Drive Thru Nativity Scenes in Southern California (Updated 2019)

December 6, 7, & 8 @ 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Christmas BLVD is a popular family-oriented Christmas experience that is returning to North Orange County this year!  Join us for an evening filled with holiday festivities, food and fun.  As a part of the celebration, is an authentic Walk Thru Bethlehem experience.  Step back in time and walk the recreated streets of this tiny village to the night when one birth changed the whole world.   The live nativity includes real animals and costumed characters from the little town of Bethlehem on the night that Jesus was born.  Free admission.

Walk Thru A Night in Bethlehem, Liberty Baptist Church, Newport Beach (2019 Dates TBD)

Experience the sights, sounds and excitement of the very first Christmas!  Bring friends and family to experience a first-century marketplace.  Meet Bethlehem’s citizens.  Create interesting crafts.  Enjoy delicious treats.  And receive a free family photo as a memento of your evening in Bethlehem!  See a wonderful promo video here.  Free admission.

Living Nativity, Village Bible Church, Garden Grove

December 14 & 15 @ 4:00 – 9:00 pm

Take a tour through Bethlehem as you celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Every 15 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 about Christ’s birth.  This year there is also a petting zoo.  Tours last approx. 20 minutes.  Free admission.

The Living Nativity, The Church at Green Hills, La Habra

December 13 @ 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm and December 14 & 15 @ 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm & 8:00 pm

You will see the true Christmas Story come to life right before your eyes!  See Mary riding on a donkey, the Wise Men riding on magnificent camels, sheep by the manger, and then enter a toy shop where toys come to life.  Plus you will be treated with hot chocolate, cookies, candy sticks and more.  Admission is free.

Live Nativity Show, Old World German Village, Huntington Beach

December 15 @ 6:00 pm (doors open at 5:30 pm)

Attend the 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.  Donations accepted. See a promo video here.  Free admission.

Walk Thru Nativity, Crossline Community Church, Laguna Hills

December 13, 14 & 15 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

The most immersive living nativity in South Orange County!  Come experience a huge cast bringing Bethlehem to life as it was 2000 years ago.  Meet Mary and Joseph, The Three Wise Men, angels, shepherds, and townspeople.  See live camels, sheep, donkeys and Roman Soldiers on horseback.  Experience a petting zoo, cookie and craft decorating and holiday treats and hot drinks for everyone.  Free admission.

Drive Thru Nativity, Mount of Olives Church, Mission Viejo

December 6 & 7 @ 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Experience this life-size retelling of the Christmas Story from the comfort of your car.  Live actors, animals and narration through your car radio!  You can also enjoy the Drive-Thru Nativity on foot.  The church is also collecting non-perishable food donations at the Drive-Thru Nativity to support local families in need.  Bring the whole family to this annual free event, a Mission Viejo community Christmas tradition since 1994!  Free admission.

Live Nativity Scenes in Los Angeles

Interactive Live Nativity, CVC Church, La Crescenta (2019 Dates TBD)

Experience the interactive live Nativity at the recreated town of Jesus’ birth!  Come to Explore Bethlehem, the fantastic and free event for the whole family!  Children can take a FREE camel ride, make candles, create pottery, make their own perfume, make leather projects, hear great story-telling, and get their picture taken with live animals!  Come and experience the live Nativity, the songs of Christmas and much more with your kids, family members, friends and coworkers to get into the Christmas spirit.  See a live video of the live Nativity here!  Free admission.

Journey to Bethlehem, Purpose Church, Pomona

December 7 @ 6:00-8:00 pm and December 8 & 9 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Journey to Bethlehem at Purpose Church is 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.  Tickets available for purchase online.

Live Walk Thru Nativity, Portraits of the Prince of Peace Pageant, Long Beach

December 13, 14 & 15 @ 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm

The “Portraits of the Prince of Peace” Pageant has been a Long Beach tradition for over 40 years.  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, as well as, and live animals.

