Best Orange County Christmas Events To Enjoy The Season in 2026

Last Updated September 26, 2026. We check dates against official event organizers whenever possible. Events without confirmed 2026 dates are marked TBD.

Orange County transforms into a holiday wonderland with a plethora of festive events that promise to fill your holiday season with joy and excitement. You’ll find a diverse array of Christmas activities that cater to families of all sizes and ages. From enchanting light displays illuminating the night sky to interactive holiday experiences that let you meet Santa Claus himself, Orange County is the perfect backdrop for unforgettable holiday memories. Join us as we explore the best Christmas events in the area, each designed to bring festive cheer and warmth to your family’s winter celebrations.

Important Note: Please visit the websites of attractions before visiting for the latest information and particular guidelines that apply per listed attraction.  Information may change after posting on our website.

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Best Orange County Christmas Events 2026 at a Glance

From festive theme parks and dazzling holiday lights to Christmas boat parades and traditional performances, Orange County offers plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season. Use this quick guide to compare Christmas events, dates, locations, and costs.

Mobile tip: Swipe left or right to see the full table.

Planning note: Dates and prices are subject to change. Events marked TBD have not announced complete 2026 schedules. *Snoopy House dates are listed on the city’s 2026 calendar, but detailed programming is still forthcoming. Always check the organizer’s website before visiting.

Christmas Events Anaheim

Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker with Symphony Irvine

Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker is a captivating production that brings the holiday season to life. It tells the heartwarming tale of Clara and her Nutcracker Doll, who transforms her winter woes into a delightful journey through Candyland. This ballet is a beloved tradition and a must-see for families, combining artistry, storytelling, and breathtaking performances. Anaheim Ballet’s staging of this family classic is constantly refreshed, ensuring a fresh and engaging experience. Celebrating its 38th season, Anaheim Ballet’s Nutcracker showcases the visionary staging and choreography of Sarma Lapenieks Rosenberg, the acclaimed Artistic Director of the company.

Date: November 27-28, 2026
Location: City National Grove of Anaheim – 2200 E. Katella Ave. Anaheim, CA 92806
Event Information: Anaheim Ballet Nutcracker

Anaheim – Disney Festive Holidays and Christmas Celebration

Celebrate Christmas at Disneyland in a seasonal celebration of diverse cultural festivities with music, food, and fun for all.

Disney Festival of Holidays at California Adventure features the multicultural Disney Festival of Holidays, Viva Navidad celebration of holiday traditions from Mexico and Brazil, and Festival Feasting of tasty foods.  See the World of Color – Season of Light nighttime spectacular, and see a seasonal transformation at Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl Rollickin’ Roadsters.

Dates: November 13, 2026–January 6, 2027
Location: 1313 Disneyland Dr., Anaheim, CA 92802
Website: Holidays at Disneyland

Stay Nearby – Best Western Plus Anaheim Inn 
Rated 9.2 on Expedia

Find an Overnight Stay Near Disneyland

Anaheim – Disney On Ice presents Jump In!

Disney On Ice presents Jump In! brings more than 50 Disney characters to the Honda Center in Anaheim from December 11–14, 2026. The show takes audiences through favorite Disney stories featuring Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy, along with characters from Frozen, Toy Story, Encanto, Zootopia and Lilo & Stitch. New for this production, characters from Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 make their Disney On Ice debuts, adding some of Disney’s newest stories to the skating spectacular. With colorful costumes, impressive skating and familiar music, Jump In! makes an entertaining addition to an Orange County Christmas outing for families.

Dates: December 11-14, 2026
Location: Honda Center, Anaheim, United States
Book Tickets for Disney on Ice – Jump In

Christmas Events Brea

Brea – Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony

Kick off the holiday season at the Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony, a free community celebration held at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center. The evening includes live music and entertainment, holiday shopping, a visit from Santa Claus, and the lighting of Brea’s Christmas tree. Families can enjoy the festive atmosphere together, and photos with Santa are available for an additional fee. With free admission and parking, the event offers an easy, affordable way to enjoy a traditional Orange County holiday celebration.

