Make the holiday season merry and bright by enjoying these Orange County events.
The festive scene at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
This waterfront Dana Point property sparkles with its towering holiday tree, the perfect spot for a photo opp with loved ones. Through Thursday, Dec. 19, the hotel will offer an elegant Holiday Tea at RAYA, a Gingerbread House Workshop on Sunday, Dec. 15, and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 and 21. On Dec. 25, indulge in a Christmas Brunch Buffet followed by Christmas dinner at RAYA, curated by chef Richard Sandoval.
12 Days of Christmas Movies at The Lido Theater
Take cozy holiday movie nights out on the town with the help of The Lido Theater. The retro-style cinema will host 12 holiday-themed films from Dec. 12-23, screening favorites such as Elf, The Polar Express, Die Hard and It's a Wonderful Life. Enhance the experience with a warm mug hot cocoa, eggnog, popcorn and candy—all available for purchase. Grab your tickets here.
The 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade returns Dec. 18 to 22; PHOTO COURTESY OF VISIT NEWPORT BEACH
116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
For the 116th year, the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade will cruise into town from Dec. 18 to 22. Watch immaculately decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes light up the 14-mile harbor route as they compete for top design honors. Homes along the parade route will participate in a decorating contest during the Ring of Lights, and guests can get out on the water themselves during nightly holiday lights cruises from Nov. 29 to Dec. 31.
In Newport Coast, The Resort at Pelican Hill has prepared a festive lineup of holiday fun. On select afternoons between Dec. 6 and Jan. 1, visit The Great Room for Hot Chocolate Happy Hour; shop the Holiday Mercato or make a holiday wreath with Daily Blooms Farm on Dec. 7; make a charm necklace while sipping mimosas or take a gingerbread class on Dec. 8; and enjoy live performances during Holiday High Tea from Dec. 12 to 15. Story time with Santa will take place Dec. 14, 21 and 22; and indulgent holiday dining awaits in The Great Room and at Pelican Grill on Dec. 25.
Enjoy holiday dining at Harvest at The Ranch at Laguna Beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Seasonal cocktails, teas and spa treatments await at The Ranch at Laguna Beach. Alongside those curated offerings, the little ones will love Pancakes with Santa on Dec. 22, and the whole family can make memories during Christmas dinner at Harvest with a menu featuring slow-roasted prime rib, fresh local seafood, sticky toffee pudding and other seasonal indulgences.
Toast to the holiday season with tiki-inspired drinks at the Pete's Christmas Vacation pop-up. PHOTO COURTESY OF HYATT REGENCY HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT & SPA
Pete's Christmas Vacation at Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa
Pete's Sunset Grille at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort & Spa has received a holiday makeover. Open through Jan. 1, the seasonal Pete's Christmas Vacation pop-up is a holiday tiki bar meets National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Expect Griswold-approved decor and seasonal bites and drinks, including crispy Christmas calamari, Pete's Bourbon Bacon Jam and Turkey Slider Dinner, the Rum, Rum Rudolph Cocktail Flight, Nate's Naughty Nog and more. Book a private snow globe dome ($300 for 90 minutes) to enjoy a bottle of wine, a charcuterie and cheese board, and the full Pete's menu.
Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa
The whole family will find entertainment at this Dana Point property. First, thanks to Fork n' Film, experience a curated multi-course dinner based on the beloved film The Grinch. The Los Angeles-based brand will serve cuisine and beverages as you screen the film on the outdoor lawn. Holiday carolers will stop by the hotel every Saturday evening from Dec. 7 to 21; gingerbread workshops will take place every Saturday afternoon from Dec. 7 to 21; and Breakfast with Santa will occur every Sunday from Dec. 15 to 21. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Prime Rib Dinners will take place at the new Lantern’s Edge restaurant.
Visit the waterfront Balboa Bay Resort this holiday season. PHOTO COURTESY OF BALBOA BAY RESORT
With primo views of the Newport Harbor, this waterfront property is the ideal place to be during the holiday season. Kick the festive fun off on Dec. 1 during the Moët & Chandon Holiday Brunch (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.), where you'll enjoy carving, caviar and omelet stations, a seafood display and plenty of Champagne and cocktails. By night on Dec. 1, attend the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m., where live performances and a snow-filled finale await. You'll score free treats and beverages when you show up to the event with a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots. Discover the perfect holiday gift at the Moonlight Market on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7 (from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Resort Pool), and get crafty during Wine and Wreaths, a libation-filled, wreath-making class on Dec. 14 (3 to 5 p.m.). Return Dec. 22 for Balboa Bay Resort's Santa Brunch at the indoor-outdoor Lighthouse Room. Indulge in classic brunch fare, get your gifts wrapped at the wrapping station and enjoy take-home photo ops with the Man in Red.
Holiday-themed brunch and dinner cruises are available in the Newport Harbor on select dates between Dec. 1 and Jan. 1, thanks to City Cruises. Don’t miss the Newport Beach Preview Night Christmas Boat Parade premiere dinner cruise on Dec. 16 and 17.
