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5 Reasons Why Santa Clarita is Your Next Winter Break Getaway

If your holiday wish list includes SoCal sunshine and holiday sparkle, we know the right city. Discover why Santa Clarita is the ideal destination for your winter break getaway!

1. Holiday Fun

Santa Clarita knows how to bring the holiday spirit to life. Don’t miss these attractions and events happening all season long.

❄️ Horseshoe on Main Holiday Pop-Up Bar Tuesday through Sunday until January 1
Cheers to holiday cocktails, charcuterie boards and more! Step into the over-the-top seasonal, Horseshoe on Main, a holiday pop-up bar in Old Town Newhall! With a stunning light tunnel, “Elfie Selfie” station and Christmas music to sing along to, you won’t want to miss spending the night out with friends and family at this must-see destination!

❄️ Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic MountainSelect dates from November 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026
Get into the holiday spirit at Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Holiday in the Park, taking place on select dates from November 27, 2025, to January 4, 2026. Enjoy a festive atmosphere with sparkling lights, live entertainment, holiday treats and all of your favorite thrill rides decked out for the season.

❄️ A Christmas Story at Canyon Theatre GuildSelect dates from November 29 to December 23
Experience the holiday magic of A Christmas Story at the Canyon Theatre Guild. Watch as Ralphie’s heartwarming quest unfolds onstage – complete with pink bunny pajamas and one unforgettable wish for the ultimate Christmas gift: a Red Ryder BB Gun.

❄️ Holidays at Gilchrist FarmWeekends in December
What better way to enjoy the holidays then at the farm? Get ready as Gilchrist Farm comes alive with festive parades, visits with Santa, caroling wagon rides, delicious holiday treats and hands-on crafts every weekend in December from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendees can also sign up for a special Pancake Breakfast with Santa, offered on the first three weekends in December. Tickets cost $25 per child and $30 per adult.

❄️ Polar Express Experience at the Santa Clarita History CenterSaturday, December 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
All aboard! Don’t miss the holiday magic at the Santa Clarita History Center. On Saturday, December 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., attendees will have the unique opportunity to take photos on the iconic steam engine, enjoy special tours of the caboose and the Saugus Train Station Museum, meet the conductor and even listen to a reading of The Polar Express, complete with cookies and hot chocolate. Each ticketed child will receive a commemorative gift, and tickets cost $25 per family (up to 8 people).

❄️ Holiday Society Improv Show at The MAINSaturday, December 6, from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Enjoy a special holiday edition of the popular Society Improv Show, featuring an ensemble of actors, writers, comedians and improvisers from across Los Angeles.

❄️ Theatre in a Week: Holiday Edition at The MAINFriday, December 12, to Sunday, December 14
Theatre in a Week
is back with new one-act comedies filled with festive mix-ups, merry mayhem and plenty of heart!

❄️ A Nutcracker Fantasy at The Cube Ice & Entertainment Center Friday, December 12, to Saturday, December 13
Twirl into the magic as The Cube’s Skating Academy brings this classic holiday story to life like never before.

❄️ The Nutcracker Ballet at the Santa Clarita Performing Arts CenterSaturday, December 20, to Sunday, December 21
This high-level performance by the Santa Clarita Ballet Academy follows Marie and her Nutcracker to the Land of Sweets.

❄️ Holiday Marketplace at Hyatt Regency ValenciaSunday, December 21, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Get your last-minute shopping done for the holidays at this indoor market featuring local vendors with unique treats, crafts, apparel, décor, jewelry and more!

Holiday in the Park
📷: @thatsixflagsphotographer

2. Outdoor Adventures Year-Round

Winter in Santa Clarita means mild temps and endless opportunities to explore the outdoors, from the scenic waterfall trails at Placerita Canyon to the striking rock formations of Vasquez Rocks. For thrill-seekers, the Bike Park of Santa Clarita is your playground. Mountain bike through seven acres of single-track trails, featuring 800+ yards of pump and BMX track packed with combination jumps that will keep the adrenaline rolling.

Vasquez Rocks
📷: @tuckasaurus55

3. Wine, Beer and Winter Cheer

Unwind with a taste of Santa Clarita’s local craft scene. Sip award-winning reds at Reyes Winery and Agua Dulce Winery, enjoy small-batch pours at breweries like Lucky Luke Brewing and Brewery Draconum, or settle into the cozy atmosphere at wine bars like Kindred Spirits Wine Bar or Double Trouble Wine Room, featuring the wines of Hoi Polloi Winery and Pagter Brothers Winery. Whether you prefer a bold Cabernet or a crisp craft beer, Santa Clarita offers a true taste of Southern California.

Agua Dulce Winery
📷: @linda_mckeague_

4. Family-Friendly Fun

Gather the crew and get ready for a winter getaway that the kids will never forget! Experience world-class coaster thrills at Six Flags Magic Mountain, or spend an action-packed day at MB2 Entertainment with arcade games, mini golf, go-karts, laser tag, axe throwing and more! Glide across the ice at The Cube Ice & Entertainment Center, or get creative (and messy!) with splatter painting at Purple Planet Creative Space. Put your murder-mystery solving skills to the test at Appleseed Avenue Escape Room, acting as detectives in an interactive world filled with 30+ puppet characters. Walk on the wild side at the Gibbon Conservation Center, the only organization in the world devoted exclusively to the study and conservation of these endangered primates. With so many ways to play, Santa Clarita is the ultimate winter break destination for families!

The Cube Ice & Entertainment Center

5. Perfect Basecamp for SoCal Adventures

One of Santa Clarita’s biggest perks? Location. Just 35 miles north of Los Angeles, it’s perfectly positioned for easy day trips to the coast, mountains and top LA attractions while still offering a serene escape from big-city chaos. Book your stay at one of our local hotels and enjoy a peaceful holiday getaway, complete with on-site restaurants, cozy bars and year-round heated outdoor pools. After a full day of SoCal exploring and holiday fun, unwind poolside with your favorite drink and soak in the calm.

Hilton Garden Inn Valencia Six Flags