Orange County Holiday Events 2021: Christmas Parades & Santa

ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Get out your calendars! Time to start planning as the holidays near throughout Orange County.

Christmas this year falls on a Saturday, Dec. 25. Hanukkah 2021 comes a bit early, beginning Sunday, Nov. 28 at sundown and running through Monday, Dec. 6.

Peruse Patch's annual holiday guide, find nearby events and select the outings that appeal to you and yours. Many events kick off soon, while several require advance bookings, and space may be limited.

Do note: Always confirm with organizers that the listed activities are proceeding as planned when posted.

And to all of our readers, wishing you the happiest of holidays, from Patch!

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ALISO VIEJO:

NOV. 26-DEC. 8: AVCA Holiday Decorating Contest. Deck your halls!

DEC. 2: Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony. With train rides, caroling, snowfall & more.

DEC. 5: AVCA Sunday With Santa. Carolers, photos with Santa, cookies, cocoa & crafts - for AVCA households.

DEC. 17: Breakfast With Santa. Jolly time with crafts & stories from Santa.

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ANAHEIM:

NOV 19-DEC. 26: 'Magic Of Lights' Holiday Drive-Thru: Angel Stadium. For first time, Magic of Lights is coming to Angel Stadium.

NOV. 27: Anaheim Ballet's Nutcracker & Symphony Irvine. "The production you and your family must see."

NOV. -DEC.: Disneyland's 'Disney Merriest Nites.' Sold out.

NOV. 27-DEC. 24: Breakfast With Santa: Catal Restaurant, Downtown Disney. Sells out fast, so book soon!

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BREA:

NOV. 19-20: Nutcracker Craft Boutique. Shop numerous vendors with handcrafted holiday gifts, decorations, food & collectibles.

DEC. 2: Holiday Tree Lighting, Music & Santa. An event open to the community.

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BUENA PARK:

NOV. 19-JAN. 2: Knott's Merry Farm. "Home for the Holidays" & "Merry Christmas, Snoopy!" among festive line-up at Knott's Berry Farm's extravaganza.

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CORONA DEL MAR:

DEC. 5: Annual Christmas Walk & Santa Visit. Free to all with entertainment, children's activities, beer & wine gardens & more.

DEC. 10-22: Nights Of 1000 Lights: Sherman Gardens. Sold out.

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COSTA MESA:

NOV. 26-JAN. 2: 'Night Of Lights OC' Holiday Drive-Thru. At fairgrounds with more than 1 million twinkling lights! Tickets expected to sell fast.

NOV. 27, DEC. 4, 11 & 18: Sing-a-Long with Mrs. Claus at SOCO’s Holiday Storytime. On all Saturdays leading up to Christmas. Free, but RSVPs requested.

DEC. 4: Nutcracker For Kids: Segerstrom Center. Ideal for little ones, 5-11.

DEC. 10: Holidays with Canadian Brass. Internationally renowned, award-winning group performs seasonal favorites, holiday classics & brass standards.

DEC. 10-15: American Ballet Theatre's The Nutcracker: Segerstrom Center. "This Nutcracker is cracking good!"

DEC. 26: A Magical Cirque Christmas: Segerstrom Center. "Merry treat that’s perfect for the entire family."

DEC. 30-JAN. 1: Shen Yun World Tour with Live Orchestra at Segerstrom Center for Arts. "Artistic revival & celebration of China’s 5,000-years rich cultural heritage."

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DANA POINT:

NOV. 29-DEC. 13: 'Stocking Stuffers For Seniors' Drive. "Be a Santa for a senior this holiday season."

DEC. 4: Santa's Jolly Trolley. Meet the Big Guy & his elves at four stops.

DEC. 4: La Plaza Park Tree Lighting & Santa. With carolers, hot chocolate & cookies.

DEC. 4-5: 'Santa Paws' - Pet Photos With Santa Fundraiser. Benefits homeless animals at San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter.

DEC. 6: Pines Park Tree Lighting & Santa. Santa & elves will have treats for little ones.

DEC. 10-12: Dana Point Harbor’s 46th Annual Boat Parade of Lights. With “Fiesta Holiday” theme.

