Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario · November 15, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Christmas and holiday events for kids in Riverside
61 tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays and holiday shows around Riverside, November 15 to New Year’s Day. 21 are free.
Don’t miss
- Nov27FriLight displays
Through Dec 27
Candy Land at Albert S. White Park (Festival of Lights)
Albert S. White Park
From $15
- Dec1TueLight displays
Through Dec 23
Greenspot Farms Christmas Hayride & Tree Lights
Greenspot Farms
From $15
- Dec5SatParades
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:30 PM
Ontario Holiday Light Parade on Euclid Avenue
Euclid Avenue parade route (Fourth Street to B Street)
FreeAll ages
NovemberSun, Nov 15 – Mon, Nov 30
- Nov15SunTrain rides
Sun, Nov 15
The Polar Express Train Ride at the Southern California Railway Museum
Southern California Railway Museum
From $49.25All ages
- Nov21SatLight displays
Sat, Nov 21 · 5:00 PM
Festival of Lights Switch-on Ceremony (34th Annual)
Orange Street and Mission Inn Avenue (Downtown Riverside, in front of The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa)
- Nov27FriSanta visits
Fri, Nov 27 · 6:00 PM
Santa's Arrival in Old Town Temecula
Pennypickle's Workshop (Temecula Children's Museum), Old Town Temecula
- Nov28SatMarkets and festivals
Sat, Nov 28 · 9:00 AM
Calico Holiday Fest
Calico Ghost Town Regional Park
Paid
- Nov28SatTree lightings
Sat, Nov 28 · 12:00 PM
Yucaipa Winterfest & Tree Lighting Ceremony
Yucaipa Performing Arts Center (Historic Uptown Yucaipa)
Free
- Nov28SatTree lightings
Sat, Nov 28
The Village Tree Lighting Ceremony (Big Bear Lake)
Christmas Tree Corner, The Village in Big Bear Lake
- Nov30MonTree lightings
Mon, Nov 30 · 7:00 PM
Temecula Christmas Tree Lighting at the Duck Pond
Temecula Duck Pond & Veterans Memorial
DecemberTue, Dec 1 – Fri, Dec 18
- Dec1TueSanta visits
Tue, Dec 1
Holiday Scavenger Hunt (Elf-tastic Library Hunt)
James S. Thalman Chino Hills Branch Library
- Dec3ThuTree lightings
Thu, Dec 3 · 3:00 PM
Holly Jolly Holiday & Tree Lighting — Montclair
Montclair Youth Center and Alma Hofman Park
- Dec3ThuTree lightings
Thu, Dec 3 · 5:00 PM
Ontario Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ontario Town Square
FreeAll ages
- Dec3ThuTree lightings
Thu, Dec 3 · 6:00 PM
Fontana Tree Lighting Ceremony
Miller Park Amphitheater (Miller Park)
- Dec3ThuTree lightings
Thu, Dec 3 · 6:00 PM
Lake Elsinore Tree Lighting Ceremony
Downtown Main Street, Lake Elsinore
- Dec4FriSanta visits
Fri, Dec 4 · 5:00 PM
Fontana Free Pictures with Santa at Jessie Turner Center
Jessie Turner Center
Free
- Dec4FriSanta visits
Fri, Dec 4 · 7:00 PM
Santa's Electric Light Parade (Old Town Temecula)
Old Town Temecula parade route (starts at Jefferson Ave & Del Rio Rd)
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 8:30 AM
Rancho Cucamonga Breakfast with Santa
Central Park (Rancho Cucamonga)
From $25Ages 3+
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 9:00 AM
Donuts with Santa — Murrieta Town Square
Town Square Park & Amphitheater
With admission
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Fontana Free Pictures with Santa at Don Day Center
Don Day Center
Free
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Fontana Free Pictures with Santa at Heritage Center
Heritage Center
Free
- Dec5SatChristmas
Sat, Dec 5 · 10:00 AM
Moreno Valley Holiday Snow Day
Moreno Valley Civic Center Amphitheater (City Hall campus)
Paid
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Dashing Through Montclair — Santa's Sleigh Ride Through Town
Streets of Montclair (route posted by Dec 1)
- Dec5SatNutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
The Nutcracker – Inland Pacific Ballet (Lewis Family Playhouse)
Lewis Family Playhouse, Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
All ages
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 12:00 PM
Victorville Winter Festival & Tree Lighting
Victorville City Hall
Free
- Dec5SatNutcracker and shows
Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
A Christmas Carol, The Musical (Temecula Valley Players)
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
From $25
- Dec5SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 5 · 2:00 PM
Santa Visits the Library
Wrightwood Branch Library
All ages
- Dec5SatParades
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Lake Elsinore Winterfest & Holiday Parade
Downtown Main Street (Gediman Square), Lake Elsinore
Free
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 4:00 PM
Menifee Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar
Mt. San Jacinto College – Menifee Valley Campus
- Dec5SatParades
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM
Hemet Christmas Parade
Florida Avenue parade route (Gilbert Street to Santa Fe Street)
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:00 PM
Murrieta Tree Lighting & Festival of Wreaths
Town Square Park & Amphitheater
- Dec5SatTree lightings
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:45 PM
Moreno Valley Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Moreno Valley City Hall (Civic Center)
Free
- Dec5SatLight displays
Sat, Dec 5 · 5:45 PM
Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade (34th Annual)
