Christmastime brings hundreds of unforgettable holiday light displays, winter markets, and dazzling landscapes to our beautiful state. We found some of 2024’s best California Christmas towns and attractions, ranging from famous citywide events to underrated hidden gems. No matter the destination, you can bet that it’ll be well worth the trip. Read on for a breakdown of our favorites for winter 2024, and scroll down to the bottom for a helpful map.
1. Solvang Julefest
First up is none other than Solvang, a gorgeous Danish-style town near Santa Barbara that always astounds with its annual Julefest celebration. Newsweek recently named Solvang the second-best Christmas town in the entire country, thanks to its unbelievable decor, delicious food options, and weekly events. Look out for the tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 6th, a lively parade on Dec. 7th, a Maker’s Market on Wednesdays leading up to Christmas, and spirited carolers roaming the streets on Saturdays. It all culminates in the popular Christmas tree burn on Jan. 10th.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 29, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
📍 Location: Festivities are centered around Solvang Park in Solvang, California 93463
🎄 Learn more: Read our article about Solvang Julefest
2. Nevada City Victorian Christmas
This quaint Gold Rush-era hamlet northeast of Sacramento always turns up the charm during the holidays. Twice a week through Christmas, they present an impressive Victorian Christmas celebration along the lamp-lit streets. Shop from artisan makers and boutiques while snacking on free hot roasted chestnuts and listening to roaming Victorian carolers. Keep your eyes peeled for well-known characters such as the Walking Christmas Tree, the Toy Soldier, and Father Christmas.
🗓️ Dates: Sundays and Wednesdays from Dec. 8-22, 2024 (1:30-6pm on Sundays and 5-9pm on Wednesdays)
📍 Location: Festivities are centered along Broad St., Nevada City, California 95959
🎄 Learn more: Visit the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce website
3. Cambria Christmas Market
This Christmas attraction in the sleepy seaside town of Cambria recently ranked 3rd on a list of the country’s most Instagrammable Christmas markets. The over 3 million Christmas lights alone are worth the visit, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg — show up ready to browse goods from talented local makers, pick up traditional decor and collectibles from a specialized German booth, catch live music and carolers in the Biergarten, embark on a magical all-ages train ride, and get pictures with Santa.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 29 – Dec. 31, 2024 (closed Dec. 2-3, 9-10, 24-25)
📍 Location: Cambria Pines Lodge – 2905 Burton Dr, Cambria, California 93428
🎄 Learn more: Read our article about the Cambria Christmas Market
4. The Great Dickens Christmas Fair
For forty years, the Great Dickens Christmas Fair has delighted guests at a large arena just south of San Francisco. The unique Christmas attraction drops you right into Victorian London, outfitted with over 100 intricately decorated shops and hundreds of merry, costumed players. Explore a lineup of attractions inspired by Charles Dickens’ most beloved characters, including Father Christmas, Mad Sal, and of course the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. While there are multiple performances and experiences for children to enjoy, you’ll also find a nice lineup of adult-oriented activities including port and chocolate tasting, plus a mysterious pub crawl. Victorian costumes are encouraged but not required.
