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!

Free to browse. No account needed. · Provided by Bruce Clark and Veronica Ruiz | Real Broker

Or jump straight to a city:
Within 50 miles of Montclair 3 mi5 mi10 mi25 mi50 mi Clear

On set dates

176 events
Nov27Fri

Fire & Lights Festival at Newport Dunes

Nov 27, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027  ·  Thu to Sun, 4:00 to 9:00 PM
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Newport Beach
about 34 mi (city area)

Floating holiday lights on the bay, fire dancing Friday and Saturday evenings, s'mores fire pits, inflatable slides and Santa photos on Saturdays. Thursday through Sun...

HolidaysFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec3Thu

Merry & Bright Nights at Sherman Library & Gardens

Dec 3 to 6 and Dec 10 to 13 and Dec 17 to 22  ·  5:00 to 9:00 PM
Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar
about 34 mi (city area)

The gardens glow with thousands of holiday lights on select evenings: Dec 3 to 6, 10 to 13 and 17 to 22.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec5Sat

Crystal Cove 30th Annual Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar

Sat, Dec 5  ·  Bazaar 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM; tree lighting 3:00 to 5:30 PM
Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach
about 34 mi (city area)

A holiday bazaar all day, Santa visits from 3:30 PM and the tree lighting program runs 3:00 to 5:30 PM at the historic cottages.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec16Wed

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Dec 16 to 20  ·  About 6:30 PM nightly
Marina Park, Newport Beach
about 34 mi (city area)

Hundreds of decorated yachts, sailboats and electric boats parade through Newport Harbor past bayfront homes in the Ring of Lights competition. Opening night, Dec 16,...

HolidaysFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
Dec16Wed

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Cruise

Dec 16 to 20  ·  Three departures nightly, 5:30 PM to 9:50 PM
Newport Landing, Newport Beach
about 34 mi (city area)

Watch the lighted boats glide through Newport Harbor from the water on a guided evening cruise. Three departures run each parade night, and reservations are required.

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov12Thu

National Philanthropy Day 2026

Thu, Nov 12  ·  2 PM
Soka Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo
about 35 mi (city area)

Celebrates the work of Orange County's nonprofit community: its programs, partnerships and people.

Festivals & FairsDetails →
Nov21Sat

Autumn Festival at the Aquarium of the Pacific

Nov 21 to 22  ·  9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach
about 36 mi (city area)

The 25th annual festival celebrating the cultures of China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines, with craft demonstrations, music, dance and storytelling. Included with a...

Festivals & FairsKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov21Sat

Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair

Sat, Nov 21  ·  Fair 12 to 8 PM, Wine Walk 4 to 7 PM
San Fernando Blvd., Burbank
about 36 mi (city area)

Holiday street fair with vendors and live entertainment, followed by a wine walk on San Fernando Blvd.

HolidaysDetails →
Nov20Fri

Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy

Nov 20 to Dec 20  ·  Schedule TBA
Sawdust Art Festival, Laguna Beach
about 37 mi (city area)

Twinkling lights, artist-made gifts, live craft demonstrations and seasonal music.

Arts & FilmDetails →
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 37 mi (city area)

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

HolidaysKid-friendlyDetails →
Nov8Sun

Merry Macabremas

Nov 7 to 8  ·  1:00 PM
The Mystic Museum, Burbank
38 mi away

An alternative holiday market at The Mystic Museum in Burbank. Details and tickets through Instagram.com.

HolidaysDetails →
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 40 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 →
Nov8Sun

Visit With A Veteran

Sun, Nov 8  ·  2 to 4 PM
Torrance Historical Society & Museum, Torrance
about 41 mi (city area)

The Torrance Historical Society invites families to honor veterans.

HolidaysDetails →
Nov14Sat

Markets for Makers Holiday Market

Nov 14 to 15  ·  11:00 AM
AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, San Pedro
41 mi away

A holiday shopping market at AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. Details and tickets through Facebook.com.

HolidaysDetails →
Nov11Wed

Dana Point Veterans Day Services

Wed, Nov 11  ·  10 to 11 AM
Strands Vista Park, Dana Point
about 42 mi (city area)

Presented by VFW Post 9934, its Ladies Auxiliary and the City of Dana Point to recognize all veterans.

HolidaysDetails →
Nov26Thu

Dana Point Turkey Trot

Thu, Nov 26  ·  7 AM
Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point
about 42 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 42 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 42 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 42 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 42 mi (city area)

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

Holidays$15 donationKid-friendlyDetails →

Running all season

13 listings
SeasonMulti-week

Mini Melodies at MainPlace

Every first Wednesday
MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana
about 25 mi (city area)

A free monthly music session for young children, held the first Wednesday of each month.

MusicFreeKid-friendlyDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

Primrose Market

Ongoing
MainPlace Mall, Santa Ana
about 25 mi (city area)

A recurring market held at MainPlace Mall.

Markets & ShoppingDetails →
SeasonMulti-week

20 Years Later: The Great Picture

Jun 11 to Dec 11
Irvine City Hall, Irvine
about 28 mi (city area)

A City of Irvine exhibit at Irvine City Hall marking 20 years since The Great Picture.

Arts & FilmDetails →

Running all season (13) →

New on Spotlight on SoCal

Sports pages

A page for each sport, including soccer, swimming, football, basketball and more, with pro, college and high school games in one list.

See all sports

See everything new →

Thinking about buying or selling in Southern California?

Reach out to Bruce and Veronica and let them help you make sense of the market, cities and neighborhoods.