The Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest is an annual event that has been a community tradition since the mid-1980s. It will happen one weekend in December 2022 with entertainment, followed by a weekend of Holiday Lights (without entertainment).
I’ve written a full blog post about visiting Heritage Hill Historical Park throughout the rest of the year, but for on two December weekends you can visit at night!
What happens at the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park?
We go to stroll around and see the lights. Even the cactus plants are draped with lights!
Hundreds of luminarias will light the park’s pathways. Strolling carolers and musicians will fill the night air with seasonal music.
The historical buildings will be aglow with Christmas lights and holiday decoration and will be staffed with docents to share each building’s history.
Stroll the festive grounds as you enjoy an evening filled with musical performances, activities for children, historical buildings adorned in period décor and a chance to meet with Santa!
Light refreshments will be available for cash purchase.
There are live musical performances planned for 2022.
When we were there in 2019, we enjoyed historic holiday radio shows as we toured the 1930s Bennett Ranch house and listened to a Spanish guitarist in the 1863 Serrano Adobe.
There was also musical entertainment in the 1891 St. George’s Episcopal Mission.
When is the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park for 2022?
5:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:
- Friday, December 9
- Saturday, December 10
- Sunday, December 11
There is another event this year called Holiday Lights which is the same as the Candlelight Walk, except there will be no entertainment for those nights:
- Friday, December 16
- Saturday, December 17
- Sunday, December 18
From OC Parks: “Wander through twinkling light displays during special park hours. Please note that no additional entertainment or refreshments will be provided at Holiday Lights. Make sure to bring a camera and take your picture at a variety of holiday-themed photo opportunities.”
Where is the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park?
The entrance to the park is actually in a shopping center (Heritage Hill Plaza) at the corner of Serrano Road and Lake Forest Drive — near Bagels & Brew and the Orange County Credit Union. Parking is free. (Address: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest)
Is there food at the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park?
Light refreshments will be available for purchase ONLY on the nights of Candlelight Walk (and I suspect that the proceeds will benefit the park). No refreshments on the Holiday Lights nights.
How much does it cost to visit the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park?
Admission and parking for this 2022 event is FREE for both Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights.
How can I pair the Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park to make an evening out of it?
Serrano Creek Park in Lake Forest is one of the best parks around! And it happens to be right next door to Heritage Hill. So go to Serrano Creek Park around 3pm and have a good play before it gets dark.
Then grab dinner at a nearby restaurant and head to the Candlelight Walk.
Or go to the park, Candlelight Walk early, and grab dinner on your way back to the freeway (The Arbor – at El Toro Road – has a ton of restaurants including Lucille’s Smokehouse, Brü, Corner Bakery, The Habit, Wahoo’s, Jersey Mikes, Panda Express, and many more).
Restaurants near Heritage Hill Historical Park:
- Din Ho Chinese (Heritage Hill Plaza)
- Brizio’s Pizza (Heritage Hill Plaza)
- TOGO’s Sandwiches (Heritage Hill Plaza)
- Ameci Pizza & Pasta (across Trabuco)
- Unfortunately, Bagels & Brew doesn’t serve dinner.
Other helpful links:
- OFFICIAL web page for Heritage Hill Historical Park
- OFFICIAL OC Parks flyer for Candlelight Walk and Holiday Lights 2021
- My blog post about visiting Heritage Hill Historical Park on a regular day
- Serrano Creek Park in Lake Forest
Note: My photos are from our visit in 2014, so don’t expect everything to look EXACTLY the same. They change it up a little each year.