Plan your holiday itinerary with ease in Ladera Ranch. Our guide has all the best festive events and activities. From Ladera Ranch old-timers to new arrivals, our guide is your key to a magical holiday season.
Highlighting this year’s festivities, Winter Fest OC invites families to revel in a winter wonderland filled with seasonal attractions and entertainment. Unique experiences such as nightly snow flurries bring a touch of charm to the holiday atmosphere. And the Enchanted Forest of Light is something you definitely don't want to miss, with its stunning luminary displays that illuminate the night. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Ladera Ranch
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Nightly Snow Flurries (Los Angeles)
- Magic of Lights (Los Angeles)
- Enchanted Forest of Light (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village (Anaheim)
- All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
See these and even more events listed below!
Ladera Ranch Holiday Light Displays
Nightly Snow Flurries
What to Expect:
Artificial snowfall experience without the cold.
Description:
The Grove transforms into a winter wonderland with nightly snowfalls, a 100-foot Christmas tree, and spirited photo moments at Santa's Workshop.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Nightly Snow Flurries
Enchanted Forest of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a spectacular display of light and color with Enchanted Forest of Light, featuring intricate installations and ambient music that illuminate beloved garden spaces.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light
Magic of Lights
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights with iconic displays.
Description:
Magic of Lights is a drive-through holiday lights experience featuring over two million sparkling lights, including larger-than-life displays of Holiday Barbie, Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs. The event offers a variety of holiday scenes and characters, making it a great family entertainment value.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with festive activities and Santa's visit.
Description:
The All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting features train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, and a visit from Santa at Aliso Viejo Town Center.
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 Tree Lighting & Holiday Village 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 ceremony at City Hall.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Ladera Ranch Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Interactive farm and garden workshops.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities including farm garden workshops, food preservation classes, and chocolate truffle making. The event features a working farm with animals and crops, a veterans museum, and 157,000 square feet of venue rental space for meetings, parties, and cultural festivals.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride with Santa visit and festive lights.
Description:
Take a festive ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet Santa Claus. The Christmas Train departs from the train station and drops passengers off at the North Pole, where children can share their wish list with Santa and have their photo taken. After visiting Santa, guests will board the train again to enjoy colorful Christmas lights and decorations on the ride back to Santa’s Village.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with festive lighting.
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 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!
- Mission Viejo (3 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (5 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (5 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (5 miles)
- Laguna Hills (5 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (5 miles)
- Lake Forest (6 miles)
- Dana Point (8 miles)
- Laguna Beach (9 miles)
- San Clemente (10 miles)
- Irvine (13 miles)
- North Tustin (16 miles)
- Tustin (16 miles)
- Costa Mesa (17 miles)
- Newport Beach (17 miles)
- Santa Ana (18 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (19 miles)
- Orange (20 miles)
- Wildomar (21 miles)
- Fountain Valley (21 miles)
- Corona (21 miles)
- Huntington Beach (22 miles)
- Garden Grove (22 miles)
- Yorba Linda (24 miles)
- Anaheim (24 miles)
- Murrieta (24 miles)
- Placentia (25 miles)
- Westminster (25 miles)
- Norco (25 miles)
- Fallbrook (26 miles)
- Stanton (26 miles)
- Fullerton (27 miles)
- Eastvale (27 miles)
- Perris (28 miles)
- Brea (28 miles)
- Temecula (29 miles)
- Cypress (29 miles)
- Buena Park (29 miles)
- Seal Beach (29 miles)
- Riverside (30 miles)
- Oceanside (30 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (30 miles)
- Chino Hills (30 miles)
- Menifee (30 miles)
- Chino (31 miles)
- La Habra (31 miles)
- Glen Avon (32 miles)
- Cerritos (32 miles)
- Rowland Heights (32 miles)
- Rubidoux (32 miles)
- La Mirada (32 miles)
- Carlsbad (33 miles)
- Diamond Bar (33 miles)
- Walnut (34 miles)
- Ontario (34 miles)
- Pomona (34 miles)
- Vista (34 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (34 miles)
- Norwalk (34 miles)
- Moreno Valley (34 miles)
- Long Beach (35 miles)
- Lakewood (35 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (35 miles)
- South Whittier (35 miles)
- Bellflower (35 miles)
- Montclair (35 miles)
- La Puente (36 miles)
- Whittier (36 miles)
- Upland (36 miles)
- Claremont (37 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (37 miles)
- Bloomington (37 miles)
- Valinda (37 miles)
- Paramount (37 miles)
- La Verne (37 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (37 miles)
- Fontana (38 miles)
- Downey (38 miles)
- San Dimas (38 miles)
- West Puente Valley (38 miles)
- West Covina (39 miles)
- Covina (39 miles)
- Pico Rivera (39 miles)
- Colton (39 miles)
- Loma Linda (39 miles)
- San Pedro (39 miles)
- Hemet (40 miles)
- Rialto (40 miles)
- San Marcos (40 miles)
- Baldwin Park (40 miles)
- Bell Gardens (40 miles)
- Compton (40 miles)
- Montebello (41 miles)
- South El Monte (41 miles)
- El Monte (41 miles)
- Glendora (41 miles)
- Carson (41 miles)
- Lynwood (41 miles)
- Cudahy (41 miles)
- West Carson (42 miles)
- San Jacinto (42 miles)
- Encinitas (42 miles)
- Azusa (42 miles)
- Lomita (42 miles)
- San Bernardino (42 miles)
- Bell (42 miles)
- Redlands (42 miles)
- South Gate (42 miles)
- Maywood (43 miles)
- Willowbrook (43 miles)
- Rosemead (43 miles)
- Duarte (44 miles)
- East Los Angeles (44 miles)
- Monterey Park (44 miles)
- Huntington Park (44 miles)
- Temple City (44 miles)
- Florence-Graham (44 miles)
- Torrance (44 miles)
- Gardena (44 miles)
- Escondido (44 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (45 miles)