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Orange County Winter Events
Fun things to do in Orange County in the Winter Months

EVENT UPDATES
We're always in the process of updating our posted events, but would like to encourage you to click on the links below to get current updates. Due to possible health department restrictions, some events may experience date or venue changes.

December - January - February
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Featured Article
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade Of Lights. The Granddaddy Of Holiday Events In Southern California
 

 

December

Holiday Events

Details of holiday events beginning in November.

You'll find holiday boutiques, tree lightings, visits from Santa, boat parades, New Year's Eve events and much more!

Click Here for events listed by city

Student Leadership Summit - Costa Mesa
Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Vital Link is excited to provide this Student Leadership Conference targeted to students in grades 9-12. Students will access valuable experiences supporting CAREER EXPLORATION and fostering ESSENTIAL SKILLS.

Cost: $50 Per Student
Snacks & Lunch Included!

LOCATION:
OC Fairground
Costa Mesa, CA

Tamale Festival - La Habra
December 2, 2023
10 am - 8 pm

Live entertainment on three stages, tamales, food vendors, retail vendors, informational booths, children's play activities, a cantina, performances from local dance studios, holiday tree lighting, and a Holiday Firework show!

The event also features a free special event shuttle that brings residents and visitors to the festival from convenient off-site parking areas.

LOCATION:
301 S Euclid St.
La Habra, CA

Tamale Festival - Placentia
December 7, 2023
4:00 pm to 10:00 pm

The Placentia Santa Fe Merchants Association and the City of Placentia are proud to bring you the annual Tamale Festival to be held in Old Town Placentia in the 100-200 blocks of Santa Fe Street.

The event will feature live entertainment, food and tamale vendors, non-profit booths, business booths, a beer garden, pictures with Santa Claus, a Holiday Tree Lighting, and a kid's games area.

LOCATION:
Santa Fe Street
Placentia, Ca

Anaheim Plaza - Holiday Event!
Saturday, December
11am - 1pm

Free Family Fun Event!

Held at Anaheim Plaza Food Court. This free event is for the whole family and will include a bilingual DJ playing popular holiday music, a balloon twister, airbrush artist and a holiday photo backdrop for taking free selfies with Santa (bring your own camera). There will also be enter-to-win prizes from Anaheim Plaza retailers, and the first 100 children to attend will receive a goodie bag. This event is free and open to the public; no pre-registration is required.

LOCATION:
Anaheim Plaza Food Court
N. Euclid St. & Santa Ana Fwy.
Anaheim, CA 92801

Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach/Newport Bay
December 13-17, 2023

FREE to the public. The boat parade will light up the harbor for five consecutive nights. The parade starts at Collins Island at 6:30 p.m. and will last approximately three and a half hours over 250 ships participate in the parade along with hundreds of water front estates. Providing the backdrop for the parade is the Ring of Lights waterfront home and business decorating competition. FREE for spectators, entry fee for participating boats. Over million and half people view the parade each year.

For those of you that would like to be in parade both Newport Landing and Davey's Locker will offer general admission cruises nightly every night of the parade that are a part of the actual parade. Viewing the parade from a ship means that you see all of the parade and homes in full decor that line the waterfront. General admission tickets can be reserved over the phone.

LOCATIONS FOR CRUISES:
December 2-31, 2022
Offered nightly (check websites for times)
Newport Landing
309 Palm - Suite A, Newport Beach Ca 92661
Davey's Locker
400 Main St., Newport Beach, CA 92661

INFORMATION:
949-675-0551

Cars & (Santa) Claus - Tustin
early december

Santa Claus is making a pit-stop to The Marconi on December 2nd! Get a family photo with jolly St. Nick and their red Ferrari, or simply tour the museum with a cup of hot cocoa and brownie. Purchase general admission tickets today, admission price goes up on the day of the event.

General admission is $5 per person, children under 12 get in for free.

LOCATION:
The Marconi Automotive Museum
1302 Industrial Dr
Tustin, California 92780

INFORMATION/TICKETS:
(714) 258-3001
Purchase tickets online

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January

New Years Eve Events in Orange County

Listed by city, find both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day events in Orange County

Fiesta Association Hairiest Man Contest - San Juan Capistrano
Saturday, January 6, 2024
11 am - 3 pm

One of the wackiest contests the Fiesta Association holds. You must come to the sign-ups with a "Smooth Puss" (clean shaven) and ready to be photographed for the "Most Wanted" poster. You then have 9 weeks to grow a beard or moustache that will be judged at the Fiesta Grande in March

There is a $5.00 entry fee which goes to support the Swallow's Day Parade.

