Bright lights make for happy holidays
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.
Home for the Holidays Christmas Boutique: Roger’s Gardens is as well-known for its beautiful fresh flowers and plants as it is for its spectacular holiday décor. Explore rooms of vintage-inspired ornaments (Where else can you find an ornament depicting Santa in the Newport Beach Boat Parade?) and home goods, then grab a farm-to-table meal at the on-site restaurant Farmhouse.
Roger’s Gardens, 2301 San Joaquin Hills Rd., Corona del Mar, (949) 640-1415; www. rogersgardens.com.
Fashion Island Tree Lighting: Every night starting at 6 p.m. through Jan. 1, 2022, Fashion Island’s signature, live, 90-foot fir Christmas tree glows thanks to 10,000 lights and ornaments. 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach;
www.fashionisland.com.
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) 4943030; sawdustartfestival.org.
Holiday Lights at Dana Point Harbor: More than 700,000 LED lights illuminate the harbor with seasonal cheer. In additional to the huge whale sculpture, lighted palm trees, giant Christmas trees and Candy Cane Lane, there’s the popular photo-op spot “Merry Kiss Me” arch. For one week starting Dec. 10, viewers can also catch a glimpse of the annual Boat Parade of Lights, with this year’s theme of “Fiesta Holiday.” Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point; danapointharbor.com.
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 through Jan. 2, 2022. Tickets and treats must be purchased in advance at nightoflightsoc. com. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa.
Hikari—A Festival of Lights: Loosely translated, Hikari means shine in Japanese, and Tanaka Farms shines with more than a million twinkling lights. 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.
Magic of Lights Drive-Thru Experience: This drivethrough holiday-lights experi- LIGHTS
from page 17
ence features holiday scenes and favorite seasonal characters using the latest LED technology and digital animations through Dec. 26. Tickets must be purchased online. Angel Stadium, 2000 E Gene Autry Way, Anaheim; MagicofLights. com/ Anaheim.
Holidays at the Park: The Great Park’s Palm Court has been transformed into a light display honoring the site’s military past, plus there are mini elf homes featuring the city of Irvine’s 50th anniversary logo hidden throughout the complex. And until Jan. 2, the Artist Studio offers a winter-themed pop-up museum for all ages. Great Park, 8000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, (949) 724-6247; www.cityofirvine.org/greatpark/ holidayz- park.
Winterscape: From Dec. 10-23, the Outpost at San Juan Capistrano morphs into a wintry land, with the first Festival of Trees, featuring live Christmas trees decorated by local businesses. There’s also live entertainment, dining options from local food trucks, ice skating, ice curling, table tennis, cornhole and “Redneck Horseshoes.” The Rancho Mission Viejo Riding Park, 30753 La Pata Road, San Juan Capistrano; sanjuanoutpost. com.
57th Annual Holiday Wassail Concert: The beloved Chapman tradition returns to the university’s Musco Center on Dec. 11, with a concert of seasonal favorites performed by the Chapman University Singers, University Choir and Treble Choir, along with music performed by the Chapman Orchestra. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Dr., Orange, (844) 626-8726; events.chapman.edu/84228.
Villa Park Dry Land Boat Parade: Starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 12 from the parking lot of Villa Park High School, more than 50 vessels—boats on trailers, golf carts, Segways, trucks, classic cars and more— covered in lights and decorations to the theme “Joy to the World” will make their way to the Villa Park Town Center. Parade route starts at Villa Park High School, 18042 Taft Ave., Villa Park; villapark. co/ wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ Boat_Parade_Map_2021.pdf.
113th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights: “Jingle on the Waves” from Dec. 15-19, as beautifully decorated, well-lit yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes parade along the harbor, beginning and ending at Lido Isle. Newport Harbor, Newport Beach; www. christmasboatparade. com.
Snoopy House: The area in front of Costa Mesa City Hall glows with the warmth of Christmas and Charles Schulz’s beloved Peanuts characters for five days starting Dec. 17. Kids can enjoy miniature train rides, and anyone of any age can get a photo with Santa and write letters to him. There are also performances from local musical groups over the weekend. All events are free. Costa Mesa City Hall, 77 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa;
www.costamesaca.gov/residents/ annual- events/ snoopyhouse- holiday- display.
Holiday Festival: The Muck fills with the sites and sounds of the holidays on Dec. 19. In addition to performances by Noelle Lidyoff, the Sugar Daddies, the Kamaaina Glee Club and Momentum Dance, there are family-friendly activities, live music, free art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale. The Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, (714) 738-6595; themuck.org/ programing/2021-12-19.
