The Top 20 Holiday Events in Orange County
ALISO VIEJO
5th Annual All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Thursday, December 1, 2022 from 5:00pm – 8:00pm
@ Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain & Amphitheater
Enjoy a winter wonderland of snow, a visit for Santa Claus, train rides, caroling, ornament making, and the lighting of the 22-foot tall Christmas Tree. Bring an unwrapped toy or sports equipment for the Spark of Love Toy Drive.
Breakfast with Santa
Friday, December 16, 2022 from 9:00am – 11:00am
@ Aliso Viejo Ranch, 100 Park Avenue
$39 for adults
$25 for children 1+ years old
Enjoy breakfast with Santa, make festive crafts, ride the train, and listen to stories read by Santa himself. Recommended for ages 2-6. Registration is required.
ANAHEIM
November 11 - January 8, 2023
1313 Disneyland Dr, Anaheim, CA 92802
Disney Festival of Holidays, Merry Magic, Holiday Parade, Holiday Fireworks, Holiday Lights and lot of Festive Fun!
Anaheim Hills 28th Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 12:00pm - 7:30pm
@ 201 W. Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
Tree lighting, Kids Crafts, Holiday Singing, Food Vendors and much more!
BREA
Movie Under The Stars “The Nightmare Before Christmas”
Saturday, December 10, 2002 at 6:00pm
@ Civic Cultural Center Plaza
Free Admission & Parking
BUENA PARK
Knott's Merry Farm, Joy Is In The Season
November 18 - January 8, 2023
Christmas Crafts Village offering one-of-a-kind gift ideas and a magical Snow and Glow experience dancing to the beat of holiday music. Guests can experience Santa's Christmas Cabin, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony, a Christmas light show throughout Camp Snoopy, plus so much more this wondrous winter season at Knott's Merry Farm.
51st Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire
Saturday, December 3, 2022
@ Ehlers Event Center (8150 Knott Ave)
Entertainment, food, games, activities, free raffles and a popular "snow slide"! Shop from over 100 local artisans for unique holiday gifts!
CORONA DEL MAR
43rd Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
December 5, 2022 from 11:00pm - 5:00pm
Live entertainment staging over 17 local bands, Santa’s visits and snapshots, beer & wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, children’s activities, merchant & restaurant promotions.
Sherman Gardens Nights of 1000 Lights
December 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 22 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm each night
Three entry times: 6:00pm, 6:45pm & 7:30pm
@ 2647 East Coast Highway, Corona del Mar
Stroll through the glistening light tunnel on your way to ‘Moulin Rouge,’ a Parisian dance hall in the Tea Garden featuring can-can dancers and French cabaret singers. Buy tickets online.
COSTA MESA
November 25 - January 1, 2023
@ OC Fair Grounds
Adults starting at $30 & Up, Children starting at $25 & Up
Parking $10 at OC Fair & Event Center
Segerstrom Center, Nutcracker for Kids
December 3, 2022 10am and 11:30am show
Tickets starting at $45 (purchase online)
Sugarplums and beautiful ballerinas will dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet, performed in a condensed version created just for kids. This annual favorite finishes with a jolly visit from Santa Claus himself!
December 16 - December 23 from 5:30pm - 8:30pm (Free Nightly Events)
@ Costa Mesa City Hall, Costa Mesa
Train ride, letters to Santa, Snoopy lights display. Weekend Activity (12/16-12/18), miniature sled hill (pre-sign waiver)
Saturday, December 17, 2022 from 9:00am - 12:00pm
@ Balearic Park, 1975 Balearic DriveCosta Mesa
A winter wonderland with over 40 tons of snow in Costa Mesa!
DANA POINT
Holiday Light Display: beginning November 16, 2022
With over 700,000 LED lights, set to illuminate the Harbor beginning November 16. Themed light exhibits throughout the Harbor include a giant whale sculpture, lighted palm trees, giant beach-ball-like ornaments, the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch and much more.
Santa Photos: 11/27 - 12/10 from 10:00am - 1:00pm
Taking residence in the Clock Courtyard. Visitors can book professional photos with Santa in front of a holiday-themed photo op created by Style My Holiday. The holiday display will remain up throughout the month of December for all to enjoy. Click on the link above to see more details.