DEC. 11: Ocean Institute Yule-Tide Market. Featuring Santa photos, mermaids, environmentally-friendly gift-wrapping & more.

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY:

DEC. 4: Holiday Tree Lighting & Snow Zone. Dress warm!

DEC. 10: Cookies & Story Time With Mrs. Claus. Registration required for night of fun with Mrs. Claus.

DEC. 11: Breakfast With Santa. Book son for pancake breakfast, carnival games, crafts & more.

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FULLERTON:

DEC. 19: Holiday Festival: The Muckenthaler Cultural Center. With live music, art, & crafts for kids.

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HUNTINGTON BEACH:

NOV. 25-JAN. 2: Holiday Ice Skating Rink: Paséa Hotel. "Skate and chill where the sand meets the snow."

DEC. 5: Waymakers 25th Annual Light A Light Of Love. With children’s holiday parade, Santa, entertainment & snowflake lighting ceremony.

DEC.: Huntington Harbour Philharmonic 2021 Cruise of Lights. Canceled.

DEC. 8-10: Live Nativity - Walk-Thru or Drive-Thru. With hot chocolate & coffee for purchase & craft space for kids & families.

DEC. 17-18: Coast City Ballet's Nutcracker. "Experience the Magic of Dance!"

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IRVINE:

NOV. 5-JAN. 2: Spectrum Center's Holiday Ice Skating Rink. Skate under the stars at outdoor rink in Giant Wheel Court.

NOV. 20-JAN. 2: 'Holidayz At The Park' Holiday Lights: Great Park. An outdoor, winterscape!

NOV. 26-DEC. 30: 'Hikari - A Festival of Lights': Tanaka Farms. More than a million twinkling light, plus Holiday Wagon Ride & Gingerbread Forest.

NOV. 28: Hooray for Hanukah. Menorah lighting & dreidel games at Pretend City Children's Museum.

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LAGUNA BEACH:

NOV. 20-DEC. 19: Winter Fantasy, Sawdust Art Festival. A holly-jolly time with carolers, music, puppets & daily drop-ins from Santa Claus.

DEC. 3: 'Hospitality Night' & Tree Lighting. Community tradition brings choirs, bands, kid's fun & Santa.

DEC. 6-7: 'The Skivvies - Say It Ain't Snow': Laguna Playhouse. "Wild fun, packed with big voices & crazy harmonies. But no pants."

DEC. 13-15: 'Merry Christmas Darling: Carpenters’ Christmas': Laguna Playhouse. Recreating original sound of Carpenters’ hits & Christmas repertoire.

DEC. 20-21: 'Sister's Christmas Catechism': Laguna Playhouse. Sister is back with 'CSI: Bethlehem'!

DEC. 31: Rita Rudner's Happy, Vaccinated New Year's Eve: Laguna Playhouse. LOL into the New Year!

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LAGUNA HILLS:

DEC. 11: In-Person Toy Drive for "Kids Give To Kids." With raffle-ticket giveaway.

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LAGUNA NIGUEL:

NOV. 13: JUMBLE Book Sale & Holiday Sale. All at "fantastic prices" at Laguna Niguel Library.

NOV. 27: Santa Is Coming To Town: Laguna Niguel Promenade. Santa visit, goodies & more.

DEC. 11: Holiday Parade. Santa will be there, too!

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LAKE FOREST:

DEC. 4: City Anniversary, Kids' Fun & Tree Lighting. Also includes El Toro High School choral performance.

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LOS ALAMITOS:

NOV. 20: Tamale Workshop: St. Isidore Historical Plaza. Just in time for the holidays, learn to make traditional tamales!

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MISSION VIEJO:

NOV. 19-20: Holiday Used Book Sale. From Friends of the Library at the MV Library.

NOV. 20: Gifts & Goodies Holiday Boutique. Start your holiday shopping!

NOV. 28: Santa’s Arrival & Holiday Illumination. Santa will be bringing his friends from North Pole.

DEC. 3-4: Mount of Olives Church Drive-Thru Nativity. Admission is free.