LOCATION:
Swallows Inn
Ortega Hwy & Camino Capistrano
San Juan Capistrano

INFORMATION:
949-615-1920

Bowers Museum Presents: Chinese Lunar New Year Festival
January 15, 2023
11 am - 3 pm

Celebrate with the Bowers Museum during our free family festivals held monthly in the beautiful Key Courtyard.

The sign of the Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace, and prosperity in Chinese culture. 2023 is predicted to be a year of hope. Celebrate the Lunar New Year with the beauty of Asian art, music, and dance. Bring the family to enjoy free face painting, art projects and food sampling. 

LOCATION:
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA

TET FESTIVAL - Costa Mesa
January 27-29, 2023

Helping preserve Vietnamese culture, the Tet Festival boasts about the attraction of over 100,000+ audiences and hundreds of booths in a span of a three day weekend event. Visitors are immersed with a vibrant array of traditional foods, live entertainment, festive games, and customs celebrating the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

LOCATION:
OC Fair & Event Center
Costa Mesa

SnowFest - Lake Forest
Saturday, January
10:30 am

check back for 2024 information

LOCATION:
Pittsford Park
21701 Pittsford Dr
Lake Forest, California 92630

INFORMATION:
For more information please call The Lake Forest Recreation Center at 949-273-6960

Main Place Mall's Lunar New Year Event - Santa Ana
January - check back for 2024 information

Celebrate the Year of the Pig with fun for the whole family in Macy's Court and Center Court.

It will be a fun afternoon for the whole family with a face painter, a balloon twister, crafts, stilt walkers, calligraphy artist, Wishing Tree, Lion Dances, giveaways and more! Performances will be hosted by the UVSA (Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California).

Location:
MainPlace Mall
2800 N Main St.
Santa Ana, CA

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February

Taste of San Juan - San Juan Capistrano
February 1, 2023
6-9 pm

Help launch the kick-off celebration of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas at The Limo Barn at Reata Park. The Taste brings together many of San Juan's marvelous restaurants under one roof to tempt you with 'tastes' of their fare. Includes live music. Tickets are only $50 for general admission

LOCATION:
Limo Barn at Reata Park
28632 Ortega Hwy
San Juan Capistrano, CA

INFORMATION:
949-615-1920

Annual San Juan Capistrano Rotary Car Show - San Juan Capistrano
February 3, 2024

This event draws nearly 400 exotic and classic show cars, and more than one thousand automotive enthusiasts. This car show is a major fundraising event that enables our SJC Rotary Club to help local charities thrive.

LOCATION:
San Juan Capistrano Community Center/Sports Park
25925 Camino del Avion
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon - Huntington Beach
February 4, 2024

This award-winning, Boston-Qualifying, course is considered one of the best courses in the country and is well known for being scenic and flat. Runners come from all over to experience this exhilarating run. The race starts along the Pacific Coast Highway and passes by the famous Huntington Beach pier.

Location:
21100 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, Ca

INFORMATION:
info@runsurfcity.com
888-422-0786

2024 Tet Parade - Westminster
Saturday, February 10, 2024
Opening Ceremony begins at 8:30 AM; parade begins at 9:30 AM

Honor and celebrate local Vietnamese-American culture at this traditional event. Prepare yourself to be amazed by beautiful displays and musical entertainment celebrating the Lunar New Year.

The Tet Parade is a grandiose event that has celebrated the Lunar New Year in Little Saigon for over two decades. Every year Vietnamese communities across the globe tune in to watch the event broadcasted by local TV stations and social media platforms. The Tet Parade features floats, marching bands, lion dances, color guards, veterans and youth organizations, martial arts, multi-cultural attires, elected officials, scout organizations, community organizations, and an array of local and international businesses.

LOCATION:
Parade begins at the intersection of Bolsa Avenue and Magnolia Street, and heads eastbound on Bolsa Avenue. The Parade will turn right on Bushard Street and head southbound, ending at Bishop Place. 

Valentines Day & Valentines Weekend Events

Special dinners, romance hotel packages, cruises, concerts and gift ideas!


Laguna Beach Music Festival - Laguna Beach
February 16-18, 2024

The Laguna Beach Music Festival celebrates its 21st anniversary in 2023, featuring pianist Jeremy Denk, winner of a MacArthur "Genius" Fellowship and the Avery Fisher Prize, as artistic director. Jeremy Denk is one of America’s foremost pianists, proclaimed by the New York Times as "a pianist you want to hear no matter what he performs."

