I don’t know if there are truly best things to do around Christmas in Orange County because what is BEST for one family may not be BEST for another.
Instead, I like to highlight the family-friendly and mostly free things to do during the holidays. You know, those things that might become Christmas family traditions (or at least they have for our family!). I’ve also included lists and information about experiential gift ideas!
I am so excited to finally have ALL my holiday places to go and simple holiday gift ideas in one spot on the blog. They are currently scattered amongst my social media and annual blog posts, but hard to find in one place until now!
I’m always trying to find playful things to do that don’t require much of you. Things that don’t only happen on one night, but you can enjoy over the whole holiday season.
The things to do on this Christmas in Orange County list are things I have personally experienced doing with my family or friends who have encourage me to try them out.
In fact, I used to make a December advent calendar of winter activities — yes, California winter — with the kids and now that they are grown they are making them for our family (and including all the traditions throughout the years!).
Here’s the lists! Make sure you click through to the blog posts and websites for more information. And always check official sources to make sure the hours haven’t changed.
Make sure you go all the way to the end of the post for a FREE printable!
Free & Low Cost Family Christmas Traditions in Orange County (+ Gift Ideas)
There are so many lists of how to spend money at this time of year, that I wanted to create a list of free or low cost experiences for Orange County families that are perfectly fine on their own or you can choose to add to them. I'm not saying that paying makes them better, though. They are fine just as they are. I tried to highlight the costs so it's easy for you to figure out.
Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor 2024
You can stroll through ALL the lights at Dana Point Harbor for free. If you can, support the Harbor businesses when you go! We love the M-F 4pm-7pm Happy Hour menu on the patio at Harpoon Henry's. Or try Coffee Importers Scoop Deck for coffee or cocoa and desserts like ice cream and incredible baked goods.
COST: Free.
Beach Christmas Tree at Crystal Cove
You'll definitely want to read this one, because it's a bit hard to navigate if you've never been. You'll have to park across the street in the Los Trancos parking lot and make your way down to beach via shuttle or walking. See the blog post for the tree lighting date!
COST: Parking is $5/hour to $15 per day on Mon-Thursday. Or use your CA State Parks Annual Pass for free access (you can check one out at the library for free). Fri-Sun and holiday rates can go up to $20/day. If you choose to take the shuttle it is $2 per person each way for adults -- kids under 12 free with a paying adult.
Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
This one is a favorite, but it has gotten more and more popular over the years. It happens 2 weekends in December. The first weekend is called the "Candlelight Walk" and it has entertainment and vendors. The second weekend is called "Holiday Lights" and it's got the same beautiful lights, but not the entertainment or vendors.
COST: Free.
Holidayz at the Park (Great Park in Irvine)
FREE! Holidayz at the Park in Irvine is an outdoor light display with fun free photo opportunities.
I knew about the outdoor part, but did you know there is a Pop-Up of INDOOR photo backdrops??? I counted about 7 indoors and there are tons of opportunities with the lights outdoors!
Inside the Pop-Up are super friendly staff and volunteers who will help your little one write letters to Santa and put them in one of the red mailboxes. They are also available to take family photos so everyone can be in the picture! We had so much fun discovering this festive spot with friendly helpers!
COST: FREE. And the carousel is now free, as well.
PARKING: FREE (park near the carousel at Great Park).
PARK ADDRESS: 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine (but this address is really general - you will want to park near the carousel and Great Park balloon).
HOURS: Outside lights on display each night. Holidayz Pop-Up photo ops open WEEKENDS only from 5pm-9pm on Fridays and 1pm to 8pm on Saturdays and Sundays. So cute - and not crowded at all when we went on a Friday at 5:15pm!
TIP: Look up on the Hangar roof to see a sleigh and reindeer!
Newport Dunes Christmas Lights in Newport Beach (2024)
This is absolutely a must-see for my family every year.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort is featuring a Fire & Lights Festival (no ice rink this year). Runs Nov 29th-Jan 5th. The Fire & Lights Festival is free admission and open to the public. Concessions, some activities, and holiday trees will be an additional cost.
COST: FREE - Go see the lighted trees floating on the bay. Least busy nights will be Mondays & Tuesdays - because the festival isn’t happening then, but the bay will be lit up. Park for under 30 minutes and it’s free. (30 minutes to 2 hours is $10). NOT FREE: Concessions, some activities, and holiday trees will be an additional cost.
Santa's Village at Irvine Park Railroad (2024)
This is another one that has gotten popular. I was shocked being there at night last year with the Christmas Train crowds after dark. It is FREE to go to Santa's Village. I have seen the strategy of going around 4pm on weekdays!
