Embark on an exciting festive adventure in Orange with our guide. Discover all the top holiday happenings. Whether you're rediscovering your hometown or visiting Orange for the first time, our guide is here to help you celebrate the season.
Popular events include Knott’s Merry Farm, where guests can enjoy festive decorations and seasonal rides, creating a charming atmosphere for all ages. For a different experience, Winter Fest OC features an array of winter activities like ice skating and whimsical light displays. And the Festival of Lights is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing dazzling light 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 Orange
- Knott’s Merry Farm (Buena Park)
- Winter Fest OC (Costa Mesa)
- Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Capistrano Lights (San Juan Capistrano)
- 45th Annual Christmas Boat Parade (Dana Point)
- Santa Boat Rides Aboard the Dana Pride (Dana Point)
- All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
- South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting (Costa Mesa)
- Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall (Costa Mesa)
- Newport Dunes, Lighting of the Bay (Newport Beach)
See these and even more events listed below!
Orange Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Nation's largest holiday light collection with animated figures and festive decorations.
Description:
The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa's Festival of Lights is one of the nation's largest holiday light collections, featuring over 5 million lights, 200 animated figures, and festive decorations. It attracts over 500,000 visitors each year, making it a cherished annual tradition.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Festival 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
45th Annual Christmas Boat Parade
What to Expect:
Tiki-themed boat parade with live music and Santa boat rides.
Description:
The 45th Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights is a Tiki Holiday takeover featuring decorated boats and festivities around Dana Point Harbor.
Where: Dana Point | More Info: 45th Annual Christmas Boat Parade
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community and aerial performances with Santa Claus.
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.
Where: Aliso Viejo | More Info: All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Spectacular 96-foot tree illuminated with 150,000 LED lights.
Description:
The South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting features a 96-foot white fir tree decorated with over 150,000 LED lights, accompanied by holiday entertainment, a visit from Santa, and a performance by the Orange County School of the Arts.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
What to Expect:
Handcrafted wooden scenes of "Peanuts" characters in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
The Snoopy House Holiday Display at Costa Mesa City Hall features handcrafted wooden scenes of "Peanuts" characters, including Snoopy and friends, in a festive holiday setting. The event includes train rides, live entertainment, carolers, and opportunities for photos with Santa.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
Newport Dunes, Lighting of the Bay
What to Expect:
Free public event with over fifty floating holiday light displays.
Description:
Newport Dunes presents the 33rd annual Lighting of the Bay, transforming the serene waveless bay into a vibrant winter scene with over fifty holiday light displays. The event features holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, and a holiday movie on the beach. An ice skating rink and fire pits with s’mores kits add to the festive atmosphere.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Dunes, Lighting of the Bay
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
What to Expect:
90-foot tree with synchronized light and music display.
Description:
Watch Fashion Island's beautifully decorated 90-foot tree come to life with snowfall, music, and a choreographed light display every half hour in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Orange County Great Park, Holidayz At The Park
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday-themed art and music displays.
Description:
Orange County Great Park transforms into a holiday-themed destination with interactive displays, festive photo backdrops, and a curated selection of handmade goods.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Orange County Great Park, Holidayz At The Park
Orange Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Knott’s Merry Farm
What to Expect:
Winter wonderland-inspired decorations and holiday activities.
Description:
Knott’s Merry Farm transforms the entire park into a classic holiday festival with thousands of twinkling lights, themed garland, and picturesque seasonal settings. Enjoy Christmas shows, a beloved ice show starring the Peanuts Gang, and delectable holiday dining food.
Where: Buena Park | More Info: Knott’s Merry Farm
Orange Other Holiday Activities
Winter Fest OC
What to Expect:
Unique blend of agriculture, entertainment, and educational experiences.
Description:
Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center offers a variety of activities and events, including farm garden workshops, live music, and family-friendly entertainment. The event features a working farm with animals and crops, as well as a veterans museum, making it an ideal destination for field trips and educational enrichment.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Winter Fest OC
Santa Boat Rides Aboard the Dana Pride
What to Expect:
Socially distanced Santa interactions on a festive harbor cruise.
Description:
Take a 20-minute boat ride around Dana Point Harbor with Santa aboard the Dana Pride. All proceeds benefit the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations are required, and children can interact with Santa while maintaining social distancing.
Where: Dana Point | More Info: Santa Boat Rides Aboard the Dana Pride
Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Interactive activities and live entertainment with Santa's arrival.
Description:
Join the community at the Mission Viejo Civic Center for a festive celebration featuring fun interactive activities, a petting zoo, and live entertainment. The event includes a petting zoo and live entertainment, culminating with Santa's arrival on a fire engine at 6 pm to turn on the holiday lights.
Where: Mission Viejo | More Info: Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Old Towne Orange Plaza Holiday Event
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with local involvement.
Description:
The Old Towne Orange Plaza Holiday Event features a festive celebration with community involvement, including the Old Towne Preservation Association's organization.
Where: Orange | More Info: Old Towne Orange Plaza Holiday Event
Snow Days with the Critters
What to Expect:
Trick-or-treating with zoo animals.
