Roger’s Gardens’ Christmas Boutique
Friday November 1-Wednesday December 25
Roger’s Gardens can help make your 12 days of Christmas last almost two months with the return of its Christmas Boutique. “Enchanted Christmas” is this year’s theme, and you will undoubtedly have an enchanting time wandering around all the wondrous decorative holiday items stocked here. The Boutique is open 9 am-6 pm daily through December 25.
Roger’s Gardens | 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar
949-640-5800 | rogersgardens.com
Pumpkin Launch
Saturday November 2
Pumpkins will be flying in the skies over Cal State Fullerton as the University and the Discovery Cube OC again host their seasonal competition, which is both amusing and educational. Contestants must use STEM principles to build the trebuchet machines that send the pumpkins soaring. Taking place 10 am-2 pm, this free event provides spectators with some lively hands-on activities too.
Cal State Fullerton | 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton
866-552-2823 | oc.discoverycube.org
Noche de Altares
Saturday November 2
El Centro Cultural de Mexico welcomes the community to celebrate Mexican traditions and identity at its yearly Noche de Altares (Night of Altars). Attendees can build an altar honoring a lost love one or raise awareness to an issue. Music, art workshops, children’s activities (including face painting), and food vendors also are part of the festivities, which last from 12 pm-10 pm.
El Centro Cultural de Mexico | 4th and Birch, Santa Ana
714-850-1965 | nochedealtares.org
Bowers Free Festival: Day of the Dead Celebration
Sunday November 3
In appreciation of the traditional Mexican holiday, today’s free celebration (11 am-3:30 pm) holds performances from Rhythmo Mariachi Kids, Folklorico Raices de Mexico, Bollillo y su Conjunto and Xipe Totec Danza Azteca. Additionally, families can enjoy tasty pan dulce with Mexican hot chocolate, face painting and other holiday-themed art projects. Regular museum admission fees apply.
Bowers Museum | 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
714-480-1520 | bowers.org
Sugar Skull! A Día de los Muertos Musical Adventure
Saturday November 9-Sunday November 10
Inspired by this Mexican holiday’s musical traditions, this uplifting, warm-hearted production tells the magical tale of a young girl’s journey to discover Día de los Muertos’ true meaning. The vibrant stage show features Mexico Beyond Mariachi’s talented musicians and dancers. Family-friendly activities happen an hour before the 1 pm showtimes.
Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa | 714-556-2787 | scfta.org
St. Martin’s Lantern Fest & Parade
Sunday, November 10
Newport Beach’s German School Campus hosts this annual holiday festival (5 pm-8 pm) at Old World Village. Highlighting this family-friendly event is a parade of children holding colorful lanterns. The evening also holds plenty of kids activities and German food, along with raffles and music.
Old World Village Festival Hall | 7561 Center Ave. #49, Huntington Beach
949-285-0829 | oldworld.ws
Art on a Sock
Saturday November 23
Get into the holiday spirit by creating a very personal stocking to hang carefully for Christmas. A local artist will provide a step-by-step lesson on how to paint a fun, festive design. This class, which lasts from 10 am-4 pm, has limited space, and registration is required by 3 p.m. November 20. The class fee includes project supplies. Ages 5 and older.
Orange County Great Park | 6950 Marine Way, Irvine
949-724-6599 | cityofirvine.org
Plaza Navideña
Saturday November 16
Receive an early dose of holiday cheer, courtesy of the city of Santa Ana. Taking place in Plaza Calle Cuatro from 5 pm-8 pm, this festive community event holds live entertainment, children’s activities, and treats to enjoy, with the tree lighting ceremony and the visit from Santa among the night’s highlights.
Plaza Calle Cuatro | 325 E 4th St., Santa Ana
714-571-4227 | santa-ana.org
Seal Beach’s Tree Lighting Ceremony
Saturday November 23
The Christmas spirit will be all aglow in Eisenhower Park this evening (4 pm-8 pm) for Seal Beach’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. The flurry of wintry fun features real snow, sledding, and Santa. Plus, there’ll be cocoa to keep you warm and live music to keep you entertained.
