Community Corner
Holiday Tree Lightings, Parades & Events: O.C. 2018
Guide to Christmas concerts, Nutcrackers, Chanukah menorah lightings, Santa breakfasts, ice rinks & more throughout Orange County.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA – The 2018 holidays are upon us, and to help you navigate through local festivities is Patch's awesome, annual event guide.
It's never too early to starting planning or make reservations, so peruse the list of upcoming activities that abound in your town, nearby and throughout the Orange County region.
Save your seats, mark dates on your calendars, and Happy Holidays, from Patch!
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Find out what's happening in Orange Countyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
DEC. 4: Chanukah & Giant Lego Menorah Lighting. Latkes, donuts & fun for the family.
DEC. 9: A Celtic Christmas 2018: Soka Performing Arts Center. With famed piper Eric Rigler.
DEC. 16: Breakfast With Santa. Two seatings, delicious menu.
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ANAHEIM:
DEC. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 21-23: Breakfast with Santa 2018: Catal Restaurant. A jam-packed holiday event perfect for families in Downtown Disney.
DEC. 8: Annual Brew Ho Ho Holiday Ale Festival. Santa will be there!
DEC. 8: Nutcracker Tree Lighting, Holiday Village & Santa. A full day of fun with snow.
Through JAN.6: Holidays at the Disneyland Resort. The parks are decked & festivities abound.
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BUENA PARK:
DEC. 1: Christmas Community Festival. Free event at Living Word Christian Center.
Through Jan. 6: Knott's Merry Farm. Includes entertainment, a Christmas Crafts Village, festive food and nightly snow.
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CORONA DEL MAR:
DEC. 2: Annual Christmas Walk . The annual festive extravaganza in the Village.
DEC. 7-8: Nights Of 1000 Lights: Sherman Library & Gardens. Promises to be better than ever, and tickets will go fast.
DEC. 14-22: Christmas Light Walk: Sherman Library & Gardens. Enjoy the stroll, hot chocolate & s'mores!
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COSTA MESA:
Through DEC. 12: Magic Trees – Christmas Tree Lot. Choose a fresh tree!
DEC. 1 & 8: Create The Perfect Holiday Wreath With SOCO! Festive way to spend a Saturday. Tickets on sale.
DEC. 14-16, 19-23: 2nd Annual Holidays Around the World. Snow, performances & all free.
DEC. 20-JAN. 6: Winter Fest OC - Snow, Ice Skating & More. At the OC Fair & Event Center with outdoor ice skating, a Dickens Village, Santa flying overhead, snow play & more winter fun for the family.
DEC. 31: Orange Ball New Year’s Eve 2018-19: Winter Fest OC. Live bands, fireworks & massive balloon drop to welcome 2019.
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DANA POINT:
DEC. 1: Winter Festival & Holiday Tree Lighting. Petting zoo, pony rides, crafts & Santa.
DEC. 1-2: FREE Boat Rides with Santa! The kids will love it!
DEC. 2: Merry Monarch Tree Lighting 2018: Monarch Beach Resort. Tickets on sale.
DEC. 7-8, 14-15: Boat Parade of Lights – A WESTERN WONDERLAND! at Dana Wharf. Cruises allow close-up view of boat parade.
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FOUNTAIN VALLEY:
DEC. 1: Tree Lighting & Holiday Fireworks. With special guests from the North Pole.
DEC. 13: Senior Center Holiday Luncheon. Don't delay on getting tickets.
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HUNTINGTON BEACH:
DEC. 1-2, 8-9: Ballet Etudes' The Nutcracker. Sure to be a sell-out!
DEC. 8-24: The Nutcracker by Ballet Repertory Theatre. An Orange County tradition for more than 40 years.
DEC. 8-9: Harbour 'Cruise Of Lights' Boat Parade. " Beautifully decked-out boats parade through harbor to celebrate holidays.
DEC. 9: Holiday Wiener Winter Festival & Dachshund Rescue Reunion. At Old World Village.
DEC. 9: CHiPs for KIDS & SuperCars by the Sea - Huntington State Beach. Toy drive.
DEC. 13-14: HBAPA Presents: Sounds of the Season 2018. Annual celebration of winter holiday cheer!
DEC. 16: International Celebration of Christmas and Nativity Play. "Celebration that highlights true meaning of holiday season."
DEC. 31: NYE Celebration: Kool & The Gang. Celebrate good times, come on!
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LAGUNA BEACH:
DEC. 1-2, 8-9, 15-16: Annual Winter Fantasy 2018: Sawdust Art Festival. One of the best ways in SoCal to celebrate the holidays.
DEC. 2: Annual Surfboard Menorah Celebration. DJ, dancing, crafts & lighting of surfboard menorah.
DEC. 5-30: Beauty & Beast: A Christmas Rose 2018: Playhouse. An interactive experience sure to delight children of all ages!
DEC. 7: Holiday 'Hospitality Night' 2018: Downtown. A vibrant, local tradition with tree lighting & Santa.
DEC. 8: Breakfast with Santa 2018: Sawdust Art Festival. With local firefighters. Tickets are limited.
DEC. 8: Nancy Wilson At KXMas Concert. At the Irvine Bowl.
DEC. 10-11: The Skivvies, I Touch My Elf 2018: Playhouse. With "undie-rock, comedy pop, award-winning duo."
