Santa's Village Lake Arrowhead 2026: Dates, Tickets & Tips
Updated: Nov 2
Picture this: a pine forest, cold mountain air, a gingerbread bakery with frosting on the roof, and Santa himself waiting inside a log cabin. That is Santa's Village at SkyPark near Lake Arrowhead, and for the 2026 holiday season it opens its Christmas celebration on Saturday, November 7, 2026, running through Sunday, January 10, 2027.
For LA families, it is one of the easiest ways to trade palm trees for pine trees without leaving Southern California. Below, we cover the 2026 dates and hours, ticket prices, what is included, how Santa visits work, where to eat, road and weather tips, and the small details that make a mountain day with kids go smoothly.
Santa's Village Lake Arrowhead 2026 at a Glance
Holiday season: Saturday, November 7, 2026 – Sunday, January 10, 2027
Open: Thursday through Sunday
Hours: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays; 10 a.m.–7 p.m. most Fridays and Saturdays
Closed: Thanksgiving (November 26), Christmas Day (December 25), and New Year's Day (January 1)
Tickets: $79 adults ($89 on peak dates), $69 kids 4–17 and seniors 65–74 ($79 on peak dates), free for ages 3 and under and 75+
Parking: $15 per vehicle
Address: 28950 California 18, Skyforest, CA 92385
Phone: 909-744-9373
These are the hours and prices on the official SkyPark calendar and ticket page for the 2026 holiday season. Prices vary by date, with peak pricing on November 21–22, 25, and 27–29 and December 19–23, so always confirm the price for your day at checkout.
What Is SkyPark at Santa's Village?
SkyPark at Santa's Village is a year-round mountain park in Skyforest, just a few minutes from Lake Arrowhead in the San Bernardino Mountains. The original Santa's Village opened here back in the 1950s, and today's SkyPark keeps that nostalgic spirit while adding a bike park, hiking trails, ice skating, and seasonal events.
The park has its own storybook legend. Long ago, the trickster Jack Frost stole Santa's magic key, and Santa crash-landed in the NorthWoods. Arrow, the guardian of the forest, helped him get it back, and Santa loved the place so much he built a permanent home here. Kids meet Arrow, Jack Frost, and other NorthWoods characters around the village, which makes the whole day feel like stepping into a picture book.
Why Families Love It
It feels like a real Christmas village. Tall pines, alpine-style cottages, and twinkle lights everywhere.
Most activities are included. Your ticket covers rides, shows, character performances, parades, and live music.
It works for many ages. Toddlers love the train and Santa, and big kids love ice skating and the nighttime light shows.
There is a chance of real snow. No promises from Mother Nature, but it happens.
2026 Holiday Dates and Hours at Santa's Village
The holiday season runs November 7, 2026, through January 10, 2027, and the park is open Thursday through Sunday only. That means it is closed Monday through Wednesday, including the Monday–Wednesday stretches around Christmas and New Year's.
Thursdays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. (opening Saturday, November 7, runs 10 a.m.–6 p.m.)
Sundays: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Christmas Eve (Thursday, December 24): 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
New Year's Eve (Thursday, December 31): 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Closed: November 26, December 25, and January 1
Veteran Appreciation Weekend: From November 6 to 8, 2026, SkyPark offers free admission to veterans with proof of service, which overlaps with opening weekend of the holiday season.
Parent tip: The Village Tree lighting happens in the evening, so the later Friday and Saturday closing times give you more time to enjoy the lights after dark. Check the entertainment schedule when you arrive for the exact showtime.
Tickets and Prices for Santa's Village 2026
Tickets are sold online and are dated, which means your ticket is a reservation for a specific day. Here are the 2026 holiday-season day ticket prices:
Adults (18–64): $79 ($89 on peak dates)
Children (4–17): $69 ($79 on peak dates)
Seniors (65–74): $69 ($79 on peak dates)
Children 3 and under: Free with a parent or guardian
Seniors 75+: Free
Parking: $15 per vehicle (free for current Annual Passholders)
SkyPark strongly recommends buying online ahead of time because holiday dates can sell out, and same-day tickets are not guaranteed. Tickets are non-refundable, but if the park has to close for weather or safety, you can use your ticket on another date within one year. Buy Santa's Village tickets on the official site.