DEC. 24: Mount of Olives Church Christmas Eve Services. Multiple times, plus candle lighting.

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NEWPORT BEACH:

NOV. 18: LIVE STREAM: Our Favorites from the Christmas Boutique. See what's in store at Roger's Gardens.

NOV. 26-JAN. 1: Newport Dunes Holiday 'Lighting Of The Bay' - "A vibrant winter wonderland featuring more than fifty lighted Christmas trees and holiday decorations."

NOV. 30: LIVE STREAM: Roger’s Fresh Wreaths, Greens & Garlands. Get tips from expert horticulturist.

DEC.: Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour. Canceled.

DEC. 15-19: Christmas Boat Parade. This year's theme: Jingle on the Waves!

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ORANGE:

NOV. 26-DEC. 23: Irvine Park Railroad's Christmas Train, Santa's Village & Festivities. Christmas train sold out for 2021. Check website link for the other activities.

DEC. 11: Christmas At The OC Zoo. Festive outing with Santa, Mrs. Claus, treats, games & critters!

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RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA:

DEC. 4: Christmas Tree Lighting & Santa. Festivities include dance & storytelling of 'The Night Before Christmas' & music by The Bridge Church.

DEC. 11: Carols 'Round the Lake. Fun includes trail of lights & photo ops.

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SAN CLEMENTE:

NOV. 28: Chanukah Fest & Menorah Lighting On Pier. With donuts, Dreidel Man, latkes, gelt, entertainment & more.

DEC. 1-22: Casa Lumina Holiday Walk: Casa Romantica. Featuring entertainment, artists, crafts, Letters to Santa & cocoa bar.

DEC. 4: Santa's Village By The Sea & Snow Hill. Family fun with music, food, hot chocolate, popcorn, games, snow & Santa!

DEC. 4: Christmas Family Festival & Ladies Luncheon. At Our Lady of Fatima.

DEC. 5: Chanukah Menorah Lighting & Fest: The Outlets. With music, donuts, latkes, crafts, gelt, dreidels & lighting of giant menorah.

DEC. 11: Holistic Holiday Makers Market. "Put some Zen in your holiday shopping."

DEC. 14: Casa Cinema 'It’s A Wonderful Life': Casa Romantica. A holiday classic!

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SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO:

NOV. 13: Annual Holiday Bazaar. Start your holiday shopping!

NOV. 26-DEC. 19: 'A Christmas Story': Camino Real Playhouse. The beloved tale of Ralphie, who wants only one thing for Christmas: a Red Ryder Range 200 Shot BB gun.

DEC. 4-30: Holiday 'Capistrano Lights': Mission San Juan Capistrano. Select dates feature musical performances, Santa visits, prayer candles & more.

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SANTA ANA:

NOV. 13: Holiday Home Tour. For first time, historic Floral Park will open four landmark estate homes.

NOV. 20: Plaza Navideña Holiday Fest & Tree-Lighting. Ring in the season with entertainment & tasty treats.

DEC. 8-JAN. 2: Winter Village & Outdoor Ice Skating Rink. Extravaganza also includes trackless train rides & Santa visits.

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SEAL BEACH:

NOV. 20: Christmas Tree Lighting, Snow & Santa. Back at Eisenhower Park!

NOV. 21: Pre-Chanukah Menorah Lighting. At pier with giant 9-foot menorah & free family fun.

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TRABUCO CANYON:

DEC. 5: Chris Daniels Project LIVE at Cook's Corner. "We've got some great new tunes to bring you into the holiday spirit!"

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TUSTIN:

NOV. 27: Wilcox Manor Christmas Extravaganza. Holiday treats, free photos with Santa & joyous entertainment.

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VILLA PARK:

DEC. 12: Holiday 'Dry Land Boat Parade' - A festive, town tradition since 1982.

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YORBA LINDA:

DEC. 4: Holiday On Main Street. With kids' crafts, youth talent show, artisan shopping, Santa, holiday drinks lounge, live music & more.

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HEADING OUT FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

• San Diego County Holiday Events
• Riverside County Holiday Events