11 cheap and free things to do during the holidays

Whether you just want to stroll by yourself or you have a bushel of family members to entertain, we know that not everyone can afford pricey holiday light shows. So here are things you can do to get in the mood for the season at little or no cost. Enjoy!

COSTA MESA

The Snoopy House is one of the area’s most beloved traditions. This year it runs Dec. 15-22 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. with free nightly events, including photos with Santa, train rides, letters to Santa, live performances and more. On weekends, special guest performances will take place including carolers and special play areas. Food available for sale. At Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive. Call 714-754-5300. costamesaca.gov/snoopyhouse

EL SEGUNDO

Many families wouldn’t think it was Christmas without visiting Candy Cane Lane, a neighborhood that goes all out each year. How many Christmas streets do you know who have their own Yelp page? This cul de sac off East Acacia Street sometimes has carolers and more entertainment, but keep in mind that it will be very crowded and this is a neighborhood where people live. Reportedly, they’ve been decorating as a group since 1949. The street inspired the new movie “Candy Cane Lane” with Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross. The street opens publicly on Dec. 9 until Christmas, from dusk until 9:30 p.m. At East Acacia and California streeets. Santa Claus will sometimes be in attendance.  Set your GPS: 1200 E. Acacia St., El Segundo.

GARDEN GROVE

If you’re curious about how the late Rev. Robert Schuller’s famous Crystal Cathedral was remodeled to become the Christ Cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, note that the cathedral offers free tours — and the campus has been beautifully decorated for Christmas. You can tour just the interior of the cathedral or the entire campus (excluding the church). Docent tours of the cathedral run Monday-Thursday at 1 and 2 p.m. except holy days and major holidays. Tours of the campus are on Fridays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, please call 714-620-7916 or email campustours@rcbo.org. Reservations for fewer than 12 people are not required, but call to make sure they’re operating. All tours are wheelchair accessible and children are welcome with adult supervision. Languages available are English, Spanish and Vietnamese. Location:13280 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove. Learn more: christcathedralcalifornia.org/visit/

GLENDALE

Enjoy the holiday decorations and nightly snowfall at The Americana at Brand mall. The shopping, dining and entertainment center is promising a “fresh flurry of winter magic” nightly until Dec. 25. Show nightly at 7 and 8 p.m., except Dec. 24 and 25, when they’ll be at 6, 7 and 8 p.m. 889 Americana Way, Glendale. americanaatbrand.com/offers/nightly-snowfall/

IRVINE

Holidayz at the Park. Enjoy a winter wonderland and artistic light displays at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex with activities and holiday music. Nightly from dusk until 9:30 p.m. through Jan. 7.  There will also be a holiday popup at the Artist Studios. Fridays through Sunday noon to 8 p.m. 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine. cityofirvine.org/great-park/holidayz-park

LAKE FOREST

Enjoy holiday lights and more at Heritage Hill Historical Park. The 37tn annual Candelight Walk is scheduled Dec. 8-10 from 5-9 p.m. And the OC Parks Holiday Lights will continue Dec. 15-17, also 5-9 p..m. Historical buildings will be decorated with holiday lights and more photo opportunities During the Candlelight Walk, Santa will be available for a visit. Events and parking are free. Bad weather may cancel. Heritage Hill Historical Park: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest. 949-923-2230. ocparks.com/heritagehill/ 

LONG BEACH

Enjoy the holiday lights in Naples. In a hidden corner of Long Beach between Belmont Shore and the marina, the small district of Naples has houses and mansions along three small islands on Alamitos Bay. They wind their way around a series of man-made canals. It’s traditional for most houses to put up extravagant decorations for Christmas. The sidewalks and canals are public, so thousands of people each year stroll, boat and kayak their way through the corridors of lights. There’s also an annual boat parade, which this year will be Dec. 16. Dress warmly and get there early to find parking. You can enter the neighborhood off The Toledo or Ravenna Drive. showmehome.com/naples-christmas-lights/

LOS ANGELES

A perfect way to entertain out-of-town guests, The Music Center offers free tours of its theaters during the holidays and throughout the year led by volunteer Music Center docents, the Symphonians. The 90-minute tours encompass The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theatre, Mark Taper Forum and Walt Disney Concert Hall and share details of each venue’s history and architecture, along with Jerry Moss Plaza, while highlighting the many pieces of artwork, sculptures, tapestries, paintings and antiques from across the globe dating back to the 17th century. The tour offers guests an insider perspective on the history of the campus and Downtown Los Angeles through shared stories collected through The Music Center’s nearly 60 years as the heart of Los Angeles County’s cultural life. 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. For groups of 15 or more, call 213-972-3688. musiccenter.org

REDLANDS

Check out Winter Wonderland at Live Oak Canyon Farm. There’s free admission and parking to this holiday fun site. The petting zoo with 400 animals is free every Thursday until Dec. 31. (Most activities and food are at additional cost.) There’s also an ice skating rink, beautifully lighted displays for photo opps, Christmas trees for sale and a train to Santa’s Village. 32335 Live Oak Canyon Road, Redlands. 909-795-8733. liveoakcanyon.com/christmas

RIVERSIDE

Perhaps the most famous event annually in Riverside is the Mission Inn Festival of Lights, which will run through Jan. 7. If you go in the evening, especially on weekends, be prepared for traffic and parking issues. But that’s OK. The spectacle at this beautiful hotel and surrounding streets is still worth it. Avoid the mobs by arriving just before dark. 3649 Mission Inn Ave. Riverside. missioninn.com

TORRANCE

The annual Seaside Holiday Lights Displays in the Seaside Ranchos attracts thousands of visitors to stroll or drive through the South Torrance neighborhood and enjoy the displays. Lights will be up until Jan. 1. Drivers should expect plenty of traffic and note there are no restrooms available. Drive-throughs should enter the neighborhood off the Pacific Coast Highway. This is a real neighborhood so please be quiet and polite. If you’re walking, park in surrounding areas — not on the main street — and stay on sidewalks. Lights are generally on from 6 to 10 p.m. It’s less crowded weekdays and earlier in December. The neighborhood’s website will explain how to get there. GPS address: 23135 Doris Way, Torrance. seasideholidaylights.com