Christmas Across the Corps 2025: Top Community Events

Marines in dress blues playing carols on the parade deck. Palm trees wrapped in lights glowing under Pacific skies. That's Christmas Marine Corps style, with bases and local communities turning into holiday zones. Such events include parades, light shows, markets, and meetings with Santa so families can enjoy the season.

For on-base, MCCS has on-base calendars with plenty of events. Off-base communities deliver solid options too. Here's what is verified and upcoming at six Marine Corps communities across the globe.

Marine Corps Base Quantico

Quantico and Prince William County go big with tree lightings, concerts at the Marine Corps Museum, and the Q-Town's Christmas party. Solid for families or single Marines hitting the town.

• MCB Quantico Holiday Festival & Tree Lighting. December 4, 4–8 p.m., MCX Parking Lot (ice skating, Santa, and ornament decorating)
• Quantico Marine Band Evening Holiday Concert. December 11, 7 p.m., National Museum of the Marine Corps
• Town of Quantico Annual Community Christmas Party. December 6, 12–2 p.m., Lillian Carden Community Center (free, open to public)
• Holiday Walk of Lights (Prince William County Parks). Select dates Dec 4–28, sensory night Dec 9

Camp Lejeune / Jacksonville Area

Lejeune's tree lighting hits Friday, while Jacksonville kicks off Winterfest this weekend, perfect for getting out to the park with the family.

• MCCS Tree Lighting Ceremony. December 5, 5–7 p.m.
• Jacksonville Winterfest. December 5–7, Riverwalk Crossing Park (winter activities, family fun)
• Christmas Town at ELJ Farms. Open nightly through December (drive-through lights)

Camp Pendleton / Oceanside

Pendleton has free trees this weekend and Santa visits, while Oceanside proper has harbor lights and markets.

• Winter Fest Express (Free trees and Santa). December 6, 8 a.m.–noon, Pacific Views Event Center
• Here Comes Santa Claus. Multiple dates, Mainside Marine Mart (and other PX locations)
• Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights. December 13, evening, Oceanside Harbor (decorated boats)
• Christmas Market at Carruth Cellars. December 14, The Hangar 76 (vendors, music)

MCAGCC Twentynine Palms

Twentynine Palms has already had its big tree lighting and the town just wrapped the Holiday Festival but there is still time for the Christmas Stroll later this month in the desert sun.

• The Historic Plaza Christmas Stroll. December 21, 12–5 p.m., Twentynine Palms

Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe/Kailua)

Windward side keeps it local with parades and jogs. Honolulu City Lights is a quick drive if you want something in the city.

• Jingle Bell Jog 5K. December 20, 7 a.m., MCX Parking Lot
• Kāneʻohe Christmas Parade → December 6, starts 9 a.m., Windward route 

Okinawa

Multiple tree lightings this week, plus American Village illuminations running all season (the best off-base lights on island, hands down)

• Tree Lighting Ceremonies. Differs by camp, for example December 5 (Camp Kinser) & December 12 (Camp Foster), check for more
• All other events check MCCS Okinawa holiday schedule
• Mihama American Village Illumination. Ongoing through March 2026 (massive lights, shopping, food)

Most events are free or low-cost and open to base access or public. Many may even double as Toys for Tots drops. Hit the links for updates. Things move fast in December. Get out there and make it a good one!