Date: December 3, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Location: Brea Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, CA 92821
Website: Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony

Christmas Events Buena Park

Buena Park – Knott’s Merry Farm

Step into a winter wonderland during Knott’s Merry Farm, when Knott’s Berry Farm transforms for the holidays with thousands of twinkling lights, miles of festive garland, oversized snowflakes, and picturesque seasonal displays throughout the park.

Holiday entertainment includes Home for the Holidays, a musical revue filled with classic Christmas music, dancing toys, colorful lights, and falling snow, along with the popular ice show featuring Snoopy, the Peanuts Gang, and world-class skaters.

Visitors can browse one-of-a-kind gifts in the Christmas Crafts Village along the streets of Calico, experience the festive Snow and Glow celebration, visit Santa’s Christmas Cabin, and enjoy the nightly Parkwide Holiday Lighting Moment. Seasonal food and drinks created especially for Merry Farm round out one of Orange County’s largest holiday celebrations.

Dates: November 20, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Location: 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
https://www.knotts.com/events/merry-farm

Stay Nearby – Courtyard by Marriott Anaheim Buena Park 
Rated 8.6 on Expedia

Christmas Events Corona Del Mar

Corona Del Mar – Roger’s Gardens Christmas Boutique

Step into a storybook-inspired Christmas setting at Roger’s Gardens Christmas Boutique – “The Stories of the Season” in Corona del Mar. The 2026 boutique is designed around the memories, traditions, and childhood wonder of the holidays, with whimsical displays inspired by letters to Santa, peppermint dreams, gingerbread traditions, and classic Christmas storytelling.

Visitors can browse an extensive collection of seasonal décor, artisan pieces, ornaments, gifts, and European-inspired holiday treasures while exploring one of Orange County’s most elaborately decorated Christmas shopping destinations. Even if you are not planning to shop, the immersive displays and festive atmosphere make Roger’s Gardens a worthwhile seasonal stop.

Dates: Opens October 2, 2026; open daily from 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m., with extended holiday hours beginning November 13.
Location: Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Road, Corona del Mar, CA 92625
Website: https://www.rogersgardens.com/pages/christmas

Christmas Events Costa Mesa

Costa Mesa – American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

Celebrate the holidays with American Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, one of Orange County’s signature Christmas traditions. Choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky, this lavish production follows Clara and the Nutcracker Prince through a magical world of dancing snowflakes, battling mice, waltzing flowers, and the Land of Sweets.

American Ballet Theatre’s acclaimed dancers are joined by students from the ABT William J. Gillespie School, while Pacific Symphony performs Tchaikovsky’s beloved score live, adding to the scale of the production. Elaborate sets and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Richard Hudson help make this one of the county’s most impressive holiday stage experiences.

Dates: December 10–24, 2026
Location: Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: https://www.scfta.org/shows-events/nutcracker-landing

Costa Mesa – Pacific Chorale’s Tis The Season

Celebrate the holidays with Pacific Chorale’s Tis the Season!, an annual Orange County Christmas tradition at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Led by conductor Robert Istad, the program brings together Pacific Chorale, members of Pacific Symphony, the Southern California Children’s Chorus, and Santa for an evening of seasonal favorites and festive surprises.

Brass, organ, piano, harp, percussion, and soaring choral voices fill the concert hall with holiday music, making this a polished and family-friendly option for anyone looking to add a live Christmas performance to their Orange County holiday plans. The concert has sold out in recent years, so advance tickets are recommended.

Dates: December 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.; December 21 at 7:00 p.m.; December 23 at 5:00 p.m.
Location: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: https://www.pacificchorale.org/events/tis-the-season-2026

Costa Mesa – Snoopy House

A longtime Orange County holiday tradition, Snoopy House transforms the lawn at Costa Mesa City Hall into a colorful Christmas display filled with familiar Peanuts characters and festive holiday scenes.