Santa's Village Hours: Weekdays 4pm-9pm and Weekends 10am-9pm.
COST: Free to get into the village, but it does cost $3, $5, or $7 for parking at Irvine Regional Park. Free parking if you go to the park after 6pm.
The Snoopy House Holiday Display at Costa Mesa City Hall
The Snoopy House at Costa Mesa City Hall has a themed light display, but also free nightly events. Only runs Dec 13th-20th. Thanks to Jill at @popsicleblog for her info on the event! It has been a family tradition for her and her kids over the years.
Fashion Island - 50 Nights of Coastal Lights (Multiple Nightly Lighting Shows with Snowfall)
50 NIGHTS OF COASTAL LIGHTS at Fashion Island in Newport Beach happens nightly every half hour from 5:30pm-8pm in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale’s Courtyard.
We were there on a Monday night and there were only a few families there enjoying the early shows. My dad was at The District with us and then also there on this night - he called this one “like The District, but bigger.”
He’s right, too. This one has smoke and snowfall effects, plus at least 4 or 5 songs. The kids just LOVED it!
It’s a FREE nightly experience running November 22nd through December 29th.
I also loved the Santa house here and on the same night only had one family in line. We took selfies with my sis, my dad, and me from outside. I heard from a reader that they love the Santa here.
PARKING: I would park outside the Barnes & Noble and go in through The Atrium. Bear to your left, walk past the escalator, and you will end up outside at the Koi Pond. The Santa House is just past the pond and then you will see the 90 foot tree beyond that. If you wait on the grassy turf area and look at the tree just before the hour or half hour, the show will start and the kids will be surprised by the music and snowfall!
FOOD: There’s a food court on the bottom floor of The Atrium if you want to grab dinner while you are there.
TRY THIS: Drive by Rogers Gardens on your way home because all the pine trees lining the property are glowing in gold and green lights!
COST: Free.
Holiday Light Show at The District Tustin (Nightly)
A NEW HOLIDAY TRADITION for our family! We started this past holiday season and it was just as fun and MELLOW and NOT CROWDED this time around!
Thanks to The District Tustin for this festive show that’s fun for all ages. It runs every half hour from 5pm to 11pm nightly in the AMC Courtyard. ONE SONG each half hour so you can get there a little before 5pm and get the 5pm, 5:30pm, and 6pm shows! [No one invited us for this experience - we paid our own way and I thought up these options just for you!]
We like going M-F because Bar Louie has Happy Hour from 4pm-7pm and you can sit on their patio to enjoy yummy food (50% off select Bar Bites and Flatbreads) and watch the FREE light shows.
OR you can get a pizza from Sal’s Pizzeria and hang out at the outdoor tables.
OR go for dessert only and grab a huge serving of Dolce Gelato (the same popular shop in Laguna Beach is here, but parking is easier - especially if you show up before 5pm)!
I love the simplicity of this tradition and there are tons of other restaurants right here to choose from! But those 3 options I mentioned are the ones that allow you to eat WHILE enjoying the show.
You can also add in an afternoon movie that gets out before the light show starts!
We didn’t rush and just enjoyed our time. Our server and the food were both excellent. They even turned down the outside restaurant music a notch for us early birds so we could hear the show. And turned on the patio heater for the grandparents. So nice of them!
The District has other photo and seating options throughout the area with giant walk-inside ornaments.
PARKING: We like to go in off Tustin Ranch Road and park outside the theater as close as we can to the entrance.
COST: Free.
What to Tell Your Family When They Ask What to Get Your Kids
I bet you know what I'm going to say here! But I have made a list of things that are meaningful and memorable with links to gifts of experiences!
Outdoor-Places-to-Go Gifts for Southern California Families
This is everything you need to know about gifts of experiences. Send this post and the one above (#8) to your loved ones and let them choose the experience! It can be a surprise and they can feel like they are gifting you with something you can use all year!
Places to Help OC Non-Profits (& Play!) While You Shop Local
I have never seen this list ANYWHERE else and it doesn't get much traffic because no one even knows to search for it. But what if you could go play somewhere and do your gift shopping at the gift shop that benefits the nonprofit while getting some unique items for your loved ones? I am always adding more places to the list, but don't forget these little shops!
I will continue to add to it as we are out enjoying the season, but it’s a good start for now!
The reason I don’t have too many EVENTS on my list is because I don’t believe kids need more SCHEDULED activities. I’d rather highlight opportunities for play or open-ended visits to holiday lights. I also included some daytime ideas. We do a mixture of all these things as we go through every day in December.
The first 9 options in the list below have more details in the posts above! Here are 20 more classic family things to do in December that don’t take an event or much planning!
