Clicky

Call Or Text Us Anytime 949-613-5517

Search
Close this search box.

Your Brand Name

Winter Christmas Events In Orange County

Winter Christmas Events In Orange County

The holiday season is upon us, and what better way to embrace the Christmas spirit than by attending fun and festive events? From beautiful light displays to holiday fun, winter events offer a perfect opportunity to create cherished memories with family and friends. There’s so many amazing events from holiday lights, tree lighting ceremonies, ice skating, holiday festivities, and Santa Claus sightings around Orange County. Keep reading for some fun events to add holiday magic to the season!

Table of Contents

Aliso Viejo All is Bright Holiday Celebration and Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the holiday season with some holiday fun in Aliso Viejo! Head over to the Aliso Viejo town center and enjoy the train rides, ornament making, aerial performances, visit Santa Claus, and enjoy other holiday events as the city lights the 22-foot tree.

The annual tree lighting ceremony is on November 30, 2023, from 5 pm – 8 pm.

Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk

Another classic holiday festival, the Corona Del Mar Christmas Walk is an annual holiday event that features live local bands, a chance to meet and take photos with Santa Claus, holiday shopping, a beer and wine garden, children’s activities and holiday crafts, unique fun holiday gift vendors, and local merchant and restaurant promotions. This is one of the best winter holiday events, and I look forward to it each year!

Date: December 3, 2023, from 11 am- 5 pm.

Location: Corona Del Mar Village 2855 E. Coast Highway Corona Del Mar

Costa Mesa Winter Fest OC

This is the one holiday event in Orange County that I look forward to each and every year. This definitely brings holiday magic to the season for me and my family. The Winter Fest is held at the OC Fair Event Center. And there’s so many fun things to do!

Attends can participate in carnival games, face painting, a Festival of light displays, an outdoor ice skating rink, live holiday music and entertainment, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony every night, a holiday parade, and of course, photos with Santa Claus! There are also snowboard simulators, bounce houses, and a giant rocking horse that the kids will love!

One of the best parts is that they serve holiday treats and hot chocolate throughout the event. Just a heads up, it can get busy on Friday and Saturday Nights, so plan ahead! Prices for the event are $25 each for kids, while adults are $30. There is also a $10 parking fee.

Date: November 24, 2023 – January 7, 2024

  • Thu-Fri: 4 pm – 10 pm

  • Sat-Sun: 12 pm – 10 pm

Location: OC Fair Event Center – 88 Fair Drive Costa Mesa, Ca. 92626

Dana Point Holidays At The Harbor

Holidays at the Harbor is always a fun holiday event! The city decorates the Dana Point Harbor with Christmas lighting and decorations that will definitely get you into the holiday spirit. There is live holiday music, photos with Santa Claus, a boat parade, a Menorah gathering, and they even have a boat ride with Santa!

The local pet rescue groups will be hosting Santa Paws pet photos in the Clock Courtyard for a small donation, and all proceeds go to the rescues. It is so fun to take family photos with all the cute dogs!

Date: November 27, 2023 – December 10, 2023

Location: Dana Point Harbor

Irvine Tanaka Farms Christmas Tree Farm, Holiday Lighting, and Hikari Festival of Lights

You can come to the Tanaka Farms starting November 25th to see the 30-acre farm all lit up for the holiday season. You can even buy your Christmas tree, wreath, garland, and holiday decorations to help get you into the holiday spirit. I love that you can purchase a wagon ride to the Land of Thousand Lanterns or visit the Gingerbread Forest (with your general admission). You can also meet and take photos with Santa Claus, for fun holiday kids crafts, and enjoy live holiday music.

Tanaka farms goes all out with their holiday lights, holiday music, holiday market, and holiday entertainment for the Christmas season! This is definitely an event you should add to your list!

Date: November 24, 2023 – December 29, 2023

Festival of Lights: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Christmas Tree Farm Hours: Sun-Sat 9 am – 5 pm

Location: 5380 3/4 University Drive Irvine, Ca. 92612

Irvine Holidayz At The Park

Orange County Great Park will transform into a winter wonderland for the entire Christmas season from November 19, 2023 to January 1, 2024. Bring the family to Great Park and enjoy the beautiful Palm court holiday lights display. You can also take family photos next to the giant holiday-decorated airplane with the Grinch, or next to holiday-themed backdrops near the Artist Studios.

You can also take advantage of holiday-themed activities (there are varying fees based on age). On December 10, 2022, they will hold a Pajama Party Movie Night where you can enjoy a holiday-themed movie from the comfort of your own car. FYI, this is only open to residents of Irvine because of limited space.