The Pageant starts on the South East Corner of Bellflower & Wardlow, in front of St. Cornelius.  Brought to you by St. Luke’s Lutheran, University Baptist, St. Cornelius Roman Catholic, Long Beach Christian Reformed and Calvary Chapel Long Beach.  Free parking is available at all the churches.  Free admission.

Journey to the Manger, Diamond Bar Christian Church, Diamond Bar

December 5 & 6 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Journey to the Manger is an indoor live walk through of the Christmas story, full of animals, actors, and interactivity.  This walk-through Christmas Event is for the whole family.  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.  Free admission.

Live Walk Thru Nativity, Granite Creek Community Church, Claremont

December 12, 13, 14, 15 & 16 @ 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Come experience the living nativity!  The 10-scene walk-through drama recreates pivotal moments surrounding the birth of Jesus Christ, from the Angel Gabriel’s appearing to Mary, to Caesar Augustus’ devious census declaration, to the ecstatic singing of the heavenly hosts at Jesus’ birth.  Elaborate set decorations, a life-sized manger, dozens of live animals, Roman soldiers, and a chance to see exotic animals and baby animals up close in our Petting Zoo!

The Living Nativity Outdoor Drama and Marketplace opens at 5:00 pm and includes outdoor fire pits, hot cocoa, food trucks, tons of vendors, and lots of unique gift ideas.  Dress warmly!  Outdoor bleacher seating is handicapped accessible for wheelchairs and walkers.  To enhance the Nativity experience, this production is a ticketed-only event.  Shows run nightly at 6:00 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:00 pm.  Tickets are $5 until December 5, and then will be available at $7 each.  Children under 2 years old are free.

The Live Nativity, Glendora City Hall, Glendora (2019 Dates TBD)

A live nativity scene on the grass lawn up at Glendora city hall.  Enjoy hot cocoa, see shepherds, wise men, and manger animals all while learning about the hope that Christmas brings.  Presented by Grace Church of Glendora.  Free admission.

Drive Thru Nativity, Community Christian Church of The Foothills, Tujunga

December 13 & 14 @ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Come join the Tujunga community for two nights in the little town of Bethlehem, as you get to experience the story of Jesus’ birth!  Walk or drive-thru and see Mary and Joseph’s long journey, the angel’s heavenly proclamation, and the wisemen with their gifts.  See a live video of the Nativity here!  Free admission.

Las Posadas, Olvera Street, Los Angeles

December 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Las Posadas, a nine night festival, has been a part of Olvera Street since its founding in 1930.  Reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem with traditional songs, colorful costumes, and vibrant music brings one of the oldest Christmas stories to life.  Free.

Live Nativity Scenes in The Inland Empire

Drive or Walk Thru Nativity Scenes, Christmas on Euclid Street, Ontario

November 22 – January 2 (all day)

Ontario Nativity scenes include religious creches exhibited on the Euclid Avenue median in downtown. Protected by wooden shelters, the dozen Nativity scenes between D and G streets tell the story of Jesus’ birth.  For 55 years, it has been a tradition for the scenes to go up in Ontario – through the help of volunteers – on the weekend before Thanksgiving and come down the first week in January.

Walk Thru Nativity, Journey to Bethlehem, Purpose Church, Pomona

December 7 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm & December 8-9 @ 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Shalom!  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.

Entrance and parking are 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 is $5 for adults and FREE for children 12 and under.  Watch a preview video here.

The Living Nativity, Calvary Conference Center, Murrieta

December 8, 9, 15 & 16 @ 6:45 pm – 7:30 pm

A memorable event for the entire family celebrating the true meaning of Christmas.  Take a free family photo with one of the live performers or animals.

