With less than 2 weeks left until Christmas, here is a list of local Holiday events that you and your family may enjoy. Please comment if we’ve left anything out, and we’ll be sure to add it right away! Happy Holidays!
Dec. 14, 17-24- 7 pm, times vary: Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine- “The Nutcracker.” A full-length traditional production with professional dancers and over 100 dance students. $40-$45. thebarclay.org/nutcracker
Dec 14, 4 pm: Mount of Olives Church, Mission Viejo- Live band, worship team, Hand Bell Choir, etc. $10 advance, $15 at door. moochurch.org
Dec 14, 4 pm: Soka Performing Arts Center, Aliso Viejo- All-American Boys Chorus: “Sounds of Christmas.” $27-$42. soka.edu/boyschorus
Dec 15, 9:30 & 10:30 am: Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, Mission Viejo- Family Music Holiday Class– Dance with jingle bells to holiday music- Free.
Dec 16, 6 pm: Fashion Island, Newport Beach- “Fashion Island Hanukkah celebration.” Festivities and music celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, Menorah lighting too! shopfahionisland.com
Dec 17-21, 6:30-9 pm daily: Bay Island and Newport Harbor, Newport Beach- 2014 Christmas Boat Parade– Free. christmasboatparade.com
Dec 18-21, 8 pm Thurs- Sat, & 2 pm Sun: Camino Real Playhouse, San Clemente- “A Christmas Carol” will be performed. caminorealplayhouse.tix.com
Dec 18-21, 7 pm Dec 18-20, 2 pm Dec 20, and 1 & 6 pm Dec 21: Saddleback College Mckinney Theater, Mission Viejo- Laguna Ballet: “The Nutcracker.” $24 General admission, $22 students & seniors, $20 kids 12 & under. 949-582-4656.
Dec 20, 10 am-2 pm: Mission Viejo Village Shopping Center, 25402 Marguerite Parkway- Artisan Faire– Artisans will showcase their unique handcrafted gifts and items.
Dec 21, 3:30 pm: Crown Valley Park Amphitheater, Laguna Niguel- Hanukkah Menorah Lighting & Concert– Bring a blanket with your family and friends to celebrate a menorah lighting. Free. chabadlagunaniguel.com
Dec 31, 5-9 pm: Rancho Santa Margarita Civic Plaza and Central Park, RSM- Happy Birthday Rancho Santa Margarita! The City or RSM will celebrate its 15th year of incorporation at the annual New Year’s Eve community gathering entitled “Celebrating Friends and Family.” It’s an alcohol-free, family friendly festival featuring games, music, visual arts, inflatables and interactive art activities. Also included, live entertainment from the local band the 5150’s. magician Mark Gibson (5 pm, seating is first come first serve), There will also be gourmet food trucks and specialty food booths offering a wide variety of choices. 949-216-9700.
ONGOING EVENTS:
Now – Dec 21, 10 am- 6 pm: Saw Dust Art Festival, Laguna Beach- Annual “Winter Fantasy” Fair hosts over 175 local artisans , with live entertainment, activities and art projects. $7 adults, $4 kids 6-12. sawdustartfestival.org
Now -Dec 23: Irvine Park Railroad, Irvine- “Christmas Train”– Take a train ride to the North Pole to meet Santa! Get your tickets early, though! Purchasing online is recommended, as it’s possible for them to be sold out when you get there! Activity tickets can be purchased in addition for various prices. $12, visitors over 2. irvineparkrailroad.com
Now – Dec 24: Macy’s in Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Dr., Irvine- Get your complimentary photos with an OC styled Santa in a Hawaiian shirt and board shorts!
Now – Dec 31, 10 am-4 pm: The Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana- “Winter Zoobilation”– The Santa Ana Zoo has also gotten into the spirit of the holidays, with holiday decor and a variety of holiday-themed entertainment on the weekends. $10 adults, $7 kids and seniors, members are free. santaanazoo.org
Now – Jan 4: Irvine Spectrum,Edward’s Courtyard, Irvine- “Disney Magic Holiday Lights”– Has holiday music and special light displays every hour.
Now – Jan 4, Sun-Thurs 5-10 pm, Fri & Sat 5-1 pm: Dana Point Harbor- “Illumination”– Check out the harbor’s holiday lighting, illuminated tunnels and structures. mydanapoint.com
Now – Jan 5: Discovery Cube, Santa Ana- “Science of Gingerbread”– Bring the kiddos to meet Santa, participate in the annual gingerbread house competition, decorate holiday cookies or build your own race car! $16.95 adults, $12.95 kids over 3. discoverycube.org
Now – Jan 6: Disneyland & California Adventure, Anaheim- “Holidays at the Disney Resorts”– Disneyland and it’s sister park CA adventure is known for it’s over-the-top Christmas decor and merriment, with the Christmas Fantasy Parade to boot! The parade runs down Main Street at Disneyland daily at 3 and 5:45 pm, with the nightly fireworks going of at 9:30pm. More info and pricing @ disneyland.disney.go.com/holidays
Now – Jan 11, 10 am-11 pm: The Queen Mary, Long Beach- “The Queen Mary Chill”– View an Ice Kingdom of hand-carved sculptures made from 2 million pounds of ice, with a skating rink, outdoor slides made from ice, and a festive holiday village. Prices vary by date. Pre-sale $29.95-$34.95 adults, $14.95-$19.95 kids. Save up to $10 per person by purchasing online! queenmary.com
COTO DE CAZA EVENTS, MEMBERSHIP MAY BE REQUIRED:
Dec 16, 5-7:30 pm: Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club- reservation required. “Santa’s Buffet.” Amazing buffet, Santa, Balloon Artist, Carolers, the Coto Train and more! $40 adults, $16 Kids 3 & up. 949-858-4100.
Dec 23, 4:30 pm: Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club- reservation required. “Tree Lighting Ceremony.” Members are encouraged to bring one of their favorite family ornaments to hang on the live Coto tree. There will be a buffet created by Executive Chef John Miller, as well as hot chocolate, cider and a hot toddy station. The club will store the ornaments each year and hang on the Coto tree every year! $35 adults, $16 kids 4-10. 949-858-4100.
Dec. 31, 9 pm-1 am: Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club- reservation required. “New Year’s Eve Complimentary Party.” DJ, dancing and more! Members are Free, guests $25 per person. 949-858-4100.
