Get ready for a thrilling holiday season in Fountain Valley! Our guide features all the top exciting events. Whether you're a familiar face or a fresh visitor, this guide unlocks the holiday charm of Fountain Valley.
One of the highlights this season is the Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village, where you can experience the festive atmosphere with beautifully decorated trees and cheerful holiday displays. The Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens invites guests to stroll through pathways illuminated by stunning light installations that create a whimsical experience. And the beloved Knott’s Merry Farm offers a delightful mix of seasonal attractions and entertainment that you definitely don't want to miss. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Fountain Valley
- Knott’s Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village (Anaheim)
- Magic of Lights - Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island (Newport Beach)
- Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall (Costa Mesa)
- Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting (Mission Viejo)
- All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
See these and even more events listed below!
Fountain Valley Holiday Light Displays
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with train rides and community performances.
Description:
The All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting features train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, and a visit from Santa Claus at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain & Amphitheater.
Where: Aliso Viejo | More Info: All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday activities with a festive tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
The Nutcracker Holiday Village & Tree Lighting in Downtown Anaheim features a variety of holiday happenings, including a dog costume contest, holiday crafts, unique shopping, and pictures with Santa. The event culminates in a special tree lighting celebration at City Hall.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
What to Expect:
Spectacular 90-foot tree with nightly snowfall and choreographed light display.
Description:
Fashion Island's 90-foot tree is beautifully decorated with 19,000 lights and ornaments, featuring nightly snowfall, music, and a choreographed light display every half hour from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations and botanical artscapes.
Description:
Descanso Gardens' Enchanted Forest of Light is a one-mile-long trail of illuminated installations featuring artistic displays, including a field of glowing tulips, a stained glass town, and interactive light installations. The event transforms the gardens into a dramatic and whimsical botanical artscape with ambient music and colorful lighting effects.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
What to Expect:
Immersive drive-through holiday light display with iconic characters and scenes.
Description:
Magic of Lights in Los Angeles features spectacular drive-through holiday light displays, including a larger-than-life Holiday Barbie and life-sized dinosaurs, all created with millions of individual LED lights.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
Fountain Valley Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Knott’s Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Classic holiday festival with world-class ice skaters and unique dining options.
Description:
Knott’s Merry Farm is a holiday celebration featuring winter wonderland-inspired decorations, thousands of twinkling lights, and a variety of picturesque seasonal settings. Enjoy Christmas shows like Home for the Holidays, a musical revue with classic Christmas tunes and holiday lights. The event also includes a beloved ice show starring the Peanuts Gang and delectable holiday dining food.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Merry Farm
Laguna Niguel Holiday Celebration
What to Expect:
Grand Marshal Steve Oedekerk leads the parade.
Description:
The Laguna Niguel Holiday Celebration is a vibrant community event featuring festive floats, marching bands, and local entries. It is a cherished hometown tradition that brings together residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season.
Where: Laguna Niguel | More Info: Laguna Niguel Holiday Celebration
Fountain Valley Other Holiday Activities
Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday display with Peanuts characters and family-friendly activities.
Description:
The Snoopy House Holiday Display at Costa Mesa City Hall features hand-painted scenes of "Peanuts" characters, train rides, live entertainment, and activities like sledding and photos with Santa.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and entertainment with a special appearance by Ole St. Nick.
Description:
The Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration features family-friendly games, crafts, face painting, balloon artists, and photo ops. Inflatables, trackless train rides, food vendors, and a holiday-themed entertainment with special guests are also part of the event. A "Sip and Shop" boutique and beer/wine garden offer last-minute gift choices. The celebration includes a special appearance by Ole St. Nick and concludes with the tree lighting at approximately 6 p.m.
Where: Lake Forest | More Info: Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Interactive activities and live entertainment with Santa's arrival.
Description:
Join the community in Mission Viejo for a festive celebration featuring fun interactive activities, a petting zoo, and live entertainment. The event includes a petting zoo and live performances, culminating in Santa's arrival on a fire engine to turn on the holiday lights.
Where: Mission Viejo | More Info: Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride with Santa visit and festive activities.
Description:
Take a scenic ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus and enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with festive lights and decorations.