Date: December 2, 2023 – January 7, 2024

Hours: Dusk to 9:30 pm

Location: 8000 Great Park Blvd. Irvine, Ca. 92618

Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy

Come visit this 3-acre art village in Laguna Beach that is transformed into a winter wonderland during the Christmas season! The art village has beautiful holiday decorations, holiday lights, falling snow, Santa Claus, live holiday music, and plenty of holiday entertainment.

They also have art demos and holiday craft boutiques that sell unique Christmas decorations, and you can find fun holiday gifts and festive crafts.

Date: November 17, 2023 – December 17, 2023

Hours: 10 am – 7 pm

Location: 935 Laguna Canyon Rd. Laguna Beach, Ca. 92651

Lake Forest Light Of The World Saddleback Church

Come enjoy a walk through Saddleback Church’s Lake Forest campus and see how they turn it into different holiday-themed lands. This is such a cool event! Every land is illuminated with so many holiday lights, and the light displays are truly a sight to see.

You can enjoy hot chocolate and listen to holiday music as you take in the annual holiday light display. They also have food available for purchase.

Date: TBD

Hours: Mon-Thurs 6 pm-10 pm, Fri-Sun 7 pm- 10 pm

Location: 1 Saddleback Parkway, Lake Forest, Ca. 92630

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights

The Newport Beach Christmas Boat parade has been going on for 110 years, and is one of the best holiday traditions in Orange County. The Bayfront residents go all out and decorate their homes with amazing and extravagant holiday lights. The residents also decorate their boats for the parade!

The parade is held between December 14-18, and it’s truly amazing to see all the boats turn into festive floating holiday lights. There is also a competition for the best-decorated boat. It is by far one of the most popular events in Orange County during the holiday season!

Date: December 13-17, 2023

Hours: 6:30 pm – 10 pm

Location: 309 Palm St Ste. A Newport Beach, Ca. 92661

Orange Irvine Park Christmas Train

The historic Irvine Regional Park transforms the park into the North Pole during the holiday season, where families can take train rides to the North Pole and meet Santa Claus. The family can also enjoy Santa’s village, where there’s so many festive holiday events to do. There is a bounce house, carnival games, cookie decorating, ice fishing, blizzard ball, Rudolph racers, and kids holiday crafts. You can also meet Santa Clause and Mrs. Claus, and listen in for story time with Mrs. Claus.

Food and hot chocolate are available for purchase. Please note that all activities require a ticket, and train rides need to be purchased in advance online.

Date: November 24, 2023 – December 23, 2023

Hours: Weekdays 4 pm – 9 pm & Weekends 10 am – 9 pm

Location: 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange, Ca. 92869

Prices: Activity Ticket – $6

Parking: Weekdays $3, Weekends $5, and Holidays $7

Santa Paws in the Dana Point Harbor

Holidays at the Harbor is always a fun holiday event! The city decorates the Dana Point Harbor with Christmas lighting and decorations that will definitely get you into the holiday spirit. There is live holiday music, photos with Santa Claus, a boat parade, a Menorah gathering, and they even have a boat ride with Santa!

The local pet rescue groups will be hosting Santa Paws pet photos in the Clock Courtyard for a small donation, and all proceeds go to the rescues. It is so fun to take family photos with all the cute dogs!

Date: November 27, 2023 – December 10, 2023

Location: Dana Point Harbor

Subscribe to Our Weekly Events Newsletter

Picture of Howard Chung

Howard Chung

Hey Orange County, I’m Howard Chung! I'm here to share weekly information about the best events, restaurants, shopping and activities in and around Orange County, California. Plus, the best hiking, biking, health and wellness options, new hot spots, and more! Click below to follow us.

Search For Homes

BLOG

Real Estate

Your Orange County

Facebook Instagram Youtube
Search

Contact

Your Orange County
Orange County, CA
DRE #01989749
Keller Williams Realty
949-613-5517

Address

27941 La Paz Rd.  Ste. C
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

I agree to be contacted by Your Orange County via call, email and text. To opt out, you can reply “stop” at any time or click the unsubscribe link in the emails. Message and data rates may apply.

Equal Housing Opportunity

LET US KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP

Never miss a thing in Orange County!

Get a FREE list of fun, local events delivered to your inbox weekly!

Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

I agree to be contacted by Your Orange County via text, call & email.
To opt-out, reply ‘stop’ to [email protected].

Skip to content