It’s a season of joyful times in OC
HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT
Anyone interested in the events listed below should visit the websites or call the phone numbers provided for more information, such as ticket pricing. Additional events will be listed weekly throughout the holiday season.
Sawdust Winter Fantasy:
Through Dec. 19, shop handcrafted wares from 150 artists and makers in an enchanting winter wonderland, featuring twinkling lights, falling snow, live music and daily visits with Santa Claus. Tickets cost $7 for seniors, or get a season pass for $20. Sawdust Art & Craft Festival, 935 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-3030; sawdustartfestival. org.
Night of Lights OC: People can enjoy the more than 1 million lights in this interactive holiday display from the comfort of their own vehicles from Nov. 26 to Jan. 2, 2022. Tickets and treats must be purchased in advance at nightoflightsoc. com. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa.
Hikari—AFestivalofLights:
Loosely translated, Hikari means shine in Japanese, and Tanaka Farms shines with more than a million twinkling lights starting tomorrow, Nov. 26. Revelers can take a ride in a tractor-pulled wagon though the festively lit, working farm to the Land of a Thousand Lanterns, which features even more light displays and photo opportunities. The Gingerbread Forest offers more photo ops, plus arts-and-crafts activities, visits with barnyard animals, live music, and food booths. There’s also a chance for a photo with Santa. Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine, (949) 653-2100; www. tanakafarms.com/ hikari.
Menorah Lighting Ceremony: Chabad Jewish Center of Dana Point lights the 12-foot menorah on the Fishing Pier at BabyBeachinDanaPointHarbor. At this event marking the first night of Hanukkah, there will be hot latkes, doughnuts, music, coffee, dreidels, chocolate gelt, crafts for kids and more, starting at 4 p.m. on Nov. 28.
Holiday Open House at Rancho Los Alamitos: This Long Beach City Landmark was where the Bixby family would host Christmas parties for the ranch’s workers, families and friends in the early 1900s. On Dec. 3-5, the public is invited to tour the historic grounds, get creative with festive crafts, enjoy holiday-themed music and partake in light refreshments. The open house is free, but reservations are required. Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, (562) 431-3541; www.rancholosalamitos. org.
La Habra Tamale Festival:
Get lessons in making your own delicious tamales or just indulge in the efforts of others on Dec. 4. In addition to the contest, you can expect dance and mariachi performances from local groups, activities for kids, and opportunities to support local vendors at this 12-hour festival. Euclid Street between La Habra Boulevard and Bridenbecker Avenue, La Habra; www.lahabratamalefestival. com.
Candy Caneland & Craft Faire: On Dec. 4, celebrate holidays around the world at this annual event that also features artisan goods, snow slides, free raffles, games and more. Ehlers Event Center, 8150 Knott Ave., BuenaPark; www.buenapark.com/ city-departments/communityservices/ special-events/candycaneland- craft- faire.
Winter in the Grove: Village Green Park turns into a winter wonderland on Dec. 4, with Snowtopia, featuring nine snow slides created from 50 tons of snow; a holiday boutique filled with goods made by local crafters; Frosty’s Photo Shop, offering photo ops for that Instagramworthy selfie or family portrait; crafts such as ornament decorating; and holiday-themed foods, including “chilly” dogs and hot cocoa. Village Green Park, 12732 Main St., Garden Grove; ggcity. org/community-services/winterin- the- grove.
Winter Wonderland at the Plaza: The magic of the season comes to St. Isidore Historical Plaza, with snow play and sledding, Santa’s Village, a tree lighting ceremony, musical entertainment, and a toy drive for local charities (bring a new, unwrapped toy). The fun starts at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4. St. Isidore Historical Plaza, 10961 Reagan St, Los Alamitos; stisidorehistoricalplaza. org/2015/12/05/winterwonderland- at-the- plaza/.
Santa’s Village By the Sea:
Holly Jolly Hoopla and the Glitz on Del Mar combine on Dec. 4 for an evening of cookie decorating, train rides, snow play, photos with Santa and one big tree lighting. Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente; www.san-clemente. org/Home/Components/ Calendar/Event/7437/71.
