Looking for the Christmas tree lightings happening across Orange County this week?

We pulled together a simple roundup of the best tree lighting events taking place over the next few days, from cozy neighborhood ceremonies to big city celebrations.

Whether you’re planning a festive night out or just want to see something magical after sunset, here are the tree lightings you won’t want to miss.

🎄 This Week’s Christmas Tree Lightings in Orange County

Aliso Viejo

• All Is Bright Holiday Celebration Tree Lighting (Dec 4) – Celebrate with Santa, live performances, holiday crafts, and the lighting of a 22-ft tree. 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Aliso Viejo Town Center Amphitheater, 26731 Aliso Creek Rd, Aliso Viejo | Event Info

Anaheim

• Nutcracker Christmas Tree Lighting Festival (Dec 7) – Now in its 31st year, this beloved city tradition transforms downtown into a winter wonderland with a holiday vendor village, live entertainment, snow play area, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and the official tree lighting ceremony. 12:00 PM–7:00 PM | Center Street Promenade, Anaheim | Event Info

Brea

• Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 4) – Tree lighting ceremony with cookies, carolers, and Santa photos. 6:30 PM–9:00 PM | Civic & Cultural Center, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea | Event Info

Buena Park

• Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 5) – Entertainment, Santa, food vendors, and a community tree lighting at City Hall. 6:00 PM | 6650 Beach Blvd, Buena Park | Event Info

Costa Mesa

• Winter Fest OC Tree Lighting (Nightly, Now–Jan 5) – Nightly holiday tree lighting show as part of the Winter Fest OC experience, featuring live entertainment, light displays, and “snowfall.” Admission ticket required. Hours vary | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Cypress

• Holiday Sing & Tree Lighting (Dec 2) – Live music, Santa & Mrs. Claus, train rides, and tree lighting. 6:00 PM | Civic Center Green, 5275 Orange Ave, Cypress | Event Info

Dana Point

• La Plaza Park Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Carolers, hot cocoa, and treats as Santa arrives on the Jolly Trolley. Tree lighting at 5:15 PM. 4:30 PM–5:30 PM | La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St, Dana Point | Event Info

Fountain Valley

• Tree Lighting Celebration (Dec 6) – Snow play, crafts, music, and a fireworks finale in some years. 4:30 PM–8:00 PM | Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley | Event Info

Fullerton

• Annual Tree Lighting (Dec 5) – Family-friendly tree lighting with live entertainment, car shows, craft vendors, and food trucks. 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | City Hall, 303 W. Commonwealth Ave, Fullerton | Event Info

Garden Grove

• Winter in the Grove & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Crafters boutique, snow slides, food, Santa, and tree lighting at Village Green Park. 3:00 PM–7:00 PM | 12732 Main St, Garden Grove | Event Info

Huntington Beach

• Old World St. Nikolaus Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Tree lighting and Christmas market with German holiday traditions. 7:00 PM–8:00 PM | Old World Village, 7561 Center Ave, Huntington Beach | Event Info

• Light a Light of Love Pier Lighting (Dec 7) – Parade down Main Street followed by lighting of the pier with holiday lights. 3:30 PM–6:00 PM | Huntington Beach Pier Plaza | Event Info

Irvine

• Irvine Spectrum Nightly Tree Lighting (Nightly, Now–Jan 4) – A 75-foot tree comes to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes from 5 PM to 11 PM nightly. 5:00 PM–11:00 PM | Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, 670 Spectrum Center Dr, Irvine | Event Info

• Illuminate Irvine (Dec 6) – Great Park transforms into a holiday wonderland with crafts, music, and the lighting of a massive tree. 3:00 PM–8:00 PM | Great Park Palm Court, 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine | Event Info

La Habra

• Tamale Festival & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – All-day street fair with food, music, and a community tree lighting at 5:30 PM. 10:00 AM–10:00 PM | Portola Park, 301 S. Euclid St, La Habra | Event Info

La Palma

• Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 3) – Crafts, school choirs, Santa & Mrs. Claus, and tree lighting at 5:30 PM. 4:30 PM–7:00 PM | Community Center, 7821 Walker St, La Palma | Event Info

Ladera Ranch

• Winter Fest & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Bounce houses, craft fair, games, and Santa & Mrs. Claus lead into the lighting of the Town Green tree. 2:00 PM–5:00 PM | Town Green, 28801 Sienna Pkwy, Ladera Ranch | Event Info

Laguna Beach

• Hospitality Night & Tree Lighting (Dec 5) – Santa arrives downtown to light the tree at City Hall. Streets close for a holiday street party with carolers, kids’ crafts, and extended shop hours. Tree lighting at 6:10 PM. 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Peppertree Lot, Forest Ave, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Laguna Hills

• Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 5) – Music, hot cocoa, and a community tree lighting at the Laguna Hills Community Center. 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills | Event Info

Laguna Niguel

• Christmas Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Family-friendly event featuring cookie decorating, crafts, live entertainment, visits with Santa, and the official lighting of the city’s holiday tree. 5:00 PM–8:00 PM | Laguna Niguel City Hall, 30111 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel | Event Info

