Holiday magic awaits in Santa Ana! Dive into our guide for all the must-see events and fun. Whether you're intimately familiar with Santa Ana or just getting acquainted, this guide enhances your festive experience.
One of the highlights during this season is the Riverside Festival of Lights, where dazzling holiday lights illuminate the Riverside area, creating a charming atmosphere for visitors. Additionally, the Santa Ana Winter Village features a picturesque setting complete with ice skating and an array of local vendors selling unique gifts. And the Los Angeles Christmas Market is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing an expansive selection of arts, crafts, and festive treats. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Santa Ana
- Riverside Festival of Lights (Riverside)
- Santa Ana Winter Village
- Los Angeles Christmas Market (Los Angeles)
- Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village (Anaheim)
- Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting (Mission Viejo)
- Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square (Los Angeles)
- Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall (Costa Mesa)
- Newport Beach Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island (Newport Beach)
- All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting (Aliso Viejo)
- Corona del Mar Christmas Walk (Corona del Mar)
See these and even more events listed below!
Santa Ana Holiday Light Displays
Riverside Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Over 10 million lights and decorations in downtown Riverside.
Description:
The Riverside Festival of Lights is a spectacular holiday event featuring millions of lights, live music, rides, and attractions. Enjoy holiday-themed decorations throughout downtown Riverside, including an ice rink, Santa's House, and the Merry Art Market.
Where: Riverside | More Info: Riverside Festival of Lights
Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
What to Expect:
Family-friendly holiday celebration with Santa, crafts, and shopping.
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 with the tree lighting at City Hall.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Nutcracker Tree Lighting & Holiday Village
Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
What to Expect:
Sensory-friendly event with special activities for all ages.
Description:
The Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall features scenes populated by "Peanuts" characters, offering a delightful holiday display with Santa, an inflatable slide, and live entertainment.
Where: Costa Mesa | More Info: Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall
Newport Beach Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
What to Expect:
Synchronized light and sound show on a 90-foot decorated tree.
Description:
Watch Fashion Island's beautifully decorated 90-foot tree come to life with snowfall, music, and a choreographed light display in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard every half hour.
Where: Newport Beach | More Info: Newport Beach Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Santa Ana Holiday Markets and Shopping
Los Angeles Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Blends European traditions with local artisans.
Description:
The Los Angeles Christmas Market at ROW DTLA offers a diverse array of festive food and drink vendors, twinkling lights, and family-friendly activities. Explore open-air booths featuring seasonal favorites like soft pretzels, hot chocolate, and handicrafts made by local artisans. This event uniquely blends European traditions with cultural heritage in the heart of downtown LA.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Los Angeles Christmas Market
Anaheim Hills Festival Holiday Spectacular
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa, crafts, and train rides.
Description:
The Anaheim Hills Festival Holiday Spectacular is a free event at the Festival shopping center, featuring photo opportunities with Santa, children's crafts, face painting, balloon art, and train rides.
Where: Anaheim | More Info: Anaheim Hills Festival Holiday Spectacular
Santa Ana Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Laguna Niguel Holiday Magic
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with Santa and festive activities.
Description:
Join the City of Laguna Niguel for their annual Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall. Enjoy an evening filled with games, crafts, performances, and Christmas treats while visiting Santa.
Where: Laguna Niguel | More Info: Laguna Niguel Holiday Magic
Santa Ana Other Holiday Activities
Santa Ana Winter Village
What to Expect:
Outdoor ice skating in a festive holiday setting.
Description:
The Santa Ana Winter Village is a month-long event featuring ice skating, a holiday light show, food vendors, and more. It includes special events like a tree lighting ceremony, breakfast with Santa, and a toy giveaway.
Where: Santa Ana | More Info: Santa Ana Winter Village
Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
What to Expect:
Unique outdoor ice skating experience in downtown LA.
Description:
The Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square offers outdoor ice skating in downtown Los Angeles, open daily from November 21 to January 12, 2025. Sessions are 60 minutes long, and general admission includes skate rental. Special events include weekly DJ Spotlight Nights and Learn to Curl sessions.
Where: Los Angeles | More Info: Holiday Ice Rink in Pershing Square
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday celebration with live music and Santa visits.
Description:
The All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony is a festive event held at the Aliso Viejo Town Center Fountain & Amphitheater, featuring holiday music, Santa visits, and a tree lighting ceremony.
Where: Aliso Viejo | More Info: All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting
Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
What to Expect:
Live entertainment by over 17 local bands.
Description:
The Corona del Mar Christmas Walk is a free community event celebrating merchants and restaurants in Corona del Mar Village with live entertainment, Santa's visits, beer and wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, children's activities, and merchant promotions.
Where: Corona del Mar | More Info: Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
What to Expect:
Family-friendly activities and holiday entertainment.
Description:
The Lake Forest Annual Tree Lighting Celebration is a family-friendly event featuring games, crafts, face painting, and a balloon artist. Enjoy inflatables, trackless train rides, food vendors, holiday-themed entertainment, and special guests. The event includes a boutique with a wide variety of last-minute gift choices and a special appearance by Ole St. Nick. The celebration begins at 3 p.m. with the tree lighting scheduled for approximately 6 p.m. at the Civic Center.
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 on a fire engine.
