Get ready for a magical holiday season with our roundup of some of the best places to spot Santa across Southern California.
From enchanting encounters at the Disneyland Resort to festive gatherings at local events, there’s no shortage of opportunities to meet the jolly old fellow. Whether you’re looking for a classic photo op or a unique holiday experience, we’ve got you covered.
Disneyland Resort
Various locations, Nov. 15-Dec. 24
Santa makes his rounds at the Disneyland Resort, stopping by Redwood Creek Challenge Train in Disney California Adventure Park, Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park, in the main lobby at Pixar Place Hotel, in the Great Hall at Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa and in the main lobby at the Disneyland Hotel. disneyland.disney.go.com
Sparkle DTLA
The Bloc, Nov. 16-Dec. 31
Have breakfast with Santa at Sparkle DTLA at The Bloc, where you can experience a magical holiday light show at night and a warm breakfast buffet and hot cocoa with Santa in the day. theblocla.com
Fire & Ice Festival
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, Nov. 29-Jan. 1
Stop by Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Saturdays through December for a chance to take photos with Santa. Other family-friendly entertainment includes fire dancing performances, activities for kids and an igloo bar serving festive snacks and drinks. newportdunes.com
Holiday in the Park
Select parks in L.A., Dec. 7-21
Join Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation for festive family-friendly fun at various parks throughout Los Angeles select Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Enjoy arts and crafts, holiday entertainment and photos with Santa. parks.lacounty.gov
Aquarium Holidays
Aquarium of the Pacific, Dec. 7-23
Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific hosts its annual holiday event, featuring festive décor, shopping and photo ops with Santa Diver. aquariumofpacific.org
Holiday Family Faire
Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, Dec. 14
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus in Topanga Canyon for Theatricum’s annual holiday gathering. The family-friendly outdoor faire features roaming performers, carolers, a holiday marketplace, crafts, festive food and drink and photos with the Clauses. theatricum.com
Santa Paddle
Ventura Harbor, Dec. 21
For a very SoCal Santa, visit Ventura Harbor Village, where the annual Santa Paddle takes place. Join Santa on the water by renting a kayak, stand-up paddle board or pedal boat — or choose enjoy the festivities from the shore. After the Santa Paddle, you can visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus and live reindeer at the Winter Wonderland & Holiday Marketplace. venturaharborvillage.com
More Places to Visit Santa in L.A.
9:00am – 9:00pm Sat, Nov 2 – Dec 24 | Bass Pro Shops
Santa’s Wonderland returns to Bass Pro Shops in Rancho Cucamonga, offering free photos with Santa! Bring your family to your local Bass Pro Shops store to join over two million kids and families in taking a photo with Santa.
Enjoy a complimentary 4×6 photo with Santa and a shareable video of your visit. Photo sessions begin on Sunday, Nov. 3. Reservations are highly recommended, so book your spot online.
hours vary by day, so please check Ontario Mills website for exact times. Fri, Nov 8 – Dec 24 | Ontario Mills
Santa arrives on Friday, November 8th and will be available until Christmas Eve. The Santa Photo Experience operating hours vary by day, so please check Ontario Mills website for exact times. Reservations are encouraged.
All day Fri, Nov 22 – Dec 24 | Westfield Culver City
Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy
10:00am – 7:00pm Fri, Nov 22 – Dec 22 | Sawdust Art Festival
Experience the magic of the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy, where creativity illuminates a wonderland of holiday cheer. From Nov. 22 to Dec. 22, the iconic Laguna Beach eucalyptus grove transforms into a dazzling gallery under the sun and stars. More than 175 artists transform joy into treasures, giving everyone the chance to gift the extraordinary. Find a holiday masterpiece and make new memories at Winter Fantasy. From beautifully crafted ornaments and holiday decor to one-of-a-kind gifts and extraordinary works of art, Winter Fantasy promises a gift-giving experience like no other.
Every weekend:
• Santa Meet & Greet (11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily)
• Daily snow flurries
• Marionettes (1:30-3:30 p.m.)
• Original & handmade gifts
• 3 Stages of Live Music
• Live Art Demos
• Tasty holiday treats & beverages
9th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony
6:00pm – 9:00pm Mon, Nov 25 | Union Station
Los Angeles Union Station will hose its 9th annual Tree Lighting in the station’s historic Ticket Concourse, the first time this section of the station has been open to the public during the holiday season.
Guests can enjoy live musical performances from Kingston Ska Collective with Members of Western Standard Ska Orchestra and Los Rebeldes Romanticos and engage in numerous activities throughout the station during this magical, family-friendly evening. In the Waiting Room, attendees can stop for photo opps with Santa and the Elves before visiting the station’s “North Pole” on the North Patio where they’ll find arts and crafts, milk and cookies and more courtesy of McDonald’s of Southern California.
Visitors can continue to experience the magic of the holidays at Union Station with must-see holiday décor from Nov.22 to Decc. 25.
