Looking for the best holiday festivals, markets, and parades happening across Orange County this week?

We pulled together a simple roundup of the most festive community celebrations beginning the week of December 8, 2025 and onward — from charming street parades and winter markets to holiday villages and family-friendly gatherings.

Whether you’re planning a fun evening out, festive date night, or a holiday adventure with friends and family, here are the seasonal events you won’t want to miss.

🎄 This Week’s Holiday Events in Orange County

Buena Park

• Knott’s Merry Farm (Now–Jan 5) – A full holiday transformation of Knott’s Berry Farm featuring nightly snowfall in Ghost Town, a Christmas Crafts Village, seasonal shows, festive food, and holiday lights throughout the park. Admission ticket required. Hours vary | Knott’s Berry Farm, 8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park | Event Info

Costa Mesa

• Winter Fest OC (Now–Jan 4) – Winter holiday festival experience, featuring rides, ice skating, Santa, live entertainment, light displays, “snowfall”, and more. Admission ticket required. Hours vary | OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa | Event Info

Dana Point

• Dana Point Harbor “Merry Kiss Me” Lights (Now–Jan 4) – Holiday lights are back—self-guided, free, and photogenic as ever. Nightly. | Dana Point Harbor | Event Info

• Pines Park Tree Lighting (Dec 8) – Sunset tree lighting with festive music and Santa on the trolley. 4:30 PM–5:30 PM | Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, Capo Beach | Event Info

• Boat Parade of Lights (Dec 12–14) – Decorated boats cruise the harbor with dazzling light displays and themed performances on the water. Viewing areas throughout the harbor. Starts at 6:30 PM nightly | Dana Point Harbor | Event Info

Huntington Beach

• Huntington Harbour Boat Parade (Dec 13 & 14) – Annual holiday boat parade through the Huntington Harbour featuring festively lit boats and music. Spectator viewing along the harbor. 4:30 PM | Huntington Harbour, various viewing points | Event Info

• Old World Christmas Market, Huntington Beach (Now–Dec 28) – German-village vibes with festive goodies, crafts, and holiday gifts in a cozy, old-world setting. Mon–Tue 10 AM–6 PM, Wed–Thu 9 AM–8 PM, Fri–Sat 9 AM–9 PM, Sun 9 AM–8 PM | Old World Village, Huntington Beach | Event Info

Irvine

• Tanaka Farms Hikari Lights (Nightly, Nov 28–Dec 28) – Wagon ride or walk-through light festival with thousands of lanterns and a Sanrio holiday theme. Hours vary | Tanaka Farms, 5380 University Dr, Irvine | Event Info

• Santa’s Village at Irvine Park Railroad (Nov 28–Dec 30) – Free-to-enter holiday village with festive activities like ice fishing, ornament making, cookie decorating, games, photo ops, and thousands of sparkling lights. Activity tickets sold on-site. Open daily (closed Dec 24 & 25). Weekdays 4:00 PM–9:00 PM; Weekends & Dec 15–30: 10:00 AM–9:00 PM | Irvine Regional Park, 1 Irvine Park Rd, Orange | Event Info

• Irvine Spectrum Nightly Tree Lighting (Nightly, Nov 28–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

• Skating Under the Stars, Irvine Spectrum (Now–Jan 4) – Outdoor ice skating under the Giant Wheel with timed sessions, rentals, and themed Thursday nights through the holidays. Multiple afternoon & evening sessions; closed Thanksgiving & Christmas, special hours Christmas Eve & New Year’s | Giant Wheel Court, Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine | Event Info

• Dream Glow Festival (Now–Dec 31) – Wild Rivers transforms into a glowing holiday walk-through with millions of lights, tunnels, sculptures, music, and seasonal treats. 4:30 PM–10 PM | Wild Rivers Waterpark, Irvine | Event Info

Laguna Beach

• Sawdust Winter Fantasy (Weekends, Now–Dec 21) – Holiday-themed art festival with handcrafted gifts, festive lights, Santa photos, falling snow, and live music. Admission required. 11:00 AM–7:00 PM | Sawdust Art Festival Grounds, 935 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach | Event Info

Laguna Hills

• Holiday Movie Days (Dec 10 & Dec 15) – Free holiday movie screenings at the Laguna Hills Community Center. Enjoy Elf on Wednesday, Dec 10 at 6:30 PM and Miracle on 34th Street on Monday, Dec 15 at 12:00 PM in the Heritage Room. Bring the family and festive cheer — movies are on the house! | Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Pkwy, Laguna Hills | Event Info