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Snap a photo under the "Merry Kiss Me" sign in Dana Point Harbor; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
It’s all about the twinkling displays at Happy Harbor Days, where more than 700,000 LED lights illuminate the Dana Point Harbor. Steal a moment under the famous “Merry Kiss Me” sign and take in the illuminated whale sculptures at the harbor’s entrance through mid-January. From Dec. 13 to 15, enjoy the 49th annual Boat Parade of Lights, where dozens of boats will get decked out for the Santa's Seaside Carnival theme. Santa will also stop by the harbor on Dec. 5 and 6 to snap photos in the Clock Courtyard and take cruises with Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching on Dec. 7 and 8. Discover more than 55 vendors while enjoying live music and crafts for the little ones on Dec. 21.
Visit one of Orange County’s most popular shopping centers to enjoy photos with Santa, the nightly lighting of the 75-foot Christmas tree and an open-air ice skating rink open through Jan. 5. Stop by on Dec. 7 to skate with Santa and return Dec. 14 to dance the night away during the complimentary Silent Night Disco party.
Montage Laguna Beach is all decked out for the holidays; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
As Montage Laguna Beach’s stunning tree illuminates its grounds, the property will host a festive lineup of holiday fun. Make a holiday wreath at The Loft (on Dec. 1, 7 and 15), decorate a gingerbread house on the Studio Lawn (on Dec. 1, 8 and 15) and snap photos with the seaside gingerbread display outside of The Loft (from Dec. 1 to 27), where complimentary hot chocolate, cider and cookies will be available from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. The Loft will also offer an elegant three-course Champagne brunch at noon on Dec. 25 and a four-course prix-fixe tasting menu for dinner that night (call 949.715.6420 for reservations).
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Dazzling trees of strung lights will dance across the water for the 34th annual Lighting of the Bay. Open daily through Jan. 1, this beloved display is paired with the Fire & Ice Festival, where fire dancers will entertain guests from Thursday to Sunday. Visit the Igloo Cocktail Bar to sip hot toddies or cozy up by a fire pit on the shore to roast s’mores. Kids will also love the winter-themed inflatables, the winding SnoMaze and the giant Snowzilla Slide.
Stroll through Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest during its Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights events; PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
All is calm and bright at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest. From Dec. 6 to 8, gather the family for the 38th annual Candlelight Walk. From 5 to 9 p.m., guests are invited to stroll the festive grounds, where holiday lights, decor, live music, crafts and time with Santa Claus is on the schedule. Return Dec. 13 to 15 for Holiday Lights. Furry friends on leashes no longer than six feet are welcome to join two-legged visitors for holiday-themed photo opportunities and shimmering light displays. The best part? Both events are free—with complimentary parking, too!
Cozy up by a fire pit this holiday season at Pasea Hotel & Spa. PHOTO BY CECILY BREEDING
Deck the halls at this Huntington Beach property, where holiday highlights include the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2 and Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 8 and 15 in the Blue Room. Throughout the holiday season, Paséa invites you to enjoy its poolside igloos, Cool Yule fire pit experiences, and a holiday movie night on Dec. 10 featuring Elf.
Sparkling holiday decor awaits at Roger's Gardens. PHOTO COURTESY OF ROGER'S GARDENS
Roger’s Gardens Sparkle, Shimmer & Shine Christmas Boutique
Whether sprucing up your holiday tree or throwing a festive soiree, this stunning Corona del Mar boutique offers holiday shoppers inspiration with 28 themed trees decorated with more than 800 ornaments (all available for purchase!). Shop over 3,000 unique products handpicked by the Roger’s Gardens buyers who scour Europe each year for the most beautiful wooden nutcrackers, painted German Santas and more.
Beautiful light displays illuminate the grounds at Sherman Library & Gardens during its annual Nights of 1000 Lights. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
This Corona del Mar landmark presents its annual Nights of 1000 Lights Holiday Celebration on select evenings between Dec. 5 and 22. Stroll through the gardens to experience a dazzling display of lights, carnival games and live entertainment centered around this year’s 10-year anniversary theme. Visit Santa in his workshop and find a unique gift to place under the tree at The Garden Shop.
Celebrate the holidays at VEA Newport Beach. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
The holiday tree is up and illuminated at this Newport Beach property. Stop by VEA's Holiday Hideout Bar, a decorated lounge open through December. Imbibers are invited to visit Thursday through Saturday from 5 p.m. to midnight for jolly cocktails, small bites and photos in a winter wonderland setting. SPA VEA is also getting into the holly-jolly spirit with the 100-minute Winter Wrapsody treatment (available in December and January) and an exclusive January spa package that includes a spa welcome gift, two day passes, a daily breakfast credit for two, complimentary valet parking, and a waived resort fee.
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Celebrate the holidays with the little ones at Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club
Whether booking a staycation or stopping by for the day, this stunning Dana Point property is decked out for the holidays. Stop by on Saturdays and Sundays in December to enjoy breakfast with Santa at the ocean-view AVEO Table + Bar; decorate cookies with the kids on Dec. 21; watch a festive viewing of Home Alone on Dec. 28 (resort guests only); and indulge in elegant Christmas dining at Bourbon Steak, AVEO Table + Bar and the Monarch Beach Bay Club.
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Snap a photo inside an ornament at Winter Fest OC. PHOTO COURTESY OF BRAND
Southern California’s largest winter festival is open now through Jan. 5, inviting families to navigate an outdoor skating trail, play in real snow and soar down the 150-foot-long ice tubing slide. Carnival rides, seasonal treats and beverages, VIP cabanas and igloos, plus the brand-new holiday market, make this gathering at Costa Mesa’s OC Fair & Event Center one of the season’s hottest tickets.
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