Live Nativity Events in Southern California (2023)

As a parent, I can see how sometimes it is hard to show kids what the true meaning of Christmas is all about. Especially since every shopping mall has a Santa Claus or tree lighting. As much as we love tree lighting ceremonies, I also wanted to show my kids the other side of Christmas, and live nativity events are the perfect opportunity to do so!

We have a great list of live nativity events happening in Los Angeles, Orange County and Inland Empire. Did we miss one? Let us know in the comments below, or email: [email protected].

Live Nativity Events in Southern California

Live nativity events in Los Angeles

Journey to the Manger 2023
Friday, December 8, 6–9pm
Landmark Church, 3338 Diamond Canyon Rd, Diamond Bar
Your own journey should be in groups of 5-10 people and only take about 30 minutes. Also, come and enjoy live musical performances, food and hot drinks, a petting zoo, along with the narrated story walk-through experience.

Portraits of The Prince of Peace Pageant 2023
TBD
5500 E Wardlow Rd, Long Beach
Through the combined efforts of 6 different Churches the story of the birth of Jesus is presented in a fun filled way with music, live actors, beautifully decorated murals,and live animals.

The Living Nativity 2023
Dec 16-Dec 17 | 5:15pm (in Spanish, Sunday), 6:30pm and 7:45pm
The Church of Green Hills, 2200 W. Imperial Hwy, La Habra
Join us for our annual Christmas event with music, live animals, and lots of fun for the whole family! All The Living Nativity Outdoor Drama is an outdoor, live-action story of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. TICKETS ARE LIMITED TO 6 PER ORDER. Tickets are free, but please don’t reserve tickets that you won’t be using. You can release your tickets online if you can’t attend that show.

Journey to Bethlehem 2023
Dec. 10, 5:30-7:30pm and Dec 11, 5:30pm-7:30pm.
Purpose Church, 586 N. Main Street, Pomona
Journey to Bethlehem at Purpose Church for a living history event that will give you a glimpse into what life may have been like over 2000 years ago. Sign the census, avoid the Roman soldiers, interact with the potter, weaver, carpenter, and other merchants. Spend some shekels, visit the animals, and make your way under the giant star to discover the new born King, baby Jesus. Parking is free. Food is available for purchase at our Bethlehem café. Enjoy some lentil stew, beef kabobs and citrus punch to experience a taste of the time!                

Admission Sat $5 and Sun $5, Free kids 12 and under

Explore Bethlehem Drive-Thru 2023
Sun Dec 10, 2023 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

CVC Church, 4001 La Crescenta Ave., La Crescenta
Experience the town of Bethlehem as it was in the year of Jesus birth. This year it will be a Drive-Thru event with scheduled time slots. Please register online.

Nativity Lights-Celebrating the Birth and Divinity of Jesus Christ 2023
Dec 14-17 2023
Granite Creek Community Church, 1580 N. Claremont Blvd., Claremont
The Living Nativity Outdoor Drama is an outdoor, live-action story of the events surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ. TICKETS ARE LIMITED TO 6 PER ORDER. Tickets are free, but please don’t reserve tickets that you won’t be using. You can release your tickets online if you can’t attend that show.
Join us for an evening the whole family will remember with live actors, unique sets, sheep, a Petting Zoo, Abu the Camel, and more in amazing scenes that take you back over 2,000 years.The Granite Creek Marketplace includes food vendors, unique gifts, pottery, jewelry, plants, art, and more.

The Live Nativity 2023
TBD
Grace Church of Glendora, 1515 S. Glendora Ave, Glendora
You won’t want to miss this opportunity to participate in this Live Nativity experience! Usually in the years past we have been at the Glendora City Hall but this year we’ll be on our own campus. The experience is about 20 minutes in length.

Las Posadas 2023
TBD
Placita Olvera, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
The nine-night presentation of the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem portrayed with singing, a candlelight procession on Olvera Street and a children’s piñata breaking. Enjoy a free theatrical performance of the classic Mexican comedy La Pastorela following each evening procession.

The Light of the World 2023
TBD
Church of Nazarene, 8221 College Ave, Whittier
This year instead of our Live Nativity event we will have a light display showcase. This Drive-Thru experience is best enjoyed in the comfort of your car listening to our radio broadcast.

Live Nativity events in Orange County

Live Nativity | Cox Sports Park Parking Lot
TBD
Witness the miracle of the very first Christmas at the Drive Thru Ladera Ranch Live Nativity. Come share in the joy of the season with the story of Christmas with live animals. A LARCS partnership event with the Hope Crossing Church community group

Journey to Bethlehem: A Living Nativity | Crossline Church 2023
December 8-10, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Experience the Christmas story come to life in the most captivating living nativity in Orange County. This walk-through journey transports you to Bethlehem as it was 2000 years ago, featuring live camels and sheep, shepherds, Roman soldiers, baby Jesus, unique food, refreshments, and more immersive activities for all ages.

