Newport Landing Boat Parade & Holiday of Lights Cruises Nov. 30-Jan. 1
Newport Bay is richly illuminated with millions of lights and hundreds of themed estates. The parade takes place over 5 nights from the third Wednesday to the third Sunday in December.
Time/Place: Newport Landing Whale Watching
Contact: 949-675-0551 / www.christmasparadeboats.com
Sawdust Winter Fantasy Through Dec. 22
This unique fair offers shoppers the opportunity to purchase unique artisan crafts from various local artists. Live entertainment, hands-on art projects and picture-perfect moments.
Time/Place: 10am-7pm / 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach
Contact: 949-494-3030 / www.sawdustartfestival.org
La Habra Tamale Festival Dec. 1
Tamale contest, dance performances by local studios, and musical performances by Soto, with its top 40, cumbias and salsa tunes, and the Mariachi Divas. There will be many vendors selling a variety of items, as well as many tamale vendors.
Time/Place: 9am-6pm / Euclid Street
Contact: www.lahabratamalefestival.com
Cars & (Santa) Claus Dec. 2
Get a family photo with jolly St. Nick and our red Ferrari, or simply tour the museum with a cup of hot cocoa and brownie.
Time/Place: 10am-2pm / The Marconi Automotive Museum, Tustin
Contact: 714-258-300 / www.marconimuseum.org
Westminster Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 2
We will light the tree, sing carols, restock the food closets for the needy, and of course be visited by Santa Claus himself.
Time/Place: 6:30pm / Civic Center Sunken Garden
Contact: 714-895-2860 / www.westminster-ca.gov
Cypress Holiday Sing & Tree Lighting Dec. 3
School performances, letters to Santa and veterans, holiday activities, train rides, visits with Santa and refreshments.
Time/Place: 6-10pm / Civic Center Green
Contact: www.cypressca.org
La Palma Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 4
Enjoy the musical talents from our local schools and join in during the Community Carol Sing Along. Take a picture with Santa and his elves. Crafts, an opportunity to write a letter to Santa, and of course, the young and young-at-heart wont want to miss an early visit from Santa Claus!
Time/Place: 4pm / Central Park Amphitheater
Contact: www.cityoflapalma.org
West Grove Jingle Jam Dec. 5
Performances, vendors, train rides, Santa and more! Bring a toy donation for Spark of Love for a front line pass to see Santa.
Time/Place: 5-8pm / Eastgate Park, Garden Grove
Contact: www.ggcity.org
Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 5
Live music and entertainment. Watch the holiday tree light up the evening and see childrens eyes sparkle when Mr. and Mrs. Claus drop in for a visit. Pictures with Santa are available for a fee. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.
Time/Place: 6:30pm / Brea Civic & Cultural Center
Contact: www.ci.brea.ca.us
Stanton Christmas Tree Lighting Dec. 5
Celebrate Holidays Around the World Enjoy live music, arts & crafts, storytime with Stanton Library, and the lighting of the Stanton Christmas tree.
Time/Place: 6-8pm / Stanton City Hall/Civic Center
Contact: www.ci.stanton.ca.us
Seal Beach Christmas Parade Dec. 6
Our theme this year is Christmas Movies and with more than 100 entries and 3,200 participants, Main Street will be alive with the sights and sounds of Christmas.
Time/Place: 7-8:45pm / Main Street from Ocean Ave to PCH
Contact: www.sealbeachlions.org
Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting Dec. 6
Tustin Family and Youth Center Kids Corner Preschool, Tustin Dance Center, HBP Dance Extreme, Academy of Dance, CT Middle School Choir and Compass Bible Church. Letters to Santa, Craft Area, Booths, Pictures w/Santa and Tree Lighting.