Streets of Bethlehem, Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Corona (2019 Dates TBD)

Showtimes 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm

A faithful story beautifully told from Mary’s conception, through the Roman Oppression and The Birth of Christ.  There will be live animals, a children’s choir, three kings tent, camels, and shops.  There’s also photo opportunities after the show in the nativity area.  This is a ticketed event.  Tickets available online in advance.

Live Nativity Scenes in San Diego

Live Walk Thru Nativity, Faith Chapel, Spring Valley

December 7 @ 7:00 pm, December 8 @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm, and December 9 @ 7:00 pm

This Christmas season come to see the Christmas story as told in the Gospel of Luke live on stage.  Encounter Mary and Joseph as they travel from Nazareth to Bethlehem, witness the announcement of the birth of the Christ child, learn of the great census and visit with citizens of Bethlehem as they experience the extraordinary event that changed the world forever, the birth of the Messiah.  See a great promo video here.

A ticket will be required for each performance.   There is no charge for any performance, but they do encourage donations of $1 per ticket.   You must be able to show your printed or phone-based ticket to enter Bethlehem Story.

Bethlehem Walk, First United Methodist of Escondido, Escondido

December 13 @ 5:30 pm – 8:55 pm, December 14 @ 4:00 pm – 8:25 pm & December 15 @ 4:00 pm – 7:55 pm

Free to the public, Bethlehem Walk invites visitors to experience a re-creation of the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Bethlehem Walk is set in the time of Caesar Augustus, the Roman Emperor who decreed that a census be taken and set in motion the event we now celebrate as Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.  Upon entering the lively city, the thousands of visitors that come to Bethlehem Walk each year embark on a guided tour through masterfully-staged open areas of the church grounds. With live artisans, animals, merchants, prophets and Roman soldiers, visitors become part of the nativity story as they make their way through bustling streets to the inn and, finally, to a real, newborn baby kept warm in a manager.

Bethlehem Walk tours begin every five minutes during designated times.  Reservations are highly recommended and are provided priority entrance in the tour groups.  Reservations are open to the public on this page beginning on December 2 at 8:30 a.m.  You are welcome to come to our event as a walk-in.  As a walk-in your waiting time may differ according to time and day.

Because Bethlehem Walk is outdoors, participants should dress appropriately.  The event will not be cancelled due to inclement weather.  The event is family-friendly and handicapped accessible.  Bethlehem Walk guests are encouraged to bring donations of nonperishable food items for Interfaith Community Services.

Julian Living Nativity, The Cider Mill, Julian

November 30 @ 5:00 pm

A living Nativity where shepherds and kings pay homage to the Christ child silently recalls the first Christmas on a different hillside, on the other side of the world, centuries ago.  Local churches take turns putting it on.  Free admission.

Live Nativity Scenes in Ventura County

Live Nativity, The Old Mission San Buena Ventura, Ventura

November 29 @ 5:00 pm

Attend Downtown Ventura’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in front of the Mission!  Enjoy caroling from local choirs, meet Santa and countdown to the lighting of the Mission’s historic (c. 1880’s) Millennium Norfolk pines.  A live Nativity sponsored by Holy Cross School is held on the front steps of the Mission.  The festivities include a Christmas Village with a variety of booths including food and beverages for the family in Figueroa Plaza and canned food Christmas trees sponsored by Food Share. Main Street will be closed in front of the Mission.  Bring a chair if you wish…and a warm coat!  Parking is available in the Mission Main Street lower lot, at the Ventura County Museum, and in the Mission upper parking lot off Palm Street.  Free admission.

Drive Thru Nativity, Faith Lutheran Church, Moorpark

December 6 & 7 @ 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Drive Thru Nativity, The First Baptist Church of Camarillo, Camarillo

December 20 – 21 @ 6:30 pm -8:30 pm

The birth of Jesus Christ will be depicted in “drive-through” Bible scenes.  You can sing along with a live choir with the windows down and have a warm cup of cocoa.  Spanish narration available.  Free admission.

Happy Field Tripping!

Jilleen

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