Catch Santa and his elves on his Jolly Trolley, carolers, hot chocolate and cookies!
Saturday, December 3, 2022
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, December 3, 2022 from 4:30pm-8:00pm
Fun, fireworks, crafts, games, live entertainment, and more. Food is available for purchase from local non-profit organizations.
FULLERTON
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 2:00pm - 6:00pm
Artisan Craft + Unique Vendors, Pictures with Santa, Adult + Kids' Activities, Holiday Performances, Beer and Wine Garden, Food Trucks, Music and more!
December 18, 2022 from 12:00pm - 4:00pm (Free event)
@ The Muckenthaler
Celebrate the holiday season with free family-friendly activities, live music, food and drinks, art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
November 18 - January 8, 2023
Amazing oceanfront ice rink. Buy tickets online.
IRVINE
Orange County Great Park, Holidayz At The Park
November 19 - January 1, 2023
@ Great Park (8000 Great Park Blvd. Irvine)
Holiday light display, pop-up, class & activities, pajama party movie night.
Tanaka Farms, Hikari Festival of Lights
November 25 - December 30, 2022 from 4:30pm - 10:00pm
Starting at $20 & up children under 2 yo & under are free, parking $10 per vehicle. Purchase tickets online.
Irvine Spectrum Skating Under the Stars
Tickets & pricing and schedule online. Click here for more information.
LAGUNA BEACH
November 19 - December 18, 2022
@ 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
Handcrafted market, holiday festivities, music, complimentary festival classes, food and drink!
LAGUNA NIGUEL
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 5:00pm - 8:00pm
@ Laguna Niguel City Hall (30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel)
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, December 3, 2022 at 4:00pm
@ Lake Forest Civic Center
Free rides, entertainment, arts and crafts, vendors selling food, and more. Tree lighting at sun set and a special visitor.
MISSION VIEJO
Santa's Arrival and Illumination
Sunday, November 27, 2022 from 3:00pm - 6:00pm
@ Civic Center Plaza, 200 Civic Center Drive, Mission Viejo
Enjoy holiday music for children of all ages presented by “Sierra: An Acoustic Experience.” See Santa’s special friends from the North Pole. Santa will arrive atop of a fire engine at 6 pm and will help ring in the spirit of the season by turning on the holiday lights in Mission Viejo.
December 3 - December 18 from 6:00pm - 8:00pm
@ Santa’s Village, Civic Center Plaza, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo
Children are invited to “strike a pose” with Santa and Mrs. Claus at Santa’s Workshop on Saturday and Sunday evenings only.
December 5 - December 12, 2022
Monday - Friday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 2:00pm - 9:00pm
@ Santa’s Village, Civic Center Plaza, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo
A family fun activity! 40-minute skate sessions begin on the hour. Skate rental for this synthetic rink is $12.00 (signed waiver required for each participant/under 18 must have a parent or guardian signature). No one is permitted on rink surface without ice skates.
NEWPORT BEACH
Newport Dunes, Lighting of the Bay
November 25 - January 1, 2023 at 4:30pm
@ Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive
Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor!
114th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
December 14 - December 18, 2022
Boat parade begins at approximately 6:30pm each night (along Newport Bay
Watch beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sail along the harbor.
ORANGE
Sunday, December 4, 2022 from 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, crafts, carnival games, music, entertainment for all ages and food!
@ Old Towne Orange Plaza, The Orange Circle
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
November 25 - December 23, 2022
weekdays 4:00pm - 9:00pm, weekends 10:00am - 9:00pm
@ Santa's Village open 7 days a week
A family friendly treat! Take an enchanting ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus and go through the magical tunnel of lights.
SAN CLEMENTE
Saturday, December 3, 2022 from 2:00pm - 8:00pm
Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente
Games, snow, inflatables, music, food, tree lighting, hot chocolate, popcorn and much more. Purchase wristband.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
Mission of San Juan Capistrano, Capistrano Lights
December 3 - December 30, 2022
Daytime admission to the Mission (9am-4pm). Christmas Tree Lighting and Music Program at 5:05pm
@ Mission of San Juan Capistrano
Nativity in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church, circa 1806, the Mission in Lights, Large Scale Wreath, Kids Crafts, Sweet Treats! Buy tickets online.