California will host a variety of events across the state in November 2025, ranging from holiday celebrations at major theme parks to food and wine festivals, art shows, and sporting events.
Theme parks throughout California begin their holiday festivities in mid-November. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim starts its seasonal celebrations on November 14, running through January 7. Knott’s Merry Farm in Buena Park follows with evening snowfalls and themed entertainment from November 22 to January 5. Universal Studios Hollywood is set to offer Grinchmas and other themed activities starting November 28, while Six Flags Magic Mountain near Santa Clarita holds its Holiday in the Park event from November 27. In the Bay Area, Six Flags Discovery Kingdom hosts its own holiday celebration beginning November 28.
San Diego County’s three major theme parks—SeaWorld, Sesame Place San Diego, and LEGOLAND California—will each launch their respective holiday events starting mid- to late-November.
Ski season also begins this month for many of California’s resorts. Mammoth Mountain is scheduled to open on November 14, followed by Northstar on November 21 and both Heavenly and Palisades Tahoe on November 22. Kirkwood plans an opening day of November 28.
Northern California features a range of local festivals including the Goat Hill Fair in Watsonville (October 31–November 1), Eat Drink SF’s Restaurant Week (November 1–9), Hot Rods at the Beach and Sea Glass Festival in Santa Cruz (November 8–9), and Nightfall at Filoli in Woodside through November 10. The Pigeon Point Light Station celebrates its anniversary on November 15 with tours and music.
The Harvest Festival Mendocino continues through mid-November with mushroom-themed events paired with local wine and beer. Redding Garden of Lights opens on November 21 at Turtle Bay Exploration Park, offering illuminated pathways until early January.
Central California will host agricultural festivals such as Madera’s Pomegranate Festival (November 1) and Fresno’s Whole Vine Festival (November 1). Big Sur Food & Wine Festival takes place from November 6–8, while Ventura County Farm Day offers farm tours on November 8.
Southern California includes the Breeders’ Cup horse races in Del Mar (October 31–November 1) and Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival celebrating Native American heritage (November 1–2). Dia de los Muertos observances continue into early November in Oxnard and Los Angeles. Temecula Valley’s De Portola Wine Trail Harvest Festival happens on November 2.
Palm Springs Pride runs from November 6–9, while food lovers can attend both the Los Angeles Wine & Food Festival (Santa Monica) or San Diego Bay Food+Wine Festival during the same weekend. Palm Desert Choreography Festival offers dance performances with prize money up to $10,000 on November 8–9.
Holiday light displays are a highlight later in the month: Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden opens on November 14; Riverside’s Mission Inn Hotel & Spa begins its annual lights festival before Thanksgiving; Laguna Beach hosts Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy starting November 21; Mendocino Coast Botanical Garden launches its Festival of Lights from late-November; Illuminate SF brings more than forty light installations across San Francisco beginning late-month.
The Dana Point Turkey Trot takes place Thanksgiving morning for those interested in pre-holiday exercise along Southern California’s coast; similar turkey trots occur statewide including Oceanside, Napa Valley, Santa Rosa, Torrance, Davis, and Big Bear Lake.
These events reflect the range of cultural offerings available throughout California during autumn transitioning into winter months.
