The holiday season is chock-full of fun and adventure in Southern California. In this week’s Goodness Report, the Idea Hall team pulled together some of our favorites to inspire special memories with your family, friends, or colleagues this year. From our family to yours Happy Hall-idays!
Boat Parades
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights
December 13-17, 2023 | 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
“One of the top holiday events in the nation” according to the New York Times, the Newport Beach Boat Parade will be returning once again for its 115th annual parade around the Newport Harbor. With four nights of holiday cheer, the boat parade is a must-see event for many Orange County residents.
“It’s tradition to head down to the water, grab a hot cocoa, and stand bundled up on the beach watching the boats come by. We have gone to the boat parade every year since I can remember… and I don’t think it would feel like Christmas without it.” – Ashley Lang, Account Coordinator
Click here to see a map of the best viewing spots for the parade.
Marina Del Rey Boat Parade & Firework Show
Saturday, December 9, 2023 | 5:55 pm – 8:00 pm
Starting with a traditional fireworks show, the Marina Del Rey Boat Parade is a classic event to kick off the holidays. This annual tradition is Idea Hall account coordinator Holly Jenvey’s favorite way to enjoy time with her family and get into the spirit of the holidays in early December.
“The Marina Del Rey Holiday boat parade is a great way to bring the community together. Boat owners put in a tremendous effort to ensure their boats are lighting up the marina with holiday cheer. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience that I hope everyone gets to see one day!” – Holly Jenvey, Account Coordinator
Click here to see a map of the best viewing spots for the parade.
Holiday Lights
Dana Point Holidays At The Harbor
Dana Point Harbor | November 15 – Early January
Every holiday season, the Dana Point Harbor transforms into a Southern California holiday setting with 700,000 LED lights constructing displays including a giant whale sculpture, lighted palm trees, giant beach-ball-like ornaments, the popular “Merry Kiss Me” arch, and much more. There are also several special holiday events at the Dana Point Harbor including visits from Santa Claus and a Candyland-themed boat parade.
For more information about the Holidays at the Harbor offerings, click here.
Tanaka Farms – Hikari Lights Festival
November 24 – December 30 | 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
What began in the winter of 2020 as a drive-thru holiday light display to provide a COVID-19-safe holiday experience for families around Orange County, the Hikari Lights Festival has now become a cherished annual tradition at Tanaka Farms. Using over one million twinkling lights, the staff at Tanaka Farms has created a magical gathering place for friends and family with wagon rides, hot cocoa, live music, barnyard animals, and Santa!
Click here to see full details of the event on the Tanaka Farms website.
Holiday Community Events
San Clemente Chanukah on the Pier
December 10, 2023 | 4:00 pm
Chabad of San Clemente will be celebrating the Chanukah season with the lighting of a 10-foot Menorah, food, music, crafts, and an interactive “kindness Menorah” which participants can help cover with holiday messages of love and peace. This event is free to all who wish to attend, at the Historic San Clemente Pier, but registration on the official website is encouraged.
Click here to register for this fantastic free holiday event.
Skirball Cultural Center Hanukkah Festival
December 10, 2023 | 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm
At Los Angeles’ Skirball Cultural Center, everyone is welcome to gather with family and friends to enjoy a celebration of Chanukah filled with live music, traditional cuisine, singing, dancing, and a unique candle-lighting celebration. Tickets for the event are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Click here to learn more about this wonderful holiday celebration.
Famer’s Market Los Angeles Chanukah Celebration
December 10, 2023 | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
On Sunday, December 10 from 3-5 pm the Original Farmer’s Market of Los Angeles is hosting an afternoon of Chanukah fun with youth performances by JLA, Chanukah sing-a-longs, crafts, and a special Menorah lighting ceremony with Miracle Mile Chabad. Activities will take place on the Market Plaza, so make sure to stop by and enjoy the spirit of Chanukah with your loved ones.
Click here to view the official event information.
Balboa Island Christmas Lights
Imagine walking around a quaint bayside island with nearly every house decorated with beautiful displays of holiday cheer. Well, you can do exactly that this holiday season by taking a stroll around the perimeter of Newport Beach’s well-known Balboa Island!
Sarah McGill, Idea Hall Director of Operations & HR, and her family gather on the main street of Balboa Island, order a pizza, and then walk around and check out the lights illuminating the entire island with holiday cheer. It is an experience that friends and family of all ages can enjoy and a Newport Beach tradition.
