π Orange County Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies 2025β’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. Hereβs your Kur8ed Guide to every major tree-lighting event across the OC β organized by city for easy planning.
β Orange Countyβs Most Elegant Coastal & Resort Tree
Newport Beach
π Pendry Newport Beach Tree Lighting Ceremony β Fri, Nov 28 β’ 4:30 PM β 7:30 PM
π Pendry Newport Beach, 690 Newport Center Dr β’ FREE βοΈ Best Hotels Newport Beach
30-ft tree lighting at 5:30 PM with Santaβs arrival, live carolers, spiced cider, and a decadent hot-chocolate bar. Open to locals and guests.
π Lighting of the Bay at Newport Dunes β Nov 28 β Jan 1
π 1131 Back Bay Dr β’ FREE (opening-night parking $15) βοΈ More details on Orange County events
Over 50 floating displays illuminate the harbor nightly in one of OCβs most beloved waterfront traditions.
π Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar β Sat, Dec 6 β’ 10 AM β 6 PM
π Crystal Cove State Park β’ FREE βοΈ Best Hotels Laguna Beach
Beachfront bazaar with artisan vendors, live music, and sunset tree lighting against Pacific views.
π South Coast Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting β Fri, Nov 21 β’ 6:30 PM β 8:30 PM
π Town Center Park β’ FREE π Best Hotels in Costa Mesa
Broadway-style show, snow effects, and Santaβs arrival beneath a 96-ft fir with 94,000 lights.
Laguna Niguel / Dana Point
π The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel Holiday Tree Lighting β Sun, Nov 23 β’ 4 PM β 7 PM
π 1 Ritz-Carlton Dr, Dana Point β’ FREE β¨ Best Hotels South Orange County
Ocean-view lighting benefiting Surfers Healing, with Santa visits, live music, and holiday treats.
π Happy Harbor Days & Boat Parade Lights β Nov 12 β Jan 3
π Dana Point Harbor β’ FREE π Best Hotels South Orange County
700,000+ LED lights and themed sculptures illuminate the harbor nightly.
Huntington Beach
π PasΓ©a Hotel & Spa Tree Lighting β Wed, Dec 3 β’ 6 PM β 8 PM
π 21080 Pacific Coast Hwy β’ FREE π
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.
π City & Community Tree Lightings
Anaheim
π Anaheim Tree Lighting Festival & Holiday Village β Sun, Dec 7 β’ 12 PM β 7 PM
π Center Street Promenade β’ FREEβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Holiday market, Candy Canine Costume Contest, photos with Santa, and official tree lighting at sunset.
π Anaheim White House Christmas Tree Lighting β Nov 23 β 30 β’ Evenings
π 887 S Anaheim Blvd β’ Ticketed GalaβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Elegant evening with champagne reception and tree lighting in the historic restaurant garden.
Brea
π Brea Tree Lighting at Brea Art Gallery β Thu, Dec 4 β’ 6 PM β 8 PM
π 1 Civic Center Cir β’ FREEβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Live music, photos with Santa, and the official lighting of Breaβs downtown tree.
Costa Mesa
π Winter Fest OC Tree Lighting β Nov 21 β Jan 5
π OC Fair & Event Center β’ Admission ticket required
Nightly tree lighting spectacular with music and snowfall.βοΈ More details on Orange County events
San Juan Capistrano
π Annual Tree Lighting & Downtown Festivities β Sat, Dec 6 β’ 4 PM β 7 PM
π Historic Downtown β’ FREEβοΈ 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.
π Capistrano Lights Opening Night at Mission San Juan Capistrano β Fri, Dec 19 β’ 5 PM β 7 PM
π Mission SJC β’ Admission ticket requiredβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Faith-filled lighting with carolers, nativity, and illuminated gardens.
Orange
π Old Towne Orange Christmas Market & Tree Lighting β Sun, Dec 7 β’ 10 AM β 7 PM
π Orange Plaza Circle β’ FREEβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Artisan vendors and the Candlelight Choir Procession culminating in the cityβs signature tree lighting.
Placentia
π Tamale Festival & Tree Lighting Ceremony β Thu, Dec 11 β’ 4 PM β 10 PM
π Old Town Placentia β’ FREEβοΈ More details on Orange County events
Tamales, live music, and Santa visit leading up to the evening tree lighting.
π More Illuminations Across the OC
β¨ Lighting of the Bay β Newport Dunes (Nov 28 β Jan 1)β¨βοΈ More details on Orange County events
β¨ Happy Harbor Days β Dana Point Harbor (Nov 12 β Jan 3)βοΈ β¨More details on Orange County events
β¨ Nights of Coastal Lights β Fashion Island, Newport Beach (Nov 21 β Dec 28)β¨βοΈMore details on Orange County events
β¨ Hikari Festival of Lights β Tanaka Farms, Irvine (Nov 28 β Dec 28)βοΈ β¨More details on Orange County events
Perfect for evening strolls, selfies, and holiday memories.
πLooking for help planning your holiday adventure?
Weβll help you find the best tree lightings, markets, and coastal getaways this season β all curated by The Orange County City Guide.π