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Christmas with kids in Victorville
In Victorville, the snow arrives by delivery. Every December the city turns City Hall into a high desert winter festival, and an Old Town parade that has run for 78 years still rolls down Seventh Street.
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Winter Festival & Tree Lighting
When: Sat, Dec 5, 11 am to 8 pm
Where: Victorville City Hall, Victorville
Cost: Free entry, sledding and ice gliding $3 each or $5 for both
The story of Christmas in Victorville
A long-running parade and a winter festival
The Victorville Kiwanis Christmas Parade is a long-running holiday tradition in the city, and the 2025 parade was the 78th annual. It rolls through Old Town on a Saturday morning in early December with floats, marching bands, dance groups and classic cars. The city's Winter Festival and Tree Lighting at City Hall adds a second tradition: snow play, sledding, ice gliding, carriage rides, hot chocolate and Santa, all gathered around one big evening tree lighting.
Christmas last year in Victorville
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the 78th annual parade used a Toyland theme and marched along Seventh Street from La Paz Drive to Forrest Avenue. The Winter Festival ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the tree lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. Admission was free. Sledding and ice gliding cost $3 each or $5 for both and required pre-registration, and Santa, music, vendors, cookies and hot chocolate rounded out the day.
Fun facts about Christmas in Victorville
Victorville sits in the high desert, so the city brings in the snow: its festival lets kids sled and glide on ice outside City Hall. The parade welcomes all kinds of groups, including Girl Scouts marching in uniform, and entries are invited to follow the year's theme, though it is optional. The festival also pairs a daytime snow area with an evening tree lighting, so families can come for the afternoon and stay for the lights.
Trains and Christmas near Victorville
Train museums are within driving distance of Victorville. In Barstow, the Western America Railroad Museum fills a Harvey House depot with artifacts, timetables and uniforms, plus a line of locomotives outside, including Santa Fe 1460. Farther south, RailGiants in Pomona lets kids climb into giant locomotive cabs one weekend a month, and the Southern California Railway Museum in Perris has the West's largest collection of locomotives and streetcars.
- Western America Railroad Museum: The closest rail museum, in Barstow's Harvey House depot with locomotives and rolling stock outside.
- RailGiants Train Museum: Free one weekend a month, with giant locomotives kids can climb into.
- Southern California Railway Museum: The West's largest collection of locomotives, streetcars and rail artifacts.
Traditions today
- Victorville Kiwanis Christmas Parade: A Saturday morning parade through Old Town with floats, bands and classic cars, now in its 78th year.
- Winter Festival at City Hall: Snow play, sledding and ice gliding for kids on the first weekend of December.
- Tree Lighting: An evening ceremony with hot chocolate, cookies, music, carriage rides and Santa.
- Toyland Theme: The 2025 parade used a Toyland theme, and entries could choose to follow it.
- Girl Scouts in the Parade: Troops march together in uniform.
A fact for kids
In Victorville, the city brings the snow to City Hall. Kids can sled and glide on ice at the Winter Festival, even though the town sits in the high desert.
Questions about Christmas in Victorville
How old is the Victorville Christmas Parade?
The Victorville Kiwanis Christmas Parade was the 78th annual in 2025, so it is a long-running community tradition. It rolls through Old Town Victorville on a Saturday morning in early December and has included floats, marching bands, dance groups and classic cars.
What was the theme of the 2025 Victorville parade?
The 2025 Victorville Christmas Parade was a Toyland Parade. Floats, marching bands, dance groups, classic cars and special guests moved through Old Town on the morning of Saturday, December 6. Groups such as Girl Scouts marched in uniform, and following the Toyland theme was optional for entries.
Where does the Victorville Christmas Parade go?
In 2025 the route ran along Seventh Street in Old Town Victorville, from La Paz Drive to Forrest Avenue, and the event ran from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Route details can change, so check the Kiwanis Club of Victorville page before heading out with a stroller.
What is the Victorville Winter Festival and Tree Lighting?
It is a free day at Victorville City Hall that combines a daytime winter festival with an evening tree lighting. Activities include snow play, sledding, ice gliding, vendors, music, carriage rides, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa. Sledding and ice gliding need pre-registration and a small fee.
What did the 2025 Victorville tree lighting include?
On Saturday, December 6, 2025, the festival ran from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the tree lighting from 5 to 8 p.m. at City Hall. Families found snow play, sledding, ice gliding, carriage rides, hot chocolate, cookies, music and a visit from Santa. Admission was free.