The free community event typically includes opportunities for photos with Santa, live entertainment, food vendors, and special weekend activities such as snow sledding and family play areas. Snoopy House has been a Costa Mesa holiday favorite for decades, making it an especially fun stop for families with younger children and fans of Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Dates: December 11–18, 2026, 5:30–8:30 p.m. (currently listed on the City of Costa Mesa calendar; detailed 2026 programming is still forthcoming)
Location: Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: Snoopy House

Costa Mesa – Winter Fest OC

Winter Fest OC is a spectacular holiday event held at the Orange County Fair & Event Center. It promises to be a magical Winter Wonderland for the whole family, featuring exciting activities such as a North Pole Journey, ice skating under the stars, a thrilling 150-foot ice tubing slide, a snowboard simulator, carnival thrills, delicious food and drinks, a festive holiday market, and countless photo opportunities. This immersive walk-through experience will captivate visitors with dazzling lights, captivating music, and engaging interactive activities.

New for 2026: Unlimited ice skating options and Polar Putt-Putt. Don’t miss out on Winter Fest OC, the holiday extravaganza of the season!

Dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027 (select dates)
Location: 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Website: https://www.winterfestoc.com/

Christmas Events Fullerton

Fullerton – Muckenthaler Holiday Festival

Celebrate the season at the Muckenthaler Holiday Festival, a free family-friendly event held on the grounds of the historic Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. The afternoon includes live music, food and drinks, children’s art workshops, and an arts and crafts sale featuring unique handmade items. With its historic mansion setting and relaxed community atmosphere, the festival offers a festive alternative to some of Orange County’s larger holiday attractions and is an especially nice option for families looking for a free Christmas-season outing.

Date: December 13, 2026, 12:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, CA 92833
Website: https://themuck.org/

Christmas Events Irvine

Irvine – A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms

Experience the magic of Hikari Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms, where the holiday season comes alive with over a million twinkling lights. Take a cozy wagon ride to the dazzling “Land of a Thousand Lanterns” and stroll through enchanting light displays, perfect for capturing memorable photos.

Enjoy festive activities at the Festival Grounds, including visiting barnyard animals, indulging in delicious food from the Tanaka Grill, and creating arts and crafts. Don’t miss a chance to meet Santa for a holiday photo amidst the glow of holiday lights. Each activity is individually priced, ensuring a delightful evening for all ages.

Dates: Opens November 27, 2026 (review website for closed dates)
Location: 5380 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
https://www.tanakafarms.com/hikari

Irvine – Holidayz at the Park

Holidayz at the Park offers a festive escape filled with holiday-themed art, music, and lights at the Great Park. Visitors can explore the interactive displays and festive backdrops at the Palm Court Arts Complex, with highlights including a playful light display featuring a Grinch-taken airplane. The event also includes the Holidayz Pop-Up at the Artist Studios, where visitors can enjoy winter-themed photo opportunities on Fridays and weekends.

A special Illuminate Irvine event on December 6th features winter activities, classic holiday music, and the ceremonial lighting of the Holiday Tree. Guests are encouraged to bring toys for donation to support the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee. Additionally, the holiday market on December 7 and 8 showcases artisan vendors, and holiday-themed classes offer fun for the whole family. Registration is required for classes through yourirvine.org.

Check the website for specific times of listed events.

Dates: 2026 Dates TBD
Time: Holiday Lights: Dusk–9:30 p.m.
Location: 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine
Website: https://www.cityofirvine.org/great-park/holidayz-park

Irvine – Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker

Experience a classic Orange County holiday tradition with Festival Ballet Theatre’s The Nutcracker at Irvine Barclay Theatre. This full-length production follows Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and a large cast on a journey through Tchaikovsky’s beloved score, enhanced by colorful scenery, elaborate costumes, professional dancers, guest artists, and talented young performers from across Southern California. Select performances also offer an optional Nutcracker Tea Party in the Barclay’s Jade Room, where guests can enjoy tea, finger sandwiches, sweets, photo opportunities, and visits from characters including Clara before the show.