🗓️ Dates: Weekends from Nov. 23 – Dec. 22, 2024
📍 Location: Cow Palace Arena & Event Center – 2600 Geneva Ave, Daly City, California 94014
🎄 Learn more: Read Secret SF’s article about the Great Dickens Christmas Fair
5. Christmas Nights at 123 Farms
Beaumont’s gorgeous 123 Farm is about a 1.5-hour drive from Downtown Los Angeles, making for a delightful day trip if you live in the city. See the 1,000-year-old olive trees and sprawling lavender fields adorned with thousands of glimmering lights, creating a cozy destination with numerous activities and attractions to discover. Santa will be in attendance to hear children’s holiday wishes, and families love to explore installations like a life-size gingerbread house and the quirky Gnome Depot.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 7–Dec. 23, 2024
📍 Location: 123 Farm – 10600 Highland Springs Ave, Beaumont, CA 92223
🎄 Learn more: Read our article about Christmas Nights at 123 Farm
6. Holidays at Filoli
Holidays at Filoli is one of the Bay Area’s most underrated and captivating light displays, located just over half an hour by car from San Francisco. The historic estate and its gardens cover 16 acres in Woodside, and you can wander the sprawling grounds with a cup of mulled wine or whiskey cider in hand. Elevate your visit by booking a private fire pit, taking a guided tour of the estate, or indulging in a glass of sparkling wine in the ballroom. Then, wrap up the season with the New Year’s Day “Hair of the Dog” hike, where you’ll stroll the grounds and enjoy drinks from refreshment stations placed around the trails.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 15, 2024 – Jan. 12, 2025
📍 Location: Filoli – 86 Cañada Rd, Woodside, CA 94062
🎄 Learn more: Read Secret SF’s article about Holidays at Filoli
7. Newport Beach
Every single year, Newport Beach cultivates that perfect mix of quintessential California beach culture with the magic of Christmas lights and decorations. Look for multiple breathtaking light displays, from the “Nights of 1000 Lights” at Sherman Library & Gardens to the Ring of Lights on Balboa Island. Undoubtedly the most popular event is the annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, which is back for its 116th year with the addition of several drone shows. See a procession of illuminated boats sail along the waterfront with the best viewing from the 10.5-acre Marina Park. The coastal community of Newport Beach is located in Orange County, about an hour and a half drive from the center of LA.
🗓️ Dates: Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade takes off at 6:30pm from Dec. 18-22, 2024.
📍 Location: Newport Beach, California 92663
🎄 Learn more: Check out the Visit Newport Beach website
8. Carmel-by-the-Sea
The idyllic seaside town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, or Carmel for short, always looks straight out of a fairytale due to its collection of adorable Victorian cottages. It becomes even more charming during the holidays when they adorn the town with thousands of glowing Christmas lights, especially in Carmel Plaza, which is pictured above. The event calendar has multiple holiday activations lined up, including the weekly Thursday farmers market, an outdoor holiday celebration on Dec. 6th, and the annual “Inns of Distinction” tour on Dec. 8th. You can also get tickets for a community production of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the gorgeous outdoor Forest Theater, which lets you bring your own food and drinks inside (make sure you bring a blanket too).
🗓️ Dates: Ongoing
📍 Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California 93921
🎄 Learn more: Visit Carmel-by-the-Sea’s website
9. Grass Valley Cornish Christmas Celebration
Grass Valley presents the 56th annual Cornish Christmas celebration on Friday nights leading up to Christmas. This old-fashioned Christmas street fair is brimming with festive cheer, from the stalls selling handcrafted gifts to the fragrant scent of roasted chestnuts. Sip on spiced cider around a merry fire pit, listen to roaming carolers in Victorian attire, and get pictures with Santa Claus and other characters. The small town is nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, so you can consider making a detour there if you’re taking I-80 to Lake Tahoe.
🗓️ Dates: Fridays from Nov. 29 – Dec. 20, 2024 (6-9pm)
📍 Location: Downtown Main and Mill Streets, Grass Valley, California 95945
🎄 Learn more: Visit the Grass Valley Downtown Association’s website
10. Skypark at Santa’s Village in Lake Arrowhead
Lake Arrowhead’s adorable Christmas village is the ultimate snowy escape in SoCal, dating back over 6 decades. Every year, they present a carefully curated, over-the-top Christmas wonderland lasting nearly two months. The theme park is packed with impressive attractions and experiences like the outdoor ice skating pond, Santa’s workshop and post office, a joyful train ride leading to an illuminated wintery hiking trail, and some seasonal shops selling delicious holiday treats. Get tickets online in advance, because same-day tickets are not guaranteed at this popular attraction near LA.
🗓️ Dates: Nov. 14, 2024 – Jan. 5, 2025
📍 Location: 28950 CA-18, Skyforest, California 92385
🎄 Learn more: Read our article about Skypark at Santa’s Village