Laguna Niguel

• Holiday Parade (Dec 13) – Annual city parade with marching bands, floats, exotic cars, and community groups celebrating the season. 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel | Event Info

Lake Forest

• Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony (Dec 13) – Celebrate the season with the City of Lake Forest at this community tree lighting event with festive activities and holiday cheer. 3:00 PM–6:00 PM | 100 Civic Center Dr, Lake Forest | Event Info

Mission Viejo

• Santa’s Workshop (Dec 3–21, Select Days) – Stop by for free photos with Santa & Mrs. Claus at this festive drop-in experience! Enjoy enhanced lighting for great photos, plus hot cocoa and desserts from the Dezzertaholic food truck. Open Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from Dec 3–21, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM | 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo | 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

• Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade (Dec 18–22) – One of the nation’s most iconic holiday boat parades featuring hundreds of decorated yachts, boats, and kayaks cruising Newport Harbor. Spectator viewing available all along the waterfront. Parade begins nightly at 6:30 PM | Newport Harbor, Newport Beach | Event Info

Placentia

• Tamale Festival & Tree Lighting (Dec 11) – Tamale vendors, music, kids’ games, and tree lighting in Old Town. 4:00 PM–10:00 PM | Santa Fe Ave & Bradford Ave, Placentia | Event Info

Rancho Santa Margarita

• Carols Around the Lake (Dec 13) – Community caroling event with luminaries floating on the lake, holiday lights, and festive music. 6:00 PM–7:00 PM | Lago Santa Margarita, Rancho Santa Margarita | Event Info

San Clemente

• Christmas Nights at the Casa (Dec 12, 13, 19) – Stroll the grounds of Casa Romantica decorated with thousands of twinkling lights and enjoy festive activities in a historic oceanfront setting. Ticket required; Kids 12 and under FREE. 5:00 PM–7:00 PM | Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente | Event Info

San Juan Capistrano

• Capistrano Lights at the Mission (Dec 19–30) – Evening holiday experience featuring festive lights in the Mission’s gardens, a tree lighting, Christmas music, and a live nativity scene. Admission ticket required. 3:30 PM–6:30 PM | Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

• Country Christmas at the Inn at the Mission (Dec 20) – A festive Western-style evening with line dancing, country music, themed food and drinks, holiday vendors, and photos with Cowboy Santa. Free to attend. 4:00 PM–9:00 PM | Inn at the Mission, 26907 Old Mission Rd, San Juan Capistrano | Event Info

Villa Park

• Dry Land Boat Parade (Dec 14) – A holiday classic! Over 50 decorated and brilliantly lit “vessels” cruise through Villa Park’s asphalt harbor. Themed “Reeling in the Holidays,” the parade is celebrated with neighborhood watch parties all along the route. 5:00 PM–6:00 PM | Parade route through Villa Park, ending at Towne Centre | Event Info

Westminster

• Santa on the Go (Dec 13) – Santa visits neighborhood parks across Westminster for festive crafts, treats, and family holiday activities. Catch him at Bowling Green Park (10:00–11:30 AM) and Blakey Park (1:00–2:30 PM) on Dec 6, or College Park (10:00–11:30 AM) and Bolsa Chica Park (1:00–2:30 PM) on Dec 13. | Various park locations, Westminster | Event Info

Yorba Linda

• East Lake Holiday of Lights Boat Parade (Dec 13 & 14) – Celebrate the 38th annual boat parade around East Lake, with festively decorated vessels lighting up the water and spreading holiday cheer. Free and open to the public. Food trucks available from 5:00–7:00 PM at the Clubhouse parking lot. Parade begins at 6:30 PM. | East Lake Village, 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

Are holiday festivals and parades in Orange County free to attend?

Many community parades and neighborhood events are free and open to the public. Larger holiday experiences like Winter Fest OC, Capistrano Lights, or Sawdust Winter Fantasy may require paid admission or activity tickets.

What are the most family-friendly holiday events in Orange County?

Top family picks include Santa’s Village at Irvine Park, the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade, and the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade — each offering festive activities, music, and plenty of kid-friendly fun.

Which holiday events run nightly throughout December?

Experiences like Irvine Spectrum’s nightly tree light show, Skating Under the Stars, and Dream Glow Festival run on multiple evenings, making them easy to fit into your December plans.