Month: December 2019

Holiday Fun This Weekend in Orange County

It’s beginning to look a lot like…fun festive activities! For those of you who aren’t on a mad dash to the mall for last minute shopping, check out what’s going on in Orange County this weekend.  

All weekend:

  • The 57th Annual Huntington Harbour “Cruise of Lights” runs 12/17-12/23. Cruise through Huntington Beach waterways and see thousands of lights on boats, decks, homes & more on a 45-minute narrated ride. Tickets required. Funds raised from ticket sales support youth programs in OC. http://ocevent.co/1O7g0FT
  • The Newport Beach Boat Parade runs 12/18-12/23 each night at 6:30pm. We recommend arriving early to stake out a good spot! The best viewing spots around the bay are: Balboa Funzone/Boardwalk, Peninsula Point Beach, the walkways on both sides of the Balboa Island Ferry crossing, and Lido Park. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2gHhAVR
  • Enjoy a unique educational experience as you stroll through historic Heritage Hill Park in Lake Forest, which has a holiday light display and special evening hours 5-7pm 12/20 & 12/21 and 12/27 & 12/28. Attendance and parking are FREE. https://bit.ly/2Q0O6pB 
  • Last chance! This is the final weekend to attend the Sawdust Winter Fantasy arts & crafts show in Laguna Beach. Open Friday 12/20 through Sunday 12/22. Tickets required. http://bit.ly/2fKwv2g
  • Winter Fest kicks-off at the OC Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa on Thursday, 12/19 and runs through Sunday, 1/5. Nightly fireworks, ice tubing, a snow play area, concerts, a light display with over two million twinkling lights, & more! Admission is required. http://bit.ly/2hnwbcX

Saturday:

  • The South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting is Saturday 12/21 at 6pm in Town Center Park. Complimentary drinks and treats, carolers, and more. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2EvivXF 

Sunday:

  • The Laguna Niguel Hanukkah Wonderland and Menorah Lighting is Sunday 12/22 from 4-5pm. Live entertainment, crafts, food, & more. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2zFIxn1
  • The Muckenthaler Cultural Center’s Annual Holiday Festival is Sunday 12/22 from 12pm-4pm in Fullerton. Live entertainment, arts & crafts fair, food, Santa, & more! FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/35F7mQ0 

 

Holiday Events This Weekend in Orange County

Whether you’re looking forward to lights, crafts, carols, or all of the above, Orange County has something to offer you this weekend!

All weekend:

  • The Annual Heritage Hill Candlelight Walk is Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from 5:30-8:30pm in Lake Forest. Stroll along paths lit by 1,000+ luminarias, enjoy live music, carolers, visits with Santa & more. Admission is $5. http://bit.ly/2wMalHx 
  • The 45th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade continues Friday, 12/13 & Saturday, 12/14. Enjoy holiday festivities with a fun tiki twist. Activities begin at 4:30pm, parade starts at 7:30pm at Water’s Edge. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2YquK18 
  • The 3rd Annual Holidays Around the World is all weekend at the Argyros Plaza at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. Enjoy live performances, crafts, vendors, and more. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2EbGHOC 
  • Capistrano Lights is back and brighter than ever, nightly through 1/6 at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Snow, carolers, cookie decorating, & more. Admission is payable at the gate, $10-15. https://bit.ly/2LrCGK8 
  • The Sawdust Winter Fantasy arts & crafts show continues this weekend and runs every weekend through 12/22 in Laguna Beach. Tickets required. http://bit.ly/2fKwv2g 

Saturday:

  • The City of Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade is Saturday, 12/14 at 10am. See over 100 entries including marching bands, equestrian units, floats, and of course an appearance by Santa himself. Watchers are encouraged to arrive early. https://bit.ly/2P7Pjwb 
  • Christmas at the OC Zoo is Saturday 12/14 from 10am-3pm in Orange. Watch as the zoo animals receive treat-filled gifts, Santa, storytime & more. Admission is $2 and there is a parking fee. http://bit.ly/2rxr1CY
  • Anaheim Night Market is Saturday 12/12 from 5-9pm at Farmer’s Park at the Packing District. Shop from local crafters, enjoy carolers, and the movie “Elf” (at 8pm). FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/35jlVbM
  • Join park Ranger Alex for a family-friendly Beach Scavenger Hunt at Crystal Cove State Park on Saturday 12/14 1-2pm to learn about coastal marine wildlife. Fee required. https://bit.ly/35audD5  
  • Bundle up, take in a beautiful sunset, and learn about the unique ecosystem of Crystal Cove State Park at the Sunset Bluff and Beach Walk on Saturday 12/14 at 4pm. https://bit.ly/35audD5 
  • Bust out your board and your favorite ugly sweater for Ugly Sweater Skate Night at the Laguna Niguel Skate Park on Saturday, 12/14 from 6pm to midnight. There will be a prize for the best ugly sweater, so do your worst! https://bit.ly/2E5p4jx 

Sunday:

  • Celebrate the season and support CUSD schools on Sunday, 12/15 3-5pm with a tree lighting ceremony at the Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point. Hear musical performances from CUSD students, visit with Santa, and enjoy some free hot cocoa & treats. Tickets required; free valet parking provided. https://bit.ly/2YASpfe 
  • Watch “Home Alone” on Sunday 12/15 at Mission Viejo City Hall. Movie starts at 1pm. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/34fs2Nb 

 

Holiday events and more, this weekend in Orange County

It’s the hap-hap-happiest season of all, and holiday events are what’s hap-happenin’ in the OC this weekend! All weekend long you can enjoy everything from boat parades and carolers to tree lighting ceremonies, crafts, and even a little bit of “snowfall” brought to you by holiday magic.