Time/Place: 6pm / Tustin Library Courtyard
Contact: www.tustinca.org
Dana Point Boat Parade of Light Dec. 6-7 & 13-14
Enjoy this holiday extravaganza throughout the harbor each night of the Boat Parade that features carolers, superheroes, games, crafts, and FREE photos with Santa, and culminates with the Boat Parade. Parade begins at 7:30pm.
Time/Place: 4:30pm / Dana Point Harbor
Contact: www.danapointharbor.com
Nights of 1000 Lights Dec. 6-8, 12-15 & 19-22
Guests will enjoy a Blue Christmas with Elvis. Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, and a make your own smores station. There will also holiday photo booth and fun arts and crafts activities. Additionally, there will be a no-host wine and beer bar, food available for purchase and holiday shopping in the Garden Shop.
Time/Place: Sherman Library & Gardens, Corona del Mar
Contact: 949-673-2261 / www.slgardens.org
Anaheim Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village Dec. 7
Holiday craft activities, a real snow play area, a childrens train ride, free photos with Santa and holiday musical performances by local schools and community groups throughout the day.
Time/Place: 10am-7pm / Downtown Anaheim
Contact: 714-956-3586 / www.downtownanaheim.com
Los Alamitos Winter Wonderland Dec. 7
Play in the snow, activities, Santas Village, a tree lighting ceremony, refreshments, and entertainment.
Time/Place: 4-7:30pm / St. Isidore Historical Plaza
Contact: 562-431-3538 / www.cityoflosalamitos.org
Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar Dec. 7
Crystal Cove is transformed into a holiday wonderland with vintage ornaments, twinkling lights, and a beautiful, majestic tree on the beach. The tree lighting ceremony begins at dusk.
Time/Place: 10am-5:30pm / Crystal Cove, Newport Coast
Contact: 949-376-6200 / www.crystalcove.org
Winter in the Grove Dec. 7
Holiday refreshments and kids activities. $5 unlimited snow slides. Tree lighting. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Donate and unwrapped $10 toy and receive two snow slide wrist bands.
Time/Place: 3-7pm / Village Green Park, Garden Grove
Contact: www.ggcity.org
Fullerton Winter Market Dec. 7
Come enjoy the entertainment, take free pictures with Santa, grab a bite to eat, do some holiday shopping and visit the beer and wine garden. Spark of Love toy drive with Fullerton Firefighters will also be there for those who wish to donate. 12-4pm / Time/Place: Downtown Fullerton Plaza
Contact: www.cityoffullerton.com
Fountain Valley Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 7
Features guests from the North Pole as well as performances by various community groups, delicious food available for purchase from local non-profit organizations, games, a spectacular fireworks show, and much more!
Time/Place: 4:30-8pm / Recreation Center and Sports Park
Contact: 714-839-8611 / www.fountainvalley.org
Candy Cane Land & Craft Faire Dec. 7
This years event will once again feature snow slides, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and over 100 artisan craft booths.
Time/Place: 10am-4pm / Ehlers Event Center, Buena Vista
Contact: 714-236-3860 / www.buenapark.com
Dana Point Winter Festival & Tree Lighting Dec. 7
Features Santa, entertainment, an artisan craft fair, carnival games, rides, crafts for kids, cookie decorating and more! The Tree Lighting takes place at 5:15pm with free hot chocolate and cookies.
Time/Place: 12-5:30pm / La Plaza Park
Contact: www.danapoint.org
Santas Village by the Sea Dec. 7
Childrens activities, tree lightings, Santa, shopping and more! Features Holiday Hoopla at the Community Center, Christmas at the Casa, and Puttin on the Glitz. City Tree Lighting event with the Mayor will be held at 5:15pm.
Time/Place: See website for schedule of events.
Contact: 949-361-8200 / www.san-clemente.org
SJC Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 7
Includes dance, orchestra, mariachi and musical theater performances. Holiday activities throughout downtown following the event. Downtown shops will host Open House with special sales and complimentary refreshments.
