The Best Holiday Events in SoCal 2014

With Christmas right around the corner and some of you on break from all that college work or even work-work, you might be wondering what to do or see during this holiday season. Below you'll find a collection of some of our favorites from each county. If you have suggestions, please comment below and we might just add them to our list!

Photo by Damaris Mia

LOS ANGELES COUNTY:

• Ice Skating in the heart of Downtown L.A. at Pershing Square. 
• Stroll through the L.A. Zoo and check out the brand new holiday-light experience! 
• Visit Queen Mary's CHILL spectacular that includes a 6,500-square outdoor foot ice rink + a frozen igloo + go ice tubing! 
• Are you the crafty type? Visit the Craft Market in the Port of Los Angeles. 
• Looking for see some stunning holiday lights? Check out some of the best in LA here.
• In the mood to see a play? Check out the Los Angeles Ballet perform The Nutcracker.
• Love to sing? Head out to the Music Center for the Holiday Sing-Along. Free, but tickets required.
• The Tournament of Roses in Pasadena.

ORANGE COUNTY:

• The Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. 
• Stroll through Dana Point Harbor's IlluminOcean. 
• Check out the Christmas lights at Nellie Gail Ranch in Laguna Hills. 
• The Irvine Park Railroad is always a hit for the little ones! 
• Being an annual passholder myself, of course I'd add Disneyland to this list! It's one of my favorite places to be during the holidays. 
• And we can't forget about Knott's Berry Farm!
• The Sawdust Winter Art Festival for the crafty and creative type. 
• Huntington Harbor Cruise of Lights, Huntington Beach - a must see!
• Holiday festivities like tea time and breakfast with Santa at The Pelican Hill Resort

RIVERSIDE/SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY:

• See the best lights display in Riverside County at the Festival of Lights.
• Experience Christmas in the Colonies at Riley's Farm.
• Pick up some handmade candy cane from Logan's Candies.
• Visit Big Bear. Enough said. Oh, and there should be snow! Yay!!
• Hang out at the Temecula Winterfest. 

SANTA BARBARA/SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY:

• Celebrate the season at Hearst Castle.
• 2nd Annual Ugly Sweater Fun Run
• Visit Solvang.
• Head over to the Cambria Christmas Market.
• Experience the holiday magic at the Charles Paddock Zoo.
• The 39th Annual Holiday Parade in SLO.

VENTURA/KERN COUNTY:

• Bakersfield Holiday Events
• Ride the North Pole Express at the Fillmore & Western Railway
• The Parade of Lights at the Ventura Harbor Village
• Go on a caroling cruise!
• California Sleigh Rides -- need we say more?
• Christmas lights at the Winter Wonderland Simi Valley

SAN DIEGO COUNTY:

• Ice Skating by the Sea at Hotel del Coronado.
• Go ice skating on SoCal's largest outdoor ice rink.
• Port of San Diego Big Bay Balloon Parade.
• Garden of Lights at the San Diego Botanic Garden.
• Parade of Lights in Oceanside.
• Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade of Lights.
• And obviously, Balboa Park.

Got something that we could add to this list? Comment below!