5d • General/Fun
Xmas activities to get into the spirit
I made a list of some fun activities local and some in surrounding counties… enjoy
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ORANGE COUNTY
Magic on Main Street -- Huntington Beach; FREE; 11/23 10:30a-4:30pm
Downtown fills the 2nd block of Main Street kid's activities, cocoa and cookies, Grinch, Santa and the tree lighting. Photo opportunities with Santa and Grinch follow the tree lighting.
Snowland (Torelli realty sponsor) -- FREE; 12/20
Balearic Park, 1975 Balearic DriveCosta Mesa
Happy Harbor Nights -- Dana point harbor (Starts Nov 12 - Jan 4)
34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point; FREE
Coffee Imports - great place to get hot cocoa (open till 9 pm)
The boat Xmas parade is 12/14-16
December 6-7, 2025Trips run from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Come aboard for a twenty-minute Harbor cruise with Santa and his helpers. Santa will be hearing those Christmas wishes as you cruise the Harbor. Bring your cameras for pictures with Santa. Tickets are $5 per person and all proceeds will benefit the Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay.
LOCATION:Dana Wharf Sportfishing docks34675 Golden Lantern - between Jon’s Fish Market and Wind and Sea
INFORMATION:(949) 496-5794 or (949) 923-2255
Beach Xmas Tree -- Crystal Cove; park in Los Trancos lot across street (cost $15 /day); can go to shake shack for dinner or date shake; FREE
The Xmas tree will be "lit" officially on 12/6 (will be crowded)
Holidayz at the Park -- Irvine Great park; FREE! It is an outdoor light display with fun free photo opportunities. FREE
Newport Dunes Xmas Lights -- Newport Dunes; starts 11/28; FREE
Parking free for 30 mins, then $15 for up to 2 hours (costly after that!)
There is a Fire & Lights festival on Th - Sun; costs for various activities (buy xmas tree, roast smores on the bay, etc)
Santa's village at Irvine Park Railrd -- Irvine regional park. Very expensive for a book of tickets for various activities. Xmas train tickets evening sold out. Best for younger children.
Snoopy House display -- Costa Mesa city hall; FREE; costs for some activities. Dec 12-19 only (12-14 weekend special activities)
Nights of Coastal Lights -- Fashion Island; FREE
Lights / snow every half hour from 5:30pm-8pm in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale’s Courtyard. Runs 11/21 - 12/29
Rogers Gardens -- Newport Beach; FREE to look around; $$ to purchase beautiful plants and decorations. Typically have pop up coffee cart / cocoa and occasionally Santa makes an appearance
Downtown Disney Xmas display -- Anaheim; $$ can be pricey for parking, eating and activities
Old Town Orange Xmas Tree lighting -- Orange old town; FREE
Date: Sunday, December 7, 2025; Market Hours: 10 am – 5 pm
Christmas Program: 5:15 pm-7 pm
Would highly recommend AVOIDing actual lighting and instead returning on weekday night for less crowded more magical experience; then go to Candy Cane lane
Palm Ave Candy Cane Lane -- Orange old town; FREE
Typically starts after Thanksgiving. We have gone every single year. Grab your hot cocoa and take this easy, fun, and festive stroll. Spark comes too!
Hikari Lights -- Tanaka Farms Irvine; $$; Open 11/28 - 12/28
Wed - Sun 4:30 - 9pm; Wed/Th (Tickets (13+) $28; kids $23) Fri-Sun (Tickets (13+) $33 kids $23); Admission includes tractor ride to festive light path, corn maze, photos ops, lights. Games cost Xtra. Parking add $12/car
Sherman Gardens Lights - Corona Del Mar; $$; Dec 11-13, 17-22 from 5-9pm; Tickets $15 members; $25 non-members
Winter Fantasy --Sawdust Arts Festival Laguna Beach; $; 11/21 - 12/21 (only open Fri - Sun: 11a-7pm); $12 for Adults. $10 for Seniors, ages 65 and up. $5 for Children ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and under receive free admission and do not require a ticket to enter.
Ice Skating at Irvine Spectrum -- Irvine; $$; $27 per person — includes skate rental for 1 hour. Open now.
Winter Fest -- Costa Mesa; $$; Winter Fest OC transforms the OC Fair & Event Center into a winter wonderland with oversized holiday decor, more than a million lights, and endless opportunities for memory-making. Enjoy the magic of the holiday season with past Winter Fest OC favorites as well as all-new activities! Activities include; North Pole Journey, ice skating under the stars, 150 foot long ice tubing slide, snowboard simulator, carnival thrills, food and drinks, holiday market, photo ops., and so much more!
