Explore the key events of the holidays in San Juan Capistrano. Our guide has all the must-see festive activities. From San Juan Capistrano locals to holiday travelers, our guide helps everyone find the city's seasonal magic.
Popular events include the enchanting "Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights," where stunning light displays illuminate the historic mission, creating a captivating atmosphere. Featuring community festivities, the "Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village" brings together families for an evening of joy, complete with a beautiful tree lighting. And the "Boat Parade of Lights - Dana Point Harbor" is something you definitely don't want to miss, as boats adorned with twinkling lights create a spectacular show on the water. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around San Juan Capistrano
- Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights
- Magic of Lights - Los Angeles (Los Angeles)
- Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens (La Cañada Flintridge)
- Boat Parade of Lights - Dana Point Harbor (Dana Point)
- Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village (Anaheim)
- Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad (Irvine)
- Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall (Costa Mesa)
- All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
- Boat Ride with Santa - Dana Point Harbor (Dana Point)
See these and even more events listed below!
San Juan Capistrano Holiday Light Displays
Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with historic Mission San Juan Capistrano lights and live performances.
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 daytime admission to the Mission, community Christmas trees, family wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel.
Where: San Juan Capistrano | More Info: Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday event with festive activities and a tree lighting ceremony.
Description:
Join the All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting at Aliso Viejo Town Center for train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, and a visit from Santa.
Where: Aliso Viejo | More Info: All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with dog costume contest and Santa photos.
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 festive tree lighting ceremony at City Hall.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
What to Expect:
Handcrafted wooden Peanuts character displays.
Description:
The Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall features holiday displays of "Peanuts" characters, including nightly visits from Santa, train rides, letters to Santa, live performances, and a miniature sled hill.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
Boat Parade of Lights - Dana Point Harbor
What to Expect:
Elaborate boat decorations and holiday light displays.
Description:
The 49th Annual Boat Parade of Lights at Dana Point Harbor features elaborately decorated boats, a "Santa's Seaside Carnival" theme, and holiday light displays. The event includes cash prizes for best use of theme and other categories. Spectators can watch from the shoreline or take a holiday cruise for a closer view.
Where: Dana Point | More Info: Boat Parade of Lights - Dana Point Harbor
Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations in a botanical garden setting.
Description:
Descanso Gardens transforms into a vibrant, luminescent forest with interactive art installations, atmospheric lighting, and ambient music, featuring returning favorites like Tom Fruin's stained glass houses and HYBYCOZO's geometric sculptures.
Where: La Cañada Flintridge | More Info: Enchanted Forest of Light - Descanso Gardens
Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
What to Expect:
Dazzling drive-through holiday lights experience with iconic displays.
Description:
Drive through a spectacular holiday lights display featuring larger-than-life sparkling Holiday Barbie, supersized Bigfoot Monster Truck, and life-sized dinosaurs in Prehistoric Christmas.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Magic of Lights - Los Angeles
San Juan Capistrano Other Holiday Activities
Christmas Train - Irvine Park Railroad
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday train ride with Santa Claus.
Description:
The Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad offers a festive ride through historic Irvine Regional Park, where children can share their wish lists with Santa and have their photos taken. The train departs from the station, drops passengers off at the North Pole, and returns to Santa's Village, featuring 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 festive activities including ice fishing, cookie decorating, and Rudolph Racers. The village is filled with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights and features a full-service snack bar serving hot and cold food. Although reservations are required for the Christmas Train to meet Santa, visitors can still enjoy the village's activities without a reservation.
Where: Irvine | More Info: Santa's Village - Irvine Park Railroad
Boat Ride with Santa - Dana Point Harbor
What to Expect:
Santa-themed boat ride with proceeds benefiting charity.
Description:
Take a 20-minute boat ride around Dana Point Harbor with Santa, benefiting the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Enjoy the holiday season with Santa available from 10 AM to 2 PM.
Where: Dana Point | More Info: Boat Ride with Santa - Dana Point Harbor
Santa Paws - Dana Point Harbor
What to Expect:
Pet photos with Santa Paws to benefit homeless animals.
Description:
Bring your furry friend to the beautiful Dana Point Harbor for a fun-filled photo session with Santa Paws. Pet photos will be offered for a small donation, with all proceeds supporting the Pet Project Foundation.
Where: Dana Point | More Info: Santa Paws - Dana Point Harbor
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Laguna Niguel (3 miles)
- Dana Point (3 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (5 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (6 miles)
- San Clemente (6 miles)
- Mission Viejo (7 miles)
- Laguna Beach (7 miles)
- Laguna Hills (8 miles)
- Lake Forest (10 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (10 miles)
- Irvine (15 miles)
- Newport Beach (17 miles)
- Costa Mesa (18 miles)
- Tustin (19 miles)
- North Tustin (20 miles)
- Santa Ana (21 miles)
- Fountain Valley (22 miles)
- Huntington Beach (22 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (22 miles)
- Orange (23 miles)
- Wildomar (23 miles)
- Garden Grove (25 miles)
- Fallbrook (25 miles)
- Murrieta (26 miles)
- Corona (26 miles)
- Westminster (27 miles)
- Oceanside (27 miles)
- Anaheim (27 miles)
- Yorba Linda (28 miles)
- Stanton (28 miles)
- Placentia (28 miles)
- Fullerton (30 miles)
- Temecula (30 miles)
- Carlsbad (30 miles)
- Seal Beach (30 miles)
- Norco (30 miles)
- Cypress (31 miles)
- Perris (32 miles)
- Brea (32 miles)
- Buena Park (32 miles)
- Vista (32 miles)
- Eastvale (32 miles)
- Menifee (34 miles)
- Cerritos (34 miles)
- La Habra (34 miles)
- Chino Hills (34 miles)
- Riverside (35 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (35 miles)
- La Mirada (35 miles)
- Chino (35 miles)
- Long Beach (35 miles)
- Rowland Heights (36 miles)
- Lakewood (36 miles)
- Glen Avon (37 miles)
- Norwalk (37 miles)
- Bellflower (37 miles)
- Rubidoux (37 miles)
- Diamond Bar (37 miles)
- Walnut (38 miles)
- South Whittier (38 miles)
- San Marcos (38 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (38 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (38 miles)
- Encinitas (39 miles)
- Pomona (39 miles)
- Ontario (39 miles)
- Moreno Valley (39 miles)
- Paramount (39 miles)
- Whittier (39 miles)
- La Puente (39 miles)
- San Pedro (40 miles)
- Montclair (40 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (40 miles)
- Downey (41 miles)
- Valinda (41 miles)
- Upland (41 miles)
- Claremont (41 miles)
- Pico Rivera (42 miles)
- La Verne (42 miles)
- West Puente Valley (42 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (42 miles)
- Compton (42 miles)
- Bloomington (42 miles)
- West Covina (42 miles)
- Carson (42 miles)
- West Carson (42 miles)
- Escondido (42 miles)
- Lomita (43 miles)
- Bell Gardens (43 miles)
- San Dimas (43 miles)
- Covina (43 miles)
- Fontana (43 miles)
- Hemet (43 miles)
- Lynwood (43 miles)
- Montebello (43 miles)
- Cudahy (44 miles)
- Baldwin Park (44 miles)
- South El Monte (44 miles)
- Loma Linda (44 miles)
- Colton (44 miles)
- El Monte (44 miles)
- South Gate (44 miles)
- Willowbrook (45 miles)
- Bell (45 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (45 miles)
- San Jacinto (45 miles)