Patch Parents: Best Things To Do With Kids In December In California

CALIFORNIA — California offers plenty of family-friendly things to do in December. In fact, there's enough to do to keep you and your kids busy through the new year.

From boat parades and horse-drawn carriage rides, to meet-and-greets with Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and Surfin' Santa, here are some of the best things to do with kids in December in the Golden State.

Northern California

Celebrate Christmas in the Redwoods. The holiday drive-thru experience is scheduled Dec. 8-18 in Occidental.

Go on a Glowfari. Experience the illuminating lantern festival at the Oakland Zoo. Glowfari runs through Jan. 26.

Make holiday memories at the beach. Boardwalk Winter Wonderland is also back at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

See America's tallest living Christmas Tree. Ferndale's living Christmas tree, the tallest in the country, will be decked with colored lights by the city's volunteer firefighters. A tree lighting ceremony will take place Dec. 1.

See San Francisco shine bright this holiday season. Illuminate SF's Festival of Light covers the city in outdoor installations of light art. Until the end of January, dozens of site-specific artworks by creators from all over the world will be on display across the city's many neighborhoods.

Watch a holiday boat parade. Festive boats will light up the Northern California coastline this holiday season. Winterfest Sausalito's Lighted Boat Parade and Fireworks is on Dec. 14 in Sausalito.

Central California

Celebrate Christmas in the Country. The Christmas in the Country Drive-Through Light Show is coming to Santa Maria. The event is slated to open Dec. 6 and take place on Friday and Saturdays through Christmas Eve.

Celebrate the holiday season in Solvang. Solvang's Danish-style holiday celebration runs through Jan. 5. Solvang Julefest features a tree lighting celebration, parade, carolers, light and music show, maker's market and more.

Explore a garden at night. Nature Nights is back at San Luis Obispo Botanical Garden. The holiday light experience features more than 8 acres of lights. The event runs for 14 nights only.

Go on a horse-drawn carriage ride. Enjoy complimentary carriage rides Nov. 30, Dec. 5, Dec. 7 and Dec. 14 in Santa Ynez.

Watch a holiday boat parade. Festive boats will light up the Central California coastline this holiday season. The 38th annual Parade of Lights will take place Dec. 8 at Santa Barbara Harbor.

Southern California

Celebrate the Festival of Lights. See more than 10 million dazzling lights at The Mission Inn Hotel and Spa's Festival of Lights. The festival runs through Jan. 6.

Celebrate Christmas with Harry Potter and crew. Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter runs through Jan. 6 at Hogsmeade in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Celebrate the season with Elmo and other friends from Sesame Street. A Very Furry Christmas at Sesame Place runs through Jan. 5 at the Chula Vista theme park.

Celebrate the season with the Grinch. Grinchmas runs through Jan. 6 at Universal Plaza in Universal Studios Hollywood.

Enjoy a diverse season of celebrations. Disney Festival of Holidays offers festive food, multicultural performances and fun for all. The seasonal event runs through Jan. 6 at Disneyland Resort.

Get into the Christmas spirit at SeaWorld San Diego. SeaWorld's Christmas Celebration runs through Jan. 5. The event features Mrs. Claus' Christmas Parade, Rudolph's Christmastown, Santa's Village and more.

Go tamale tasting. The 32nd annual Indio International Tamale Festival is set for Dec. 7-8. The event will feature tamale vendors, carnival games and rides, live entertainment, and an ice skating rink. The 17th annual Oxnard Tamale Festival will take place Dec. 7. The event will include a holiday crafts fair, kids activities and live music.

Have a Berry Merry Christmas at Knott's Berry Farm. The holiday spirit shines bright at Knott's Merry Farm. Celebrate the season with Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang through Jan. 5.

Make holiday memories at the beach. Winter Wonder at Belmont Park is back and brighter than ever at the beachfront amusement park in San Diego's Mission Beach neighborhood.

Meet Surfin' Santa. Surfin' Santa will break out his board shorts and favorite Hawaiian shirt to spread holiday cheer in San Diego. See Santa Nov. 30 at Seaport Village.

See a Lego Christmas tree. Legoland California Resort is celebrating the holiday season with the return of its three-story tall Lego Christmas tree. The 35-foot-tall tree, built from more than 360,000 Lego and Duplo bricks, is standing tall at the front of the park ahead of the official countdown to the 22nd annual tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 6 at the Carlsbad theme park.

Sit by the camp fire at Camp Christmas. Camp Christmas in Pine Valley features all the lights and sounds of the holiday season in one place. The festive and nostalgic event runs on select weekends.

Watch a holiday boat parade. Festive boats will light up the Southern California coastline this holiday season. The 54th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights will take place Dec. 8 and Dec. 15. The 58th annual Parade of Lights at the Channel Islands Harbor is on Dec. 14 in Oxnard. The 116th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade is scheduled Dec. 18-22.

Visit the zoo at night. L.A. Zoo Lights runs through Jan. 5 at Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. Jungle Bells runs Dec. 14 through Jan. 5 at San Diego Zoo. Wild Holidays runs through Jan. 5 at San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Patch Parents is written by Patch Editor Kristina Houck, a mom of three boys. Have a story idea? Email kristina.houck@patch.com.