11/28 - 1/4; Tickets $30/person + parking
Newport Beach Boat Parade - Newport Beach; Cost varies; Can do Holiday Cruises: Nov. 29 - Dec. 16 | Dec. 22 - Jan. 1; Christmas Boat Parade: Dec. 17 - Dec. 21 w/Davey's Locker ($39/person for 75 min ride); or try to watch FREE from harbor (probably cost $ for parking)
Knott's Merry Farm -- Buena Park; $$; 11/18 - 1/8; Tickets $62 pre-purchase for 1 date or $86 any day and prices increase on weekends)
Mission Capistrano Lights - San Juan Capistrano; $ (non-member adult $20/person; kids $14/person)
LOS ANGELES County
Enchanted Forest - Descanso Gardens (No of Pasadena) $$;
Adult ticket prices $20–38 (members); $27–45 (non-members) Children prices (ages 2-12) $10–23 (members); $17–30 (non-members)
Animals Aglow - Los Angeles Zoo; $$; Los Angeles Nov 13 - Jan 11
Prices range from $29 - $35 depending on date going
Enchant -- located at Santa Anita Racetrack -- a giant light maze
Tickets vary from $35-$40 / person
SkyPark Santa's Village - Lake Arrowhead / SkyPark; $$$; Xmas season 11/13 - 1/4; Tickets adult $85 / child $75
Alpine Zoo Wild Lights - Big Bear; $; Dates: Wednesday – Sunday, November 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026; Hours: 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Location: Big Bear Alpine Zoo; Tickets: $20 Admission | Free for Alpine Zoo Members and Children under 5
Inland Empire
Logan's Candies - Ontario; $ (Tickets $6.20 / person) for candy cane making demonstration and a warm candy cane to bend into the shape of your choice.
Mt Baldy -- San Gabriel Mtns; $$; Take a lift up the mountain for snow tubing, for beautiful views and to have a treat in the lodge.
RIVERSIDE County
123 Farm Organics -- this is located in Riverside.
They do Xmas lights / events too: good food, lights, photo ops, maze, tractor rides, Santa etc.
Prices range from $12 / adult to $26 / adult (depending on dates); children around $6; students (13+ are $9)
The Mission Inn -- this is located in Riverside. Festival of lights starts late November. Lights turn on daily at 5pm. It's free but can get crowded on weekends.
SAN DIEGO County
Seaport Village - decorations, lights, beautiful old carousel
- Parking: Standard rate: $8 per hour or part thereof.
- Discounted rates: Monday–Thursday: $5 for the first 3 hours or part thereof, then $3 for every 30 minutes after. Friday–Sunday: $5 for the first 2 hours or part thereof, then $3 for every 30 minutes after
Hotel del Coronado - Coronado island; $$ Parking cost $50 at hotel
- Public north parking garage: Offers a cheaper hourly rate for the first two hours ($20
- Street parking: Free street parking is available along Ocean Boulevard, which is right next to Coronado Central Beach, but it can be very competitive to find a spot; Beautiful Xmas lights, ice skating with a view of the beach, great treats to purchase within the hotel. Gorgeous decor within the hotel.Hotel del Coronado
Little Italy - cute Italian street / area with pretty Xmas decor and amazing food / shops.
Lightscape -- located at SD Botanic Gardens (aka Quail gardens)
Tickets start at $28 for adults and $18 for children (ages 2 and under are free). Prices vary based on the date of your visit.
We've gone before... there's hot cocoa / food, Santa, sometimes they have snow, smores and caroling. It's very cute and quite beautiful to walk in the lit gardens at night.
Julian -- Tree lighting on 11/29. Fun town to visit for delicious apple pie
Main St has Mining Co, quaint shops, diners.
Jungle Bells -- SD zoo; San Diego; 12/19 - 1/4 $$$; Tickets same as cost to get into park: Adult (12+) $72; Child $62
Winter Wonder at Belmont Park -- Mission Beach ; (12/15 - 12/30); $-$$; multiple ride options, xmas theme treats, arcade.
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Other festive activities to consider:
Visit Big Bear or Wrightwood or Lake Arrowhead for snow activities: snowshoeing, skiing, snow tubing
Visit Palm Springs and take tram up to San Jacinto for snow play
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Xmas activities to get into the spirit
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