Each December, Orange County turns into a lively winter playground filled with coastal lights, festive traditions, and nonstop ways you can celebrate the season. As a leader in Orange County property management, we’ve been having conversations with tenants about what to do for the holidays for years. Now, we’re ready to share all the local secrets with you. This guide highlights the most exciting Orange County holiday activities so you can plan days packed with parades, boat tours, beachfront lights, and theme-park magic.
Table of Contents
Classic Orange County Holiday Traditions
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
When: December 17 to 21, 2025
Where: Newport Harbor
Cost: $23
You can watch yachts covered in lights cruise through the harbor in one of the most iconic Orange County holiday activities, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights. This long-running coastal tradition features dozens of decorated boats parading through Newport Harbor in one of the most dazzling Orange County holiday activities. The Holiday Market in Marina Park will also open on the same day and is a prime viewing spot for the parade!
Huntington Harbour Cruise of Lights
When: December 13–23, 2025 (select nights)
Where: Huntington Harbour
Price: $26 for Adults, $19 for Children (Babies can ride for free)
Want to see beautiful holiday lights while you’re on the water? Try the Cruise of Lights! This narrated boat tour takes you through the holiday-lit canals of Huntington Harbour, offering a calm, scenic way to experience waterfront lights. The twinkling canals give you a peaceful holiday experience away from the crowds.
Laguna Beach Hospitality Night
When: December 5, 2025 from 5:00 to 9:00 PM
Where: Downtown Laguna Beach
Laguna Beach kicks off the season with this lively community festival featuring live music, artisan vendors, and a tree lighting in the heart of its arts district with Hospitality Night. Shops stay open late so you can stroll, browse, and take in the holiday atmosphere. Some streets will be closed off, so plan accordingly! You can view the map of Hospitality Night street closures here.
Irvine Spectrum Tree Lighting
When: November 28 to December 24, 2025
Where: Irvine Spectrum Center
The Irvine Spectrum kicks off the holiday season with a high-energy tree lighting event featuring music, performers, and large-scale visual displays. You can watch a massive tree light up in sync with music, performers, and interactive displays. Afterward, you can explore the center’s holiday décor, shops, and photo spots.
Dana Point Harbor “Merry Kiss Me” Festival of Lights
When: November 13, 2025 to January 12, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Where: Dana Point Harbor
Dana Point Harbor transforms into a walk-through light experience featuring millions of colorful lights along the waterfront. You can walk under millions of lights, glowing palm trees, and oversized holiday signs that brighten the waterfront. This stop is perfect for photos, sunset strolls, and festive nighttime exploring.
Theme Parks and Major Attractions
Disneyland Resort Holidays
When: November 14, 2025 – January 5, 2026
Where: Disneyland & California Adventure
Disneyland and California Adventure celebrate the season with themed parades, festive overlays, and park-wide decorations. You can experience parades, ride overlays, special treats, and vibrant décor throughout both parks. Everywhere you turn, there’s something festive to enjoy! You’ll likely experience lots of crowds, but it’s a once-a-year experience!
Disney Festival of Holidays
When: November 14, 2025 to January 5, 2026
Where: Disney California Adventure
This multicultural celebration at California Adventure highlights global holiday traditions through food, music, and interactive performances. You can sample global holiday foods, watch cultural performances, and meet seasonal characters. The entire festival feels like a joyful open-air celebration.
Knott’s Merry Farm
When: November 21, 2025 to January 4, 2026
Where: Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park
Cost: $62 for a day pass or $82 for Merry Farm Bundles
Knott’s Merry Farm is a nostalgic Christmas village filled with live shows and seasonal treats during the holidays. You can enjoy live shows, artisan shopping, falling “snow,” and holiday treats in a warm, nostalgic setting. Families love how much there is to explore.
Discovery Cube Winter Wonderland
When: December 20, 2025 to January 11, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Where: Discovery Cube Orange County
Cost: $18-$25
This family-friendly winter festival at Discovery Cube offers snow play, hands-on science activities, and themed exhibits. Your kids can enjoy snow play, science activities, and hands-on holiday experiments. The mix of learning and fun keeps everyone engaged.
Great Park Ice WinterFest OC
When: November 28, 2025 to January 4, 2026
Where: Great Park Ice, Irvine
Great Park Ice WinterFest is Southern California’s largest winter festival, hosting a festive skating celebration with themed rink décor, special events, and holiday entertainment. You can skate under twinkling lights at one of Southern California’s premier ice rinks. The festive theme nights make it an exciting winter outing with live bands, Santa, and a snow play zone.
Coastal and Luxury Holiday Experiences
Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel Surfing Santa Event
When: December 13, 2025
Where: Salt Creek Beach
The Surfing Santa Contest is a beachfront event that invites surfers dressed as Santa to compete and raise funds for charity at Salt Creek Beach. You can watch surfers dressed as Santa ride the waves in one of the most playful Orange County holiday activities. The coastal setting makes the whole event feel uniquely Southern Californian.
