Discover the charm of Irvine during the holidays with our guide. Whether you're familiar with Irvine or seeing it for the first time, our guide reveals the festive treasures.
One popular event is the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train, where families can enjoy a scenic ride through enchanting holiday displays. Another highlight is the 114th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights, featuring beautifully decorated boats illuminating the coastline. And the Holidayz at the Park is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful array of seasonal activities for all ages. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Irvine
- 114th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights (Newport Beach)
- Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train (Orange)
- Mission Inn Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Holidayz at the Park
- The Polar Express Train Ride (Perris)
- Cirque Dreams Holidaze (Riverside)
- Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall (Costa Mesa)
- Aliso Viejo All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
- Capistrano Lights (San Juan Capistrano)
- Santa's Arrival and Illumination (Mission Viejo)
See these and even more events listed below!
Irvine Holiday Light Displays
Holidayz at the Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday light display with larger-than-life decorations.
Description:
Holidayz at the Park transforms Great Park into a holiday-themed art and music spectacle with interactive displays and festive photo backdrops.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Holidayz at the Park
Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday display with Peanuts characters and various activities.
Description:
The Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall features scenes populated by "Peanuts" characters, including holiday light displays, live entertainment, and activities like sledding and train rides. Santa visits are available for photos, and a sensory-friendly event is offered for those with sensory sensitivities.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
Mission Inn Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with over 4.5 million lights.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is a cherished annual tradition featuring over 4.5 million twinkling lights, attracting over 500,000 visitors each year. It includes lighted decorations, photo opportunities, food vendors, and activities.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Mission Inn Festival of Lights
114th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
What to Expect:
Decorated boats and kayaks sailing through Newport Harbor.
Description:
The 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights features beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes sailing through Newport Harbor. The event includes a waterfront decorating competition, special commemorative items for participants, and optimal viewing locations like Marina Park. Fireworks kick off the parade on opening night.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: 114th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights
Capistrano Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with unique light features and community involvement.
Description:
Celebrate the holidays at Orange County's only Mission with tree lighting, Dickens-era carolers, full-scale nativity, and light features including a new lighted halo grove and scented citrus garden. The event also includes Community Christmas Trees, Family Wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel.
Where: San Juan Capistrano | More Info: Capistrano Lights
Irvine Holiday Shows and Entertainment
John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
What to Expect:
Intimate performance of John Denver's classic songs and carols.
Description:
John Denver's Rocky Mountain Christmas features Rick Schuler performing all your favorite Denver hits, including "Rocky Mountain High," "Sunshine on My Shoulders," and "Take Me Home, Country Roads." The show also includes heartwarming inspirational carols and holiday classics from John Denver's memorable TV specials and Christmas albums.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: John Denver’s Rocky Mountain Christmas
Cirque Dreams Holidaze
What to Expect:
Dazzling circus arts and holiday-themed performances.
Description:
Cirque Dreams Holidaze is a spectacular holiday show featuring 30 performers from over 12 countries. The troupe combines their talents in 20 acts, transforming into costumed characters and performing astonishing feats that celebrate the holiday season with spectacle, imagination, and whimsical joy. The show includes an original musical score, dazzling costumes, and a sparkling stage set.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Cirque Dreams Holidaze
The Polar Express Train Ride
What to Expect:
Live theatrical onboard entertainment with Santa and his helpers.
Description:
The Polar Express Train Ride is a family-friendly event where passengers relive the classic holiday story on a real train. Set to the sounds of the motion picture soundtrack, the journey includes hot chocolate, cookies, and a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. Santa and his helpers board the train to greet passengers and give each guest the first gift of Christmas—a silver sleigh bell.
Where: Perris | More Info: The Polar Express Train Ride
Irvine Other Holiday Activities
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride to meet Santa.
Description:
The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train offers a family-friendly holiday experience where guests can ride a decorated train to the North Pole, meet Santa, and enjoy festive activities at Santa's Village.
Where: Orange | More Info: Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train
Aliso Viejo All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with diverse activities.
Description:
The All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting in Aliso Viejo features train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, and a visit from Santa Claus as the town center's 22-foot tree is lit.
Where: Aliso Viejo | More Info: Aliso Viejo All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
Santa's Arrival and Illumination
What to Expect:
Interactive activities and live entertainment with Santa's arrival.
Description:
Join the community at Mission Viejo's Civic Center for an interactive holiday celebration featuring a petting zoo, live entertainment, and Santa's arrival on a fire engine to light the festive lights.
Where: Mission Viejo | More Info: Santa's Arrival and Illumination
San Clemente Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Community-driven celebrations with diverse activities.
