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Discover holiday activities in Southern California easily with this "December Activities by Category" index! Updated December 6, 2007. Links: HOME :: Latest News :: Christmas Section---Activities SoCal Christmas Activities :: Christmas Activities Calendar 2007 :: Seasonal Family Fun :: Knott's Christmas 2007 :: SeaWorld Christmas :: Disneyland Christmas 2007 :: Disney Christmas Parade :: Disney Holiday Parade, pt 2 :: Disney Fireworks & Snow :: Santa's Reindeer Roundup :: Small World Holiday :: Haunted Mansion pics :: Haunted Mansion, pt 2 :: Griffith Park Christmas Activities :: Del Mar Holiday Lights :: Hollywood Santa Parade: Stores: Michaels Craft Stores :: Party America :: Party City/Los Angeles :: Party City/other So Cal :: Year-round costume stores :: New Years: Countdown to New Years 2007 :: Disney New Years Eve :: Rose Parade 2007 :: November & December Activities by CategorySoCal Christmas celebrations mean family fun!
What's the Christmas holiday season FOR if not to celebrate with your loved ones? Forget the shopping awhile. Pust those "end of the year" sales quotas to the back of your mind. Finish up those term papers and final exams without dawdling. Whatever's keeping you from joining in on the fun...well, to use Santa's words, "You better think twice!" Christmas 2007 isn't coming back again, so enjoy it now!
There are 2 ways of finding Southern California holiday activities on this website. One way is "by date." To choose your activity according to what days you have "penciled in for fun," you may see the So Cal Christmas Countdown 2006 page of this website. There, you can pick from a smorgasbord of family-oriented holiday happenings! Or, you can seach for activities "by category." That's what THIS webpage is all about. If you're only interested in attending certain TYPES of activities, then this page is for you! See what you want...and skip the rest!
Holiday Activities by Category: PerformancesSouthern California special holiday productionsHigh School Musical live production in San Diego: After the High School Musical stage show leaves the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, it heads to the San Diego Civic Theater! The dates that High School Musical will be playing in San Diego, CA are from Wednesday, December 26, 2007 through December 30, 2007. To check the schedule of performances and get directions to the theater, please view the www.sdcivic.org official website. Disney On Ice: Every holiday season, Disney on Ice brings a different one of their delightful ice skating spactales to Southern California. As usual this year, performances will be held in San Diego, Anaheim/Orange County, Long Beach and Los Angeles. This year's show is called, "Princess Wishes." You may find dates, times, locations and prices by using the upcoming link to the
Disney On Ice official website.
In the Disney on Ice pictures to your right, you're viewing images taken by members of the Flickr photo sharing website. Boat Parades...nighttime spectacles of light and beautyDana Point---Come see the lovely 33rd annual Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights! This beautiful boat parade will be held on four different evenings: Saturday, December 7th; Sunday, December 8th; Saturday, December 14th; and Sunday, December 15th 2006. The Dana Point Boat Parade begins at 7:30 pm each night of its run. This year's theme is "A Merry Mardi Gras." Hey---sounds like someone's been listening to Jack Skellington---trying to mix 2 holidays! We should see some zany and creative entries this year! Entrants will be vying hard for the top prize of $1,000! The Dana Point Harbor Visitor's Center address is 25001 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629; here's a Google Map to the Dana Point Harbor parade area for your convenience. Naturally, though, viewing of the parade can be done at many different points along the harbor. For further information, use the following link to see the Dana Point Harbor's pdf Christmas Boat Parade flyer. Long Beach: the Downtown Long Beach Marina Boat Parade will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 6:30 pm. More information about this Long Beach Christmas boat