King Gillette Ranch - 8:30 AM
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium - 9:00 AM
Southern California Live Steamers Station - 11:00 AM
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
Row DTLA - 10:00 AM
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
Autry National Center - 1:00 PM
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
Autry National Center - 1:00 PM
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
Skirball Cultural Center - 12:00 PM
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
Pretend City - various times
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures - various times
California Science Center - various times
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Mission Inn Festival of Lights
- see all dates
Except November 27, 2025, December 25, 2025.
What could be worth the trip to Riverside? How about one of the nation's largest holiday light collections!
For the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's annual Festival of Lights, the hotel is bedecked with over 10 million lights and hundreds of full-size animated characters on its walls and balconies, for a festive, dazzling display.
The season gets started with the Grand Switch-On Ceremony on November 22.
Santa Claus visits Thursday through Sunday from 5pm to 10pm. Last day to visit Santa is December 21. Bring your own camera for photos, no professional photography available.
Guests can also take a spin on the Ice Rink at the corner of Mission and Orange. Hours are 5pm to 10pm; skating sessions are 1 hour and cost $20 per skater, including skate rental.
Read our review of visiting the Festival of Lights with kids from a previous year.
