Weekend Guide
Weekend Events in Santa Clarita: December 11-13, 2026
The second full December weekend in the SCV is when the holiday season peaks. The Barnyard Light Tour lights up William S. Hart Park on Saturday night, the free Holiday Light Tour trolley rolls out of McBean, and Holiday in the Park keeps glowing at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Here is your complete December 11-13 plan from your local insider, Sam Silver.
December 11-13, 2026 Sam Silver 6 min read
Mid-December is when the SCV holiday calendar is at its fullest. Saturday, December 12, brings the Barnyard Light Tour to William S. Hart Park from 5 to 8 PM, and the free Holiday Light Tour trolley runs its decorated-bus routes out of the McBean Transit Center all weekend. Holiday in the Park keeps its winter wonderland glowing at Six Flags Magic Mountain Friday through Sunday, tree farm season is in its final stretch, and both farmers markets hold their regular weekend hours. Sam's full weekend guide has every time and place.
Fri-Sun
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Saturday, Dec 12
Barnyard Light Tour at Hart Park, 5-8 PM
Dec 11-13
Holiday Light Tour trolley from McBean
Sat & Sun
Tree farms + Old Town Newhall & COC markets
Current Weekend Events
This weekend's events, listed newest first. All times and venues as confirmed on the city calendar and with each organizer.
Barnyard Light Tour at William S. Hart Park
Saturday, Dec 12, 5-8 PM · 24151 Newhall Ave, Newhall
The park's barnyard becomes a walk-through holiday light display among the historic buildings and resident animals: warm lights strung across the barns and corrals, animal petting, Santa photos, holiday crafts, and s'mores by the fire. It is free, it is family-friendly, and it is one of the most charming December nights in the valley. Parking fills fast, so arrive early and bundle up.
Holiday Light Tour Trolley
Dec 11-13 · McBean Regional Transit Center, 24375 Valencia Blvd
Santa Clarita Transit dresses up its buses (and a trolley, when available) with holiday lights and runs free, roughly 45-minute tours through the valley's best neighborhood light displays, departing from the McBean Regional Transit Center. The exact weekend rotates each year, and mid-December is the classic window. Seats go fast, so check the transit page the week before and line up early. The full route and display list are in the Holiday Light Displays guide.
Holiday in the Park at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Friday, Dec 11 - Sunday, Dec 13 · 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. Sam's tip from the Holiday in the Park guide: a Friday night in mid-December is one of the lightest-crowd windows of the whole season, and the lights read best after full dark.
More This Weekend: Tree Farms, Markets & Holiday Shopping
Tree Farm Season's Final Stretch
Sat & Sun
Mid-December is the last comfortable window to pick your tree: choose-and-cut Monterey pines at Frosty's Forest, fresh-cut trees at Gilchrist Farm, and pre-cut lots across the SCV. Sam's tree farm guide has the full rundown, including wreaths and garlands for last-minute decorating.
Farmers Markets, Sat & Sun
Old Town Newhall Sat · COC Sun
The Old Town Newhall Farmers Market runs Saturday 8:30 AM-1 PM at the library lot on Main Street, and the COC Certified Farmers' Market runs Sunday 8 AM-noon in Parking Lot 5. Winter citrus, greens, and handmade gifts are in full swing, and both are great stops for local holiday shopping.
Shop Local in Old Town Newhall
All Weekend · Main Street
With Light Up Main Street behind us, Old Town's boutiques, tasting rooms, and restaurants are in full holiday mode. Patronizing Main Street businesses is the most direct way to support the neighborhood's recovery since the August fire. Sam's holiday shopping guide maps the whole local gift circuit.
The Nutcracker: Watch the PAC Calendar
December · Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center
The valley's annual production of The Nutcracker returns to the PAC at College of the Canyons each December, and it sells out. Exact 2026 dates publish later in the season, so watch the PAC calendar and book early.
Next Weekend in SCV: December 18-20
The last full weekend before Christmas is the peak of the holiday calendar. Here is a quick look at what is coming after this weekend.
Holiday in the Park's Peak Nights
Fri-Sun, Dec 18-20
The final full weekend before Christmas is the busiest of the season at Six Flags Magic Mountain. If you can, go Friday night or early Saturday before the crowds peak.
Last-Minute Local Gift Runs
All Weekend
Old Town Newhall boutiques, Valencia Town Center, and both farmers markets are the local spots for wrapping up the gift list without shipping delays.
New Year's Eve Planning
Thursday, Dec 31
December 31 lands on a Thursday with Holiday in the Park still glowing through January 3. Sam's New Year's Eve guide covers the family countdown traditions and the dinners to book early.
Looking for events from earlier this season? Check out our previous weekend guides: December 4-6 (Polar Express & the 661 Night Market), November 27-29 (Holiday in the Park's Opening Weekend), and November 20-22 (Light Up Main Street).