Thinking back to when you were a child, what do you remember most about the holidays?For me, it was simply the excitement of the whole season, the surprises that awaited, warm drinks with lots of whipped cream, and the holiday decorations. Whether it's a holiday extravaganza or simply an evening sipping hot chocolate by a fireside, the holidays are all about making memories and spending time with your family. 

Below, you will find a list of holiday events and activities in and around our area that can help you celebrate the season. From family activities to places to visit and even some free holiday fun, we packed it all right here for you. No matter what you decide to do this season, turn up the holiday music, make sure there are some warm treats to go around and take a lot of pictures. YOU are creating memories! 

☕ Macaroni Mom Tips: 
- For more information on the events below, click on the link that is attached to the name of the event listed.
- If you are looking for something to do for a specific date or weekend, check our event calendar HERE 

Upland's Holiday Switch-On Ceremony (Upland) -The City of Upland is kicking off the holiday season with a Switch-On Ceremony on Monday, November 27, at 6:15 p.m. The ceremony will occur in the Courtyard at Upland City Hall before the City Council Meeting. Join them at this quaint event for holiday music and free light refreshments while supplies last. Monday, November 27

Montclair's Holly Jolly Holiday (Montclair) - Join Montclair as they kick off the season with a tree lighting ceremony. Free photos will be available with Santa.  Enjoy free refreshments, hot cocoa and cookies provided by Santa’s helpers while supplies last. Letters to Santa! Children are welcome to bring a letter addressed to Santa Claus or write one at the event and drop it in the specially marked mailbox. Santa may personally reply by mail to those who have included a complete mailing address and child’s name. The address and name must be legible. Thursday, November 30

City of Claremont's Holiday Promenade & Tree Lighting (Claremont)- The City of Claremont and the Claremont Village Marketing Group are proud to announce the City of Claremont’s Holiday Promenade and Tree Lighting Ceremony! This event will take place in the Claremont Village from 5 – 8 p.m., with the Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. at the Depot and pictures with Santa from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at City Hall (bring your own camera). During the event, Village businesses participating in Cheer Stops will be providing free holiday treats and deals. Participating businesses will display balloons and a special poster to indicate their participation. Maps listing all participating locations will be available at City Hall and the City of Claremont booth at the Depot. Friday, December 1

A Night in Bethlehem at Water For Life Community Church  (Fontana) -  This Christmas, you and your family are invited to travel back in history to a bustling Bethlehem marketplace and experience life as it was at the time of Jesus’ birth! After checking in at the city gates, families can freely wander through the market together and immerse themselves in crafts, activities, and fun as they stop by tents of pottery, spices, music, and so much more! This event is for anyone and everyone, so invite your friends, families, and neighbors! Friday, December 1

La Verne's Breakfast with Santa & Friends (Special Needs Event - La Verne) - Christmas comes early in December, and Santa is excited to visit the La Verne Community Center for this event catered to individuals and families of those with special needs! Participants ages 3-21 and their families will have the opportunity to take holiday-themed pictures with peers, build ornaments, take pictures with Santa, and enjoy a hand-crafted hot chocolate. A pancake breakfast-themed dinner will be served (pre-registration is required to receive a food ticket). Friday, December 1

Harvest Festival Art & Craft Show (Pomona) -Celebrating 51 Years of Successful Festivals in the West! Shop hundreds of artisans of American handmade and embellished art & crafts featuring photography, fine jewelry, specialty food, blown glass, wood art, metalwork and more! December 1-3

Special Needs Santa Meet and Greet (Claremont) -  The City will host a Santa Meet and Greet for individuals with special needs and their families. The event will be held at the Blaisdell Center, 440 S. College Ave., Claremont, which also features adaptive playground equipment. The event will also include craft activities and light refreshments. Saturday, December 2

Holiday Light Parade  (Ontario) -Kick off the start of the holiday season in Downtown Ontario with the annual Holiday Light Parade and Tree Lighting. The fun takes place along Euclid Avenue on Saturday, December 2, 2023. While at Ontario Town Square, kids can send their letters to Santa and participate in fun holiday cookie decorating. Enjoy free meet-and-greet photo opportunities with Santa. Saturday, December 2

La Verne's Holiday Stroll (La Verne)- Celebrate the season with the City of La Verne, local Old Town businesses and restaurants for its Holiday Stroll through Old Town. This event is free for all ages and will feature the annual storytelling of a holiday classic, Christmas tree lighting at Mainiero Square, caroling, and a photo opportunity with Santa.  Saturday, December 2

Breakfast With Santa (Upland)  - **Pre-registration is required** - Upland Recreation and Community Services and Upland-Foothill Kiwanis have teamed up once again to bring Santa Claus down from the North Pole for our annual Breakfast With Santa! Breakfast is just $6 and includes pancakes, sausage, juice, and coffee.  Children will have an opportunity to share their "wish list' with Santa.  Pictures may be taken with personal cameras. NEW THIS YEAR, there will be two different breakfast times. Saturday, December 2

Dashing Through Montclair (Montclair) - Wave hello to Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they drive through some Montclair neighborhoods from 12:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Visit the website linked above to see the map of this year's sleigh ride. Saturday, December 2