Every guest must sign a waiver before entering, even if they are not doing any activities. Fill it out at home the night before and save yourself time at the gate.
What's Included With Your Ticket
General admission covers the rides, shows, character performances, seasonal parades, and live music. Here is what families can look forward to during the holiday season.
Santa's House and the North Pole
Santa's cozy log cabin is the heart of the village. Kids can drop a wish list in Santa's mailbox and see the glowing North Pole right outside his front door. More on how Santa visits work below.
NorthWoods Express Train
This electric-powered train rolls through the Meadowlands, a pretty forest area full of plants and wildlife. It is a nice, calm ride for little ones, and it stops midway at the NorthWoods Hiking Trail.
Village Tree Lighting and the Village of Lights
Each evening, Santa and the NorthWoods characters dance down Candy Cane Lane to the Village Tree for a countdown. When the tree lights up, the whole village joins in with the Village of Lights, a light show set to festive music. If you only stay for one evening moment, make it this one.
Fantasy Forest Experience
After dark, take an interactive walk through the NorthWoods, where the forest glows with lights and a little magic. The path is on unpaved ground, so good walking shoes help, and strollers may be bumpy.
Ice Skating at Silver Bells Arena
During the holidays, Silver Bells Arena becomes a frozen pond. Skate rentals are included with admission, which is a great deal. Socks are required, and it is recommended for kids 2 and older who can walk well on their own.
Shows and Entertainment
Santa's Village runs a rotating lineup of family shows. Recent favorites listed by the park include The Wacko Show, a comedy magic act with a mischievous fox puppet, the An Elf's Life For Me holiday puppet show, and Kids Imagine Nation, a high-energy sing-along of Christmas songs. Showtimes are posted in the park each day.
Visiting Santa at Santa's Village
Seeing Santa is the highlight for most kids, and it helps to know how it works before you go:
Reserve in person. When you arrive and check in, go straight to Santa's House to ask an elf for a reservation time. Reservations cannot be made online or by phone.
Or use the Standby Line. Once the day's reservations are filled, guests can wait in the Standby Line.
Keep it small. A maximum of six people are allowed inside Santa's House at a time.
Visits are not guaranteed. On very busy days, Santa may not get to everyone in the Standby Line.
Take your own photos. Personal cameras and phones are welcome, but no outside flash on DSLR cameras inside Santa's House. Professional photos are available for an extra fee.
Parent tip: Make the Santa reservation your very first stop. Then relax and enjoy the rest of the park until your time slot.
Special Add-Ons: Breakfast With Santa, Tea With Mrs. Claus, and More
A few experiences cost extra and are worth planning ahead:
Breakfast with Santa and Tea with Mrs. Claus are separately ticketed and sell out. Buy online in advance. Every guest needs both a park admission ticket and a Breakfast or Tea ticket for the same date, and you cannot add guests at the door.
Cookie decorating happens in the Enchanted Forest Room, across from the Gingerbread House Bakery.
Adopt-A-Reindeer lets kids meet two of Santa's reindeer and pick out a plush baby reindeer to take home.
Crafts, gemstone mining, and professional photos are also available for an additional fee.
Where to Eat at Santa's Village
Outside food is not allowed, but you can bring a refillable water bottle. SkyPark's dining spots include:
St. Nick's Patio and Grille: Burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, and more, with patio fire pits on chilly days.
The Lodge: Italian-style comfort food, including handcrafted pizzas, garlic knots, salads, and pastas.
The Gingerbread House Bakery & Sweet Shoppe: Famous gingerbread cookies, cinnamon rolls, brownies, and old-fashioned candy.
Kringle's Coffee & Gifts: Coffee, signature hot cocoas, teas, and pastries, plus souvenir mugs and candles.