Description:
Snow Days with the Critters at the Santa Ana Zoo features trick-or-treating, nocturnal animal presentations, and a scavenger hunt, making it a fun-filled Halloween family festival.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Snow Days with the Critters
Anaheim Town Square Holiday Carnival
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday activities with Santa and festive fun.
Description:
Anaheim Town Square Holiday Carnival features Santa's arrival, real snow, holiday crafts, and activities like cookie decorating and bounce houses.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Anaheim Town Square Holiday Carnival
Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Community celebration with live entertainment and vendor gifts.
Description:
The Corona del Mar Christmas Walk is a community event celebrating merchants and restaurants in Corona del Mar Village with live entertainment, Santa visits, beer and wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, and children’s activities.
Where: Corona del Mar | More Info: Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Santa Ana (3 miles)
- Tustin (3 miles)
- North Tustin (4 miles)
- Anaheim (5 miles)
- Garden Grove (5 miles)
- Placentia (6 miles)
- Fullerton (7 miles)
- Yorba Linda (7 miles)
- Fountain Valley (8 miles)
- Stanton (8 miles)
- Irvine (8 miles)
- Westminster (9 miles)
- Brea (9 miles)
- Buena Park (10 miles)
- Cypress (11 miles)
- Costa Mesa (11 miles)
- La Habra (11 miles)
- Huntington Beach (12 miles)
- Newport Beach (12 miles)
- La Mirada (13 miles)
- Cerritos (13 miles)
- Rowland Heights (13 miles)
- Lake Forest (14 miles)
- Laguna Hills (15 miles)
- Seal Beach (15 miles)
- Chino Hills (15 miles)
- Norwalk (15 miles)
- South Whittier (15 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (16 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (16 miles)
- Walnut (16 miles)
- Bellflower (16 miles)
- Mission Viejo (17 miles)
- Lakewood (17 miles)
- Whittier (17 miles)
- Diamond Bar (17 miles)
- La Puente (17 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (17 miles)
- Laguna Beach (17 miles)
- Corona (18 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (18 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (18 miles)
- Chino (18 miles)
- Valinda (19 miles)
- Paramount (19 miles)
- Downey (19 miles)
- Long Beach (19 miles)
- Pomona (19 miles)
- West Puente Valley (19 miles)
- Pico Rivera (19 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (20 miles)
- West Covina (20 miles)
- Norco (20 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (20 miles)
- Eastvale (21 miles)
- Covina (21 miles)
- Bell Gardens (21 miles)
- Montebello (21 miles)
- South El Monte (21 miles)
- Baldwin Park (21 miles)
- El Monte (22 miles)
- Montclair (22 miles)
- La Verne (22 miles)
- San Dimas (22 miles)
- Ontario (22 miles)
- Compton (22 miles)
- Cudahy (22 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (23 miles)
- Claremont (23 miles)
- Lynwood (23 miles)
- Bell (23 miles)
- Maywood (23 miles)
- South Gate (24 miles)
- Rosemead (24 miles)
- Dana Point (24 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (24 miles)
- Glendora (24 miles)
- Azusa (24 miles)
- Upland (24 miles)
- Monterey Park (24 miles)
- East Los Angeles (25 miles)
- Willowbrook (25 miles)
- Carson (25 miles)
- Temple City (25 miles)
- Huntington Park (25 miles)
- Duarte (25 miles)
- West Carson (25 miles)
- San Pedro (25 miles)
- Florence-Graham (26 miles)
- San Gabriel (26 miles)
- Glen Avon (26 miles)
- Monrovia (26 miles)
- Boyle Heights (26 miles)
- Alhambra (26 miles)
- Arcadia (26 miles)
- Lomita (27 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (27 miles)
- Gardena (27 miles)
- Westmont (28 miles)
- Torrance (28 miles)
- South Pasadena (28 miles)
- San Clemente (29 miles)
- Riverside (29 miles)
- Los Angeles (29 miles)
- Rubidoux (29 miles)
- Lawndale (29 miles)
- Pasadena (30 miles)
- Hawthorne (30 miles)
- Lennox (30 miles)
- Echo Park (31 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (31 miles)
- Redondo Beach (31 miles)
- Inglewood (31 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (31 miles)
- Silver Lake (32 miles)
- Koreatown (32 miles)
- Fontana (32 miles)
- Altadena (32 miles)
- Bloomington (33 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (33 miles)
- Glendale (34 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (34 miles)
- Hollywood (35 miles)
- Culver City (35 miles)
- Rialto (35 miles)
- Wildomar (35 miles)
- Perris (36 miles)
- West Hollywood (36 miles)
- Colton (37 miles)
- Beverly Hills (37 miles)
- Moreno Valley (37 miles)
- Venice (38 miles)
- Universal City (38 miles)
- Burbank (38 miles)
- Loma Linda (38 miles)
- San Bernardino (39 miles)
- Studio City (40 miles)
- Santa Monica (40 miles)
- Murrieta (40 miles)
- North Hollywood (40 miles)
- Tujunga (41 miles)
- Menifee (41 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (42 miles)
- Redlands (43 miles)
- Highland (44 miles)
- Van Nuys (44 miles)
- Valley Glen (44 miles)
- Fallbrook (45 miles)