Orange County transforms into a coastal winter wonderland each holiday season, offering world-class events that showcase why this area remains one of Southern California’s most desirable places to call home.
From sparkling harbor lights in our luxury coastal communities to festive celebrations throughout the region, there’s no shortage of holiday events in Orange County this year to help you embrace the season with family and friends!
North Orange County Holiday Events
Irvine
Holidayz at the Park runs December 6, 2025 through January 4, 2026 at the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex. The celebration features interactive displays, festive photo backdrops, and an outdoor light display open daily from dusk to 9 pm. The kickoff event, Illuminate Irvine, takes place December 6 from 3 to 8 pm with a holiday tree lighting ceremony and entertainment.
Santa’s Village at Irvine Park welcomes families November 28 through December 30 (closed December 24-25) with festive activities including ice fishing, cookie decorating, and ornament crafts. Thousands of sparkling lights create photo opportunities throughout the village, and while train tickets require reservations to see Santa, visitors can enjoy the lights and decorations without any advance booking.
Ice Skating at Irvine Spectrum runs through January 5 at Giant Wheel Court. General admission costs $27 per person with skate rental or $24 if you bring your own skates, with discount pricing available for youth, seniors, and military.
Pretend City Children’s Museum at 29 Hubble in Irvine hosts cultural celebrations including a Hanukkah Celebration on December 14, 2025 at 11 am and the Festival of Kwanzaa on December 20, 2025. Both events are included with museum admission.
Newport Beach
The 117th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade runs December 17-21, 2025, showcasing beautifully decorated yachts, boats, kayaks, and canoes along the harbor. Marina Park at 1600 W Balboa Blvd offers the largest free public viewing location, with opening night fireworks off Newport Pier at approximately 6:15 pm on December 17. Holiday drone shows will be visible from both ends of the harbor throughout the week. For those considering Newport Beach real estate, this iconic parade showcases the community’s maritime heritage and coastal lifestyle.
Newport Coast
Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar takes place December 6, 2025 from 10 am to 6 pm. Visitors can shop for gifts from local artisans, meet Santa for beachside photos, enjoy cookies and cocoa from The Beachcomber, and listen to holiday tunes from the Santa Ana High School Choir. The event concludes with the lighting of the iconic beach tree at sunset. Parking is available at the Los Trancos lot (PCH inland at stoplight Los Trancos) for $5 per hour with a $15 maximum. The area’s Newport Coast homes offer proximity to this beloved coastal tradition.
Corona del Mar
The 46th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk kicks off December 7, 2025 at 11 am. This longstanding community tradition brings thousands together in the Village of Corona del Mar for entertainment, food, a beer garden, Santa visits, and games. The free public event celebrates the neighborhood’s small-town charm.
Nights of 1000 Lights at Sherman Library & Gardens (2647 East Coast Highway) offers twelve nights of holiday cheer throughout December 2025, with specific dates to be determined. Guests stroll through whimsical displays like the Rainbow Trail, Peppermint Stick Forest, and Candy Heart Carnival from 5 pm to 8 pm each night. Activities include carnival games, visiting Santa in his workshop, and making s’mores at the fire pit. The Garden Shop offers unique holiday gift ideas. Those exploring
Corona del Mar properties appreciate these walkable community events.
Costa Mesa
A Christmas Carol at South Coast Repertory (655 Town Center Drive) runs November 29 through December 4, 2025. This Orange County yuletide tradition brings Dickens characters to life, from Tiny Tim to Ebenezer Scrooge.
Handel’s Messiah performs Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 3 pm at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (600 Town Center Drive). The timeless masterwork features blazing trumpets, thundering timpani, and the electrifying Hallelujah chorus.
Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair & Event Center (88 Fair Dr) from November 28, 2025 through January 4, 2026. The festival features more than a million lights, oversized holiday decor, ice skating under the stars, a 150-foot ice tubing slide, snowboard simulator, carnival rides, holiday market, and numerous photo opportunities.
Huntington Beach
Old World Christmas Market at Old World Village (7561 Center Avenue) runs Sundays from November 16 through December 28, 2025. Visitors can shop for holiday gifts from vendors while enjoying food, drinks, and classical holiday music performed by Curtis Hoffmann. The free shows create a festive European-style market atmosphere.
Ring in the holiday cheer around Orange County in 2025.
South Orange County Holiday Events
Laguna Beach
Sawdust Winter Fantasy opens weekends from November 21 through December 21, 2025, 10 am to 7 pm at the Sawdust Art Festival (935 Laguna Canyon Rd). The 35th annual event features 180+ artists offering unique handmade gifts, live entertainment, art classes, live demonstrations, delicious food, and drinks. For those exploring Laguna Beach luxury real estate, this event showcases the community’s renowned arts culture.
Dana Point
Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day, November 27, 2025, is California’s largest Thanksgiving Day run event. The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce hosts this scenic race featuring a 5K, 10K, Combo 15K, and Kids’ 1-Mile Gobble Wobble through the picturesque harbor. A costume contest and health expo add to the festive atmosphere, with proceeds supporting local charities.
Boat Rides with Santa run December 6-7, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm at Dana Wharf Sportfishing docks (4675 Golden Lantern). Twenty-minute harbor cruises with Santa and his helpers cost $5 per person, with proceeds benefiting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay.
