Holiday Events

Details of holiday events beginning in November.

Click Here for events listed by city

Annual Moreno’s Restaurant - Orange

Enjoy a fund day of shopping for great stocking stuffers, hostess and teacher gifts, one-of-a-kind handmade gifts, jewelry, children gifts, designer clothes, Christmas cookies, sweet tamales, Christmas decorations, and gifts from your favorite vendors!

Please join us for fun shopping and bring your family, friends, and neighbors! Benefitting Lestonnac Free Clinic.

LOCATION:
Moreno's Restaurant Banquet Hall
4328 E. Chapman Ave.
Orange

INFORMATION:
For information call 714-313-1319

Irvine Park Railroad - Annual Christmas Train to Meet Santa Claus
November - December 23

Take an enchanting night ride through historic Irvine Regional Park to meet and have your picture taken with Santa Claus. In addition to riding the Irvine Park Railroad, activities include story time with Mrs. Claus, Christmas cookie decorating, a Santa Claus moon bounce, Christmas coloring corner, carnival games, picture stands and more. Hot food and snacks are available for purchase.

Children younger than 24 months ride free. Prices for activities vary. For directions, costs and additional information or to purchase tickets, visit online at www.irvineparkrailroad.com

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

INFORMATION:
(714) 997-3968

Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
Newport Beach/Newport Bay
December

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 3 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 1 - December 31
Offered three times 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

Whale Watching - Dana Point & Newport Beach

Gray Whales migrate annually along the west coast of North America. They can be seen from the Orange County coast from December through early April.

Since the Gray Whales migrate just a few miles off the coast, simple cruises from Dana Point and Newport Beach enable you to see these spectacular creatures in their natural habitat.

LOCATIONS:
You can book cruises at the following locations:

Discovery CubePresents: Science of Gingerbread - Santa Ana

Inside the kitchen, much more is going on than pouring and mixing - it's science at work! Discovery Cube's holiday festival is filled with festive activities designed to bring families together this holiday season. Don't miss your chance to meet Santa Claus and decorate your own holiday cookies on select dates!

Hands-On Holiday Fun:
. Hands-on kitchen science activities . " Cookie decorating on select dates . Santa Claus visits on select dates . Award winning gingerbread displays

LOCATION:
Discovery Cube
2500 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92705

INFORMATION:
714-542-2823

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
early January

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 8 weeks to grow a beard or moustache that will be judged at the Fiesta Grande March 19th beginning at 6:30 pm. Existing beards and moustaches are also welcome.

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:
949-493-1976

Snow Day - Fullerton
Saturday, end of January

Tons of the frosty stuff is delivered to the dam to enable youngsters to sled, make snow people, and have old-fashioned snowball battles. Children are advised to wear warm clothes and gloves.

Space is limited to 900 persons, and early registration is recommended.

LOCATION:
Brea Dam Park
1700 N. Harbor Blvd

INFORMATION:
Registration can be made through the Park's Class Sign up or by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at (714) 738-6575.

Valentines Day & Valentines Weekend Events

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

Rotary/CARE Car Show to Benefit Rotary charities, Capistrano Animal Rescue - San Juan Capistrano
Saturday, February 6, 2016
7:30 AM - 2 PM

The Car Show once again promises a fabulous display of over 400 antique and classic cars and trucks. The return of the popular New-Car Row will show the latest models from local dealers. Bring the family!

This is a pet-friendly event and many of last years’ attendees had their four-legged friends in tow. Come and see the impressive rows of cars and trucks, shop the vendor’s booths and enjoy delicious food with your family. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome!

LOCATION:
San Juan Capistrano Community Center/Sports Park

Surf City USA Marathon & Half Marathon - Huntington Beach
Sunday, February 7, 2016

This exclusive oceanfront course is a California Dream! Run on Pacific Coast Highway past the famous Huntington Beach pier and wind through the legendary surfing beaches of Southern California. Retro surf bands entertain along the way and the Finish Line Party includes a beach side beer garden in the California sun. Finishers receive bodacious surfboard medals!