  • The 45th Annual Dana Point Boat Parade begins Friday 12/6 and can be enjoyed on the 7th as well as December 13th & 14th. This parade is a tiki holiday takeover! Fun activities begin at 4:30pm, parade starts at 7:30pm at Water’s Edge. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2YquK18 
  • The Fountain Valley Tree Lighting is on Saturday, 12/7 from 4:30pm-8pm at the Recreation Center and Sports Park. See Santa, live entertainment, games, and more! FREE to attend. http://ocevent.co/1G7q6qG 
  • The Tustin Holiday Talent Show is Saturday, 12/7 at 2pm at the Community Center at the Market Place. Admission is $5. https://bit.ly/2qmt6ki 
  • Come say “mele kalikimaka” to your friends and neighbors at the Laguna Niguel Hawaiian Holiday Tree Lighting on Saturday, 12/7 from 5pm-7pm at City Hall. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/38dJuEM 
  • San Clemente Santa’s Village By The Sea is Saturday, 12/7 with activities 2-9pm. Santa, sledding, cookie decorating, live entertainment, outdoor movie & more! FREE to attend; some activities require small fee. https://bit.ly/2s3dbIo 
  • The San Juan Capistrano Tree Lighting is Saturday 12/7 in the Historic Town Center Park on El Camino Real. Festivities begin at 4pm, tree lighting at 5:45pm. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2OWb9m0 
  • Buena Park Candy Caneland and Craft Faire is Saturday 12/7 from 10am-4pm at the Ehlers Event Center. Snow, Santa, petting zoo, games, 100+ artisan craft booths, food & more. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2fPMStm 
  • Create a unique holiday memory and cruise with Santa! Take a 20-minute harbor cruise aboard the Dana Pride on Saturday 12/7 or Sunday 12/8 from 10am-2pm at Dana Wharf in Dana Point. FREE, but donations are suggested. http://bit.ly/2QqWm4y
  • The 23rd Annual Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Beach Bazaar is Saturday 12/7 from 10am-5:30pm. Carolers, hot cocoa, complimentary treats, Santa, arts & crafts, and more. FREE to attend but there is a fee to park. https://bit.ly/33XLCNz 
  • Capistrano Lights is back, starting with a special Opening Night event on Saturday, 12/7 from 5:30pm-8pm at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano. Snow, carolers, cookie decorating, tree lighting & more. Admission is payable at the gate, $10-15. https://bit.ly/2LrCGK8 
  • Downtown Fullerton Winter Market and Tree Lighting is Saturday 12/7 from 12-5pm. Shopping, food, face painting, free pictures with Santa (12pm-4pm) & more. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2OTmaEF 
  • Dana Point Winter Festival and Tree Lighting is Saturday, 12/7 from 12-5:30pm at La Plaza Park. Santa, craft fair, live entertainment & more. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2LrOITP
  • Irvine Winter Wonderland is Saturday, 12/7 from 4pm-6:30pm at the Civic Center. Enjoy “snowfall”, games, crafts, music, food, Santa, tree lighting & more. Rain or shine! FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2YkTQyl 
  • The 25th Annual Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Shopping Village is Saturday, 12/7 from 10am-7pm in Downtown Anaheim. Ballet & choral performances, kids’ activities, canine costume contest, Santa, tree lighting & more. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2AirPO2 
  • The 8th Annual OC Brew HO HO Holiday Ale Festival is Saturday 12/7 at the Phoenix Club in Anaheim. Ages 21+, tickets required. http://bit.ly/2Umpid5
  • Help our furry friends have a happy holiday at the 13th annual Home for the Holidays pet adoption fair in Irvine on Sunday, 12/8 10am-2pm. 30+ animal rescue organizations will have pets looking for their fur-ever home, along with pet-related vendors, food trucks, and low-cost microchipping available on site. Event is FREE to attend; donations are suggested. https://bit.ly/2qrF78j 
  • The 25th Annual Old Town Orange Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession is Sunday 12/8 in the Old Towne Plaza. Activities begin at 3:30pm; main tree lighting and musical program start at 5:15pm. FREE to attend. https://bit.ly/2RvEOo9 
  • Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk is Sunday 12/8 from 11am-4pm. Live entertainment, prizes, shopping, Santa & more. https://bit.ly/2Yqt8EC 
  • The Sawdust Winter Fantasy arts & crafts show continues this weekend and runs every weekend through 12/22 in Laguna Beach. Tickets required. http://bit.ly/2fKwv2g
  • The Gem Faire is at the OC Fairgrounds all weekend. Shop for gemstones, crystals, jewelry & more. There is a fee for admission and parking. https://bit.ly/2Pjc1jS 
  • The Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival is all weekend in Buena Park at the Buena Park Downtown Mall. Shop for holiday-themed craft items from vendors. FREE to attend. http://bit.ly/2dbo8QT