Time/Place: 4:15-9pm / Historic Town Center Park
Contact: 949-493-5911 / www.sanjuancapistrano.org
Irvine Holiday Tree Lighting Dec. 7
Celebrate the season as snow falls and the community gathers for the holiday tree lighting ceremony. The free event will include visits with Santa Claus, live holiday music, games, crafts, and winter-themed train route.
Time/Place: 4-6pm / Irvine Civic Center
Contact: www.cityofirvine.org
Capistrano Lights Dec. 7-Jan. 6
Experience the Mission at Night featuring a nightly tree lighting and music program.
Time/Place: 5:30-6pm / Mission San Juan Capistrano
Contact: 949-234-1300 / www.missionsjc.com
Corona del Mar Christmas Walk Dec. 8
High School bands, Firemans BBQ, live entertainment, restaurant tastings, beer & wine garden, bouncy houses, Santa Visits and a grand opportunity drawing.
Time/Place: 11am-4pm / Village of Corona del Mar
Contact: 949-673-4050 / www.cdmchamber.com
Orange Tree Lighting Ceremony & Candlelight Choir Processional Dec. 8
Join us for an evening of holiday cheer and family fun as we sing traditional carols of the season with the Orange Community Master Chorale led by musical director Michael Short. The Main Musical Program and Tree Lighting Ceremony begins at 5:15pm.
Time/Place: 3:30pm / Old Towne Orange Plaza
Contact: www.cityoforange.org
Home for the Holidays Pet Adoption Fair Dec. 8
Features dozens of pet-related vendors, gourmet food trucks, a silent auction, low-cost microchipping, and an opportunity drawing.
Time/Place: 10am-2pm / Irvine Animal Care Center
Contact: www.cityofirvine.org
Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade Dec. 14
Jingle All the Way The parade will include beautiful equestrian units, patriotic and inspirational military tributes, world-class athletes, spirit-filled youth groups, classic auto clubs, talented marching bands, and some of the biggest attractions in the nation!
Time/Place: 10am / Crown Valley Parkway
Contact: www.lagunaniguelparade.com
Yorba Linda Breakfast with Santa Dec. 14
Join Santa for breakfast, crafts, entertainment and photos! Parent participation is required and all participants must be registered. Dont wait, this event will sell out!
Time/Place: 9-11:30pm / Yorba Linda Community Center
Contact: 714-961-7100 / www.yorbalindaca.gov
Live Nativity & International Celebration Dec. 15
A celebration that brings together a diverse group of churches, singers, dancers for a celebration that highlights the true meaning of the holiday season.
Time/Place: 6-8pm / Old World Village, Huntington Beach
Contact: 714-895-8020 / www.oldworld.ws
The Great Dry Land Yacht Parade Dec. 15
Procession of wheeled vessels sets sail for the VP Towne Centre celebration. Great food, and fun and/or funky vendors, plus musical entertainment await everyone in the Centre, as do special trophies for many unique crafts.
Time/Place: 4pm / Villa Park High School & ends at Towne Centre
Contact: 714-998-1500 / www.villapark.org
Huntington Beach Cruise of Lights Dec. 17-23
Take a narrated cruise through the waterways of Huntington Harbour to see the holiday lighted homes and decorations in this annual event.
Contact: 714-840-7542 / www.cruiseoflights.org
Winter Fest OC Dec. 19-Jan. 5
Ice tubing down an 8 lane, 150 foot mountain, massive snow play and slide area, ice skating on SoCals largest outdoor ice rink, nightly Christmas tree lighting celebration with a parade of the Winter Fest OC characters.
Time/Place: OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
Contact: www.winterfestoc.com
The Muckenthaler Cultural Center Holiday Festival Dec. 22
Live stage performances and an arts and crafts fair. Plus, delicious food vendors and exclusive craft beer selections!
Time/Place: 12-4pm / 1201 West Malvern Avenue, Fullerton
Contact: 714-738-6595 / www.themuck.org