Lake Forest

• Heritage Hill Candlelight Walk & Holiday Lights (Dec 5–7) – Stroll through historic buildings beautifully lit for the holidays, with carolers, Santa visits, crafts, and seasonal treats. 5:00 PM–9:00 PM | Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Rd, Lake Forest | Event Info 

Los Alamitos

• Winter Wonderland & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Snow play, ice skating, Santa’s Village, crafts, and community tree lighting. 4:00 PM–7:30 PM | St. Isidore Plaza, 10961 Pine St, Los Alamitos | Event Info

Mission Viejo

• Kaleidoscope Tree Lighting (Dec 5) – Cookie decorating, hot cocoa, petting zoo, snow globe performance, and tree lighting in the mall courtyard. 6:00 PM–9:00 PM | Kaleidoscope Center, 27741 Crown Valley Pkwy | Event Info

Newport Beach

• Fashion Island Tree Light Shows (Nightly, Now–Dec 28) – A 90-foot Christmas tree comes to life with music and snowfall in nightly shows every hour. 5:30 PM–8:00 PM | Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach | Event Info

• Via Lido Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting (Dec 4) – Intimate neighborhood-style tree lighting with Santa visits, festive music, and activities for families. Presented by the Lido Marina Village team. 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Via Lido Plaza, 3425 Via Lido, Newport Beach | Event Info

• Crystal Cove Holiday Bazaar & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Local artisan fair with live music, cocoa, and a sunset tree lighting right on the beach. Santa arrives in a lifeguard vehicle. 10:00 AM–6:00 PM | Crystal Cove Historic District, Newport Coast | Event Info

Orange

• Old Towne Christmas Market & Tree Lighting (Dec 7) – Full day of holiday activities in the Plaza, including a Christmas market, kids’ crafts, and food vendors. At dusk, enjoy the official tree lighting ceremony. 10:00 AM–7:00 PM (Christmas Program 5:15–7:00 PM) | Old Towne Orange Plaza, Chapman Ave & Glassell St, Orange | Event Info

Rancho Santa Margarita

• Lakeshore Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by boat to light the lakeside Christmas tree. Includes free cocoa, cookies, crafts, and live music. Open to all residents and guests. 4:00 PM–6:00 PM | Lago Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita | Event Info

San Clemente

• Santa’s Village by the Sea & Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Holiday fair with snow play, crafts, live entertainment, and photos with Santa. All Day | Avenida Del Mar & Community Center, 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente | Event Info

San Juan Capistrano

• Tree Lighting & Downtown Holiday Festivities (Dec 6) – Celebrate the season in Historic Town Center Park with live performances, kids’ activities, and the official city tree lighting at 5:45 PM. Afterward, stroll through the decorated Los Rios Historic District and enjoy music, shopping, and family fun. 4:00 PM–8:00 PM | Historic Town Center Park, 31857 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Stanton

• Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 4) – Community celebration featuring the city’s official tree lighting, holiday crafts, live choir performances, and visits with Santa. 6:30 PM | Stanton City Hall, 7800 Katella Ave, Stanton | Event Info

Tustin

• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony & Holiday Stroll (Dec 5) – Celebrate the season in charming Old Town Tustin with a community tree lighting, live entertainment, food trucks, crafts, and refreshments. Santa arrives for photos and holiday cheer. Tree lighting at approximately 6:30 PM. 6:00 PM–8:30 PM | Old Town Tustin, El Camino Real & 3rd St, Tustin | Event Info

Villa Park

• Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 6) – Community tree lighting featuring ten decorated trees, caroling by the Villa Park High School Choir, holiday cookies, the “world-famous” hot chocolate, and a special visit from Santa. 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | Villa Park Towne Centre, 17855 Santiago Blvd, Villa Park | Event Info

Westminster

• Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 1) – Kick off the season with the city’s official tree lighting, holiday crafts and games, live entertainment by local performers, and free photos with Santa. 5:30 PM–7:30 PM | Civic Center, 8200 Westminster Blvd, Westminster | Event Info

Yorba Linda

• Town Center Tree Lighting (Dec 6) – Celebrate the season with Yorba Linda’s community tree lighting at the fountain plaza. Enjoy live performances, family fun, and holiday spirit in the heart of the Town Center. Tree lighting at 6:00 PM. | Yorba Linda Town Center, 18300 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda | Event Info

• Friends Church Tree Lighting with Friends (Dec 6) – Community tree lighting following a holiday music service featuring crafts, snow play areas, hot cocoa, and food trucks. Tree lighting at 6:30 PM. 6:00 PM–8:30 PM | Friends Church, 5091 Mountain View Ave, Yorba Linda | Event Info

Bookmark this guide and share it with friends and neighbors — and be sure to tag @TheThriveOC when you’re out enjoying the lights!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Thrive OC!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best Christmas tree lightings in Orange County for families?

Events like Irvine Spectrum's nightly tree shows and the Old Towne Orange tree lighting are especially popular with families.

Are Orange County tree lightings free to attend?

Most events are free and open to the public. Some, like Winter Fest OC or Capistrano Lights, may require paid admission.