Location:
21100 Pacific Coast Highway
Huntington Beach, Ca

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

Laguna Beach Music Festival - Laguna Beach
February 10 - 14, 2016

This festival is dedicated to artistic excellence and innovation, featuring an internationally acclaimed Mentor Musician or Ensemble along with other talented artists in a week long blend of performances and education.

LOCATION:
Laguna Beach
- check site for venues

Taste of San Juan - San Juan Capistrano
Thursday, February 11, 2016
6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M

Help launch the kick-off celebration of the Fiesta de las Golondrinas at The San Juan Hills Golf Club. The Taste brings together many of San Juan's marvelous restaurants under one roof to tempt you with 'tastes' of their fare. Come and be tempted by all there is at "The Taste of San Juan".

LOCATION:
San Juan Hills Golf Course
San Juan Capistrano

INFORMATION:
949-493-1976

TET FESTIVAL - Costa Mesa
February 12-14, 2016

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

Timberwolf 5 K Run/Walk - Irvine
Saturday, February 13, 2016

The Timberwolf 5K Run/Walk, and the 1K Fun Run, feature breathtaking views, fantastic free food, event t-shirts and the company of hundreds of friendly fitness enthusiasts. Proceeds from registration and sponsorships benefit Northwood High School and Families Forward, a local non-profit providing supported housing programs, counseling, food, referrals, school supplies, career coaching, and other services for families in crisis. Register by January 24th for the best price.

LOCATION:
Northwood High School
4515 Portola Pkwy
Irvine, CA

Art Crawl Experience - Anaheim
Saturday, February 13, 2016

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

The Kid's Pet Parade
Saturday, February 20, 2016
(rain date 2/27)
10:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

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:
949-493-1976

Irvine Park Railroad Anniversary Celebration
February 20-21, 2016

To celebrate their 20th 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 anniversary celebration will also feature other $2.00 activities and concessions including carnival games, hot dogs, sodas, ice creams, popcorn, bounce house tickets and cotton candy. Face painting and panning for gold (gold panning requires two $2.00 tickets). FREE giveaways include Irvine Park Railroad balloons.

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

INFORMATION:
(714) 997-3968

Los Alamitos 'Race on the Base' - Los Alamitos
Saturday, February 27, 2016

The yearly event has continued to provide not only a forum for local avid runners and walkers, but has also instilled a sense of pride and teamwork between the Los Alamitos City Council, the citizens of Los Alamitos, the Rossmoor Community Services District, and the local business community.

The race is held on the run ways at the Joint Forces Training Base in Los Alamitos and features helicopters, planes and military vehicles with music throughout the course. Events and activities for the whole family!

INOFORMATION:
562-430-1073

Irvine Lake Mud Run
Saturday, February 27, 2016
9 am

Celebrate spring break this year by running (or come cheer on the runners!) the approximate +5k course beginning and ending at Irvine Lake. The course is partially on the road and partially on trails and includes hills, water, professionally built obstacles and over a dozen mud pits. You asked for even more mud, you got it! You will get wet and you will get muddy. Be sure to bring towels and a change of clothing.

LOCATION:
Oak Canyon Park
5305 Santiago Canyon Road
Silverado, CA 92676

Annual Monarch Butterfly Day - Fountain Valley
2016 dates coming!

OC Parks invites children and families to learn all about Monarch Butterflies and their natural habitat with an up-close look at the magnificent creatures. Children can assist in planting plants to attract Monarch Butterflies. Participants can also go inside a netted butterfly enclosure. Butterfly experts will be on-site to provide educational information and answer questions about the beautiful and unique specimens.

Additional activities include interpretive programs, children’s crafts, face painting, a balloon artist and guided nature walks. Free event, recommended for ages four to 12.

LOCATION:
Mile Square Regional Park
16801 Euclid St.
Fountain Valley, CA 92708

INFORMATION:
(714) 973-6600