Magical Christmas Towns in California 2026

ByCindy de Assis Updated

California is a gorgeous state and admired around the globe for its breathtaking beaches and majestic mountains. But something wondrous happens during the Christmas season in California, perhaps even magical. Suddenly, laidback SoCal beach towns and charming little cities quickly transform into amazing winter wonderlands decorated with thousands of twinkling lights. Vintage downtowns host beautiful parades along Main Street and shop owners adorn storefronts with their holiday best.

Every town is unique, filled with community traditions, visits from Santa, and of course you’ll find plenty of seasonal favorites to eat. If you’re looking for an unforgettable destination this holiday season, visit one of these magical Christmas towns in California.

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Magical Christmas Towns In California

Best Christmas Towns in California

Anaheim

Disneyland is Anaheim’s main attraction, and the entire park is lit up with millions of festive lights. You just can’t beat the mouse. It’s a Christmas wonderland throughout the park and the atmosphere is electric.

Come for the incredible Christmas parade with Santa, enjoy the sparkling snow showers with a gingerbread scent along Main Street, and take pictures with Mickey and gang in their Christmas best. If you don’t make it into the park, Downtown Disney is beautifully decorated and there's plenty of holiday fun for the whole family.

2026 highlights:

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear is a small, winter town that celebrates Christmas in a big way. The Village at Big Bear Lake is decorated with bright red bows and country charm, just as you’d expect. During Christmas, the gourmet holiday market is loaded with artisan goods, hand-made jewelry, and loaded with delicious from-scratch goodies. And Christkindlmarkt celebrates the holidays with German traditions.

You can dress up the little ones for pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Hop on the sleigh rides with the family, and there’s plenty of snow activities for the kids. Big Bear Lake is a magical Christmas town within driving distance of Orange County.

2026 highlights:

Lake Tahoe

If you’ve dreamed of having a white Christmas, make your way to Lake Tahoe. If your idea of a perfect Christmas is sleigh rides, ice skating, and snowcapped backdrops; you’ve found the perfect city. Lake Tahoe has everything you need for a perfect Christmas destination, including having meals with Santa. Lake Tahoe has resorts that offer gingerbread workshops, live music events and evening fireworks.

Lake Tahoe Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Palisades Tahoe holidays (formerly Squaw Valley | Alpine Meadows): Santa events Dec. 21–24 and New Year’s Eve festivities Dec. 31, 2026
  • Northstar California: holiday tree lighting reported for Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.; Noel Nights 2026 details TBA
  • The Northern Lights Fest: 2026 details TBA

South Lake Tahoe

With a winter wonderland backdrop, South Lake Tahoe is a first choice for those looking to experience California’s incredible outdoors during Christmas. The town is decorated with rustic Christmas decorations and the Heavenly Holidays Family Festival is reported to offer daily programming Dec. 19–31, 2026 at Heavenly Village, with a very special breakfast with Santa, fireworks, live music, special performances, train rides, and more.

South Lake Tahoe has plenty of winter activities for visitors. Try sledding, ice skating, snowman and igloo building, and more. Don’t miss the romantic scenic sleigh ride with a perfect view of the 70 ft. lighted Christmas Tree.

2026 highlights:

Mammoth Lakes

There’s not much needed to transform this popular California town into a perfect holiday location. Come for the world class skiing and stay for the torchlight parade and fireworks at Night of Lights. Downtown Christmas karaoke has been offered in past years (2026 details TBA). Santa is at Mammoth Lakes ready to hear if you've been naughty or nice.

Mammoth Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Wooly's Dance Party: 2026 details TBA
  • Night of Lights at Canyon Lodge: Sat., Dec. 12, 2026, 5–10 p.m.; free, with a torchlight parade, fireworks and live music
  • New Year’s Eve at The Village at Mammoth: fireworks at 9 p.m., Dec. 31, 2026
  • SantaVille: 2026 details TBA

San Diego

The weather in San Diego is perfect and you can wear your Christmas shorts, too. Downtown is decorated beautifully and there are so many special things to do and see during Christmas time.

You can visit the San Diego Zoo or take an exciting ride on the San Diego Trolley. Balboa Park has marvelous museums and lovely gardens. Visit nearby Coronado and stop by the world famous Hotel Del’s gorgeous Christmas tree.

San Diego Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Balboa Park December Nights: Fri., Dec. 4 (4–10 p.m.) and Sat., Dec. 5 (noon–10 p.m.), 2026; free
  • San Diego Bay Parade of Lights: Sundays, Dec. 13 and 20, 2026, starting at 5:30 p.m.
  • Mission Bay Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights: 2026 dates TBA
  • Winter Wonder at Belmont Park: 2026 dates TBA
  • Chula Vista Starlight Parade: 2026 dates TBA
  • La Jolla Christmas Parade & Holiday Festival: 2026 dates TBA
  • Encinitas Holiday Parade: 2026 dates TBA
  • Ocean Beach Holiday Parade: 2026 dates TBA

Palm Springs

Let there be light! There is something special about being in Palm Springs during Christmas time. Nearby, the Magic of Lights drive-thru display lights up the Empire Polo Club in Indio.