The Reindeer Room: A 21-and-over speakeasy-style cocktail lounge that requires reservations, so it's a date-night option rather than a family stop.
See the full list and menus on the SkyPark dining page.
Parent tip: A warm cocoa from Kringle's and a gingerbread cookie by the fire pits is the perfect reset when little hands get cold.
Getting There: Roads, Weather, and Chains
Santa's Village sits high in the San Bernardino Mountains, and winter weather is part of the adventure. Depending on traffic, plan on roughly a two-hour drive from central Los Angeles.
Check the forecast. SkyPark says snow is never guaranteed, but it gets very cold in winter.
Know the chain rules. Icy roads are possible, and chain controls can go into effect on mountain highways. Review Caltrans chain control information and check Caltrans QuickMap for live road conditions before you leave.
Leave early. Mountain roads get slow on busy holiday weekends, and parking fills up.
Only drive when it is safe. If the park closes for weather, your dated ticket can be used another day within a year.
What to Wear and Bring
Layers, hats, gloves, and scarves. It can be much colder than LA.
Closed-toe shoes. They are required for most activities.
Socks for ice skating.
A refillable water bottle.
A completed waiver for everyone in your group.
A few rules to know: pets are not allowed (service animals only, within ADA guidelines), drones are prohibited, and guests 15 and under must be with an adult 18 or older. After 4 p.m., adults need to stay with and supervise the kids in their group. SkyPark is also an IBCCES Certified Autism Center; visit the accessibility page for accommodations.
Where to Stay Near Santa's Village
Want to make it a weekend? Lake Arrowhead is just a short drive away, and cozy cabins, lodges, and hotels fill up fast in December. Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa sits right on the lake and makes an easy home base for families.
If you are building a mountain holiday road trip, our guide to the most magical Christmas towns near LA has more cozy stops. Staying closer to home? See our list of places to take photos with Santa in and near Los Angeles and our roundup of Christmas and holiday events for LA families.
Tips for the Best Day at Santa's Village
Go on a Thursday or Sunday in November or early December for lighter crowds.
Buy tickets and add-ons online well before your date.
Sign waivers at home to speed up entry.
Head straight to Santa's House to get a reservation.
Stay past sunset for the Village Tree lighting and Fantasy Forest.
Pack a change of socks and gloves in case of snow or slushy ground.
Double-check the calendar before driving, since the park is closed Monday through Wednesday.
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Takeaway
SkyPark at Santa's Village brings a true mountain Christmas within reach of Los Angeles. The 2026 holiday season runs November 7, 2026, through January 10, 2027, Thursday through Sunday, with Santa's House, the NorthWoods Express, ice skating, and the nightly Village Tree lighting all included with admission.
Book dated tickets early, reserve your Santa visit as soon as you arrive, and stay for the lights after dark. Dress warm, check road conditions, and let the kids soak up the pine-scented magic.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Santa's Village open for Christmas 2026?
The holiday season at SkyPark at Santa's Village runs November 7, 2026, through January 10, 2027. The park is open Thursday through Sunday and closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
How much are tickets to Santa's Village near Lake Arrowhead?
SkyPark lists 2026 holiday day tickets at $79 for adults 18–64 and $69 for children 4–17 and seniors 65–74, rising to $89 and $79 on peak dates. Kids 3 and under and seniors 75+ are free, and parking is $15 per vehicle.
Do you need a reservation to see Santa at Santa's Village?
Reservations are recommended and are made in person at Santa's House when you arrive, first come, first served. When they fill, guests can wait in the Standby Line, but visits are not guaranteed.
Is ice skating included at Santa's Village?
Yes. Ice skating at Silver Bells Arena, including skate rentals, is included with admission during the holiday season. Socks are required, and it is recommended for ages 2 and up.
5. Does it snow at Santa's Village, and do I need chains?
It can snow in Skyforest, but snow is never guaranteed. Icy roads and chain controls are possible in winter, so check Caltrans road conditions and chain requirements before you drive.
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