Description:
Santa's Village at Irvine Park Railroad offers a variety of activities including ice fishing, cookie decorating, and Rudolph Racers. The village is filled with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights and offers many photo opportunities. Food and snacks are available, and while reservations are required for the Christmas Train to see Santa, visitors can still enjoy the festive decorations and activities without a reservation.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Huntington Beach (4 miles)
- Garden Grove (5 miles)
- Westminster (5 miles)
- Costa Mesa (5 miles)
- Santa Ana (6 miles)
- Newport Beach (6 miles)
- Stanton (7 miles)
- Tustin (8 miles)
- Orange (8 miles)
- Irvine (8 miles)
- Cypress (9 miles)
- Seal Beach (9 miles)
- Anaheim (9 miles)
- North Tustin (10 miles)
- Buena Park (11 miles)
- Fullerton (11 miles)
- Cerritos (12 miles)
- Placentia (12 miles)
- Long Beach (14 miles)
- Lakewood (14 miles)
- Brea (15 miles)
- La Mirada (15 miles)
- Yorba Linda (15 miles)
- Laguna Beach (15 miles)
- Bellflower (15 miles)
- Norwalk (15 miles)
- Laguna Hills (15 miles)
- La Habra (15 miles)
- Lake Forest (16 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (16 miles)
- Paramount (17 miles)
- South Whittier (17 miles)
- Mission Viejo (18 miles)
- Rowland Heights (19 miles)
- Downey (19 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (19 miles)
- Whittier (19 miles)
- San Pedro (20 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (20 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (20 miles)
- Compton (20 miles)
- Pico Rivera (21 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (21 miles)
- Carson (21 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (21 miles)
- West Carson (21 miles)
- Bell Gardens (21 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (21 miles)
- Lynwood (21 miles)
- La Puente (21 miles)
- Lomita (22 miles)
- Cudahy (22 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (22 miles)
- Walnut (22 miles)
- Dana Point (22 miles)
- Willowbrook (22 miles)
- Montebello (22 miles)
- South Gate (23 miles)
- Chino Hills (23 miles)
- Bell (23 miles)
- Valinda (23 miles)
- Maywood (23 miles)
- Diamond Bar (24 miles)
- West Puente Valley (24 miles)
- Gardena (24 miles)
- Torrance (24 miles)
- South El Monte (24 miles)
- Huntington Park (24 miles)
- Florence-Graham (24 miles)
- West Covina (25 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (25 miles)
- Corona (25 miles)
- East Los Angeles (25 miles)
- El Monte (25 miles)
- Westmont (26 miles)
- Chino (26 miles)
- Baldwin Park (26 miles)
- Lawndale (26 miles)
- Monterey Park (26 miles)
- Rosemead (27 miles)
- Pomona (27 miles)
- Covina (27 miles)
- Boyle Heights (27 miles)
- Redondo Beach (27 miles)
- Hawthorne (27 miles)
- San Clemente (28 miles)
- Lennox (28 miles)
- Norco (28 miles)
- San Gabriel (28 miles)
- Temple City (28 miles)
- Eastvale (28 miles)
- Alhambra (28 miles)
- San Dimas (29 miles)
- Inglewood (29 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (29 miles)
- Los Angeles (29 miles)
- La Verne (29 miles)
- Azusa (29 miles)
- Montclair (30 miles)
- Duarte (30 miles)
- Glendora (30 miles)
- Claremont (30 miles)
- Ontario (30 miles)
- Arcadia (30 miles)
- South Pasadena (30 miles)
- Monrovia (30 miles)
- Echo Park (31 miles)
- Koreatown (31 miles)
- Silver Lake (32 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (32 miles)
- Upland (32 miles)
- Pasadena (32 miles)
- Culver City (33 miles)
- Glen Avon (34 miles)
- Hollywood (34 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (34 miles)
- Glendale (35 miles)
- Altadena (35 miles)
- Venice (35 miles)
- West Hollywood (35 miles)
- Beverly Hills (36 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (36 miles)
- Riverside (36 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (36 miles)
- Rubidoux (37 miles)
- Universal City (38 miles)
- Santa Monica (38 miles)
- Burbank (38 miles)
- Wildomar (39 miles)
- Studio City (40 miles)
- Fontana (40 miles)
- North Hollywood (40 miles)
- Bloomington (41 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (42 miles)
- Perris (42 miles)
- Tujunga (42 miles)
- Rialto (43 miles)
- Van Nuys (44 miles)
- Valley Glen (44 miles)
- Murrieta (44 miles)
- Encino (44 miles)
- Moreno Valley (44 miles)
- Colton (45 miles)