The Top 20 Free Christmas Events in Orange County 2024
ALISO VIEJO
7th Annual All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Thursday, Dec. 5th, 5pm - 8pm
Aliso Viejo Town Center (Pacific Park Drive Aliso Viejo)
Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, magic snowfall, and a visit from jolly ole St. Nick. as we light our 22-foot tree.
BREA
Thursday, Dec. 5th, 6:30pm-8pm
@ 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea
Light up the holiday at the City of Brea’s annual tree lighting celebration. Live music and entertainment; Mr. and Mrs. Claus drop in for a visit. Pictures with Santa are available for a fee. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
BUENA PARK
Candy Caneland and Craft Faire
Saturday, Dec. 14th, 10am-4pm
@ Ehlers Event Center (8150 Knott Ave., Buena Park)
Entertainment, food, games, free raffles, and the thrills of our snow slide. Craft Faire featuring over 100 artisans! Santa Claus will be in attendance this year to delight the children and spread holiday cheer!
CORONA DEL MAR
Sunday, Dec. 8th, 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. 21st, 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 and a special visit from Santa. Admission is complimentary!
Dec. 13th - Dec. 20th, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Costa Mesa City Hall (77 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa)
Free Nightly Events Photos with Santa (6pm - 8pm), inflatable slide, Letters to Santa, Snoopy Lights Display and Stage Performers* special weekend activities.
DANA POINT
Saturday, Nov. 30th, Santa's Jolly Trolley
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
Saturday, Nov. 30th, 4:30pm-5:30pm
34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, Ca 92629
Tree lighting ceremony will be held with carolers, hot chocolate, and cookies. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Toy Drive. The tree lighting will be held promptly at 5:15pm.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Saturday, Dec. 7th, 4:30pm-8pm
Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park
Watch the tree being lit by the Mayor, along with a special guest from the North Pole. In past years the event has featured Snowzone with snow to play in and hills to sled (sleds are provided). Santa will be available to take pictures.
FULLERTON
Winter Market, Downtown Fullerton
Saturday, Dec. 7th, (Time TBD)
Click the website link above for latest details.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Magic on Main Street & Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Nov. 12th, 5pm - 8pm
@ Downtown Huntington Beach (Main Street, Huntington Beach)
The first three blocks of Main Street with live entertainment, holiday craft vendors, photos with Santa. Magic on Main has a holiday market, holiday light displays, and delicious local seasonal delicacies for a fun-filled holiday celebration.
IRVINE
Nov. 29th to Jan. 5th, 5pm-11pm
Stop by the 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.
Orange County Great Park, Holidayz At The Park
Dec. 7th - Dec. 29, 2024
@ Great Park (8000 Great Park Blvd. Irvine)
Holiday light display, pop-up, holiday market and class & activities.
LAGUNA BEACH
Friday, Dec. 6th, 5pm-9pm*
Peppertree Lot (Lot 2)
*The first Friday each December the City of Laguna Beach and the Chamber of Commerce jointly sponsor Hospitality Night. Sing carols, mingle with neighbors, and watch Santa light the tree.
Peppertree Lot (Lot 2), where Santa Claus will arrive to greet holiday revelers before the tree lighting at 6:10pm.
LAGUNA NIGUEL
Nov. 18th - Nov. 30th | Dec. 1st - Dec. 13th @ 8am-5pm
Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Holiday Parade “ Hometown Holiday”
Saturday, Dec. 14th, 10am-1pm
@ Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road
MISSION VIEJO
Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Sunday, Dec. 1st, 3pm-6pm
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Festival Celebration)
6:00 PM (Santa Arrives)
@ Civic Center Plaza (200 Civic Center Dr., Mission Viejo)
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style at the 2024 Santa’s Arrival & Celebration. For the crafty souls, there will be “make and take” craft projects, and holiday-themed games to keep the children entertained, a petting zoo, delectable snacks and goodies available for purchase.
NEWPORT BEACH
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Nov. 22nd - Dec. 29th, 5:30pm-8pm
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.
Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay
Nov. 29th - Jan. 15th, 4pm - 9pm
@ Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach)
The Lighting of the Bay is free for the public to enjoy throughout the season and lit nightly. The Fire & Lights Festival is free entry and open to the public Friday, November 29 through January 5, 2025 (Thursday – Sunday evenings).
ORANGE
Sunday, Dec. 8th, 3:30pm – 7pm
@ Old Towne Orange Plaza “The Orange Circle”
Photos with Santa, bounce house, crafts, music, entertainment for all ages and food.
RIVERSIDE
Saturday, Nov. 23rd, 5pm
The Mission Inn (3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside)
Over ten million dazzling lights and festive spirits!
SANTA ANA
Saturday, Nov. 23rd, 5pm-8pm
@ Plaza Calle Cuatro (325 E 4th St, Santa Ana)
Celebrate the start of the holidays with an official tree lighting ceremony.
SAN CLEMENTE
Saturday, Dec. 7th, 4pm-9pm
@ Downtown San Clemente - Avenida Del Mar (100-200 Blocks of Avenida Del Mar San Clemente)
Stroll down to the City's event at the community center and enjoy a sledding hill, holiday crafts and a visits with St. Nick himself!