20 Events In SoCal To Keep Kids Busy During School Break

With the kids home for holiday break, parents in Southern California may find themselves looking for events to keep the kids busy during the days ahead to keep boredom at bay.

We've rounded up 20 family-friendly events in Southern California.

Astra Lumina: An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars

• When: Through December
• Where: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Estates.
• Details: South Coast Botanic Garden has been transformed into a celestial journey of light, sound and wonder. The outdoor adventure features nine thematic zones filled with dazzling light installations, 360-degree immersion, and scenography, all set to an original cosmic soundtrack.

Camp Christmas

• When: Dec. 17-23
• Where: Camp Christmas, 8668 Pine Creek Road, Pine Valley
• Details: Camp Christmas is lighting the campfire for its fun-filled holiday festival in San Diego's East County. The fifth annual event in Pine Valley features all the lights and sounds of the holiday season in one place, from a colorful dancing water show to holiday photo ops, train rides, winter hayrides and more.

Christmas Celebration

• When: Daily through Jan. 4
• Where: SeaWorld San Diego, 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego
• Details: More than 1 million sparkling lights illuminate the park, including the SkyTower Tree of Lights, which SeaWorld calls San Diego's largest Christmas tree. Event highlights include an all-new holiday sea lion show, nighty snowfall, real reindeer, photos with Santa Claus and festive fireworks.

Coastal Christmas

• When: Select nights, Dec. 12-26
• Where: Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
• Details: Coastal Christmas is returning to Del Mar with a reimagined experience this holiday season. The 10-day holiday light spectacular will feature a light trail, skating rink, holiday market and more.

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

• When: Through Dec. 31
• Where: The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego
• Details: Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a whimsical musical based on the classic Dr. Seuss book.

Enchanted Forest of Light

• When: Open through Jan. 4, closed Dec. 24–25
• Where: Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge
• Details: Enchanted Forest of Light is an immersive nighttime walk through light installations, interactive art, and illuminated natural landscapes. The botanical garden has been transformed into a sparkling wonderland with glowing tulips, stained-glass houses, and color-changing displays.

Eve at Universal Studios Hollywood

• When: Dec. 31
• Where: Universal Studios Hollywood, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City
• Details: Billed as Hollywood's biggest New Year's Eve celebration, the event offers multiple party areas featuring music, dancing, photo ops and a midnight countdown celebration with fireworks.

Festival of Lights

• When: Activities and entertainment will continue through New Year's Eve. The lights will remain lit nightly through Jan. 6.
• Where: Mission Inn Hotel & Spa, 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside
• Details: USA Today has named the Festival of Lights the "Best Public Lights Display" in the nation. The event features more than 10 million twinkling lights, festive decorations, live entertainment, food vendors and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Holidays at Legoland

• When: Select dates through Jan. 4
• Where: Legoland California Resort, 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad
• Details: Legoland California Resort has transformed into a Lego winter wonderland for Holidays at Legoland. The event features a three-story-tall Lego Christmas tree built from more than 360,000 bricks, as well as other holiday Lego brick models, Lego holiday characters, Lego builds and festive experiences, including an elf hat scavenger hunt.

Jungle Bells

• When: Select dates through Jan. 4
• Where: San Diego Zoo, 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego
• Details: The family-friendly holiday event features festive entertainment, shimmering lights, and seasonal food and drinks.

L.A. Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

• When: Open through Jan. 11, closed Dec. 24–25 and Dec. 31
• Where: Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles
• Details: The annual event brings guests through a holiday-themed wonderland with lantern sculptures and lights. In addition to the all-new lanterns and light displays, the zoo has brought back some of last year's fan favorites including the interactive displays, a giant walk-in kaleidoscope, seasonal treats and cocktails, and photo-ops through the park.

Lightscape

• When: Open through Jan. 4
• Where: San Diego Botanic Garden, 300 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas
• Details: The popular light experience Lightscape is back at San Diego Botanic Garden. Now in its fourth year, the reimagined event features new artistic installations and returning light-filled favorites throughout a mile-long illuminated walking trail.

New Year's Eve at Knott's

• When: Dec. 31
• Where: Knott's Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park
• Details: New Year's Eve at Knott's features activities for the whole family, including a family-friendly comedian, live bands, swing dancing and more. Fireworks will light the skies above the theme park at midnight.

New Year's Eve Grape Drop

• When: Dec. 31
• Where: Temecula Civic Center, 41000 Main St., Temecula
• Details: The annual event features live music, food vendors and kid's activities. This family-friendly event goes by the East Coast's countdown, with a 9 p.m. grape drop in the form of a drone show. The event runs from 6 to 10 p.m.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

• When: Nightly from Dec. 17-21
• Where: Newport Harbor, Newport Beach. Marina Park at 1600 W Balboa Blvd. in Newport Beach is the largest public viewing location on the parade route.
• Details: The 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade features decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes that sail along the harbor. The parade is hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.

NYE LA

• When: Dec. 31
• Where: Gloria Molina Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
• Details: NYE LA will ring in 2026 with DJs and musicians who will perform on two stages, plus food trucks, interactive art installations and more. The family-friendly event culminates with the park's signature countdown-to-midnight art show projected onto Los Angeles City Hall.

Pasadena Dance Theatre's The Nutcracker

• When: Dec. 20-21
• Where: San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, 320 S Mission Drive, San Gabriel
• Details: Pasadena Dance Theatre's Conservatory dancers, youth performers and alumni will bring this beloved story to life in a spectacular celebration for the whole family.

The Nutcracker Ballet

• When: Dec. 21-23
• Where: Europa Village Wineries & Resort, 41150 Via Europa, Temecula
• Details: Step into the enchanting world of The Nutcracker Ballet at Europa Village, where the beloved story unfolds in an outdoor performance beneath the starry skies.

Wild Holidays

• When: Select dates through Jan. 4
• Where: San Diego Zoo Safari Park, 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
• Details: The family-friendly holiday event features musical entertainment, festive storytelling, twinkling lights, and seasonal food and drinks.

Winter Wonder at Belmont Park

• When: Open through Jan. 4
• Where: Belmont Park, 3146 Mission Blvd., San Diego
• Details: The historic 100-year-old amusement park has been decorated with thousands of lights and themed photo opportunities for the holiday season. The park-wide festival features rides, live weekend entertainment, family programming, and seasonal food and drink offerings.

If you’re planning a holiday or winter event, feature it, so nearby readers see it all across Patch — including in roundups like this!