Check for more activities through the holiday season!
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The holiday season has returned, along with many other Kern County activities that had to go virtual last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There’s a holiday activity for everyone this year, whether you’d like to stay in the comfort of your vehicle, see holiday lights or try out ice skating.
Here’s an alphabetical list of activities and events happening around town.
Bakersfield Christmas Town
The Bakersfield Christmas Town is returning this year as both a walk-thru and drive-thru event. Activities include a light display, Santa Claus meet and greet, sledding hill, train ride, skating rink, laser tag, letter writing to Santa and more.
Dates: Nov. 26 – Jan. 1
Location: Kern County Museum, 3801 Chester Ave.
*Drive-thru entrance is off of 40th Street next to Sam Lynn Ball Park
Hours:
Sunday through Thursday: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 5:30-10 p.m.
*Drive-thru only on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day
Admission:
- $20 for walk-thru admission, Children 2 and under Free
- $25 per vehicle for drive-thru admission (Monday-Thursday)
- $35 per vehicle for drive-thru admission (Friday, Sunday)
- $40 per vehicle for drive-thru admission (Saturday)
- $50 per limo or passenger van of 10 people or more (Monday-Thursday)
- $100 per limo or passenger van of 10 people or more (Friday-Sunday)
To purchase tickets ahead of time, visit this link.
HolidayLights at CALM
Tickets are now on sale for this year’s HolidayLights at CALM, which will be a drive-thru event. The California Living Museum says last year’s drive-thru event was a huge success and has been named one of the best holiday light shows in the country.
Dates: Nov. 27 – Jan. 1
Location: CALM Zoo, 10500 Alfred Harrell Hwy.
Hours: 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Admission: $30 per vehicle
To purchase tickets, visit this link.
READ MORE: HolidayLights at CALM; one of the best light shows third year in a row
Selfie Studio Christmas Photo Ops
The Selfie Studio in downtown Bakersfield will be hosting several Christmas events and feature different backdrops for photographers or clients to use. Santa Claus will also be making an appearance on several dates.
The Selfie Studio is open Thursday through Sunday.
Dates: Thursday through Sunday
Hours:
Thursday: 4-8 p.m.
Friday through Saturday: 12 p.m. to midnight
Sunday: 12-6 p.m.
Location: The Selfie Studio, 1610 19th St.
Admission:
- General Admission: $10 – $25 for one hour
- Santa and Grinch photos: $25
Purchase tickets ahead of time here.
Teen Challenge Christmas at Roberts Lane Drive-Thru Experience
Teen Challenge is hosting a drive-thru experience that features light displays, holiday treats, Santa Claus and the Teen Challenge Christmas Carolers. Tickets need to be purchased beforehand.
They will be selling handmade tamales, homemade salsa, churro doughnuts, homemade dumplings, kettle corn, coffee, hot chocolate and soft drinks.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit this link.
Date: Nov. 26 – Jan. 2
Hours: 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: 301 E. Roberts Ln.
Valley Children’s Ice Center – Ice Skating
Valley Children’s Ice Center of Bakersfield announced the return of public ice skating. Times and admission vary based on the ice center’s schedule. They release a new schedule every week. Skate rentals are available.
Visit bakersfieldicesports.com/weekly-schedule for more information.
MORE: Pop Kern: Holiday Skate at Valley Children’s Ice Center
Location: Valley Children’s Ice Center of Bakersfield, 1325 Q St., Ste. 100 (next to Maya Cinemas)
Admission:
- $15 for children
- $16 for adults
New Year’s
Polar Bear Plunge
The annual Polar Bear Plunge is scheduled to return to the McMurtrey Aquatic Center on New Year’s Day. Participants can either go down the slides or jump in and swim 25 yards before getting out and enjoying a cup of hot chocolate.
The minimum age to participate is 7, with those between the ages of 7 to 17 needing written parental consent.
READ MORE: Take the Polar Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day at McMurtrey Aquatic Center
Date: Saturday, Jan. 1, 2022
Hours:
Registration: 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Event Start: 11 a.m.
Location: McMurtrey Aquatic Center, 1325 Q St.
Admission: $5 for the plunge or $30 for the plunge and a sweatshirt