Dates: December 5–24, 2026
Location: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Website: Festival Ballet Theatre: The Nutcracker 2026

Christmas Events Laguna Beach

Laguna Beach – Hospitality Night

Kick off the Christmas season in downtown Laguna Beach during Hospitality Night, a longtime community celebration sponsored by the City of Laguna Beach and the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce. The evening features live music, holiday crafts and activities, local business open houses, caroling, food, and a festive downtown atmosphere, culminating in Santa Claus arriving at the Peppertree Lot to light the Christmas tree. Afterward, Santa welcomes children at his Beach House while live entertainment continues along Forest Avenue. Free trolley and neighborhood on-demand service is available during the event, making it easier to enjoy the festivities without having to move your car around downtown.

Date: December 4, 2026, approximately 5:00–9:00 p.m.; tree lighting at 6:10 p.m.
Location: Downtown Laguna Beach, centered around the Peppertree Lot and Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach, CA
Website: Hospitality Night

Laguna Beach – Sawdust Winter Fantasy

Sawdust Winter Fantasy transforms the Sawdust Art Festival grounds in Laguna Beach into a festive holiday village filled with twinkling lights, seasonal décor, live entertainment, artist demonstrations, and one-of-a-kind gifts.

Visitors can browse original art and handcrafted items from participating artists, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, photography, textiles, paintings, and more, while enjoying a lively Christmas atmosphere in the canyon setting. The event is especially appealing for shoppers looking for locally made holiday gifts and for visitors who want a Christmas outing that feels distinctly tied to Laguna Beach’s arts community.

Dates: November 20–December 20, 2026, Fridays through Sundays, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
Location: Sawdust Art Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: Sawdust Winter Fantasy

Laguna Beach-Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish

Enjoy a magical holiday adventure at Laguna Playhouse with Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish, a family-friendly theatrical production from Lythgoe Family Productions. This festive twist on the classic Aladdin story brings together Princess Yasmin, the Genie, and the lovable Wishee Washee for an entertaining performance filled with popular songs, lively comedy, spectacular dance numbers, colorful scenery, and plenty of audience participation. Inspired by the British pantomime tradition, this holiday production offers a fun Christmas-season outing for couples and families alike.

Event Dates: December 4–27, 2026
Location: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: Laguna Playhouse – Aladdin & Yasmin’s Winter Wish

Christmas Events Newport Beach

Newport Beach – Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

The New York Times has dubbed the event “one of the top 10 holiday events in the country.”  The area also celebrates the “Ring of Lights,” where Bayfront estates compete for the best holiday decorations.

Experience the 118th sailing of boats through Newport Harbor in December.  The parade route starts and ends at the Tip of Lido Isle. Watch as beautifully decorated boats, yachts, kayaks, and canoes make their way through the harbor, all aglow with holiday lights.

Download a printable map of the route

Dates: December 16 – 20, 2026
Location: 309 Palm St, Newport Beach, CA 92661
https://www.christmasboatparade.com/

Stay Nearby – Bay Shores Peninsula Hotel 
Rated 9.6 on Expedia

Newport Beach – Newport Dunes Fire & Lights Festival

Celebrate the holidays along the waterfront at the Newport Dunes Fire & Lights Festival and Lighting of the Bay, where more than 50 illuminated holiday displays and Christmas trees transform the calm waters of Newport Back Bay into a festive winter scene.

The 36th annual Lighting of the Bay can be enjoyed nightly beginning at dusk, while the weekend Fire & Lights Festival adds fire-dancing performances, fire pits and s’mores, photos with Santa, holiday-themed inflatables, festive food and drinks, and other family activities.

Admission to the festival and Lighting of the Bay is free, although parking, concessions, and inflatables cost extra, making this a fun option for families or couples looking for a distinctive Orange County Christmas outing by the water.