parade will supposedly be posted on the Events page of the Shoreline Village website. The Shoreline Village address is 429 Shoreline Village Dr Long Beach, CA 90802. Here's a Google map to Shoreline Village to help you reach your destination with ease. Marina del Rey---A local holiday tradition, the Marina del Rey Holiday Boat Parade will be held on the evening of Saturday, December 8th, 2007. (There is no "Preview Night" this year.) On December 8th, the Marina del Rey Christmas boat parade kicks off with fireworks at 5:55 pm, then the parade begins at 6 pm & continues until 8 pm. Viewing points for the boat parade include Burton Chace Park, Fisherman's Village, and the following restaurants: El Torito, Sapori Italian Restaurant, Shanghai Red's, The Angler's Choice, and the Marina del Rey Hotel. The entrants are vying for a wonderful prize that simply can't be bought: a trip to Japan to help judge the December 2008 Tokyo Bay Illuminated Boat Parade & Contest! For further info, use the following link to the Marina del Rey Boat Parade's website. You may use the following address for the Burton Chace Park viewing area: 4701 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292. Here's a Google map to the Marina Del Rey boat parade area, centering around Burton Chace Park. Mission Bay Holiday Boat Parade: Mission Bay's annual Christmas boat parade...named the Mission Bay Boat Parade of Lights...will take place on Saturday, December 8, 2007. You'll want to be in your place by the 6pm starting time. The parade will end around 9 pm, depending on your viewing point. Please see the City of San Diego website for further details of this charming Mission Bay holiday event. Oxnard (Ventura County)---On Saturday, December 8th, you'll be able to witness the festive Channel Islands Harbor Boat Parade. The parade itself starts at 7 pm...but it's just the culmination of a full day of family festivities! You may head to the all-day seasonal event at 12 noon if you'd like to enjoy fun family activities to celebrate the holiday season! Call the Channel Islands Harbor Visitor's Center phone number at (805) 985-4852 for further info, or use the following link to view the Channel Islands Harbor's official website. The Channel Islands Harbor address is 3900 Pelican Way, Oxnard, CA 93035; here's a Google map to the Channel Islands Harbor to help you find your way. Perris---If you didn't think that Perris, California was an oceanside community...you're right! But the plucky residents of Perris won't let that stop them from having a Christmas Boat Parade! On Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 5:30 pm, the Lake Perris SRA hosts the 9th Annual "Lights on the Lake" holiday boat parade! The Lake Perris SRA address is 17801 Lake Perris Dr. Perris, CA 92571; here's a Google Map to the Lake Perris boat parade, if you're unfamiliar with this area. There is a modest admission fee to enter this California state park. You may call 951-940-5600 for further information. San Diego---Head to San Diego's Big Bay for 2 days of Christmas boat parade fun! The San Diego Bay Holiday Boat Parade of Lights will be held on both Sunday, December 9, 2007 and Sunday, December 16, 2007. The boat parade starts at 5:30 pm at Shelter Island following a fireworks kick-off display. The boat parade then heads next to Harbor Island, where it's scheduled to pass at 6 pm. Next, it's on to the San Diego Embarcadero, where it should pass the Maritime Museum around 6:30 pm, and reach Seaport Village by 7 pm. To finish up the parade, the line of decorated yachts will head to the Coronado Ferry Landing, where onlookers may start viewing the parade at 7:30 pm. The parade may last as late as 9 pm, depending on your viewing point. For further details about this Christmas boat parade, please consult the the www.SDParadeOfLights.org official website. Santa Barbara---On December 9, 2007, your family can enjoy the Santa Barbara Harbor Boat Parade of Lights! You may head to the harbor at 5:30 pm to enjoy the parade...OR you may come early to get in on some family holiday activities at "Santa's Village" (3 pm through 5 pm.) You may call 805/897-1962 for further details of these events. Or, view the
City of Santa Barbara's events page.