Lido Marina Village Female Maker Market
December 16, 2023 | 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
At the Lido Marina Village Holiday Female Maker Market, you can support local female artisans and pick up some uniquely crafted gifts for your loved ones. There will be a visit from Santa, a live musical performance, and there is snow in the forecast!
To view the official event website, click here.
Costa Mesa City Hall Snoopy House
December 15 – 22, 2023 | 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
A fabulous free event for the entire Orange County community, the Snoopy House Event hosted at the Costa Mesa City Hall is perfect for all Charlie Brown and Snoopy lovers. There will be a variety of free activities, and a sensory-friendly event will occur during the weekend. Grab a photo with Santa, take a train ride, or admire the stage performers and Snoopy House Light Display.
To view the official event website, click here.
Living Nativity
Village Bible Church | 12671 Buaro St., Garden Grove, CA
December 16-17, 2023 | 4:oo pm – 9:00 pm
Village Bible Church of Garden Grove, CA is once again hosting its free Living Nativity experience this December. At this special event, guests can walk through Bethlehem and relive the first Christmas story.
Click here for more information.
Holiday Experiences
Roger’s Gardens Christmas Confections Holiday Boutique
December 1-31, 2023 | Holiday Hours Vary
At Roger’s Gardens 2023 Holiday Boutique, you can step into a whimsical world of holiday magic and sweets through both their indoor and outdoor holiday displays. Explore the plethora of handcrafted Christmas decor from across the world and enjoy a meal or hot cocoa.
Idea Hall CEO Rebecca Hall loves to walk around Roger’s Gardens with a cup of hot cocoa once the sun has set, browsing the cozy holiday-themed displays and exploring festive lights and displays in the outdoor garden. This is also a beloved spot for Santa pictures. Hot tip — the line is usually shorter than most other locations.
Click here to view the Holiday Hours at Roger’s Gardens, and to find additional information.
Pier Summit Ski Lodge Holiday Pop-Up Bar
November 2 – December 30 | 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Located at the Shorebreak Hotel in Huntington Beach, the Pier Summit Ski Lodge is an annual pop-up bar that returns each holiday season, featuring cozy retro ski lodge decor, festive drinks (for example, one is served in a yeti foot), and even occasional snowfall!
Account Manager Sophie Booth loves to head to this festive holiday spot with her husband and friends for good food and festive holiday beverages.
Click here to view the official website.
The American Ballet Theatre – The Nutcracker @ Segerstrom Hall
Featuring the Orange County Pacific Symphony and a lineup of all-star performers from the American Ballet Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts’ presentation of The Nutcracker is often the talk of the town in Orange County during the holiday season.
“Seeing ABT’s The Nutcracker at the Segerstrom Hall is a family favorite holiday activity. I danced in my hometown’s productions of the ballet for many years, performing everything from soldier to Mother Ginger to a snowflake, so it’s become a tradition that seeing the show hearkens in the holiday spirit for me and my family.” – Rachel Fuller, Account Associate
Click here for more information about the show and to purchase tickets.
Costa Mesa Holiday Snowland
Balearic Park | 1975 Balearic Drive, Costa Mesa
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Hosted by Torelli Realty every year, the Holiday Snowland in Costa Mesa’s Mesa Verde neighborhood is a wonderful way to enjoy some winter weather even in sunny California. On December 16th the Balearic Park will be covered in 40 tons of snow for families all over the area to enjoy free of charge.
Click here to stay up to date about this fun event!
The Polar Express Train Ride
Southern California Railway Museum | 2201 S. A St., Perris, CA 92570
If you want to experience a magical train ride just like in the movie “Polar Express”, you can book a one-hour holiday-themed adventure through the Southern California Railway Museum. Passengers will be served hot chocolate while on their journey as well as enjoying a reading of the “Polar Express” book.
Click here to learn more about the experience and to book your ride on the “Polar Express”
Winter Fest OC
OC Fair & Event Center | 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, California 92626
November 24, 2023 – January 7, 2024
Winter Fest OC is a magical winter festival, complete with Santa, snow, rides, games, and much more. Visitors can stroll through holiday-themed lands, festive light displays, build a snowman in the snow play area, and enjoy a snow tubing slide, ice skating, and more. Every night guests will enjoy the tree lighting ceremony with fresh falling snow, a parade, and watch as fireworks light up the sky. Kids will enjoy all the magic that Winter Fest has to offer and the whole family will feel the spirit of the season as you wander through the winter wonderland.
To learn more and purchase tickets for OC Winterfest, click here.