Dos Lagos Tree Lighting Ceremony & Santa Arrival
6:00pm – 8:00pm Sat, Nov 30 | The Shops at Dos Lagos
The Dos Lagos Tree Lighting Ceremony will have Winter Kids’ festivities, Santa photos, DL Polar Express Train, face painters, balloon twisters, crafts, games, vendors, free screening of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (2000), and more. The tree lighting ceremony starts at 5 p.m., followed by the festivities at 6 p.m.
11:00am – 12:30pm Sun, Dec 1 | Pretend City Children’s Museum
Kick off the holiday season with Pretend City’s enchanting Tree Lighting Ceremony. Join the museum as they welcome winter with festive cheer, cookies, and, hot cocoa, and a special visit from Santa.
Dinner with Santa @ The Music Center
4:00pm Mon, Dec 2 | The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
This special event will take place alongside The Music Center’s L.A. County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony—a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit.
Enjoy a delicious, hearty meal with friends and family, at the family-style dinner and capture the moment with family photos with Santa himself. Plus cookie decorating for the kids, a dessert bar and hot cocoa station.
Whether you’re joining after the Christmas Tree Lighting or coming for a family dinner, this is an experience you won’t want to miss. Don your holiday best, bring your loved ones, and create memories that will last a lifetime!
4:00pm – 8:00pm Thu, Dec 5 | Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier is bringing the holiday cheer this year with a month of programming sure to bring a smile to everyone in the family. Nov. 21 through Dec. 19, the historic Merry Go-Round windows will be decked out with holiday spirit from the Santa Monica Pier Corporation that sets the stage for incredible holiday events all season long.
Bob Baker Marionette Theater
December 5, 12, 19 | Thursdays | 4-8PM | Merry Go-Round Building
This iconic group is BACK for THREE nights of puppetry, singalongs and holiday cheer!
Holiday Music & Performances
December 5, 12, 19 | Thursdays | 4-8PM | Merry Go-Round Building
Join us for a festive celebration featuring live music performances throughout the event, bringing extra holiday cheer for the whole family to enjoy!
Photos with Santa, Letters to the North Pole, Holiday Car Show, & Live Music
December 19th | 4-9:30PM | Merry Go-Round Building & Pier Parking Deck
Join us for Locals’ Night with live music on the Pier’s parking deck! Stop by our festive pop-up post office to write letters to Santa in the Merry Go-Round Building, and check out the Holiday Car Show where classic cars shine in style. It’s a night of fun for everyone!
12:00pm – 6:00pm Sat, Dec 7 | South Lake Avenue
The free and family-friendly South Lake Avenue Holidayfest! presented by Logix Federal Credit Union features live music acts all afternoon, free Santa photos, holiday activities (cookie and ornament decorating stations), in-store promotions, raffles and prizes. Plus, carolers in costume and festive life-sized holiday characters up and down the South Lake Avenue district from noon to 6 p.m.
9:30am Sun, Dec 8 | Westfield Culver City
A sensory friendly experience that allows people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Santa Magic photo experiences. Santa Cares photo experience features sensory-friendly trained Santa and staff who can support those with special needs and their families and reduced lighting and music.
5:30pm – 7:30pm Fri, Dec 13 | Saint Anne School – Private Catholic
Free crafts, face painting, and games for kids. Take free pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Buy holiday gifts from talented vendors. Enjoy food trucks and a bake sale.
The California Great Santa Stroll
9:00am – 12:00pm Sat, Dec 14 | Hermosa Beach Pier
The California Great Santa Stroll is a 5K fun run, walk, or stroll to benefit Mychal’s Learning Place, a nonprofit providing programs for youth and young adults with developmental disabilities as they strive to achieve their goals and dreams of living a more independent life. Join hundreds of Santas as we stroll from Hermosa Beach to Manhattan Beach and back. All participants are given a Santa Suit or a child’s t-shirt with registration. There will be photos with Santa, cookie decorating, face painting, coloring and so much more.
Family-Friendly Holiday Bazaar
10:00am – 1:00pm Sun, Dec 15 | Milestones Preschool
Come one, come all! Welcome to Milestones Preschool’s 7th Annual Holiday Bazaar. Community is important to us, which is why we hope to see you all there.
Adults are free! Wristbands for children ages 2+ are $20 all access (and include a free meal + DIY craft box). All of the proceeds go towards creative supplies and improvements to the school. While Santa will make an appearance, it is inclusive of many faiths and cultures.
Enjoy a bouncy castle, drum circle, bubbles, crafts, face painting, yummy food, a bake sale & artist vendors from Culver City to Manhattan Beach!
11:00am and 2:30pm Sat, Dec 21 | Pretend City Children’s Museum
Get ready for a joyous Christmas Celebration with Santa at Pretend City! This special day is packed with holiday fun for the whole family, including pictures with Santa from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., storytime and movement at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. and a pop-up book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
