Weekend Guide
Weekend Events in Santa Clarita: December 18-20, 2026
This is the last full weekend before Christmas, and the SCV leans into every minute of it. Holiday in the Park hits its busiest nights at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the tree farms close their seasons, the farmers markets carry the final produce push, and Monday the 21st brings the winter solstice. Here is your complete December 18-20 plan from your local insider, Sam Silver.
December 18-20, 2026 Sam Silver 5 min read
Christmas Eve lands on Thursday, December 24, and Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, which makes this the season's crunch weekend. All three days, Holiday in the Park keeps its winter wonderland running at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and this is the park's peak: get tickets early and expect company. Saturday morning the Old Town Newhall Farmers Market carries the last big produce haul before the holiday table, Sunday brings the College of the Canyons market, and the tree farms on Bouquet Canyon and Orchard Village roads wrap up their seasons. When the sun goes down, the valley's holiday light displays and the rinks at The Cube shine. Monday, December 21 is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, so make the most of every twinkling hour. Here is everything happening, current events first.
What's Happening December 18-20 in Santa Clarita
The weekend's events, listed newest first. All times and venues as confirmed on the city calendar and with each organizer; please confirm before you go.
Holiday in the Park's Peak Nights at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Friday, Dec 18 - Sunday, Dec 20 · 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia
The park's winter event keeps its roughly two million lights burning among the coasters, with the "Oh Santa" show, the nightly tree lighting, and Looney Tunes Land dressed for the holidays. This is the busiest window of the season, the last weekend before Christmas, so the honest tips from Sam's Holiday in the Park guide are: buy tickets and parking in advance, arrive right at opening, and take Friday night if you can, the crowds build hard on Saturday and Sunday. The lights read best after full dark, so stay late.
Last Weekend for Christmas Trees
Gilchrist Farm & Frosty's Forest · Confirm closing dates
If the tree is still not up, this is the weekend. Gilchrist Farm on Bouquet Canyon Road sells fresh-cut trees alongside its holiday farm animals and lights display, while Frosty's Forest on Orchard Village Road remains one of Southern California's rare choose-and-cut Monterey pine forests. Most farms and lots close up by December 22 to 24, and the best trees go first, so treat this weekend as the deadline. The complete tree farm guide has hours, pricing details, and Sam's tips for a tree that lasts.
Last-Minute Local Shopping & the Farmers Markets
Old Town Newhall · Valencia Town Center · Markets Sat & Sun mornings
Gift shopping reaches its final weekend, and the local route is the charming one: boutiques and tasting rooms on Old Town Newhall's Main Street, artisan market stalls, and the Valencia Town Center for the big list. The Old Town Newhall Farmers Market fills the library parking lot at 24500 Main Street on Saturday from 8:30 AM to 1 PM, the last full market before Christmas, and Sunday the Certified Farmers' Market sets up in Parking Lot 5 at College of the Canyons from 8 AM to noon. Grab citrus, winter squash, and greens for the holiday table, plus handmade gifts from local vendors. Sam's holiday shopping guide and the holiday bazaars roundup have the full local list.
Ice Skating at The Cube & Holiday Light Displays
The Cube Center, 27745 Smyth Dr, Valencia · Nights all over the SCV
Between the shopping and the shows, keep the season bright: The Cube at 27745 Smyth Drive keeps all three rinks open for daily public skate through winter, with holiday shows and Saturday Glow Nights on the calendar, details in Sam's ice skating guide. After dark, the valley's decorated blocks and neighborhood displays are at their peak, and the holiday light displays guide maps the best routes for a free evening cruise with the kids.
The Winter Solstice & the Christmas Week Ahead
Mon, Dec 21, the shortest day of the year · Christmas Eve Thu, Dec 24 · Christmas Day Fri, Dec 25
Monday, December 21 is the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the turning point where the valley's evenings slowly start gaining light again. Spend it the SCV way: a family skate, a light-display cruise, and a warm dinner on Main Street. Then Christmas week lands fast, Christmas Eve on Thursday, December 24 and Christmas Day on Friday, December 25, with Holiday in the Park running right through to January 3. The complete holiday events guide has every date, and Sam's New Year's Eve guide is already tracking where the countdown will land.
Christmas Week in the SCV
From the solstice on, the calendar is one long glow: Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the run to New Year's Eve. Mark these now, from Sam's desk.
Nov 26 - Jan 3
Holiday in the Park
Two million lights, coasters after dark, and nightly shows through the whole break.
Dec 24
Christmas Eve
Last-minute candlelight services, neighborhood lights, and family traditions in Old Town.
Dec 25
Christmas Day
A quiet valley morning, then Holiday in the Park in the evening for a classic SCV Christmas.
Dec 31
New Year's Eve
Family countdowns, Holiday in the Park's finale stretch, and where the SCV rings in 2027.
Looking for events from earlier this season? Check out our previous weekend guides: December 11-13 (the Barnyard Light Tour & Holiday Light Trolley), December 4-6 (Polar Express & the 661 Night Market), and November 27-29 (Holiday in the Park's Opening Weekend).
Your Local Insider for Every Season
I put this weekend guide together because the Santa Clarita Valley is home to me. After 23 years as a REALTOR here and a U.S. Army veteran, I have learned that the best part of the SCV is what we do together: the markets, the lights, and the neighborhoods. Enjoy the longest nights of the year, and if a move is on your 2027 list, I would love to help.
CalDRE 01412755 · Equal Housing Opportunity
Details are subject to change, so please confirm with each organizer before attending. This guide is offered as a community resource and is not intended as a solicitation if you are currently working with another real estate broker.