The Best 20 Free Christmas Events in Orange County 2023
ALISO VIEJO
6th Annual All is Bright Holiday Celebration & Tree Lighting
Thursday, Nov. 30th, 5pm - 8pm
Aliso Viejo Town Center (Pacific Park Drive Aliso Viejo)
Enjoy holiday cheer, train rides, ornament making, community and aerial performances, magic snowfall, and a visit from jolly ole St. Nick. as we light our 22-foot tree.
ANAHEIM
Nutcracker Holiday Village and Tree Lighting
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 12pm Nutcracker Holiday Village
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 6pm Tree Lighting
Downtown Anaheim (corner of Clementine Street and Center Street Promenade)
Ring in the holidays with a very special tree lighting celebration, holiday entertainment food, and fun! Guests will enjoy a variety of holiday happenings, including dog costume contest, holiday crafts, unique shopping, pictures with Santa, and the tree lighting at the steps of City Hall.
BREA
Thursday, Dec. 7th, 6:30pm
Light up the night with our spectacular tree lighting ceremony. Join us for an evening of music, hot cocoa, and holiday cheer!
BUENA PARK
52nd Annual Candy Caneland and Craft Faire
Saturday, Dec. 9th, 2023 10am-4pm
@ Ehlers Event Center (8150 Knott Ave., Buena Park)
Entertainment, food, games, free raffles, and the thrills of our snow slide. Shop from over 100 local artisans for unique holiday gifts!
CORONA DEL MAR
44th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 11am - 5pm
Live entertainment staging over 17 local bands, Santa’s visits and snapshots, beer & wine gardens, unique vendor gifts, children’s activities, merchant & restaurant promotions.
COSTA MESA
South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
Thursday, Nov. 16th, 7pm
Town Center Park (adjacent to The Westin South Coast Plaza)
South Coast Plaza’s tree lighting features a magical performance by Orange County School of the Arts and a special visit from Santa. Admission is complimentary!
Dec. 15th - Dec. 22nd, 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Costa Mesa City Hall (77 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa)
Free Nightly Events Photos with Santa (6pm - 8pm), Train Ride, Letters to Santa, Snoopy Lights Display and Stage Performers!
DANA POINT
Catch Santa and his elves on his Jolly Trolley, carolers, hot chocolate and cookies!
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, Santa's Jolly Trolley
1:30pm–2:00pm, Sunset Park, 34345 Calle Naranja
2:30pm-3:00pm, Dana Woods Park, 24900 Dana Woods
3:30pm-4:00pm, Sea Canyon Park, 33093 Santiago Drive
Monday, Dec. 4th, 4:30pm-5:30pm
34111 La Plaza, Dana Point, Ca 92629
Santa and his elves will be arriving at La Plaza Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years of age. The event is from 4:30pm to 5:30pm and features carolers, hot chocolate, cookies, and the annual tree lighting at 5:15pm.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 4:30pm-8pm
Fountain Valley Recreation Center and Sports Park
Watch the tree being lit by the Mayor, along with a special guest from the North Pole. In past years the event has featured Snowzone with snow to play in and hills to sled (sleds are provided). Santa will be available to take pictures.
FULLERTON
Winter Market, Downtown Fullerton
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 2pm-6pm
It's not beginning to look a lot like Christmas....yet. But our museum elves have been hard at work prepping for FMC's Annual WINTER MARKET! Save the date and join us!
Sunday, Dec. 17th, 12pm-4pm
@ The Muckenthaler (1201 W Malvern Ave, Fullerton)
Celebrate the holiday season with free family-friendly activities, live music, food and drinks, art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale.
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Magic on Main Street & Tree Lighting
Tuesday, Nov. 14th, 5pm - 8pm
Downtown Huntington Beach (Main Street, Huntington Beach)
IRVINE
Nov. 24th to Jan. 8th
Stop by the beautifully decorated 75-foot tree in Giant Wheel Court every night to see it come to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5 pm.
Orange County Great Park, Holidayz At The Park
Dec. 2nd - January 7, 2024
@ Great Park (8000 Great Park Blvd. Irvine)
Holiday light display, pop-up, class & activities, pajama party movie night.
LAGUNA BEACH
Friday, Dec. 1st, 5pm-10pm*
Peppertree Lot (Lot 2)
*The first Friday each December the City of Laguna Beach and the Chamber of Commerce jointly sponsor Hospitality Night. Sing carols, mingle with neighbors, and watch Santa light the tree.
Peppertree Lot (Lot 2), where Santa Claus will arrive to greet holiday revelers before the tree lighting at 6:10pm.
LAGUNA NIGUEL
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 5pm-8pm
Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Parkway
Experience the holiday magic with an evening full of games, crafts, performances, Christmas treats, and a visit from Santa.
Saturday, Dec. 9th, 10am-12pm
Crown Valley Parkway and Niguel Road
The parade begins around 10:00am and features entries cars, marching bands, and more! Be sure to stick around to see Santa pay the City a visit!
LAKE FOREST
Annual Tree Lighting Celebration
Saturday, Dec. 9th, 3pm - 6pm
Lake Forest Civic Center (100 Civic Center Dr., Lake Forest)
Family-friendly games, crafts, face painting, balloon artist, and photo ops, inflatables, trackless, train rides, food vendors and holiday themed entertainment and special guests!
MISSION VIEJO
Santa's Arrival and Tree Lighting
Sunday, Nov. 26th, 3pm-6pm
Civic Center Plaza (200 Civic Center Dr., Mission Viejo)
Get ready to kick off the holiday season in style at the 2023 Santa’s Arrival & Celebration. For the crafty souls, there will be “make and take” craft projects, and holiday-themed games, a petting zoo, bubble pop experience and an electrifying glow party that’ll light up the evening. There will be delectable snacks and goodies available for purchase.
NEWPORT BEACH
Nightly Tree Lighting at Fashion Island
Nov. 17 - Jan. 5, 2024 every half hour from 5:30pm-8pm
Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard
Fashion Island's beautifully decorated 90-foot tree come to life with magical snowfall, music and a choreographed light display every half hour from 5:30pm - 8pm.
Newport Dunes, Lighting of the Bay
Nov. 24 - Jan. 1, 2024, 4:30pm - 11:30pm
@ Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort (1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach)
33rd annual Lighting of the Bay beginning at dusk on Friday, November 24, and continuing nightly through New Year’s Eve.
ORANGE
Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 3:30pm – 7pm
Old Towne Orange Plaza “The Orange Circle”
Photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus, Crafts, Carnival games, Music, Entertainment for all ages and Food.
RIVERSIDE
31st Annual Festival of Lights
Nov. 18 - Jan. 7, 2024
The Mission Inn (3649 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside)
One of the nation's largest holiday light collections, voted "Best Public Lights Display" by USA Today.
SANTA ANA
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 5-8pm
Orange County Civic Center Plaza
Celebrate the start of the holidays with us as we officially open the Winter Village with a 30 foot tree lighting ceremony. Tree lighting scheduled to begin promptly at 5:30pm.
SAN CLEMENTE
Saturday, Dec. 2nd, 4pm-8:30pm
Downtown San Clemente - Avenida Del Mar (100-200 Blocks of Avenida Del Mar San Clemente)