Description:
Join the community at Mission Viejo's Civic Center for a festive celebration featuring fun interactive activities, a petting zoo, and live entertainment. The festival will be held from 3 to 5:30 PM, culminating in Santa's arrival on a fire engine at 6 PM to turn on the holiday lights.
Where: Mission Viejo | More Info: Mission Viejo Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Tustin (2 miles)
- Orange (3 miles)
- North Tustin (4 miles)
- Garden Grove (5 miles)
- Fountain Valley (6 miles)
- Irvine (6 miles)
- Anaheim (7 miles)
- Costa Mesa (8 miles)
- Westminster (8 miles)
- Stanton (8 miles)
- Placentia (9 miles)
- Fullerton (9 miles)
- Newport Beach (9 miles)
- Huntington Beach (10 miles)
- Yorba Linda (10 miles)
- Cypress (11 miles)
- Buena Park (11 miles)
- Brea (12 miles)
- Lake Forest (12 miles)
- Laguna Hills (13 miles)
- Seal Beach (14 miles)
- La Habra (14 miles)
- Cerritos (14 miles)
- La Mirada (14 miles)
- Aliso Viejo (15 miles)
- Laguna Beach (15 miles)
- Mission Viejo (15 miles)
- Rowland Heights (16 miles)
- Norwalk (16 miles)
- Rancho Santa Margarita (17 miles)
- Lakewood (17 miles)
- Bellflower (17 miles)
- South Whittier (17 miles)
- Laguna Niguel (18 miles)
- Ladera Ranch (18 miles)
- Hacienda Heights (18 miles)
- Chino Hills (18 miles)
- Long Beach (19 miles)
- South San Jose Hills (19 miles)
- Whittier (19 miles)
- Walnut (19 miles)
- Corona (19 miles)
- Paramount (19 miles)
- La Puente (20 miles)
- West Whittier-Los Nietos (20 miles)
- Diamond Bar (20 miles)
- Downey (20 miles)
- San Juan Capistrano (21 miles)
- Pico Rivera (21 miles)
- Chino (21 miles)
- Valinda (21 miles)
- Dana Point (22 miles)
- West Puente Valley (22 miles)
- Bell Gardens (22 miles)
- Norco (22 miles)
- Pomona (22 miles)
- West Covina (23 miles)
- Compton (23 miles)
- Montebello (23 miles)
- Eastvale (23 miles)
- Lynwood (23 miles)
- Cudahy (24 miles)
- South El Monte (24 miles)
- Covina (24 miles)
- Baldwin Park (24 miles)
- El Monte (24 miles)
- Bell (24 miles)
- San Pedro (24 miles)
- South Gate (24 miles)
- Carson (25 miles)
- Maywood (25 miles)
- West Carson (25 miles)
- Montclair (25 miles)
- Willowbrook (25 miles)
- San Dimas (25 miles)
- La Verne (25 miles)
- Ontario (25 miles)
- Claremont (26 miles)
- Lomita (26 miles)
- Rosemead (26 miles)
- East Los Angeles (26 miles)
- Huntington Park (26 miles)
- Monterey Park (26 miles)
- Jurupa Valley (26 miles)
- San Clemente (26 miles)
- Florence-Graham (27 miles)
- Azusa (27 miles)
- Glendora (27 miles)
- Gardena (27 miles)
- Temple City (27 miles)
- Upland (27 miles)
- Boyle Heights (28 miles)
- San Gabriel (28 miles)
- Torrance (28 miles)
- Duarte (28 miles)
- Alhambra (28 miles)
- Westmont (28 miles)
- Glen Avon (29 miles)
- Monrovia (29 miles)
- Arcadia (29 miles)
- Rancho Cucamonga (29 miles)
- Lawndale (29 miles)
- Rancho Palos Verdes (30 miles)
- Hawthorne (30 miles)
- Los Angeles (30 miles)
- South Pasadena (30 miles)
- Riverside (31 miles)
- Redondo Beach (31 miles)
- Lennox (31 miles)
- Lake Elsinore (32 miles)
- Inglewood (32 miles)
- Rubidoux (32 miles)
- Pasadena (32 miles)
- Echo Park (32 miles)
- Manhattan Beach (33 miles)
- Koreatown (33 miles)
- Silver Lake (33 miles)
- Altadena (34 miles)
- Fontana (34 miles)
- Bloomington (35 miles)
- Glendale (35 miles)
- Wildomar (35 miles)
- Culver City (36 miles)
- Hollywood (36 miles)
- La Canada Flintridge (36 miles)
- Perris (37 miles)
- West Hollywood (37 miles)
- Rialto (38 miles)
- Venice (38 miles)
- Beverly Hills (38 miles)
- Moreno Valley (39 miles)
- Universal City (39 miles)
- Colton (39 miles)
- Burbank (39 miles)
- Murrieta (40 miles)
- Santa Monica (40 miles)
- Loma Linda (41 miles)
- Studio City (41 miles)
- Menifee (41 miles)
- San Bernardino (42 miles)
- North Hollywood (42 miles)
- Tujunga (42 miles)
- Sherman Oaks (44 miles)
- Fallbrook (44 miles)
- Redlands (45 miles)
- Temecula (45 miles)