How much does sledding cost at the Victorville festival?
In 2025, admission to the festival was free, while sledding and ice gliding each cost $3 per person, or $5 for both, with pre-registration required. The 2026 festival lists the same prices on the city page. Check our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page for the 2026 details.
Does it snow in Victorville at Christmas?
Victorville sits in the high desert, where winter days are cool and snow is not common in town. That is why the city's Winter Festival brings the snow to City Hall, with snow play, sledding and ice gliding for kids, so families can enjoy a snowy December afternoon without a mountain drive.
Is Santa at the Victorville tree lighting?
Yes. Visits with Santa are part of the evening tree lighting at Victorville City Hall, along with hot chocolate and cookies, music, carriage rides and ice gliding. The festival listing for 2026 is on Saturday, December 5. Our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page has the current times.
Where is Victorville City Hall?
Victorville City Hall is at 14343 Civic Drive, Victorville, California 92392, where the city's Winter Festival and Tree Lighting takes place. Arrive early with little ones, since festival days can be busy. The city lists a phone number of (760) 245-5551 for event questions.
What is the closest train museum to Victorville?
The Western America Railroad Museum in Barstow is the closest on our list. It sits in Barstow's Harvey House depot, with indoor displays of artifacts, timetables and uniforms and an outdoor line of locomotives and rolling stock, including Santa Fe 1460. Check the museum's hours before you go.
Can kids climb on trains near Victorville?
At RailGiants Train Museum in Pomona, families can climb into the cabs of giant locomotives, such as UP 4-12-2 No. 9000 and a Centennial diesel. It is free one weekend a month at the LA County Fairgrounds, so check its schedule first. It is a longer drive from Victorville, but a favorite with train fans.
Is there a big railway museum within a day trip of Victorville?
Yes. The Southern California Railway Museum in Perris has the West's largest collection of locomotives, streetcars and rail artifacts, with train and trolley rides on weekends. Special holiday trains may sell out, so check the museum's website and book early if you want one.
How can I explain Christmas traditions in Victorville to my toddler?
Keep it simple and point to something your child can see. Talk about the Toyland parade, the sledding hill or the tree lighting at City Hall, then let them spot the lights, music or Santa for themselves. One favorite tradition told in a few short sentences works better than a long history lesson for children under five.
Where can I find this year's Christmas events in Victorville?
Our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page lists the holiday events we confirmed for the 2026 season, with dates, times and prices. Dates and times can change from year to year, so check the host's own page before you leave, especially for outdoor events that depend on weather.
What should kids wear to outdoor holiday events in Victorville?
Victorville is in the high desert, so December evenings can be quite cold even after a sunny day. Dress kids in layers with a warm coat, hat and gloves, and bring a change of clothes if they plan to sled or play in the snow. Closed-toe shoes help on the festival grounds.
Are there free holiday things for families in Victorville?
Yes. Admission to the Victorville Winter Festival and Tree Lighting was free in 2025, and the parade through Old Town is free to watch. Sledding and ice gliding cost a few dollars. Our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page marks which 2026 events are free.
Can toddlers handle big parades and tree lightings?
Many can, with a little planning. Arrive early for a spot near the front, bring a stroller or wagon, pack snacks and consider ear protection for sirens and loud bands. Plan to leave early if your child gets tired, and enjoy the lights and music for as long as your child is happy.
How can we start our own Christmas tradition inspired by Victorville?
Pick one local outing and repeat it every year, like the same parade, light display or tree lighting. Take a photo in the same spot, let your child choose a favorite part and write it down. After a few years you will have a family story that grows along with them.
Does Victorville have library story times for the holidays?
Public libraries often add holiday story times and crafts in December, but schedules differ by branch and by year. Check your local branch calendar for the latest, and see our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page for the library programs we confirmed for the 2026 season.
When is the best time to see Santa in Victorville?
Santa shows up at parades, tree lightings and festivals, and the lines tend to be shortest early in an event. Our Victorville Christmas events guide on this page lists the Santa visits we confirmed for 2026. Weekends closer to Christmas are usually the busiest, so plan ahead with little ones.
Sources
- Christmas magic across the First District: what's happening this week, San Bernardino County First District
- Festival of Lights & Tree Lighting, City of Victorville
- 2025 Victorville Christmas Parade, Girl Scouts of Southern California (Double Knot)
- Western America Railroad Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- RailGiants Train Museum, Rally Takes the Train
- Southern California Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train