Night of Peace 2023, Live Nativity and Candle Lighting

St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1510 N. Parton, Santa Ana

TBD

Live Nativity Play 2023
TBD
Old World, 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach
International Celebration of Christmas, a celebration that brings together a diverse group of churches, singers, dancers for a celebration that highlights the true meaning of the holiday season. Free admission.
http://www.oldworld.ws/nativity.html

The Live Nativity 2023
TBD
First Christian Church, 1207 Main St., Huntington Beach, CA. 92648
Actors and live animals tell the story of Jesus’ birth through nine different scenes. This year we are only doing Drive-Thru, the true magic of Christmas will be remembered as you celebrate with friends and family.
https://fcchb.com/livenativity/

Drive Thru Christmas 2023
TBD
Fullerton Free Church, 2801 Brea Blvd, Fullerton
You’re invited to a drive thru celebration of Christmas. So, pack up the car and head over to Fullerton Free to make some new Christmas memories with your family. You will stay in your car for this drive through our main campus all the while experiencing fun Christmas movie characters, Santa’s workshop, a light show, and the amazing story of the incredible birth of Jesus.

Follow the Star- A Living Nativity 2023
TBD
29441 Altisima, Rancho Santa Margarita
Come celebrate the true meaning of the Christmas season at this annual living nativity. Follow the Star is a living portrayal of Christ’s birth as recorded in the New Testament. Show repeats every 30 min with the last show at 8:30 pm. Hot chocolate served.
http://www.smstake.church/events/2018/10/17/follow-the-star

Drive-Thru Live Nativity 2023
Dec. 8-9 | 5:30pm-9:30pm

All are invited to bundle up, grab the family and some hot cocoa, and drive-thru the Mount of Olives Church campus to experience a free retelling of the Christmas story. See live actors and animals plus hear music and narration from your car.

Free Admission – simply drive-thru or walk-thru between 5:30-9:30pm

Enter Chrisanta Drive at La Paz Road

Please be patient as the drive-thru moves slowly

https://moochurch.org/christmas/drive-thru-nativity

The Nativity 2023

TBD
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 151 N Poplar Ave, Brea
The Nativity. Join with members of the local community in celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior. This is an outdoor performance and the nights get chilly. Enjoy music, light refreshments, crafts for kids and nativity displays inside after the live outdoor performance.
https://www.facebook.com/BreaNativity/

Night in Bethlehem 2023
TBD
Liberty Baptist Church, 1000 Bison Ave, Newport Beach
Experience what it might have been like on that very first Christmas night. Our interactive tour of Bethlehem features live animals, souvenirs, a free family portrait and much more. Make this your new Christmas tradition!
https://anib.libertybaptistchurch.org/

Living Nativity 2023
December 14, 4pm. | December 17, 9pm
12671 Buaro St., Garden Grove
Join us on a tour through Bethlehem as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. Every 20 minutes, a tour will walk through the streets of Bethlehem and find their way to the nativity. There will be live interactions along the way that tell the Christmas story and give an idea of the setting of Christ’s birth. This is a great way to remind ourselves of the message of Christmas.

Live Nativity events in Inland Empire

The Living Nativity 2023

DEC 9th Friday at 6:00pm, 6:45pm & 7:30pm | DEC 10th Saturday at 6:00, 6:45 & 7:30 pm | DEC 16th Friday at 6:00pm, 6:45pm & 7:30pm | DEC 17th Saturday at 6:00pm, 6:45pm & 7:30pm

Calvary Chapel Conference Center, 39405 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd, Murrieta
A free event for the entire family celebrating the true meaning of Christmas. There will be live performers and animals.

Living Nativity 2023
TBD
New Beginnings Community Church, 9010 Limonite Ave, Riverside
This Christmas season invite your unsaved family and friends to The Living Nativity at New Beginnings Community Church in Jurupa Valley. This dramatic, Biblical reenactment includes a live camel, donkey and sheep! And is a powerful opportunity to share the Christmas Story in a loving and friendly way.
https://www.ksgn.com/events/featured/event/29797-living-nativity-at-nbcc-norco

Living Nativity 2023
TBD
LDS Church, 6829 Etiwanda Ave, Rancho Cucamonga
Live actors, real animals (petting zoo), choir music, refreshments and an authentic stroll through the town of Bethlehem. Presentations at 6:30, 7:15 and 8pm, each lasting 15 minutes.
http://www.livingnativityrc.com/

Streets of Bethlehem: The Story of Christmas 2023
TBD
Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 3760 McKinley St, Corona,
A faithful story beautifully told from Mary’s conception, through the Roman Oppression and The Birth of Christ. Kids choir and live animals.
General Admission: $5 / Purchase Tickets online
https://www.streetsofbethlehem.net/

A few other events you might also enjoy:
Las Posadas 2023
Dec 16, 2023
Pretend City, 24 Hubble, Irvine
It’s time to celebrate Las Posadas! Celebrate with beautiful poinsettias and the spirit of togetherness.

Christmas on Euclid 2023
Dec. 8, 2023 | 10:30am – 5pm
Ontario Town Square, 224 N. Euclid, Ontario
Join us for the annual Christmas on Euclid Craft Fair and Festival. Families are invited to enjoy the holiday market, craft fair, ice skating, live performances and so much more.

Originally published on October 24, 2023. Last Updated on November 7, 2023 by Stephanie Robledo