29 Mostly Free Things to Do with Kids at Christmas in Orange County
- Dana Point Harbor Holiday Lights (and Boat Parade)
- Beach Christmas Tree at Crystal Cove
- Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park in Lake Forest
- Holidayz at the Park (Great Park in Irvine) with weekend photo backgrounds pop-up
- Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay
- Santa’s Village at Irvine Regional Park
- The Snoopy House Holiday Display at Costa Mesa City Hall
- Fashion Island – 50 Nights of Coastal Lights (Multiple Nightly Lighting Shows with Snowfall)
- Holiday Light Show at The District Tustin (Nightly)
- Drive by Roger’s Gardens in Newport Beach to see the green & gold lights on the pine trees surrounding it (go inside if parking allows to see the holiday model train)
- Check your city or community center for light displays that last all month
- Watch a holiday movie at home
- Make a holiday recipe together
- Discover a new holiday scent with candles or soap (candy cane, balsam)
- Get a special hot chocolate out at a restaurant/bakery or try new cocoa packets from the store (Peppermint Hot Cocoa from TJs or Abuelita brand from the grocery store)
- Put up decorations or a tree
- Go to a local mall to see the decorations (South Coast Plaza, Fashion Island, Downtown Disney)
- Drive around to see Christmas lights with the kids in pajamas – love to do this one as a surprise!
- Make a Christmas music playlist or find out everyone’s favorite Christmas tune
- Use the playlist for a freeze dance party
- Take a walk through your neighborhood and see what lights and decorations are up
- Busy Toddler had the idea of putting up a wrapping station for kids with leftover wrapping paper scraps
- Check out library books about the holidays or winter season
- Make and mail a card to someone you are thinking about this season
- Get a peppermint frosty at Wendy’s (the junior size is only $.99) or a peppermint chip milkshake to share at Chick-fil-A for $6 (or soft serve ice cream with peppermint chips)– or some other inexpensive holiday treat at your favorite spot
- Meet friends you haven’t seen all year at a park for playtime
- Try a soup picnic on a chilly night
- Early (4pm-5pm!) beach sunset viewing
- Start a new holiday tradition with your family! Make one up! When I was 5 years old, my dad unwittingly started the tradition of taking me and my younger sister out to go Christmas shopping for mom followed by dinner (now that I’m older I see the reason was so that mom could wrap presents). It turned into something we do every year!! It’s the only night all year my sis and I have our dad to ourselves and it’s the BEST! We’re at 45+ years and look forward to it!
Ideas for Paid “Worth It” Splurges
Basically, I think you CAN get away with going through the holidays spending less than $20 to see & do some pretty cool stuff (see that list above!). Many of the FREE things are available multiple nights or throughout the season so you won’t miss them.
Some of the paid events we like continue on even after Christmas. You do not need to do a paid event to enjoy the holidays!
Our system? We pick and choose our free things every year depending on everyone’s mood and energy level. It’s OKAY if we miss out on some events. And then we sometimes pick ONE paid thing to do. Tickets usually sell out, so we have to commit early.
How to decide? I like to spend my dollars where they do good. So, we’ve invested in experiences at:
- Tanaka Farms Hikari Festival of Lights 2024 (Irvine) – Our dollars go to the Tanaka family and helps sustain the farm where I like to buy produce throughout the year.
- Sherman Library & Gardens: Night of 1000 Lights 2024 (Newport Beach) – Our admission supports the gardens and their nonprofit.
- Enchanted Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens 2024 (La Cañada-Flintridge) – also supports the gardens and that nonprofit.
Other ideas that are outdoorsy at the holidays:
- Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy 2024 (Laguna Beach) – Here’s a tip. If you go during summer and get the annual pass, it will get you in free to the Winter Fantasy.
- Winter Lights: A Journey Home at Discovery Cube 2024 (Santa Ana) – A holiday show and festival that costs a bit more than admission. Great if you are member.
- Luminaria Nights at California Botanic Garden 2024 (Claremont/LA) – only one weekend in December.
- Astra Lumina Night Walk at South Coast Botanic Garden 2024 (Palos Verdes / LA) – heard this is best for adults or older kids. Or date night!
- Lightscape at San Diego Botanic Garden 2024
Lightscape at LA Arboretum(not happening for 2024)- LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow 2024
- Jungle Bells at the San Diego Zoo 2024
- Outdoor ice skating (most rinks cost $10-$30 per person — and only for kids ages 3 & up)
Santa Ana Winter Village(not happening in 2024)- Irvine Spectrum
Newport Dunes Ice Skating Rink(changed from Fire & Ice Festival to Fire & Lights Festival – so no ice skating this year)
Originally published in December 2023.