50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights launches December 12 at 6:30 pm. Dana Wharf’s 90-minute holiday cruises offer up-close views of decorated boats competing for awards and prizes, complete with holiday music and a cash bar. Those considering Dana Point homes will appreciate the harbor’s active boating community.
Surfing Santa Competition takes place Saturday, December 13, 2025 at Salt Creek Beach. Men, women, and children dress as Santa or other holiday characters and surf to benefit Surfers Healing.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort Breakfast with Santa offers two opportunities to dine with Santa on December 14 and 21, 2025 from 10 am to 2 pm at Lantern’s Edge (25135 Park Lantern). The delectable breakfast includes a Letters to Santa station where children can share their holiday wishes. Reservations are recommended.
Laguna Hills
Herald in the Holidays takes place December 5, 2025 from 6 to 8 pm at the Community Center & Sports Complex (25555 Alicia Parkway). The tree lighting ceremony features carolers, refreshments, snow, crafts, and a visit from Santa.
Breakfast with Santa happens Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 9 to 11 am at the same location. The $10 per person event includes a pancake breakfast, crafts, and photos with Santa. Pre-registration is required.
Laguna Niguel
Ritz-Carlton Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Sunday, November 23, 2025 from 4 to 7 pm benefits Surfers Healing. The Ritz-Carlton at One Ritz-Carlton Drive in Dana Point hosts this spectacular evening with dazzling lights, festive music, holiday market fare and goods, plus complimentary holiday cookies and hot chocolate. Tickets are required for entry.
Holiday Tea at The Ritz-Carlton runs November 24 through December 18, 2025 at Raya Restaurant (One Ritz-Carlton Drive). The timeless afternoon tea tradition in an elegant oceanfront setting features an array of teas, savory canapés, and sweet bites for $138 per person. Reservations are needed.
Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade steps off Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 10 am along Crown Valley Parkway between Nueva Vista and Crown Valley Community Park. Floats, marching bands, youth groups, exotic cars, and Santa himself create the unique sights and sounds of the holidays. Free shuttle service is available from the Chet Holifield Federal Building with parking and pickup accessed from Alicia Parkway.
San Clemente
Christmas Nights at the Casa lights up December 12, 13, 19, and 20, 2025 from 5 to 7 pm. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens (415 Avenida Granada) celebrates the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights and festive activities. Cost ranges from $5 to $15.
Santa’s Village by the Sea on Saturday, December 6, 2025 from 4 to 8 pm brings together the Holly Jolly Hoopla and Glitz on Del Mar. The City of San Clemente and Downtown Business Association present a night of music, food, hot chocolate, popcorn, games, snow, the Community Center holiday tree lighting, restaurants, and a holiday market with shopping on Del Mar.
Casa Nutcracker performs December 4-5, 2025 at Casa Romantica’s Main Salon (415 Avenida Granada). Ballet Academy & Movement presents this timeless classical ballet tailored to the intimate venue.
San Juan Capistrano
Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on December 6, 2025 begins festivities at 4 pm with pre-show entertainment and a musical holiday production at Downtown San Juan Capistrano (31852 El Camino Real). The tree lighting takes place at 5:45 pm, followed by various holiday activities. Shops within the Los Rios District offer unique gift shopping, live music, and treats from 5 pm to 8 pm. Free event trolley service runs from 3 pm to 10 pm on a continuous loop from Junipero Serra Road to Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street.
Farmakis Farms Christmas Trees opens Friday, November 28, 2025 at 29932 Camino Capistrano. Families can select from home-grown California Monterey Pine or Leyland Cypress trees cut fresh from the field, or choose from Noble, Nordmann, Douglas, Silvertip, Grand, and Fraser Fir trees brought in from Oregon. Delivery is available with fees varying based on tree size and delivery address.
Family-friendly events are happening all over Orange County.
Is It Time to Find Your Perfect Home for the Holidays?
The holiday season reminds us what truly matters about our homes – they’re where we gather around the table, welcome loved ones back, and create memories that last a lifetime. As you attend these festive holiday events throughout Orange County this winter, you might find yourself envisioning how your own living space could better serve your family’s needs.
Whether you’re dreaming of upgrading to a larger luxury home with expansive entertaining capabilities, downsizing to a more manageable property, or relocating closer to family, the top Orange County luxury real estate agents at the Stavros Group can help you explore your options. The holiday season is an ideal time to reflect on your long-term goals and consider what changes might enhance your lifestyle in the year ahead.
Browse our current portfolio of luxury properties to see what’s available throughout Orange County’s most desirable neighborhoods. From coastal estates to family-friendly communities, Orange County offers diverse options for every lifestyle and budget. Learn more about our team and our commitment to helping clients find their perfect home match.
If you’re thinking about selling your current property, request a home valuation report to understand your home’s current market value and potential. Explore more information about Orange County’s luxury communities on our cities page to find the neighborhood that aligns with your vision for home.
Celebrate the Winter Holiday 2025 Season in Orange County
This holiday season offers countless opportunities to experience the magic of Orange County while celebrating with those who matter most. From elaborate light displays and festive boat parades to intimate concerts and cultural celebrations, these winter events in 2025 showcase why Orange County remains one of California’s premier destinations for luxury living.
Make plans to attend these special holiday things to do throughout the region, and if you’re ready to make a change in your living arrangements, contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your real estate goals.
