Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season in Santa Ana, California

Activities

Santa Ana is a great place to celebrate the holidays! The abundance and variety of different festive activities in the area are perfect for everyone—adults and kids alike!

Snow Days with the Critters: If you love animals, then come on down to the Santa Ana Zoo, where you can experience Snow Days with the Critters on December 17! This winter celebration features crafts for children and families where you can let your creative side fly, festive holiday music and stories, and cute zoo animals enjoying tasty winter treats. An extra plus for Santa Ana residents is that you can enjoy free admission on December 17. This winter activity is the perfect way to combine your love for animals with the festive holiday season!

Winter Fest OC: Just because you live in sunny Southern California doesn’t mean your family should be deprived of a super fun winter experience. If you feel the same way, then Orange County has just the extravaganza you’re looking for. This year’s Winter Fest runs from November 24 through January 7 and features over 1 million glorious lights, enough holiday decor to drive one giddy, a cornucopia of thrilling activities, a snow play area, a 150-foot tubing slide, a carnival, a holiday market, and plenty of food. Whew! Any Grinch’s heart would grow three sizes just typing that previous sentence!

New this year is the North Pole Journey, a one-of-a-kind winterland experience where wide-eyed participants learn exactly how to become an elf. Winter Fest OC will be chilling at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. Tickets can be purchased here.

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights Cruise: The holidays are the most beautiful time of the year at Newport Bay! Lights glisten off the water as homeowners and businesses go all out in preparation for the Ring of Lights competition. But you don’t have to wait until then to enjoy this magical holiday experience. The 115th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade cruises are offered December 13–17, with fireworks on the opening and closing nights of the cruises. This is a beautiful sight that you won’t want to miss!

Moonlight 2024 New Year’s Eve Party Cruise: Are you up for making some waves this New Year’s Eve? Then prepare to board this special fireworks cruise out of Marina del Rey to welcome 2024 with an exuberant “Avast ye, Matey!” Amenities include two live DJs, a premium open bar, complimentary appetizers, a dinner buffet, and breathtaking views of the Los Angeles skyline. Walking the boarding plank begins at 9:30 p.m. on December 31, with the cruise taking to the low seas from 10:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.

Shows and Performances

Santa Ana residents love their shows, and the selection this holiday season does not disappoint! Whether you prefer musical shows, cultural celebrations, or the circus, you won’t be disappointed! Treat yourself to some holiday magic this year in Santa Ana, CA!

Concordia Christmas: Concordia’s annual Christmas Concert tradition is coming to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall for two shows on Saturday, December 9. Concordia’s famous choirs, handbells, and orchestra share tidings of great joy. This year’s theme, “Navidad: A Journey to Bethlehem,” showcases more than 200 performers from eight vocal and instrumental performing ensembles. Enjoy festive carols and Christmas favorites. Concordia’s Christmas Concerts sell out every year, so get your tickets today!

Whose Live Anyway?: The side-splitting improv troupe rolls into City National Grove of Anaheim for a 90-minute performance on Saturday, November 18, at 8 p.m. The four-man cast regularly leaves audience members gasping with laughter. Since this is an improvisational performance, audience participation is encouraged. Patrons are advised to come with situations rife with comedic appeal to share with the cast. All ages are welcome, but some PG-13 language is likely.



Tyler Henry: An Evening of Hope and Healing: Renowned Hollywood medium Tyler Henry, star of his own Netflix series, is coming to City National Grove of Anaheim for two nights of live readings and discussion of his unique gift. He will be appearing on November 30 and December 1. Learn more about Henry at his website.

Shopping

We can’t forget to list the best shopping areas! The holiday season is such a popular time for decking out the house with tinsel, Christmas trees, lights, and a host of other decorations. Once your home is ready for the season, you can start shopping for gifts! Is there anything better than seeing a loved one’s face light up as they open a holiday gift you specially picked out for them? Whether you’re looking for unique seasonal decorations or a special gift to show someone how much you care, Santa Ana is the perfect place to be!

Pumpkin City’s Christmas Trees: If you are one of the many people in America who love Christmas trees, then head on down to Pumpkin City! Pumpkin City has been providing a wide selection of fresh-cut trees as well as Christmas decorations and wreaths for over 40 years. These trees will be the perfect addition to your home this holiday season! Christmas trees will be available starting the day after Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve.

Candy Caneland and Craft Fair: Looking for a good time? Pack up the family and check out this 52nd annual event in nearby Buena Park on Saturday, December 9, from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. There’s a lot to do to keep everyone entertained. The kids can play on the snow slide and visit the petting zoo, and the adults can shop. There’s also general entertainment, food, and a raffle in store. It all goes down at the Ehlers Event Center on Knott Avenue. Entry is free, but please use the shuttle from Peak Park Pool (7225 El Dorado Drive, Buena Park).



The Better Half Boutique: Take a drive out to Long Beach to stop by this small, charming boutique. At The Better Half Boutique, you’ll find unique gifts, home decor, party supplies, candles, and more. You can also purchase personalized gifts like cutting boards and wall hangings, providing some of the most personal and thoughtful gift options! You may find some of your best holiday gifts at this adorable and inviting boutique!

Opportunities to Share

Sure, everyone loves receiving gifts, but true joy comes from sharing that special feeling by giving to others. If you have the means or time during this special time of year, consider giving to those less fortunate so they too can feel the joy this winter season. Here are some great volunteer opportunities in Santa Ana, CA.

Winter Wonderland: Toy Drive: This important event is about so much more than toys! It’s about helping the children and families in the community to get the help they need this holiday season. In addition to a free toy, children will get health screenings, haircuts, and snacks to make sure they’re healthy and happy this holiday season. Consider donating your time or money to this great cause! The toy drive takes place on Saturday, December 9, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Salt Lake Park in Huntington Park (3401 E. Florence).



Operation Santa Claus: Unfortunately, thousands of children in Orange County won’t be having a very merry Christmas this year. That is, without our help, at least. This holiday season, donate toys and gifts to the children and families in need in Santa Ana. Last year, Operation Santa Claus was able to distribute over 16,000 toys and gifts to vulnerable children in Orange County. Help bring that same happiness and hope to children in need again this year by donating to Operation Santa Claus.

Safe Celebration

No good thing can come without at least a little bit of a drawback. While almost everyone loves a good pine-scented candle this time of year, it’s important to be careful! Did you know that up to 7,400 fires are started each year just because of household candles? Take extra caution when lighting candles in your apartment, especially your bedroom. Battery-powered candles can achieve the same ambiance without the added danger and may be a good thing to consider. Whatever you do, never leave your holiday candles unattended!



Another important fire hazard to be aware of is your beloved Christmas tree. If you brought a real Christmas tree home for the holidays, make sure to water it often so it doesn’t dry out. Dry pine needles are extra flammable. Keep all open flames—whether they’re from a candle, your fireplace, or somewhere else—away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

With plenty of activities, shows, places to shop, and opportunities to share, Santa Ana is the perfect place to be during the holidays. From all of us here at Villa Del Sol Apartments in the beautiful city of Santa Ana, Happy Holidays!