Description:
San Clemente's holiday events offer a variety of activities, including the annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration, Monster Dash 5k and Fun Run, and the San Clemente Day Annual Youth Fishing Derby. These events showcase the community's spirit and diversity.
Where: San Clemente | More Info: San Clemente Holiday Event
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Tustin (5 miles)
- Costa Mesa (6 miles)
- Santa Ana (6 miles)
- North Tustin (7 miles)
- Newport Beach (7 miles)
- Laguna Hills (7 miles)
- Lake Forest (8 miles)
- Fountain Valley (8 miles)
- Orange (8 miles)
- Laguna Beach (9 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (9 miles)
- Garden Grove (10 miles)
- Mission Viejo (10 miles)
- Huntington Beach (10 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (12 miles)
- Westminster (12 miles)
- Anaheim (13 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (13 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (13 miles)
- Stanton (13 miles)
- Placentia (14 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (15 miles)
- Fullerton (15 miles)
- Yorba Linda (15 miles)
- Dana Point (16 miles)
- Cypress (16 miles)
- Seal Beach (17 miles)
- Buena Park (17 miles)
- Brea (18 miles)
- Cerritos (19 miles)
- La Habra (19 miles)
- La Mirada (20 miles)
- Corona (20 miles)
- San Clemente (21 miles)
- Rowland Heights (22 miles)
- Norwalk (22 miles)
- Lakewood (22 miles)
- Long Beach (22 miles)
- Bellflower (22 miles)
- Chino Hills (23 miles)
- South Whittier (23 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (24 miles)
- Norco (24 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (24 miles)
- Walnut (24 miles)
- Whittier (25 miles)
- Paramount (25 miles)
- Diamond Bar (25 miles)
- Chino (25 miles)
- Eastvale (25 miles)
- La Puente (25 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (25 miles)
- Downey (26 miles)
- Pico Rivera (27 miles)
- Valinda (27 miles)
- Pomona (27 miles)
- San Pedro (27 miles)
- Compton (28 miles)
- West Puente Valley (28 miles)
- Bell Gardens (28 miles)
- West Covina (28 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (28 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (29 miles)
- Montebello (29 miles)
- Carson (29 miles)
- Lynwood (29 miles)
- Cudahy (29 miles)
- West Carson (29 miles)
- Ontario (29 miles)
- Montclair (29 miles)
- Covina (29 miles)
- South El Monte (29 miles)
- Lomita (30 miles)
- South Gate (30 miles)
- Baldwin Park (30 miles)
- Bell (30 miles)
- El Monte (30 miles)
- La Verne (30 miles)
- Claremont (30 miles)
- Willowbrook (30 miles)
- Maywood (30 miles)
- San Dimas (30 miles)
- Glen Avon (31 miles)
- Upland (31 miles)
- Riverside (31 miles)
- Huntington Park (32 miles)
- Wildomar (32 miles)
- East Los Angeles (32 miles)
- Gardena (32 miles)
- Florence-Graham (32 miles)
- Rosemead (32 miles)
- Torrance (32 miles)
- Monterey Park (32 miles)
- Glendora (32 miles)
- Azusa (32 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (33 miles)
- Rubidoux (33 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (33 miles)
- Temple City (33 miles)
- Westmont (33 miles)
- Boyle Heights (33 miles)
- San Gabriel (34 miles)
- Duarte (34 miles)
- Lawndale (34 miles)
- Alhambra (34 miles)
- Monrovia (35 miles)
- Arcadia (35 miles)
- Redondo Beach (35 miles)
- Hawthorne (35 miles)
- Perris (35 miles)
- Lennox (36 miles)
- Los Angeles (36 miles)
- Murrieta (36 miles)
- South Pasadena (36 miles)
- Inglewood (37 miles)
- Fontana (37 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (37 miles)
- Bloomington (37 miles)
- Echo Park (38 miles)
- Pasadena (38 miles)
- Koreatown (38 miles)
- Silver Lake (39 miles)
- Fallbrook (39 miles)
- Moreno Valley (39 miles)
- Menifee (39 miles)
- Rialto (40 miles)
- Altadena (40 miles)
- Colton (40 miles)
- Temecula (41 miles)
- Culver City (41 miles)
- Glendale (41 miles)
- Hollywood (41 miles)
- Loma Linda (42 miles)
- Oceanside (42 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (42 miles)
- West Hollywood (42 miles)
- Venice (43 miles)
- San Bernardino (43 miles)
- Beverly Hills (43 miles)
- Universal City (44 miles)
- Carlsbad (45 miles)
- Burbank (45 miles)