Guide to Christmas in Orange County: Festivals, Events, Things to Do

Christmas doesn’t look like one of those old-fashioned greeting cards during the Orange County events. Santa Claus is more likely to come by surfing board rather than on a sled, and he wears shorts instead of velvet and fur.

The best decorations in town may be at the theme park. What about the local Christmas parade? It has the same probability of happening on land as water that sounds casual to Californians.

Don’t get confused, take a look at how Californians find a unique way to celebrate events in Orange County. It turns out that this is one of the best places in the state.

Watch the Newport Beach Harbour Parade

So far, the most exciting holiday event in Orange County is the Newport Beach Christmas Cruise Parade. You’ll see yachts, and even small boats shroud in festive lights, rather than motorized buoys and marching bands, passing by the delightful onlookers.

The harbor parade at Newport Beach is the largest in Southern California. More than 100 vessels participate in the competition, and each vessel is hang in enough light to turn the night into day.

You can get all the details you need to attend and get some tips when you visit the Newport Beach Christmas Cruise Parade Guide.

Go to Huntington Beach Cruise

At Huntington Beach, the best holiday light displays are made in multi-million dollar homes on artificial islands. From pure white light to luxurious eyewear created by professional lighting installers, the community has it all.

Here is the point to note: these displays face water instead of the street. This effect is magical, and the sparkling light of each house doubles in the water. The only way to get beautiful is to take a boat.

Watch Surfing Santa Competition

This event takes place in November but continues until Christmas. Surfers in Orange County events dress up like Santa Claus or other holiday-inspired characters, surfing at Salt Creek Beach near Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel.

The Santa Surf competition is held on Saturday before Thanksgiving.

Celebrating Christmas at Disneyland

After the end of Halloween, Disneyland usually begins to celebrate Christmas, including holiday decorations, seasonal food, and festival parades.

The theme of the haunted house is “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” which is a small world and receives holiday treatment. Christmas is the only time of the year when you can enjoy the ride without putting the song in your mind.

Enjoy holiday lights and cross the nativity scene

If you are looking for some brightly lit houses in Orange County, then the best option is:

Balboa Island Aura

Don’t miss the Ring of Lights in front of the bay on Balboa Island in Newport Beach. The luxury houses around the harbor are illuminated from the lawn to the roof.

To get there, start at Balboa Island, park your car, and stroll along the waterfront of Bayfront Street in the South and North. 

Eagle Mountain Neighborhood Lights Display

In the town of Brea, you can see more than a hundred lighting fixtures in Eagle Hills near East Lambert Road and Sunflower Street House. Set the GPS to Stearns Street 3010 so that it is close to the intersection. From there, you can quickly determine where to go next.

Crossing the nativity scene

You can also enjoy a variety of driving through the Nativity scene in Orange County, including live actors and animals. Some even have roaming experience. You can find a list of them in SoCal Field Trips.

Check out winter music festival OC

Forget the warm weather outside. At this event, you can glide on the skating board, play in the fresh snow that blows every day, or get lost in the maze. It only applies to beginners. Don’t miss the carnival rides, the world’s largest walk-in decor, or the largest rocking horse.

Happy at Nazberry Farm

For the rest of the year, this is Knott’s Berry Farm, but before and after the holidays, they change the name to “Merry.”

The cute children’s characters in the Peanut Manga participate in the Christmas Beauty Contest, and Snoopy performs on the ice. You can visit with Santa Claus or shop at the Christmas Craft Village.

Drink some holiday tea

Afternoon tea is a fun way to celebrate the holidays, and Orange County has several exciting places to enjoy.

Laguna Niguel’s Ritz-Carlton celebrates this season in the festive teas of its Raya restaurant in November and December. You can get more information on their website.

Disneyland Hotel also offers festive afternoon tea at Hall 55. Enjoy a pot of hot tea while savoring scones, tea sandwiches, and a small dessert.

Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy Shopping

The summerwood chip festival, which is popular in Laguna Beach, is enchanting every holiday. On the weekend of November and December, the Sawdust Art Festival Winter Fantasy showcases more than 100 artists who create, display, and sell their original works.

Christmas trains on the Irvine Park Railway

At the Irvine Park Railway, you can take the train directly to the North Pole. Once you arrive, you can visit Santa and then return to the station to watch Christmas lights and decorations as well as the magical “tunnel lights.”

Toyota of Orange is one of the best car dealerships near Santa Ana, stop by and take a test drive while you are in CA.