City of San Dimas Holiday Extravaganza (San Dimas) - The 13th Annual Holiday Extravaganza will be held in Downtown San Dimas on December 2nd. Events Include Crafts with Mrs. Claus, the “Let It Snow” Parade, Snow Play, Tree Lighting, Santa and Community Performances. The event is free to attend, but presale wristbands for select activities are on sale now for $10. Saturday, December 2

La Verne's Tree Lighting Ceremony (La Verne)- Residents are invited to attend the annual ceremony in front of City Hall (3660 D Street). Stop by the event for some yuletide entertainment- carols sung by Bonita High School's Chamber Singers and a chance to take a picture with Santa Claus himself! Monday, December 4

A Visit from Mrs. Claus, Storytime & Crafts (Montclair) - Join Mrs. Claus and take part in some Christmas-themed crafts. This event is free, but you need to preregister using the link above. Thursday, December 7

City of Upland Hometown Holiday Parade & Faire (Upland) -The annual tradition continues with added features to enjoy with family and friends this holiday season.  This will be an event for everyone to enjoy! Downtown Upland is transformed into a winter wonderland featuring a traditional hometown parade, snow play zone, photos with Santa, food vendors, holiday craft boutique, and kids' zone. Saturday, December 9

St. Joseph Christmas Market (Upland) - Christmas Market featuring over 30 Craft, Artisan, and food vendors. This FREE community event includes family fun, festive lights, live music and Santa. Saturday/Sunday, December 9 & 10

Bonita High School Choral Music -Annual Holiday Concert, Yuletide (San Dimas) - Yuletide is an inspiring evening of holiday music performed by over 200 voices of Bonita's award-winning choral music department. Enjoy the sounds of Chorale, Women's Choir, Men's Choir, Concert, and Chamber Singers conducted by the Director of Choral Music, Mr. Ryan Yoder. The concert will also include featured soloists and countless holiday favorites. There are two shows - one at 2 pm and another at 7pm - Saturday, December 9

Ontario's Kris Kringle Craft Fair - Find that special homemade gift item in celebration of the Holiday season. Saturday, December 9

City of La Verne Winter Wonderland (La Verne) - Join The City of La Verne for its 24th Annual Winter Wonderland! Children can enjoy three snow runs, two snow playlands (with real snow!), arts and crafts, a cup of hot cocoa and a special treat at "Mrs. Claus' Cozy Kitchen," and visit Santa at the gazebo! Parents, be sure to bring your cameras for this wonderful photo opportunity. Kids should dress for the snow with mittens, gloves, boots and jackets. Sliding saucers will be provided. There will also be food and refreshments for purchase and craft vendors for early Christmas shopping. Presale tickets cost $15 per child. Presale ends Thursday, December 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets will also be available for $18 per child at the event.  Saturday, December 9

Granite Creek Community Church Living Nativity (Claremont) - Join Granite Creek for an evening the whole family will remember with live actors, unique sets, sheep, a petting zoo, Abu the Camel, and more in amazing scenes that take you back 2,000 years. The Granite Creek Marketplace includes food vendors, unique gifts, pottery, jewelry, plants, art, and more. Entrance is FREE, but you must have a ticket - space is limited. Thursday, December 14 - Sunday, December 17

Polar Express Holiday Party (Montclair) - Join Barnes and Noble for their Polar Express party. Kids 12 and under can join in the fun for a reading of the Polar Express, coloring, cookies and hot chocolate! Friday, December 15

Upland Farmers Market Christmas Celebration (Upland) - Join Upland Farmers Market for a Christmas celebration! There will be photo opportunities with Santa, Christmas Carolers, amazing vendors and lots of Christmas spirit to go around. Saturday, December 23

Christmas on Euclid Historic Nativity Scenes (Ontario)- The nativity scenes displayed on the historic Euclid Avenue median have been a long-standing Christmas tradition in Ontario, California. They made their debut in 1958. Community leaders and service organizations funded the twelve life-size scenes. Rudolph Vargas, a well-known Los Angeles artist and sculptor, was hired to create Biblical figures. You can download a self-guided tour here. Nativity will be up and ready on December 2.

Ice Skating @ Ontario Ice Skating Center (Ontario) - Ontario Ice Skating Center has Public Ice Skating Sessions as well as Lessons for the whole family.

Mission Inn Hotel & Spa Festival of Lights (Riverside) - For 31 years, The Festival of Lights has brought us tremendous joy in presenting it to this wonderful Inland Southern California community.  The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Annual Festival of Lights accents the holidays in a very special way. Opening Ceremony will take place on Saturday, November 18th, and The Inn's holiday merriment will be celebrated until Friday, January 7th, 2024.

Christmas Nights at 123 Farm (Cherry Valley) - Enjoy festive food and drinks while walking through the Christmas village and taking in the holiday lights around the farm! Immerse yourself in the glow of 1 million dazzling holiday lights that will guide you through the historic property. Begin your stroll at the Gingerbread Village, hop into the Holiday Marketplace to drop off your letter to Santa, and then walk through the glimmering area to get to Elfville. Open select days and ticket prices vary by day (save by buying tickets online). The event runs from November 9 - January 7, 2024

Looking for something to do on a specific day or weekend?
 CLICK HERE to visit our event calendar to find events by date