Eisenhower Park | Main Street & Ocean Avenue, Seal Beach
562-799-0179 | sealbeachchamber.org
Surfing Santa and Stand Up Paddle Board Contest
Saturday November 23-Sunday November 24
This two-day beach-y gathering provides some good-humored competition for a good cause. Adults and kids, dressed up as Santa or other holiday-inspired characters, will battle in 10 divisions (in surf, stand up paddle board, and body board) to win cash prizes. This benefit event supports Surfers Healing, an organization that brings surfing to children with autism.
Salt Creek Beach | 33333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Dana Point
surfingsantacontest.org
Thanksgiving Celebrations
Wednesday November 27, Friday November 29
Kids can prep for Turkey Day by hearing a reading of One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims, making a holiday take-home craft, adding a leaf to the Thankful Tree, and doing STEM science experiments with pumpkins. On the 29th, families can take a Black Friday breather at the museum, where there’ll be dance parties (it’s Turkey Hokey Pokey time!) and fun relay races.
Pretend City | 29 Hubble, Irvine | 949-428-3900 | pretendcity.org
Dana Point’s 41st Turkey Trot
Thursday November 28
One of the nation’s largest Thanksgiving Day races, this Trot (6 am-11 am) offers both athletic challenges and holiday amusements. You can run or walk a 5K or a 10K (or both), while young runners (ages 4-12) have the 1-mile Gobble Wobble. Everyone can compete in costume contests and explore the Health & Wellness Expo too.
Dana Point Harbor | Dana Point Harbor Drive & Golden Lantern, Dana Point
949-496-1555 | turkeytrot.com
Plymouth Rock N’ Run
Thursday November 28
Rise n’ shine Thanksgiving morning and Rock N’ Run at this UC Irvine’s Reeve-Irvine Research Center fundraiser (which starts at 7 am). Distances include a 10 mile, a 10K, and three 5Ks (with one for dogs) while youngsters can do a 1K or the 100-yard Tot Trot. There are costume contests for adults, children and canines along with other fun activities.
Yorba Regional Park | 7600 E. La Palma, Anaheim Hills
714-310-1935 | plymouthrun.com
Turkey Trot On The Ranch
Thursday November 28
Take a scenic run around the growing habitat Reserve in the historic Rancho Mission Viejo. The 5K starts at The Pavilion (2 Tierno Road) at 8:30 am, and the Little Gobbler’s 1K for kids ages 2-12 begins at 10 am at Sendero Field. Proceeds from the race will benefit The Reserve, which offers school programs, on-site education and recreation for Orange County residents.
Sendero Field | 29201 Ortega Hwy., Rancho Mission Viejo
turkeytrotontheranch.com
Irvine Spectrum Holiday Tree Events
Friday November 29-Sunday January 5
Irvine Spectrum Center offers visitors a variety of holiday amusements. A nightly tree light show takes place every 30 minutes November 29-January 5 from 5 pm-11 pm. Fridays-Sundays from November 29-December 24, guests can get a complimentary photo at the tree (5 pm-10 pm & 12 pm-6 pm December 23-24). Santa photos are happening November 29-December 24; check website for details.
Irvine Spectrum Center | 670 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine
949-790-4871| irvinespectrumcenter.com
Lighting of the Bay
Saturday November 30
Newport Dunes’ annual holiday party gathers all types of fun things for families. The festivities, which start at 3 p.m., serve up cookie decorating, themed craft projects, and train rides along with musical performances and an outdoor screening of Elf. Around dusk, Santa arrives by water to switch on over 50 electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations illuminating the bay.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort | 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach
949-999-3100 | newportdunes.com
By Michael Berick
Leave a Reply