Take the kids to experience incredible Christmas decorations and witness over a million festive lights at Living Desert’s annual Wildlights Event. Round out your trip with more things to do in Palm Springs.

Palm Springs Holiday Event Highlights:

Riverside

Riverside’s historic Mission Inn Hotel & Spa becomes a holiday landmark each season, when the Festival of Lights covers the hotel and downtown in millions of lights, with holiday activities, carolers and seasonal treats.

2026 highlights:

Julian

If you're looking for old world Christmas charm surrounded by snow, then Julian is your perfect place. Everything is magical in Julian during Christmas, especially if you’re having breakfast with Santa at Pine Hills Lodge (2026 details TBA). The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Julian lights up their 10ft live Christmas tree to commence the town's Christmas festivities with the Country Christmas event.

Enjoy the annual holiday craft show filled with locally made Christmas gifts and keep company with Julian’s vintage Christmas carolers. Discover Julian as you ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the old-time roads and admire the beautifully decorated homes along the way.

Julian Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Julian's Country Christmas Tree Lighting: Sat., Nov. 28, 2026, noon–7 p.m.; tree lighting at 6 p.m.; free
  • Holiday Hayrides: 2026 dates TBA
  • Christmas Market at Town Square: 2026 dates TBA
  • Victorian Christmas Teas: 2026 dates TBA
  • Celebration Of Lights: 2026 dates TBA
  • Family Christmas Sing Along: 2026 dates TBA

Newport Beach

Newport Beach is one of SoCal’s favorite spots for Christmas light displays and hosts one of Southern California’s best-known holiday traditions, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Residents adorn their vessels with fun and creative lights and cruise along Newport Bay. You just can’t miss this incredible night parade with lively Christmas music. Enjoy the fun activities and community Christmas traditions for everyone.

2026 highlights:

Napa Valley

Known as a California wine region, Napa Valley and nearby quaint towns pull together for the holidays to offer visitors a traditional Christmas town experience. Yountville is considered Napa Valley’s brightest town and every year visitors enjoy an amazing light display as they shop. Riding with Santa on the Napa Valley Wine Train is so much fun. There’s plenty of winter activities like ice skating, wine tasting and an incredible opportunity to dine in an igloo on the rooftop of the Archer Hotel (2026 details TBA).

Napa Valley Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Holidays in Yountville: Nov. 22, 2026 – Jan. 1, 2027; Town & Tree Lighting reported for Sun., Nov. 22
  • Downtown Napa Christmas Parade: 2026 date TBA
  • Bright Nights at Cuvaison Estate Wines: 2026 dates TBA
  • Santa Train Jolly Journeys with Napa Valley Wine Train: Nov. 27 – Dec. 23, 2026
  • Calistoga Holiday Village: 2026 dates TBA
  • Calistoga Lighted Tractor Parade: 2026 dates TBA
  • Magic of the Season Lighted Parade: 2026 dates TBA
  • Old Mill Holidays at Bale Grist Mill: 2026 dates TBA
  • Charles Dickens Christmas With Santa: 2026 dates TBA

Solvang

Solvang is a magical city in Santa Barbara County. Solvang is also a foodie’s paradise. This Danish inspired city is an incredibly popular destination in California and Solvang is on every list of the best California Christmas towns. Decorated bright and plentiful, this magical Christmas town has something for everyone.

Come to the Julefest which is a traditional event of live music, dance, and more. Simply saunter through this Danish-inspired village and admire all its old-world charm and architecture.

Solvang Area Holiday Event Highlights:

  • Solvang Julefest: Nov. 27, 2026 – Jan. 3, 2027; tree lighting Fri., Dec. 4 at 5:30 p.m.; Julefest Parade Sat., Dec. 5 at 11 a.m.
  • Nisse Adventure: 2026 dates TBA
  • Santa's Village: 2026 dates TBA
  • Candlelight Tours: 2026 dates TBA
  • Los Olivos Olde Fashioned Christmas: 2026 dates TBA
  • Buellton Winter Fest: 2026 dates TBA

Nevada City

Start your Christmas visit on a magical carriage ride through Northern California’s best Christmas town. Nevada City is a historic town that hosts a Victorian-style Christmas celebration every year. The Victorian-style architecture adds to the old beauty of this town and streets shine bright with dazzling lights during Christmas.

Nevada City is known for its Victorian-clad carolers, gourmet holiday treats, and Santa’s energetic presence. Cute shops line the narrow streets and Nevada City makes for a treasured Christmas destination where you can experience magical moments in old traditional ways.

2026 highlights:

Find Festive Holiday Events Throughout Orange County

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Cindy de Assis

Cindy de Assis is an Orange County native and mom of three who loves PCH road trips and coastal getaways, with Cancun as her favorite escape. She covers holiday meals to go, pie shops, burgers, pizza, farms, hayrides and horseback riding, and at home she's often baking apple pies, cooking green enchiladas or listening to '80s music. Meet the rest of our writers on the About Enjoy OC page.