SoCal Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Chandeliers of Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills: you can enjoy beautiful chandeliers made of genuine Baccarat crystal lighting up Rodeo Drive nightly between Saturday, November 17, 2007 and Wednesday, January 1, 2008. This stunning and unusual holiday lighting display is a unique, "only in California" experience which is free. You'll also view the huge UNICEF crystal snowflake above the Beverly Wilshire hotel!Griffith Park-DWP Holiday Lighting Display: This fun 'n free Southern California Christmas event is a popular annual event. Kicking off this traditional Los Angeles celebration is "Bicycles Only" evening, held November 19, 2007. Other "preview" evenings will be for pedestrians only; the dates for this are November 21 through 25th. Then on November 26th, these displays on Crystal Springs Drive in Griffith Park open to cars for the rest of the holiday season. The free event runs from 5pm to 10pm. Last day of this SoCal Christmas lighting display is December 30th. To see pictures and discover further details, please see the Griffith Park Christmas Activities page of this website. The Del Mar Fairgrounds holds a popular annual holiday light display, which is also one of the largest Christmas lighting events in Southern California. It's called the Del Mar "Holiday of Lights." You may enjoy this traditional drive-through San Diego County holiday celebration between Thanksgiving (November 22, 2007) and Jan 1, 2008. For event times and ticket prices, please visit the Del Mar Fairgrounds official website. Or, if you'd like to see pictures of this fun San Diego County family Christmas attraction, please see the Del Mar Holiday of Lights page of this website. Wild Lights at the Living Desert Zoo in greater Palm Springs will kick off its celebration on November 23, 2007, and run selected evenings through January 1, 2008. For details about this beautiful Christmas lighting display, please visit the Living Desert Zoo's official website. The Festival of Lights at the San Diego Wildlife Park begins on December 7, 2007 and runs through December 30th (with the EXCEPTION of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, 12/24-25.) You'll stroll past cute lighted displays and kids will enjoy close-up animal encounters, fact painting, Christmas crafts, and even sledding on a snow hill! For complete details, visit the San Diego Zoo's official website, which is also the website for the San Diego Wildlife Park, as well. Be sure to access the events calendar to find the info you're seeking. Ice SkatingSouthern California Seasonal Ice Rinks*Los Angeles---In the city's downtown area, you may enjoy the "Downtown on Ice" seasonal rink Pershing Square! Skating sessions begin frequently throughout the day, and cost $6/session (which lasts 1 hour.) Skate rentals cost $2/person. Skating season will last until 1/21/08, and will be OPEN on all the major holidays, including Christmas Day and New Year's Day! The Pershing Square address is 532 S Olive St, Los Angeles. Call (213) 847-4970 for further info, including dates and hours of operation; or read the Pershing Square's official "facts sheet" from the Los Angeles Parks website. You can see pictures of LA's Pershing Square ice skating rink in the slide show to your left---taken by members of the Flickr photo website. *San Diego/Coronado---"Skating by the Sea," opens at the Hotel del Coronado on November 21, 2007 and will remain open for your ice skating pleasure through January 1, 2008. This is Southern California's only ice rink that boasts an ocean view! No, you do NOT have to be a hotel guest to enjoy this popular ice skating rink. Fees for the 3 hour sessions (either 2 pm to 5 pm; or 6 pm through 9 pm) are $20/adults or $15/kids age 10 and under. 2-hour "matinee" sessions are available on some dates and cost $15. Skate rental is $5. For more info, call 619/522-8815, or view the Hotel del Coronado's official website. *San Diego/Downtown---Horton Plaza's "Fantasy on Ice" public skating rink awaits you! This temporary ice rink will open on November 15, 2007 and remain open for your holiday enjoyment through January 6, 2007. Hours are 10 am to 10 pm daily, with ice skating sessions beginning every few hours throughout the day and evening. For the dates the rink will close during the holidays, and for prices, please consult the Horton Plaza ice skating rink's official website. Pictures of the Horton Plaza ice rink are showing in the Google Gadget to your right. Members of the Flickr website took these images. *Thousand Oaks---Come skating at The Lakes! This elegant shopping center makes a lovely place to take a spin over the ice. The Lakes' seasonal ice skating rink opens on November 14, 2007 and continues for your holiday enjoyment through January 6, 2008. For prices and session times, please refer to The Lakes official website.
Holiday Activities for Train LoversRailroad Museums steam ahead with family fun events!
