Free Holiday Activities in Orange County
ANAHEIM
28th Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Saturday, Dec. 3, 12pm-7:30pm
201 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
Take photos with Santa, enter the Candy Canine dog costume contest, shop local vendors, and watch as we light up the Center Street Promenade tree to mark the start of the Christmas season!
BREA
Movie Under The Stars “Nightmare Before Christmas”
Saturday, Dec. 10, 6pm
Civic Cultural Center Plaza
Free admission and parking!
BUENA PARK
Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 10am-4pm
Ehlers Event Center
Enjoy entertainment, food, games, activities, free raffles and of course the popular "snow slide"!
In the Craft Faire, shop from over 100 local artisans for all those unique holiday gifts.
CORONA DEL MAR
Downtown Corona del Mar
Sunday, Dec. 4, 11am-5pm
Live entertainment staging over 17 local bands, Santa’s visits and snapshots, beer & wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, children’s activities, merchant & restaurant promotions.
COSTA MESA
South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
Thursday, Nov. 17, 7pm
Town Center Park Adjacent to The Westin South Coast Plaza
South Coast Plaza’s tree lighting features a magical performance by Orange County School of the Arts. Enjoy a celebration of the holidays with snow and a special visit from Santa. Admission is complimentary!
Dec. 16 - Dec. 23, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Costa Mesa City Hall
Free Nightly Events Photos with Santa (6pm - 8pm), Train Ride, Letters to Santa, Miniature Sled Hill (waiver to sign), Snoopy Lights Display. Weekend Activity (12/16-12/18), miniature sled hill (pre-sign waiver)
DANA POINT
Catch Santa and his elves on his Jolly Trolley, carolers, hot chocolate and cookies!
Saturday, Dec. 3
1:30pm–2:00pm, Sunset Park, 34345 Calle Naranja
2:30pm-3:00pm, Dana Woods Park, 24900 Dana Woods
3:30pm-4:00pm, Sea Canyon Park, 33093 Santiago Drive
4:30pm-5:30pm, La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St (Tree lighting at 5:15pm)
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Saturday, Dec. 3, 4:30pm-8pm
FV Recreation Center And Sports Park
Fun, fireworks, crafts, games, live entertainment, and more. Food is available for purchase from local non-profit organizations.
FULLERTON
Winter Market, Downtown Fullerton
Saturday, Dec. 3, 2pm-6pm
Beer + Wine Garden inside the plaza, Artisan Craft + Unique Vendors, Pictures with Santa, Adult + Kids' Activities, Holiday Performances, Food Trucks, Music and more.
IRVINE
Nov. 25 to Jan. 8
Beautifully decorated 75-foot tree in Giant Wheel Court every night to see it come to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5 pm.
LAGUNA NIGUEL
Saturday, Dec. 3, 5pm-8pm
Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Performances, crafts, cookie decorating, games, food trucks, face painters, balloon twisters, character meet and greets, and activities for the entire family to enjoy.
LAKE FOREST
2nd Annual Holiday Tree Lighting
Saturday, Dec. 3, 4pm
Lake Forest Civic Center
Free rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors selling food, and more. We’ll light the tree as the sun sets, and I have a feeling we’ll even get a visit from a special visitor, too.
MISSION VIEJO
Dec. 3 - Dec. 18, 6pm-8pm
Santa’s Village at the Civic Center Plaza , 200 Civic Center
Children are invited to “strike a pose” with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Workshop on Saturday and Sunday evenings only.
NEWPORT BEACH
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Nov. 18 - Jan. 2, 2023
Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard
Fashion Island's beautifully decorated 90-foot tree come to life with magical snowfall, music and a choreographed light display every half hour from 5:30pm - 7:30pm.
ORANGE
Old Towne Orange Plaza “The Orange Circle”
Sunday, Dec. 4, 3pm – 7pm
Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Crafts, Carnival games, Music, Entertainment for all ages and Food.
RIVERSIDE
30th Annual Festival of Lights
Nov. 25 - Jan. 6, 2023
The Mission Inn
One of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.
VILLA PARK
Saturday, Dec. 3, 4pm-8pm
Villa Park Town Center
A Winter Wonderland extravaganza with snow, ice skating and even Santa Claus. There will be ice skating on a synthetic ice rink so bring your skates or skates will be provided free. Afterwards, play in the snow, build snowmen or take family photos.