Holiday Events in Torrance

There’s plenty to do during the holidays in Torrance! 

If good times and great food on the Southern California shore sound good, then Torrance is the place for you to be during the holidays.

Temperatures in Torrance normally range from 50 to 70 degrees in November and December, so you can sit on the beach, enjoy spending time outdoors and see all that Torrance has to offer. You’ll also find plenty to do indoors during the holidays, from enjoying world-class cuisine to seeing great theater and musicals.

The California Welcome Center, located at Del Amo Fashion Center on the main level (between Express and UNIQLO), is a one-stop information area with a knowledgeable staff ready to provide tips on everything there is to do in Torrance. You can also find free and discounted tickets to area attractions, souvenirs, prize giveaways and more.

We’ve selected a few of our favorite fall and winter events, so hurry and make plans to spend the holidays in Southern California!

 

THANKSGIVING TORRANCE STYLE

Whether you’re a resident of Torrance or visiting, make sure to check out some of Torrance’s 400-plus restaurants. From American and Asian cuisine to sandwiches and seafood, you’ll find practically every type of food available in Torrance.

Thanksgiving Feasts

A number of area eateries will be serving special Thanksgiving Day meals for those who prefer to stay out of the kitchen. Restaurants such as Black Angus Steakhouse and Hof’s Hut Restaurant & Bakery will be cooking up classic turkey feasts, or try the delicious turchetta and fixings at The Depot Restaurant or a mouthwatering turkey burger at Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach’s 21 Square Bar + Kitchen.

A Thanksgiving Buffet Brunch, accompanied by live music, is offered by the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Torrance – South Bay. Or you can reserve a spot at King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant for its turkey day buffet, or order a Mahalosgiving Family Meal that can be picked up on Nov 27 or 28. For dessert, you can get a carrot cake with cream cheese from Torrance Bakery, or really surprise guests with a roasted turkey cake! Shaped like a turkey, the lifelike dessert is actually the bakery’s classic white cake with buttercream frosting.

 

HOLIDAY IT UP IN TORRANCE

Our welcoming community doesn’t miss a moment to celebrate the season. Head our way for holiday lights, Santa visits, holiday performances, three festivals and more.

Holiday Lights

Many families enjoy a time-honored tradition of driving through neighborhoods and looking at holiday lights. Residents of Seaside Ranchos in South Torrance may have among the biggest and best displays around as the “Sleepy Hollow” area lights up the nights, and some start the dazzling sights as early as Thanksgiving weekend. Whether you drive through or take a walk in the area, make sure your camera or phone is fully charged, as you’ll want to share views of the colorful displays with family and friends.

Santa Visits

Santa Claus is at his busiest in December, but he can still make time to take photos with good boys and girls, through Dec 24 at Del Amo Fashion Center. Children with special needs and their families are invited to reserve a time for a special visit with Caring Santa, a sensor-friendly experience that takes place from 9-10:30 a.m. on Dec 8.

It’s easy to have fun in Torrance without having to drive more than a few minutes. Your children can enjoy a free kid’s meal and a photo with Santa from 8:30-10:30 a.m. on Dec. 14 at Lazy Dog Torrance, but space is limited so make your reservation soon.

The visits with Santa really go to the dogs … and cats and whatever pet you love. Reserve a spot for Pet Photos with Santa from 6:30-8 p.m. on Dec 1, also at the Del Amo Fashion Center. Donations will also be collected on behalf of The Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International.

Holiday Festivals

A truly special event is Holiday Festival, an annual tradition presented by Torrance Memorial and one of its largest fundraisers. Held from Dec 3-8, the festival features several events, including entertainment, children’s activities, decorated trees and vendor shopping, as well as a fashion show and dinner gala. All activities take place in the white tent at Skypark Drive and Medical Center Drive.

The festive spirit is alive and well at the Old Torrance Holiday Stroll, a fun-filled festival with something for everyone. Held from 4-8 p.m. on Dec 4 in Old Torrance, the event is a winter wonderland featuring carolers, a DJ, crafts, a scavenger hunt, dancing, visits from special guests and – perhaps best of all – snow! Historic Old Torrance is a great place to look for unique and special gifts, and make sure to reserve a spot for dinner at one of the wonderful Torrance restaurants.

A few minutes away by car is where you’ll find Holiday Snow Day at Wilson Park. From 4-8 p.m., there will be plenty of games and activities for the whole family, including snow sleds, open snow play, treats from farmers market food vendors, arts and crafts and photos with Santa. Then it’s off to one of Torrance’s excellent restaurants, some delicious dessert and then – most likely – a really good night’s sleep at one of the city’s 15 excellent hotels.

Holiday Cooking Class

Sharpen your holiday cooking skills with the help of Chef Michael Shafer on Dec. 7 at The Depot Restaurant. Shafer, the chef and owner, will help you hone your culinary abilities so you can make the perfect holiday dinner. His comfortable and humorous personality makes these cooking classes fun and informative.

Holiday Performances

The Torrance Theatre Company will present the holiday classic, A 1940’s Radio Christmas Carol, Thursday-Sunday from Dec 7-22. Set in 1943, the show highlights the chaos of a live radio show, especially when nothing is going right. There will be a Q&A session after the Thursday performances.

Take a magical journey with naughty mice, shimmering snowflakes and more as the San Pedro City Ballet presents The Nutcracker, on Dec 13-14 at the James R. Armstrong Theatre. The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) show features dancing, music, beautiful costumes and more and is perfect for the whole family.

If you’re planning a Torrance getaway vacation in the latter part of the month, make sure to reserve tickets to Ballet California’s presentation of The Nutcracker. Held at 2 p.m. on Dec 21-22 at the Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College Center for the Arts, the performances feature dancers from one of the top pre-professional ballet companies in the U.S.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Party

Any event called the “Ugly Christmas Sweater Pawty” has got to be a lot of fun, and the Smog City Brewing Co.’s festive event on Dec. 8 certainly fits the bill. Bring your furry friend and enter the inaugural Ugly Christmas Sweater contest, with awards going to the top dog outfits. Held from 1-5 p.m., the free event will include photo booths, a food truck, prize giveaways, photo ops with the Grinch and more.

 

TORRANCE BOUND

In addition to this year’s holiday events, Torrance and nearby neighbors will host an incredible schedule of fun and exciting events in 2025, such as the CONCACAF Nations League semifinal and finals matches in March, the epic BeachLife Festival and the international Rugby Sevens in May, and “HellmouthCon on the Hellmouth: A Buffy Celebration at Sunnydale High,” in June.

Over at the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest shopping malls in the western U.S., where you’ll find hundreds of great shops, restaurants, entertainment options and more. You’ll be able to check off practically your whole holiday shopping list at the center, and still have time for a delicious lunch, a movie and even an escape room.

Pristine beaches, outdoor experiences, historic places, museums and so much more can be found in Torrance, not to mention the excitement of Los Angeles and the wonder of Southern California.

For a really amazing holiday idea, surprise your loved ones, friends and family with the gift of travel. Plan a whole 2025 itinerary to see all the sights and fun events in Torrance, as well as the greater Los Angeles area.