Your Guide to Celebrating the Holidays in Anaheim, CA

Amusement Park Events and Attractions

One of the most special aspects of living in or visiting Anaheim is how close it is to so many wonderful amusement parks and attractions—especially when they host unique holiday celebrations! These are a few of the most popular events at amusement parks near us.

Disney’s Festival of Holidays: From November 10, 2023, to January 7, 2024, in Disney California Adventure Park, you can pay tribute to and embrace a number of holiday celebrations with multicultural music, food, and entertainment. This festival is an opportunity to take in the sights of exciting entertainment celebrating some of our most cherished holidays: Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings’ Day. Celebrations also include ¡Viva Navidad!, which honors holiday traditions from Mexico and Brazil, and the Festival Foods Marketplace, which offers food and drink from diverse cultures and celebrations. Let’s not forget that the atmosphere of a fully decorated Disney park during the holiday season is a sight to behold. 

Knott’s Merry Farm: Every winter, Knott’s Berry Farm transforms itself into Knott’s Merry Farm, a Christmas celebration filled with special attractions, live entertainment, Christmas crafts, food, holiday decorations, and even nightly snow! This celebration runs select days from November 17, 2023, through January 7, 2024. 

Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood: If you’re willing to branch out of the Anaheim area, Universal Studios also offers its own holiday celebrations, including Grinchmas and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™. Enjoy holiday spectacles, décor, food and merchandise, and photo opportunities with your favorite characters—like The Grinch!

Activities

Celebrating the holidays in Anaheim means that you’ll have temperate weather to do plenty of outdoor activities, so take advantage of it. Treat yourself to some of the most magical holiday activities in Anaheim.

South Coast Botanic Garden’s Astra Lumina Event: At the Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula, you can enjoy thousands of lights, food, drinks, and stunning views of the beach, waterfalls, bayou, and kelp forest. Beginning November 9, 2023, and running through the new year, this event will even include interactive experiences and themed shows telling visitors all about the stars. 

Brea Christmas Light Neighborhood: Every year, this neighborhood is decorated with extravagant lights and decorations in honor of the holiday season. This is an excellent free activity that you can enjoy with loved ones of all ages. Make some hot cocoa, grab your favorite scarf and a camera, and walk or drive through this beautiful neighborhood! You are sure to feel the holiday spirit. 

Shows and Performances

Considering the amazing music, stories, and décor surrounding this season, the holidays are the perfect time to enjoy festive and spectacular shows and performances. Plus, many of them are the perfect way to celebrate with loved ones of all ages. Everyone can enjoy these holiday activities and shows in Anaheim.

Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas: This is a musical play based on the popular Fancy Nancy books written by Jane O’Connor and illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The play is directed by Laura M. Hathaway, and the music direction is by Stefan Miller. The story revolves around Nancy, who is excited about Christmas and wants to decorate the perfect tree. However, things don’t go as planned, and she learns that Christmas is not just about decorations but also about the true spirit of the holiday. The play features catchy and charming songs that are sure to entertain young audiences.

Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker: The Nutcracker ballet is a classic holiday performance, and you can see a local performance of it with the Symphony Irvine practically next door! This ballet follows the story of a girl named Clara and her Nutcracker doll and their adventures through Candyland. Not only is this Anaheim Ballet’s 36th season of performing the Nutcracker, but they are also constantly updating the staging of it, making this year your only chance to see this specific production. The show will be performed on November 24–25, 2023. All ages are sure to love this story! 

Shopping and Opportunities to Give

The holiday season is the best time to show your loved ones how much you care about them. One way to do just that is to buy them thoughtful gifts. If you’re looking for ways to give back to your loved ones and community, consider checking out these places. 

Anaheim GardenWalk: If you’re looking for small businesses to support through the pandemic, Anaheim GardenWalk features local stores. Located just minutes from Disneyland, this destination is a collection of restaurants, retail stores, a live concert venue, and nightlife. Between shops like Dara Beauty, Soccer Wearhouse, and Mystical Gifts and Souvenirs, you’ll be able to find unique and appropriate gifts for all of your loved ones. 

Anaheim Packing District: The Anaheim Packing District is another great site for supporting small businesses this holiday season. From sustainable products and goods to delicious foods and merchandise, you can find meaningful gifts like gift cards, wine, and other tasty treats for your loved ones. Best of all, you won’t be able to find these gifts at just any shopping mall!

Grandma’s House of Hope: Considering the holidays are the perfect time to give back, Grandma’s House of Hope is one of our favorite local nonprofit organizations. They are looking for volunteers to cook and deliver a meal for those in need. If you’re looking for a way to help people in your community, this is a great opportunity for your family, service group, or even business!

Safe Celebration

Above all, it’s important to stay safe while you celebrate the holidays. While everyone loves a cozy fire outside or a festive pine- or pumpkin-scented candle, be sure to closely monitor any fires and be safe while lighting candles in your apartment. The holidays are the most common time for home candle fires. In fact, according to the US Fire Administration, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve are the top three days of the year for home candle fires. 



Christmas trees are also accountable for hundreds of fires every year. Shorts in electrical lights or the flames from candles can easily start a tree fire when it is dry and neglected. If you have a real Christmas tree in your apartment, don’t forget to water it so it doesn’t dry out. Stay safe and enjoy the holiday season to its fullest!