Christmas carnivals in Glendale.
A Christmas carnival turns the carnival midway into the holiday event itself: striped red-and-white and green-and-white booths, warm string lights, games with prizes, a candy-cane balloon arch and a Santa photo station. This guide to christmas carnivals in Glendale is written for HOAs, churches, school committees and community groups deciding whether a full themed carnival fits their December.
Glendale's list of public gathering places includes Brand Park, the Adult Recreation Center and Central Park, Maple Park Community Center, Pacific Community Center and Deukmejian Wilderness Park. A host who wants one of them confirms the space and the date with the venue or the city first.
Carnival Fun Experts builds the booths, games, concessions, balloon arch and Santa and Mrs. Claus station for Christmas carnivals in Los Angeles County.
What a Christmas carnival looks like in Glendale.
Start at the entrance, where a balloon arch carries candy canes, peppermint balloons and gingerbread figures. Behind it the booths run in alternating red-and-white and green-and-white stripes, with candy-cane signs over the games and candy-cane skins on the game fronts. By dusk the string lights are the main source of color, which suits a carnival held in the short December afternoon.
The refreshment side offers churros, pretzels, popcorn, cotton candy, nachos, snow cones and caramel apples. At the far end, Santa and Mrs. Claus sit at the photo-op station, and a walk-in snow globe inflatable gives children another photo prop. It is a prop only, and nothing falls inside it. Snow-flocked trim on the booths and props is a static finish, added for the look.
What's typically included.
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Themed booths.
Striped 10x10 booths in red-and-white and green-and-white, under warm string lights.
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Candy-cane signage and game skins.
Holiday lettering over the booths and candy-cane fronts on the games.
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Prize games.
Ring toss, milk can toss, bean toss, hoop shot, balloon dart and more, each with prizes.
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Balloon arch.
Candy canes, peppermint and gingerbread on an arch at the entrance.
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Concession stands.
The seven concessions, served from booths holding one, two or three machines.
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Santa photo-op station.
Santa and Mrs. Claus, with the walk-in snow globe inflatable nearby as a photo prop.
Typical timeline for Christmas carnivals in Glendale.
- 1
Choose a site
List the venues you are considering and ask each venue or the City of Glendale about the date.
- 2
Size the carnival
Share the expected crowd with Carnival Fun Experts, pick the booths and concession stands, and send the 50% deposit to hold the date.
- 3
Walk through the plan
Mark the arch, the line for Santa and the power points. Carnival Fun Experts provides the certificate of insurance or the paperwork a permit asks for.
- 4
Carnival day
The booths open at the start time, Santa and Mrs. Claus take their seats, and the equipment is cleared afterward.
Specifics for Glendale.
- Parks and community centers: Brand Park, Adult Recreation Center and Central Park, Maple Park Community Center, Pacific Community Center and Deukmejian Wilderness Park are the Glendale places on the list. Each has its own reservation rules, which the host checks with the venue or city.
- School carnivals before break: Glendale Unified School District runs the city's public schools. A school committee planning a winter carnival works through the principal and the district calendar.
- Church events: A church carnival from about $2,000 fits a parish lot or hall grounds, and the church handles any meals it serves.
- Neighborhood and company budgets: A neighborhood or HOA carnival runs $4,000 to $10,000. A company party runs $10,000 to $25,000, and a multi-department event runs $25,000 to $40,000 or more. The smallest custom event starts near $1,500.
- Power: Carnival Fun Experts runs a generator for its own equipment when venue power falls short.
- Host responsibilities: Drinks, meals, tables, chairs, tents beyond the booths, any heating, a Christmas tree for a lighting, and other vendors stay with the host or venue.
Glendale, CA.
ZIPs: 91201 · 91202 · 91203 · 91204 · 91205 · 91206 · 91207 · 91208 · 91209 · 91210 · 91221 · 91222 · 91225 · 91226
Carnival Fun Experts delivers Christmas carnivals throughout Glendale and the surrounding Los Angeles County area. Pin shows the city center; we cover every ZIP listed above.
Common questions.
Is a Christmas carnival the same as a Santa event?
No. A Santa event can be one station. A Christmas carnival adds the themed booths, games, concessions and balloon arch, with Santa and Mrs. Claus as one part of it.
What is the walk-in snow globe?
It is an inflatable that guests walk into for photos. Nothing falls inside it, and it works as a photo prop only.
Can a school use this before winter break?
Yes. The school or PTA clears the date with its principal and the district calendar, and Carnival Fun Experts provides the certificate of insurance on request.
How early does it get dark?
December afternoons end early, so the string lights on the booths do much of the work. Plan the start time with the sunset in mind.
Who handles drinks and seating?
The host does. Carnival Fun Experts brings its booths and the seven concessions, and the host arranges drinks, tables and chairs.
What is the cheapest version?
The smallest custom event starts around $1,500, and church events start from about $2,000. Costs rise with the number of booths and stands.
About this guide.
This local guide to christmas carnivals in Glendale was compiled by Carnival Fun Experts, the Los Angeles County operation of My Little Carnival, producers of holiday events, school carnivals, and community festivals across Southern California.
Helpful local references: Glendale Unified School District · City of Glendale Parks, Recreation and Community Services
Christmas Carnivals in nearby cities.
Thinking about a Christmas carnival in Glendale?
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