DEC. 17-18: Sister's Christmas Catechism 2018: Playhouse. C.S.I. Bethlehem!
DEC. 31: Rita Rudner's New Year's Eve Show 2018: Playhouse. "Absolutely, Positively Rita’s Last Show Ever in 2018."
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LAGUNA NIGUEL:
DEC. 1: Christmas Tree Lighting. Sugar plum fairies & Santa will be there!
DEC. 1: SNOW DAY in Laguna Niguel! Free fun at Laguna Niguel Presbyterian Church.
DEC. 2: Chanukah Wonderland & Menorah Lighting. Latkes, dreidels & lots of spirit.
DEC. 8: 'Snow Much Fun' Annual Holiday Parade. The theme for this year's hometown extravaganza is "Snow Much Fun."
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LAKE FOREST:
DEC. 7-9: Annual Candlelight Walk 2018: Heritage Hill Park. Magical event with luminarias & carolers.
DEC. 9: AAUW Holiday Party. Festive evening with Mission Viejo/ Saddleback Chapter.
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LOS ALAMITOS:
DEC. 1: Winter Wonderland 2018: St. Isadore Plaza. Santa, sledding, snow & tree-lighting on the agenda.
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MISSION VIEJO:
DEC. 1: Holiday Boutique and Networking Event. Network, shop & meet new friends.
DEC. 2: Mission Hospital's Light Up a Life - Tree Lighting Ceremony. "Celebration to honor and remember our friends, loved ones, caregivers while supporting hospice and palliative care services at Mission Hospital."
DEC. 9: AAUW Holiday Party. Festive evening with Mission Viejo/ Saddleback Chapter.
DEC. 13-16: Laguna Ballet's The Nutcracker. "Your holiday traditions would not be complete without joining Clara and her Nutcracker prince."
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NEWPORT BEACH:
DEC. 1: The Nutcracker for Kids. Two free performances.
DEC. 2: Balboa Island Holiday Tree Lighting & Santa. With caroling, cider, cookies & snow.
DEC. 2: Omarosa: What's Up In The White House? CDM Christmas Walk Special. With catered brunch and Q&A.
DEC. 2: Fashion Island Menorah & 8 Holocaust Honorees. The annual Chanukah event will pay tribute to eight who illuminated world since “Kristallnacht.”
DEC. 8: The Gift of Art Show at Lahaina Galleries. Includes complimentary gift-wrapping!
DEC. 9: Balboa Island Holiday Home Tour. See the best decorated bayfront and waterfront homes.
DEC. 19-23: Christmas Boat Parade . A tradition that began at the turn of the century, and is still fabulous today!
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NEWPORT COAST:
DEC. 1: Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar. Holiday wonderland with vintage ornaments, twinkling lights and beautiful, majestic tree on the beach. Santa, too!
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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA:
NOV. 30: Santa Margarita Catholic High School's Christmas Production. Two fabulous shows, and bake sale, too!
DEC. 1: SAMLARC Christmas Tree Lighting. Festivities continue after tree is lit.
DEC. 3: Community Chanukah Menorah Lighting. Live music, latkes & cookie decorating.
DEC. 9: Santa Stroll For Kids Fighting Cancer. Sponsored by the Jessie Rees Foundation.
DEC. 16: Free Concert at St. John's Episcopal Church. "A very special concert that happens just once a year."
DEC. 31: New Year's Eve 2018-19: Civic Plaza. An alcohol-free setting with food, music, games & rides.
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SAN CLEMENTE:
DEC. 1: Santa's Village By The Sea & Tree-Lighting. Kick off the season at this town event.
DEC. 1: Christmas at the Casa. Music, crafts, a talking tree & Santa.Free with RSVP.
DEC. 2: Chanukah Menorah Lighting On The Pier. Latkes, donuts, music & the dancing Dreidel Man!
DEC. 6-7: Casa Kinetic: Nutcracker. "Special performance of the holiday classic, The Nutcracker, in Main Salon" at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens.
DEC. 9: Chanukah Menorah Lighting At The Outlets. With music, crafts, traditional food & balloon artist.
DEC. 15: Casa Kids: Gingerbread House Making. Enjoy the holidays with your little ones!
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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO:
Through DEC. 22: 'A Charlie Brown Christmas' - On stage at Camino Real Playhouse.
DEC. 1: City's Annual Christmas Celebration. Santa, tree-lighting, petting zoo, plus a live nativity.
DEC. 1: Christmas At The Mission. A festive event like no other with tree-lighting, carolers, tamales & more.
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SEAL BEACH:
DEC. 7: Christmas Parade. A 40-year tradition with more than 100 entries & 3,300 participants.
DEC. 15: Breakfast With Santa 2018: Free. First-come, first-served. Jump house, too!
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SILVERADO:
DEC. 8: Christmas In The Canyons & Un-Holiday Parade. Santa leads the parade in this quaint celebration.
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TRABUCO CANYON:
DEC. 22: Cook's Corner Holiday Family Festival. Always a good time here!
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If we missed your city's or organization's events, please email details and links to susan.schena@patch.com.
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TRAVELING OVER THE HOLIDAYS? ALSO SEE:
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Images via Shutterstock, David McNew Getty Images, Sean Gallup Getty Images, Tristan Fewings Getty Images
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