Montage Laguna Beach Holiday Décor
When: Late November – December 2025
Where: Montage Laguna Beach
Montage Laguna Beach decorates its grounds with elegant coastal holiday displays, making it one of the most scenic seasonal spots. You can stroll through oceanfront pathways decorated with elegant trees and glowing lights. The resort becomes one of the most scenic holiday spots in the county.
Lido Marina Village Holiday Lights (Make it Merry)
When: November 22, 2025 – January 3, 2026
Where: Newport Beach
Lido Marina Village offers waterfront shopping and dining surrounded by charming holiday lights and displays. You can enjoy boutique shopping and waterfront dining beneath sparkling lights. The marina’s cozy charm makes it perfect for evening visits.
Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar
When: December 6, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Where: Crystal Cove Historic District (Education Commons)
Crystal Cove’s historic district hosts a nostalgic tree lighting and craft bazaar set directly along the beach. You can join the annual tree lighting, shop local artisan booths, and enjoy holiday music steps from the sand. The historic cottages make the event feel nostalgic.
Balboa Island Holiday Home Lights
When: December 1 – January 1
Where: Balboa Island
Balboa Island residents decorate their homes with extravagant holiday displays, turning the island loop into a walkable light tour. You can walk the loop to see homes decked out in bright, themed decorations. This tradition remains one of the most popular Orange County holiday activities for families.
Holiday Performances and Entertainment
Segerstrom Center’s Nutcracker
When: December 6–22, 2025
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts
Segerstrom Center presents a full-scale Nutcracker production featuring world-class dancers and a live orchestra. You can enjoy festive, elegant costumes and music in this beloved holiday production. Every performance feels polished and magical!
Pacific Chorale’s Holiday Concerts
When: December 14–15, 2025
Where: Segerstrom Concert Hall
Pacific Chorale performs a powerful holiday concert of traditional and contemporary choral pieces in Segerstrom Concert Hall. You can listen to soaring harmonies and lush arrangements of holiday music. The concert hall’s unique acoustics make the experience feel warm and immersive, a perfect winter activity.
Candlelight Concerts in Costa Mesa
When: December 2025 (multiple dates)
Where: Various venues in Costa Mesa
Cost: ~$53
These intimate, candlelit concerts feature string ensembles performing holiday classics in warm, atmospheric settings. The atmosphere is intimate, cozy, and perfect for a December night out.
Laguna Playhouse Winter Shows
When: December 2025
Where: Laguna Playhouse
Laguna Playhouse presents festive seasonal productions ranging from comedies to family musicals. You can watch festive comedies, funny musicals, or family shows in a charming neighborhood theater. It’s a great way to enjoy holiday entertainment at a relaxed pace.
Family-Friendly Community Events
Anaheim Holiday Village
When: December 7, 2025
Where: Anaheim City Hall
The Anaheim Holiday Village is a festive outdoor marketplace that combines artisan vendors, family activities, and seasonal entertainment into one of the most lively Orange County holiday activities for all ages.
Tustin Tree Lighting
When: December 5, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Old Town Tustin
Tustin’s Winter Festival transforms Old Town into a family-friendly holiday celebration with real snow play areas, live performances, and a community tree lighting that brings the entire city together.
Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony
When: December 5, 2025
Where: Downtown Brea
The Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony kicks off the season with a brightly lit Christmas tree, community performers, and family attractions that make it one of the most welcoming Orange County holiday activities for local families.
Mission Viejo Santa’s Workshop
When: December 3 to 21, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM
Where: Mission Viejo Civic Center
Mission Viejo’s Santa’s Workshop offers a low-stress holiday experience where families can meet Santa, create seasonal crafts, and enjoy festive treats in a cozy, intimate environment perfect for young children.
Yorba Linda Breakfast with Santa
When: December 6, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Where: Yorba Linda Community Center
Cost: $20
The Yorba Linda Breakfast with Santa invites families to enjoy a warm pancake breakfast, hands-on crafts, and cheerful photo opportunities, making it one of the most beloved community-focused holiday activities in Orange County each year.
Tips for Planning Your Holiday Visit
Best Times to Visit
You can enjoy lighter crowds in early December, while mid-month offers the most Orange County holiday activities. Weeknights are best for avoiding long lines.
What to Wear
You can expect mild days and cooler nights, so layers work best. Comfortable shoes help with long walks through theme parks and waterfront areas.
Tickets and Reservations
You can save time by booking theme parks, dining, and timed-entry events early. Many activities sell out quickly!
Transportation and Parking
You can avoid parking stress by using rideshare or arriving early for big events. Some cities offer holiday shuttles that make exploring easier.
Make It Memorable
You can enjoy coastal lights, holiday shows, boat parades, and festive neighborhoods all season long in Orange County. With so many Orange County holiday activities to explore, you can build a holiday itinerary that feels bright, fun, and unforgettable.
On behalf of Good Life Property Management – Orange County, we wish you a happy holiday season!
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