Find your tree lighting or Santa event for the holiday season here!
ALISO VIEJO
Aliso Viejo’s Holiday Celebrations
On December 5 (5 pm-8 pm), the Town Center Amphitheater stages a holiday party with aerial performances, train rides, ornament making and magical snowfall — with St. Nick joining in at the tree lighting ceremony! Santa and Mrs. Claus also host a Crafts with the Clauses activity at the Aliso Viejo Ranch December 14 (9 am-11 am), featuring crafts, reindeer games, a hot cocoa station and photo opportunities. Visit https://avcity.org/162/Recreation-Community-Services
avcity.org
for this event’s required registration.
ANAHEIM
Anaheim’s Nutcracker Tree Lighting Festival
The Center Street Promenade will be Christmas central in Anaheim on December 8. A “Holiday Village” will host a selection of family-oriented activities from 12 pm through 7 pm. At 5:45 pm, a processional will launch the annual Nutcracker Tree Lighting Ceremony, which will be followed by a joyous seasonal program at 6 pm on the steps of City Hall.
BUENA PARK
Buena Park’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Come down to the Buena Park City Hall at 6 pm on December 6 to take part in this holiday happening. It’ll include the popular Santa Train, a selection of food and dessert vendors, photo ops (including pictures with Mr. and Mrs. Claus), and the lighting of the colorful Christmas tree. Everyone is invited to donate a new, unwrapped toy that will go to less fortunate members of the local community.
buenapark.com
COSTA MESA
South Coast Plaza’s Holiday Activities
Santa will be at South Coast Plaza for photos through December 24. Kids also can ride on the Santa’s Express Train & Reindeer Carousel from November 29-December 31. A Santa Craft Shop will be located at the Carousel Court (daily December 6-24) and at Macy’s Home Store Wing (December 6-8, 13-15 and 20-24) too. Check https://www.southcoastplaza.com/holiday/ for more info, like mall hours, train ride rules and photo details.
southcoastplaza.com
DANA POINT
Dana Point Harbor’s Santa Visits
Folks can get pictures with Santa Claus by the Dana Point Harbor VW bus in the Clock Courtyard December 5-6 (4 pm-6 pm). The Clock Courtyard hosts the Santa Paws event December 7-8 (10 am-3 pm); pet photos can be done with a donation to the Pet Project Foundation. December 7-8 are also the days for Boat Rides with Santa (10 am-2 pm), which require reservations at https://danawharf.com/whale-watching/boat-ride-with-santa/ (proceeds support Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay).
danapointharbor.com
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
FV Tree Lighting
Winter — and holiday celebrating — come to Fountain Valley’s Recreation Center & Sports Park on December 7. Between 4:30 pm-8 pm, guests can frolic in the wintry Snow Zone (complete with sledding!) as well as crafts, games, letters to Santa and Santa photos too. The tree lighting will take place from 5:30 pm-5:45 pm and it will be followed by a fireworks show.
fountainvalley.gov
GARDEN GROVE
Winter in the Grove
Garden Grove serves up a seasonal spectacular to welcome winter. From 3 pm-7 pm on December 7, the city’s Village Green Park presents song and dance performances from local schools and performers, a Holiday Craft Boutique, food vendors, carnival games and inflatable activities. A Snowtopia comes packed with 50 tons of snow and nine snow slides to enjoy!
Additionally, guests can also experience a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus and the annual tree lighting too.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Pacific City’s Santa Sightings
Santa camps out in his Airstream at Pacific City through Christmas Eve with Pet Nights happening December 1, 8, 15 (4 pm-6 pm). December 14’s Spark of Love Toy Drive (2 pm-4 pm) includes a Santa meet-and-greet. December 19 features a Cookie Crawl + Holiday Movie (4 pm-6:30 pm) while a “Getting Ready for Santa” Cookie Decorating Event happens December 23 (2 pm-4 pm). Visit https://www.gopacificcity.com/events for full event and registration info.
gopacificcity.com
IRVINE
Irvine Spectrum Center’s Holiday Festivities
A beautifully decorated 75-foot tree illuminates the Irvine Spectrum Center with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes between 5 pm-11 pm through January 5. Additionally, the festive light and sound show, Palm Lights, Musical Delights, occurs every half hour starting at 5:15 pm through January 5 too. Make it a point to stop by on December 18 (10 am-6 pm) and donate a new, unwrapped toy to the CHiPs for Kids Toy Drive.
holiday.shopirvinecompany.com
LAGUNA HILLS
Laguna Hills Holiday Events
The city’s festivities begin with December 6’s Tree Lighting ceremony (6 pm-8 pm), which also features snow play, carolers, crafts and a Santa visit. The city offers a Parents’ Night Out December 13 (6 pm-8:30 pm) for kids 6-14. December 14 holds a Breakfast with Santa (9 am-11 am) and a Holiday Dance & Music Extravaganza (7 pm-9 pm). All events are at the Community Center/Sports Complex. Registration is required at https://www.lagunahillsca.gov/ for all but the tree lighting.
lagunahillsca.gov
MISSION VIEJO
Santa in Mission Viejo
The holidays arrive in Mission Viejo’s Civic Center Plaza on December 1 with a Family Festival (including crafts and live performances) from 3 pm-5 pm and Santa arriving on a fire truck at 6 pm for the Lighting Ceremony. Santa’s Workshops will be held on Wednesdays, Saturdays-Sundays from December 4-22 from 6 pm-8 pm at Santa’s Village at the Civic Center Plaza. Find more details at https://mvactivities.com/all-mvac-events/santas-workshop/.
cityofmissionviejo.org
NEWPORT BEACH
Lighting of the Bay and Fire & Lights Festival
The Newport Dunes delivers a double dose of holiday festivities this year. From November 29-January 5, the 34th annual Lighting of the Bay illuminates the bay nightly with more than 50 lighted holiday decorations and festive displays. Additionally, the Fire & Lights Festival expands its seasonal celebrating on Thursdays and Sundays with family-friendly activities, such as live entertainment, fire dancer performances, photos with Santa and an “Elf Yourself” photo booth.
newportdunes.com
ORANGE
Christmas at the OC Zoo
December 14 is “Christmas Day” for the OC Zoo. Between 10 am and 3 pm, zoo-goers can see zoo animals receive their special, treat-filled “gifts” and treats hidden inside Christmas trees. Kids also can take part in holiday-themed craft activities. You won’t be the only special guests visiting the zoo that day — Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting too! While reservations aren’t required, zoo coupons/free passes aren’t valid for this holiday event.
ocparks.com
SAN CLEMENTE
Santa’s Village by the Sea
Guests can visit Santa’s Village By The Sea in San Clemente on December 7 (4 pm-8 pm). Activities (wristband required) include games and snow play along with music, crafts and cookie decorating. The tree lighting takes place at 5 pm, while Santa will hang out until 8 pm. Furthermore, the Municipal Pier hosts “Sunsets with Santa” photo opportunities on December 15 and 22 from 3 pm-5 pm.
TUSTIN
Tustin’s Christmas Tree Lighting
Old Town Tustin shines with an old time Yuletide spirit on December 6. Take a holiday stroll along El Camino Real and 3rd Street between 6 pm-8:30 pm and enjoy such family-friendly attractions as stage performances, face painters, kids activities and photos with Santa. A Dreamers Market opens at 5 pm and there’s the tree lighting too. Donations of pajamas and toys will be accepted to help youngsters in need.
tustinca.org
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