Palm Canyon Drive, downtown Palm Springs (Ramon Road to Tachevah Road)
Free
- Dec5SatParades
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:00 PM
Redlands Christmas Parade
State Street, downtown Redlands
- Dec5SatParades
Sat, Dec 5 · 6:30 PM
Ontario Holiday Light Parade on Euclid Avenue
Euclid Avenue parade route (Fourth Street to B Street)
FreeAll ages
- Dec6SunTree lightings
Sun, Dec 6 · 4:00 PM
Corona Holiday Lighting Celebration
Historic Civic Center (Corona)
FreeAll ages
- Dec8TueSanta visits
Tue, Dec 8 · 3:00 PM
Library Winter Luau featuring Santa
James S. Thalman Chino Hills Branch Library
- Dec9WedMarkets and festivals
Wed, Dec 9 · 5:00 PM
Bethlehem Marketplace — walk-through Christmas experience (Redlands)
Pathway Church
From $15Ages 3+
- Dec10ThuLight displays
Thu, Dec 10 · 4:00 PM
Holiday Lights & Victorian Nights Evening Tours (Kimberly Crest)
Kimberly Crest House & Gardens
From $20Ages 9+
- Dec11FriSanta visits
Fri, Dec 11 · 6:30 PM
Santa's Little Helpers (Lewis Family Playhouse)
Lewis Family Playhouse, Victoria Gardens Cultural Center
- Dec11FriParades
Fri, Dec 11 · 7:00 PM
Chino Hills Holiday Boat Parade
Chino Hills City Hall
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 7:00 AM
Ontario 5K Reindeer Run & Rudolph's Dash
Euclid Ave. and C St., downtown Ontario
FreeAll ages
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Jurupa Community Center
Jurupa Community Center
From $12
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 8:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Orange Terrace Community Center
Orange Terrace Community Center
FreeAll ages
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Hunt Park, Riverside
Hunt Park (Renck Community Center)
Free
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Springbrook Clubhouse (Reid Park)
Springbrook Clubhouse
From $10
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Breakfast with Santa — Villegas Park
Villegas Park
From $5
- Dec12SatParades
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Chino Youth Christmas Parade and Fair
Chino Civic Center / City Hall
Free
- Dec12SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Sensory with Santa at the Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
Bourns Family Youth Innovation Center
FreeAll ages
- Dec12SatParades
Sat, Dec 12 · 9:00 AM
Upland Hometown Holiday Parade (49th Annual)
Historic Downtown Upland (2nd Avenue parade route)
All ages
- Dec12SatParades
Sat, Dec 12 · 10:00 AM
Fontana Christmas Parade
Sierra Avenue parade route (Arrow Blvd. to Orange Way)
- Dec12SatMarkets and festivals
Sat, Dec 12 · 11:00 AM
Fontana Festival of Winter
Miller Park Amphitheater (Miller Park)
Free
- Dec12SatParades
Sat, Dec 12 · 2:00 PM
Beaumont Blizzard Bash & Holiday Light Parade
Beaumont Towncenter (downtown Beaumont Avenue between 6th and 8th Street)
- Dec13SunChristmas
Sun, Dec 13 · 12:00 PM
Christmas Open House at Heritage House
Heritage House
Free
- Dec16WedNutcracker and shows
Wed, Dec 16 · 3:00 PM
Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet (McCallum Theatre)
McCallum Theatre
- Dec17ThuCrafts and cookies
Thu, Dec 17 · 12:00 PM
Arlanza Library Holiday Craft: Paper Gingerbread Man
Arlanza Library
Free
- Dec17ThuSanta visits
Thu, Dec 17 · 7:00 PM
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical (Old Town Temecula Community Theater)
Old Town Temecula Community Theater
From $33All ages
Christmas breakSat, Dec 19 – Fri, Jan 1
- Dec19SatSanta visits
Sat, Dec 19 · 7:00 AM
HealthyLE Santa Dash 5K (Lake Elsinore)
Lake Elsinore Levee at Diamond Stadium
Free
- Dec23WedChristmas
Wed, Dec 23 · 10:00 AM
Hot Cocoa & A Christmas Movie Marathon (Orange Terrace)
Orange Terrace Community Center
FreeAll ages
- Dec31ThuNew Year’s Eve
Thu, Dec 31 · 5:30 PM
Temecula New Year's Eve Grape Drop
Temecula Civic Center Quad
All seasonLight displays, Santa visits, shows and exhibits that run for weeks. Check the organizer’s page for open nights and times.
- Nov21SatLight displays
Through Jan 1
34th Annual Festival of Lights at The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa
- Nov22SunLight displays
Through Dec 31
Festival of Lights Ice Rink (Downtown Riverside)
Festival of Lights Ice Rink, corner of Mission Inn Ave. and Orange St.
From $20
- Nov27FriLight displays
Through Dec 27
Candy Land at Albert S. White Park (Festival of Lights)
Albert S. White Park
From $15
- Dec1TueLight displays
Through Dec 23
Greenspot Farms Christmas Hayride & Tree Lights
Greenspot Farms
From $15
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For organizers
Hosting a tree lighting, Santa visit or holiday show in Riverside?
List it on Grassy Knees and it can show up on this Christmas page, in the metro’s weekend picks and in the app. Free to post until Oct 31.
How this list works
Tree lightings, Santa visits, light displays, Nutcrackers, menorah lightings and Noon Year’s Eve parties, beyond your own block. This page collects every event and program in our Riverside listings whose title names Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Santa, holiday lights, the New Year or the like, dated between November 15 and January 1. 61 are still ahead. Each one opens its listing page, which links to the organizer’s own page and shows the date we last checked it. Dates are in Pacific Time.