Enter the winter wonderland of the annual Sawdust Winter Fantasy held over four weekends in November and December. Over 175 artists and craftspeople from all over the country will display hand blown glass, ceramics, clothing, ornaments, jewelry, painting, sculpture and more. There are also art projects, a real snow play field, holiday entertainment, three outdoor cafés and daily visits with Santa. A new tradition is the ArtisTree Ornament Fundraiser that benefits the Sawdust Art Education Fund and features one-of-a-kind ornaments created by artists. (10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat. & Sun., Nov. 22 - Dec. 14)

Yes, they really do exist! Santa's Reindeer fly into the Los Angeles Zoo beginning on Thanksgiving weekend and stay until after the New Year.

The mile-long holiday lights display depicts various seasonal messages that can be viewed from automobiles or on foot. Visitors can enter through Los Feliz or from the L.A. Zoo entrance. Shuttles from the zoo parking lot will be available on selected evenings.

Kick off the holiday season at Big Bear's annual tree-lighting ceremony, which begins with the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus in their traditional Big Bear sleigh, a City fire engine. An enormous pine tree will be lit with hundreds of sparkling lights. Pictures with the Clauses are available for $5. Festivities will occur at the corner of Pine Knot and Village Dr.

Join Santa for a special night of dinner and caroling on a vintage train ride, followed by wish list consultations and photos opportunities for the kids. Reservations are required.

Ride a train to a Christmas tree farm where you will select and cut the perfect Christmas tree.

Wear your pajamas and bring your blankie or a favorite stuffed animal for this trip to the North Pole that includes storytelling, cookies and milk, Santa Claus and elves. Departures at 6 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.

Standing there in jeans, Crocs and a hoodie, it may be difficult to access that wintery holiday spirit, but The Grove tries hard to recreate Rockefeller Center. At 110 feet, they boast the tallest Christmas tree in the city of Los Angeles, and the lighting is accompanied by fireworks, fake snow, the Top Hats chorus line and a Christmas-themed concert with live performance by Natalie Cole, "The Band From TV" featuring Teri Hatcher on vocals, Hugh Laurie on keyboards, James Denton and Adrian Pasdar on guitar, Jesse Spencer on violin and Greg Grunberg on drums. (Nov. 23, 7 p.m.)

A traditional, Scandinavian-style Christmas market where artisans and vendors sell handmade and imported items that reflect their cultural heritage, including jewelry, home decor and Christmas ornaments. Danish style-open faced sandwiches, ableskiver, and glogg will be for sale, as well as delicious breads, cheeses and jams from a Danish deli. (10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Nov. 29)

Ring in the season with a trip to the North Pole on the Travel Town Railroad, which takes passengers on a ride aboard a miniature train. At the end of the line is Santa’s house, decorated with festive light displays and scenes of winter. Weather permitting; the train cannot operate in the rain.

Step back to Christmas 1878 at Rancho Los Cerritos, where the Bixby family operates an extensive sheep ranch and extended family, guests and ranch workers celebrate the holidays. Costumed docents lead lamplight tours of the 163-year-old adobe house filled with costumed living history characters as visitors eavesdrop on theatrical vingettes of life in Los Angeles circa 1878.

It’s harvest time again. Check out crafts and seasonal gifts along with entertainment, including puppet shows, mimes, music and a fun Kids' Zone. For adults there’s live music, hot food and over 225 visiting artisans showcasing everything from hand blown glass to lamp shades.

This year's annual Christmas spectacular will include four shows of "Mr. Scrooge's Christmas" from Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" adapted by Thomas Hischak.

The largest free community festival in San Diego features sparkling lights, theatrical and musical entertainment and several Balboa Park museums that open their doors free of charge from 5 to 9 p.m. both evenings.

California Lutheran University’s one-day celebration will include a ceremony performed by university students, authentic African and African American food, gospel music, dances, arts, crafts and other attractions. Festivitieswill be heald in the Lundring Event Center. .

The Silver Lake Independent Jewish Community Center invites families to a Hanukkah fair with food, games, and entertainment, including a bounce house, a toddler zone, tattoo and face painting, crown and wand decorating and musical guests. Food and a gift bazaar are also part of the festivities. All proceeds benefit the center.

After the lighting of the San Juan Capistrano Christmas tree in Historic Towne Center Park, a visit from Santa Claus and a live Nativity presentation, head to the annual Christmas at the Mission festival featuring church choirs, caroling, arts, crafts, children’s activities and more.

Shine! L.A.'s Youth Theatre performs the classic yuletide tale "A Christmas Story" as their annual holiday production.

Although its roots are in Africa, the modern Kwanzaa tradition bean here in Los Angeles in 1966 when Cal State Long Beach professor Maulana Karenga first celebrated the African American holiday. This year, many others will continue the tradition. The California African American Museum's Kwanzaa celebration features a special candle-lighting ceremony to mark the beginning of Kwanzaa, live performances by the L.A Inner City Mass Choir, a mask-making workshop for children and an arts and crafts marketplace. All of CAAM's current exhibitions will be open for viewing until 5 p.m. As part of Target Sundays at CAAM, this is a free event for the public. Museum opens at 11 a.m., program begins at 1 p.m.

More than 30,000 people will enjoy live entertainment, food, arts and crafts and more at this annual holiday blowout, which takes over nine full blocks in downtown Ventura's Cultural District. Instead of the mall, get a jump start on your Christmas shopping with these homemade crafts. Free shuttle service to the event from the Ventura County Government Center. (10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Dec. 7)

Watch as CLU students reenact the traditional Mexican celebration of Mary and Joseph's search for shelter and a place for the birth of baby Jesus.

The holiday event invites families to come dressed in their pajamas for a night of games, crafts and pictures with Santa himself. Tickets and reservations must be made in advance, with payment received by Dec. 10, 4:30pm

Hitch a ride with Santa on the Enchanted Railroad, and get into the holiday spirit with a weekend of songs and art. Learn how to make a holiday wreath, enjoy a cappella music and feast on a gourmet brunch. Breakfast with Santa will be held at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. both days ($37, adults; $15, children). Be sure to bring your camera so you can take photos with Santa.

In this traditional Mexican celebration, community members re-enact the journey of Mary and Joseph as they search for a posada (inn) where they can rest their weary bodies.

This family festival celebrates the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, a time of lighting candles and remembering the importance of religious freedom. Enjoy music, storytelling and creative arts and crafts.

The Mexican Christmas tradition of Las Posadas dates back to the 16th century. Participants reenact the first Christmas story with music, piñatas and holiday treats. Often celebrated mostly as a one-day event, Las Posadas on Olvera Street takes place over nine consecutive evenings. Candlelight processions stop at a different store each night asking for "shelter." On the final night, Christmas Eve, the "pilgrims" celebrate Jesus' birth. Arrive early at 6:15 p.m. to break open a star piñata full of candy.