvests, film, food and live music from Los Angeles to San Diego, with Orange County at the heart. Search everything, including events that have already happened!

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102 events
Nov29Sun

Santa's Arrival & Christmas Tree Lighting

Sun, Nov 29  ·  Festival from 3:00 PM; Santa about 6:00 PM
Civic Center Plaza, Mission Viejo
about 3.6 mi (city area)

Festival activities start in the afternoon, then Santa arrives by fire engine around 6:00 PM and the tree is lit. A shuttle runs from 3 to 7 PM.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec4Fri

Laguna Beach Hospitality Night

Fri, Dec 4  ·  About 5:00 to 9:00 PM; tree lighting 6:10 PM
Peppertree Lot (Lot 2), Laguna Beach
about 4.0 mi (city area)

Downtown Laguna Beach kicks off the season with Santa lighting the tree at 6:10 PM.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov7Sat

OC Kids Expo

Sat, Nov 7  ·  11:00 AM
The Great Park Realty, Irvine
4.3 mi away

A family educational expo at The Great Park Realty in Irvine. Details and tickets through Facebook.com.

Festivals & FairsKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov4Wed

Gnome for the Holidays Workshop: Kids

Wed, Nov 4  ·  4:00 PM
Potocki Center for the Arts, Mission Viejo
4.4 mi away

A kids crafting workshop at Potocki Center for the Arts in Mission Viejo. Details and tickets through Outgoing.world.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec18Fri

Capistrano Lights

Dec 18 to 30  ·  Grounds 10 AM to 7 PM; tree lighting 5:05 PM
Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano
about 6.3 mi (city area)

Holiday lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano with Santa and a tree lighting. Specific dates and the full schedule have not been announced yet, so check the mission.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov26Thu

Dana Point Turkey Trot

Thu, Nov 26  ·  7 AM
Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

The 49th annual Thanksgiving Day race at Dana Point Harbor: 5K, 10K, combo 15K and a kids' 1-mile Gobble Wobble.

Sports & FitnessKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec5Sat

Boat Rides with Santa

Dec 5 to 6  ·  10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Dana Wharf, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Short harbor rides aboard the Dana Pride with Santa. Reservations required.

HolidaysAdults $10, kids $7Kid-friendlyDetails →
Dec5Sat

Dana Point Tree Lighting

Sat, Dec 5  ·  Check the city for the time
La Plaza Park, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Dana Point lights its holiday tree at La Plaza Park.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec11Fri

Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights

Dec 11 to 13  ·  Evening
Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Decorated boats parade through the harbor over three nights. Free viewing from shore.

HolidaysFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec12Sat

Santa Paws

Dec 12 to 13  ·  10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Pet photos with Santa at the harbor, with a $15 donation to the Pet Project Foundation.

Holidays$15 donationKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec19Sat

Modern Makers Mart Holiday Edition

Sat, Dec 19  ·  10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
The Island, near the Richard Henry Dana statue, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Handmade gifts from local makers by the harbor, with Santa from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Markets & ShoppingKid-friendlyDetails →
Oct30Fri

SAMLARC's Halloween Family Festival

Fri, Oct 30
Central Park, Rancho Santa Margarita
about 8.4 mi (city area)

Trick-or-treating, bounce houses, a costume contest for kids, pets and families, a photo booth, music and games.

Halloween & FallFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Oct30Fri

Halloween's Eve at Pretend City

Fri, Oct 30
Pretend City, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

A morning-to-afternoon of dancing, a puppet show and kid-sized trick-or-treating at 10:30 AM, noon and 2 PM.

Halloween & FallKid-friendlyDetails →
Oct31Sat

Fall Artisan Market

Sat, Oct 31
Woodbridge Village Center, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

An artisan market with candy and a DJ for the whole family.

Markets & ShoppingFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Oct31Sat

Woodbridge Trick or Treat

Sat, Oct 31
Westcliff Plaza, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

Handmade goods and seasonal treats at a trick-or-treat stop.

Halloween & FallFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov1Sun

Dia de los Muertos in the City

Sun, Nov 1  ·  11 AM
Pretend City, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

Dia de los Muertos at Pretend City with music, sugar skull decorating and a live Folklorico performance.

Festivals & FairsKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov1Sun

Ice Skating at Irvine Spectrum Center

Nov 1, 2026 to Jan 1, 2027  ·  Evening sessions, see website
Irvine Spectrum Center Ice Rink, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

Outdoor holiday ice rink at Irvine Spectrum Center, listed as opening November 1 with evening skate sessions. Check the Spectrum website for current prices, hours and...

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov7Sat

Irvine Holiday Faire

Nov 7
Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

The City of Irvine's holiday arts and gift fair at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov27Fri

Hikari: Festival of Lights

Nov 27 to Dec 27  ·  5:00 to 9:00 PM
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

A walk-through light festival on the farm grounds, open Wednesday through Sunday evenings, plus Dec 21 to 23. Closed Dec 24 and 25. Last admission is 7:30 PM, and park...

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec5Sat

Illuminate Irvine

Dec 5
Great Park, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

A City of Irvine holiday lighting celebration at the Great Park.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov7Sat

OC Family Expo

Sat, Nov 7  ·  11:00 AM
Outlets at San Clemente, San Clemente
11 mi away

A children's business marketplace at Outlets at San Clemente in San Clemente. Details and tickets through Eventbrite.com.

Markets & ShoppingFreeKid-friendlyDetails →

Running all season

14 listings
SeasonMulti-week

Pumpkin City

Oct 1 to 31  ·  11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Laguna Hills Mall, Laguna Hills
about 1.9 mi (city area)

Pumpkin patch with pony rides, a petting zoo, carnival games and kiddie rides.

Halloween & FallKid-friendlyDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

Tanaka Farms Pumpkin Patch

Daily through Oct 31  ·  9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Tanaka Farms, Irvine
about 9.6 mi (city area)

Wagon rides on the 30-acre farm, pick-your-own pumpkins, a corn maze and a petting zoo.

Halloween & FallKid-friendlyDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

Newport Beach Holiday Lights Cruises

Nov 27 to Dec 15 and Dec 21 to Jan 1  ·  Departures 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 PM
Newport Landing, Newport Beach
about 12 mi (city area)

A 75-minute evening harbor cruise past decorated waterfront homes and boats, with departures at 5:30, 7:00 and 8:30 PM. Reservations are required.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

Pumpkins & Harvest Festival

Various dates and times
San Clemente
about 12 mi (city area)

A pumpkin patch and harvest festival with family activities, local food and live entertainment. Times vary; check the festival site.

Halloween & FallKid-friendlyDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

Discovery Day at the Farm

Select dates, Oct 2026 through May 2027
Centennial Farm, Costa Mesa
about 13 mi (city area)

A recurring Discovery Day program at Centennial Farm. See the OC Fair calendar for details and registration.

Outdoors & NatureKid-friendlyDetails →

Running all season (14) →

Year-round favorites

Good any week of the year
∞Any week

Dana Point Harbor

Year-round
Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
about 7.6 mi (city area)

Waterfront dining, shopping, whale watching, harbor cruises and ocean views.

Outdoors & NatureKid-friendlyDetails →
∞Any week

San Clemente Pier

Year-round
San Clemente Pier, San Clemente
about 12 mi (city area)

Oceanfront dining, beach walks, fishing and Southern California sunsets.

Outdoors & NatureKid-friendlyDetails →

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