LOCATION:
Laguna Beach
- check site for venues

The Kid's Pet Parade
Saturday, February 24, 2024

Part of the annual Fiesta de las Golondrinas celebration. Kids between the ages of 5 to 12 can show off their favorite animals in a contest for, The Cutest, Most Unusual, Best Team Costume (owner and pet), Funniest & Most Obedient (pet, not child).

A special "Judges Choice" prize will be awarded and this winner will be given the opportunity to be in the Swallows' Day Parade.

Location:
Los Rios Park
31747 Los Rios Street
San Juan Capistrano, CA

INFORMATION:
949-615-1920

Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration
February 24 – 25, 2024

To celebrate their 27th year of business and to show appreciation to all their loyal customers Irvine Park is rolling back to their original 1996 prices during their anniversay weekend… including $2.00 train rides!

The cost is $2.00 per ticket; this price is valid during the Anniversary Celebration weekend only. Coupons, discounts, and any other promotions are not valid on the Anniversary Celebration dates.

LOCATION:
Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road
Orange, CA 92869

INFORMATION:
(714) 997-3968

Pacific Symphony: Lantern Festival - Costa Mesa
TBA

Free Family event! Bring the entire family and join us for Pacific Symphony’s annual Lantern Festival, celebrating the Year of the Tiger! The Lantern Festival, which can be traced back 2,000 years, marks the return of spring and the reunion of family. The act of lighting and appreciating lanterns is a way for people to let go of the burdens of their old selves and express their best wishes for themselves and their families for the future.

Admission is FREE, but tickets are required. Due to venue capacity, admission will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the course of the event. Though a ticket does not guarantee immediate admission, ticket holders will be given priority access. Be sure to print out all print-at-home tickets.

LOCATION:
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
615 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626

INFORMATION:
714-
556-2787

German Style Carnival FASCHING - Huntington Beach
Sunday, February

$5 Admission - Hosted by German Campus School

Families with children ages 4 -17 are welcome to join an afternoon filled with activities, dances and games lead by teachers of GermanSchoolCampus.com. A family fun event with traditional Fasching’s delicatessens like the famous “Berliner”, Krapfen, and Currywurst.

LOCATION:
Old World Village
7561 Center Ave.
Huntington Beach

Art Crawl Experience - Anaheim
February - check back for 2024 information

Art Crawl Experience or simply “ACE”, an auditory explosive art walk and arts festival has been acclaimed by local artisans as the Downtown Anaheim Arts District. During the evening of an ACE, attendees stroll amongst outdoor permanent art fixtures, such as Peter Shire’s illuminated birdhouse sculptures, to discover artists demonstrating their creative process live for curious onlookers.

LOCATION:
The crawl stretches from Anaheim Blvd., to Harbor Blvd. and along Center Street Promenade. Art lovers can walk, crawl or climb aboard the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) for complimentary rides throughout Anaheim’s Art Crawl Experience.

INFORMATION:
714 956 3586

Annual Monarch Butterfly Day - Fountain Valley
Saturday, February - check back for 2024 information

OC Parks Invites children and families to learn all about Monarch butterflies and their natural habitat with an up-close look at these magnificent creatures at the tenth annual Monarch Butterfly Day! Activities will include interpretive presentations, children's crafts, face painting and a balloon artist. This event is recommended for ages 4 to 12.

Event and parking are free

LOCATION:
Mile Square Regional Park
Forest Shelter near parking lot C
16801 Euclid St.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

INFORMATION:
(714) 973-6600

Chili at the Beach - Huntington Beach
2024 information coming soon

Chili Cook-Off and Salsa Tasting Contest.

In addition there will be children's activities with kid's games and entertainment, all benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Huntington Valley.

LOCATION:
Main St & Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach

INFORMATION:
(714) 536-8300

Bowers Museum Presents: International Festival of Chocolate - Santa Ana
TBA

Love chocolate? Indulge in chocolate samples and purchases from local chocolatiers. Chef Martin will present chocolate recipes from Mexico and South America. Enjoy music and dance performances from the chocolate lands.  The entire family can participate in free art projects and face painting.  

LOCATION:
The Bowers Kidseum
1802 N. Main Street
Santa Ana, CA 92706

Black History Parade and Unity Festival - Anaheim
TBA

Members of the community are invited to the event to enjoy a well attended parade which includes noted community members, elected officials, community groups, school and church units, singing and dancing units, city service vehicles, and community members who have participated in the history of Orange County and surrounding areas.

Immediately following the Black History Parade is a Unity Festival (also known as the Black Cultural Faire) offering interactive lessons on black history in the Youth Village, live music and dance entertainment, business connections and information, health information and screenings, activities for young people, college fair, food booths run by community groups and food trucks.

LOCATION:
205 West Center Street Promenade
Anaheim CA

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