Downtown Huntington Beach turns on the holiday season at Magic on Main Street — an evening of tree lighting, holiday market stalls, photos with Santa, and live entertainment along Main Street and 5th, all free for families.
Magic on Main Street is Downtown Huntington Beach’s beloved holiday kickoff — a single evening each November when the first three blocks of Main Street (and, starting in 2025, 5th Street) close to traffic and transform into Surf City’s holiday wonderland.
The festivities span the late afternoon into the evening. Live music, holiday craft vendors, a bustling holiday market, light displays, and seasonal treats from local restaurants line the street. Kids visit Santa Claus and his friends for photos, ride through holiday-themed scenes, and join the building anticipation for the night’s centerpiece: the downtown Christmas tree lighting at Pier Plaza.
Produced by the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District, Magic on Main Street is the moment when Surf City’s surf-meets-Santa personality fully steps into the holiday season.
The downtown Christmas tree lighting at Pier Plaza is in the evening on the announced Tuesday – typically in late November. Selfies with Santa run for about an hour around the lighting. The Huntington Beach Downtown BID announces the exact date and times each fall.
Yes — admission, the holiday market, photos with Santa, live entertainment, and the tree lighting are all free. Only downtown parking, food, and any holiday-market purchases cost extra.
Magic on Main Street covers the first three blocks of Main Street between Pacific Coast Highway and Olive Avenue, plus 5th Street (added in 2025). The tree lighting itself is at Pier Plaza, where Main Street meets PCH.
Downtown public parking lots (paid) are closest. Free street parking is available along Pacific Coast Highway south or east of Main Street with time limits. Plan to walk a few blocks during peak-arrival hours.
The Huntington Beach Pier’s illuminated snowflake projections light up the pier deck after sunset throughout the season — a natural after-tree-lighting walk a block away. Downtown’s decorated storefronts and seasonal music make for a great strolling evening.
Downtown Huntington Beach’s Main Street is the heart of “Surf City USA” — a three-block stretch running from Pacific Coast Highway up to Olive Avenue, where the Huntington Beach Pier meets the pedestrian-friendly downtown grid. The blocks are flat, walkable, and lined with surf shops, casual restaurants, and locally-owned storefronts that lean into the city’s beach-town identity year-round. Main Street has anchored downtown civic life for decades — hosting parades, car shows, surfing-culture celebrations, and the city’s annual surf-meets-Santa kickoff to the holiday season, all set against the pier and the Pacific just a block away.
Huntington Beach’s iconic pier lights up for the holidays — swirling snowflake projections illuminate the deck after sunset, a signature Surf City photo moment, completely free.
Brian J. Cook
Each holiday season, Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach hosts Christmas at the Beach — a free, family-friendly celebration right on the sand. Its signature moment is pure Surf City: instead of a sleigh, Santa arrives by jet ski, escorted by lifeguard “elves,” for seaside photos. Add beach games, crafts, and an after-dark holiday movie under the Orange County sky, and it’s a holiday outing you won’t find inland.
Brian J. Cook
OC’s most beloved waterfront holiday tradition — a 60+ year all-volunteer Huntington Harbour Boat Parade across two December evenings, followed by the narrated Cruise of Lights boat tours through the canals’ decorated displays.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s largest winter festival at OC Fair & Event Center — a 150-foot ice-tubing slide, outdoor ice skating, snow play, 30+ carnival rides, 2 million synchronized lights, nightly tree lightings.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
Check Availability
Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.
