🎄 Orange County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2025•The Orange County City Guide
Complete List of Orange County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2025
Kick off the holidays, SoCal-style! From sparkling seaside resorts to small-town plazas, Orange County glows bright this season with free tree-lighting ceremonies, live music, Santa sightings, and plenty of cocoa. Here’s your Kur8ed Guide to every major tree-lighting event across the OC — organized by city for easy planning.
⭐ Orange County’s Most Elegant Coastal & Resort Tree
Newport Beach
🎄 Pendry Newport Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony — Fri, Nov 28 • 4:30 PM – 7:30 PM
📍 Pendry Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr • FREE ❄️ Best Hotels Newport Beach
30-ft tree lighting at 5:30 PM with Santa’s arrival, live carolers, spiced cider, and a decadent hot-chocolate bar. Open to locals and guests.
🎄 Lighting of the Bay at Newport Dunes — Nov 28 – Jan 1
📍 1131 Back Bay Dr • FREE (opening-night parking $15) ☃️ More details on Orange County events
Over 50 floating displays illuminate the harbor nightly in one of OC’s most beloved waterfront traditions.
🎄 Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar — Sat, Dec 6 • 10 AM – 6 PM
📍 Crystal Cove State Park • FREE ❄️ Best Hotels Laguna Beach
Beachfront bazaar with artisan vendors, live music, and sunset tree lighting against Pacific views.
🎄 South Coast Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting — Fri, Nov 21 • 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
📍 Town Center Park • FREE 🎁 Best Hotels in Costa Mesa
Broadway-style show, snow effects, and Santa’s arrival beneath a 96-ft fir with 94,000 lights.
Laguna Niguel / Dana Point
🎄 The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel Holiday Tree Lighting — Sun, Nov 23 • 4 PM – 7 PM
📍 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr, Dana Point • FREE ✨ Best Hotels South Orange County
Ocean-view lighting benefiting Surfers Healing, with Santa visits, live music, and holiday treats.
🎄 Happy Harbor Days & Boat Parade Lights — Nov 12 – Jan 3
📍 Dana Point Harbor • FREE 🎀 Best Hotels South Orange County
700,000+ LED lights and themed sculptures illuminate the harbor nightly.
Huntington Beach
🎄 Paséa Hotel & Spa Tree Lighting — Wed, Dec 3 • 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy • FREE 🎅 Best Hotels Huntington Beach
OCSA carolers, Santa photo ops, boutique vendors, and a 30-ft tree lit by the sea. Bring a Toy for Tots donation.
🎄 City & Community Tree Lightings
Anaheim
🎄 Anaheim Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Village — Sun, Dec 7 • 12 PM – 7 PM
📍 Center Street Promenade • FREE☃️ More details on Orange County events
Holiday market, Candy Canine Costume Contest, photos with Santa, and official tree lighting at sunset.
🎄 Anaheim White House Christmas Tree Lighting — Nov 23 – 30 • Evenings
📍 887 S Anaheim Blvd • Ticketed Gala☃️ More details on Orange County events
Elegant evening with champagne reception and tree lighting in the historic restaurant garden.
Brea
🎄 Brea Tree Lighting at Brea Art Gallery — Thu, Dec 4 • 6 PM – 8 PM
📍 1 Civic Center Cir • FREE☃️ More details on Orange County events
Live music, photos with Santa, and the official lighting of Brea’s downtown tree.
Costa Mesa
🎄 Winter Fest OC Tree Lighting — Nov 21 – Jan 5
📍 OC Fair & Event Center • Admission ticket required
Nightly tree lighting spectacular with music and snowfall.☃️ More details on Orange County events
San Juan Capistrano
🎄 Annual Tree Lighting & Downtown Festivities — Sat, Dec 6 • 4 PM – 7 PM
📍 Historic Downtown • FREE☃️ More details on Orange County events
Music and performances begin at 4 PM; tree lighting at 5:45 PM followed by shopping and Los Rios District events.
🎄 Capistrano Lights Opening Night at Mission San Juan Capistrano — Fri, Dec 19 • 5 PM – 7 PM
📍 Mission SJC • Admission ticket required☃️ More details on Orange County events
Faith-filled lighting with carolers, nativity, and illuminated gardens.
Orange
🎄 Old Towne Orange Christmas Market & Tree Lighting — Sun, Dec 7 • 10 AM – 7 PM
📍 Orange Plaza Circle • FREE☃️ More details on Orange County events
Artisan vendors and the Candlelight Choir Procession culminating in the city’s signature tree lighting.
Placentia
🎄 Tamale Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony — Thu, Dec 11 • 4 PM – 10 PM
📍 Old Town Placentia • FREE☃️ More details on Orange County events
Tamales, live music, and Santa visit leading up to the evening tree lighting.
🌠 More Illuminations Across the OC
✨ Lighting of the Bay – Newport Dunes (Nov 28 – Jan 1)✨☃️ More details on Orange County events
✨ Happy Harbor Days – Dana Point Harbor (Nov 12 – Jan 3)☃️ ✨More details on Orange County events
✨ Nights of Coastal Lights – Fashion Island, Newport Beach (Nov 21 – Dec 28)✨☃️More details on Orange County events
✨ Hikari Festival of Lights – Tanaka Farms, Irvine (Nov 28 – Dec 28)☃️ ✨More details on Orange County events
Perfect for evening strolls, selfies, and holiday memories.
🎁Looking for help planning your holiday adventure?
We’ll help you find the best tree lightings, markets, and coastal getaways this season — all curated by The Orange County City Guide.🎁