*Campo (Imperial County)---The following Christmas railroad activity is already "sold out" for 2007...just like it quickly sold out for Christmas 2006. However, it's never too early to make plans for next year! The North Pole Express at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo (Imperial County), CA makes holiday runs on weekend days through mid-December. This IS an annual event, so you CAN get in on the fun in December 2008...but only if you plan early! The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum address is 31123-1/2 Highway 94, Campo, California 91906. The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum phone number is (619) 478-9937 (weekends; you'll reach the museum itself in Campo) or (619) 465-PSRM (weekdays; you'll reach the museum's business office in La Mesa, CA.) Their official website is www.sdrm.org*Goleta (Santa Barbara County)---Beginning November 23, 2007, and running on selected dates thru December 24th, you'll be able to ride the Candy Cane Train at the South Coast Railroad Museum in Goleta! If you attend this charming holiday event, you'll ride on a festively decorated miniature train. Each child will receive a candy cane and holiday surprise bag. Next, it's on into the museum itself to view the seasonal exhibit, "Toy Trains & Teddy Bears!" Admission cost is $3/person. The South Coast Railroad Museum address is 300 North Los Carneros Road, Goleta, California 93117. Call the South Coast Railroad Museum phone number at 805/964-3540 for further information, or view the museum's official website at www.goletadepot.org *Perris---On four dates...December 8, 9, 15 and 16, 2007...you may ride a train with Santa Claus! Where? In Perris, California, at the Orange Empire Railway Museum! To round out the festivities, you'll hear holiday music, tour the museum, and partake of refreshments. It's a train lover's ideal Christmas celebration! Hours are 11 am to 4 pm. The Orange Empire Railway Museum address is 2201 S. "A" St, Perris, CA. The Orange Empire Railway Museum phone number is (951) 943-3020. And, the museum's official website is www.oerm.org December Activities by Category: Theme Park special events
Anaheim---There are many seasonal events which you can enjoy at the Disneyland Resort...which includes world-famous Disneyland Park; Disneyland's "sister" park, the Disney California Adventure theme park; and a popular shopping, dining and entertainment area, the Downtown Disney District. You may visit the "Disney Christmas 2007" page of this website for information about Christmas activities at the Disneyland Resort.Buena Park---Families will enjoy a multitude of Christmas activities events at Knott's Berry Farm's annual "Knott's Merry Farm" celebration! For complete details about the fun you can have during December at Knott's, please visit the "Knott's Berry Farm Christmas 2007" page of this website. Carlsbad---Legoland Celifornia will be decked out in holiday glory throughout the month of December 2007! And, at Legoland, you know what THAT means...decorations made entirely of Lego bricks, that's what! (If you've never seen a a 30 foot tall Christmas tree made out of 245,000+ Duplo bricks, now's your chance!) In addition, beginning on December 22st, daily activities begin...all part of the Legoland "Holiday Block Party" festivities! There will be lights, seasonal music, and other live entertainment. Enjoy this family-friendly Christmas celebration daily between 12/22 and 12/31. (PS: There will be fireworks every evening just before the park closes, too!) In addition, a New Year's Eve event especially for kids takes place on December 31st...with "New Year 2008" being rung in at "Midnight" (which is 6 pm in Legoland Standard Time!) Visit www.Legoland.com for further details. San Diego---You can enjoy seasonal events all month long at SeaWorld San Diego." You may enjoy Breakfast with Shamu and Santa" on selected dates beginning November 23, 2007. Call 800/25-SHAMU for further details, or visit the Dining with Shamu page of this website. Further Christmas fun at Sea World San Diego begins on Saturday December 1, 2007! Seaworld's holiday decorations inspire oohs and aahs...and a special holiday Clyde & Seamore seal & sea lion show is held. And the star of Sea World's holiday celebration? That's Shamu the killer whale, of course---and he stars in his own special nighttime holiday show! SeaWorld is open every day of December, but the special seasonal events are only held on the following dates: December 1, 2, 8, 9, and then daily between 12/15 and 12/30. To view photos of SeaWorld San Diego's holiday celebration, please visit the SeaWorld Christmas Pictures page of this website.
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