Dates: November 27, 2026–January 3, 2027. Lighting of the Bay is illuminated nightly at dusk; Fire & Lights Festival activities take place Friday–Sunday evenings, 4:00–9:00 p.m. (closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).
Location: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website:
https://www.newportdunes.com/fire-and-lights-festival/

Newport Beach – Pacific Chorale’s Carols by Candlelight

Enjoy a quieter, more intimate holiday concert at Pacific Chorale’s Carols by Candlelight, performed in the sanctuary of Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach. Led by conductor Robert Istad, members of Pacific Chorale present a blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols designed to capture the beauty and reverence of the season, accompanied by piano and organ. The candlelit church setting gives this performance a distinctly peaceful atmosphere compared with larger holiday productions, and ticket holders are invited to enjoy hot cocoa after the concert.

Dates: December 5 and December 9, 2026, at 8:00 p.m.
Location: Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2100 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: https://www.pacificchorale.org/events/carols-by-candlelight-2026

Christmas Events Orange

Orange – Irvine Park Railroad

Experience the magic of the holiday season with Irvine Park Railroad’s Christmas Train. Embark on a delightful ride through the historic Irvine Regional Park to the North Pole, where families and friends can meet and take photos with Santa Claus himself. After sharing their wishes with Santa, guests will enjoy a scenic return trip adorned with vibrant Christmas lights, decorations, and the enchanting Tunnel of Lights, culminating in the festive ambiance of Santa’s Village. This timeless holiday adventure promises joyful memories for all who attend.

The Christmas Train operates rain or shine. The Christmas Train requires reservations.

Dates for Christmas Train: November 27–December 23, 2026
Dates for Santa’s Village: November 27 – December 30, 2026
Location: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, 92869
Website: https://www.irvineparkrailroad.com/events/christmas-train/

Christmas Events San Juan Capistrano

San Juan Capistrano – Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights

Celebrate the Christmas season in one of Orange County’s most historic settings during Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

The Mission comes alive after dark with festive lighting displays, a nightly Christmas tree lighting and music program, Dickens-era carolers, a full-scale Nativity in the ruins of the Great Stone Church, Community Christmas Trees, a lighted halo grove, dancing swallows, children’s crafts, and holiday music in the Serra Chapel.

New for 2026, visitors can also experience “The Story of the Mission: A Legacy of Builders, Faith & Time,” a digital projection presented nightly at 6:05 p.m.—an especially fitting addition as Mission San Juan Capistrano celebrates its 250th anniversary. Santa is available for photos through December 23, and admission to Capistrano Lights includes same-day admission to the Mission.

Dates: December 18–23, 26–27, and 29–30, 2026; holiday programming runs approximately 3:30–6:30 p.m., with the Mission open until 7:00 p.m.
Location: Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Website: Capistrano Lights

Christmas Events Tustin

Tustin – Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll

Celebrate the start of the holiday season in Old Town Tustin during the Tustin Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Stroll, a festive community tradition featuring the annual tree lighting, photos with Santa, live stage performances by local groups, food and marketplace vendors, children’s activities, and a charming Snow Village.

The Dreamers Market opens before the main festivities, giving visitors extra time to browse local vendors before enjoying the evening’s entertainment and holiday atmosphere. Set among the historic streets of Old Town, this family-friendly celebration offers a lively and distinctly local way to kick off the Christmas season in Orange County.

Date: December 4, 2026; Dreamers Market begins at 5:00 p.m., with the main event from 6:00–8:30 p.m.
Location: Old Town Tustin, El Camino Real and 3rd Street, Tustin, CA
Website: Tustin Tree Lighting

Bookmark our Orange County Christmas Events Guide

The O.C. offers many things to do between November and January to keep you in the holiday spirit.  We hope you’ve found this Orange County Christmas Events directory helpful and wish you a wonderful winter season.  Thanks for visiting our website.

We hope to see you at the places where we go.

Julie & Art

Check out more seasonal event guides

Halloween events in Southern California – Bookmark it for next year!
Julefest Christmas in Solvang, California
Celebrate Victorian Christmas in Nevada City, California

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