Friday, November 2, 2007

Christmas Events/Activities for families in November and December




I know this post is early, but many of these events begin in early November. Plus, as party and get together invitations escalate, I know November and December calendar planning is a delicate science. Orange County is not at a loss for celebrating Christmas, or the "holidays," as many of the events are entitled. I have been to some of these fun events, so if you have a particular question, you can e-mail me or make a comment to the post. I highly recommend bringing a hot, steaming cup of hot cocoa or a Starbucks flavored concoction when you go to many of these places. Even if it is only 65 degrees out that night, bring a fun red scarf or a festive knit cap to get you in the spirit--and you'll be bound to get some cute pictures! The Hawleys go to Roger's Gardens each December, and we even got a Christmas picture out of it last year. The boat parades, driving through Nellie Gail and visiting El Corzo street are also "must dos" in the Hawley list of traditions. We hope you find some of your favorite traditions listed here, but, if you don't, and you have a suggestion, PLEASE let us in on it. Make a comment and let us know what fun event we are missing.


Of course, these activities are fairly "worldly" in focus. We hope you take time, in all this crazy season of Santa Claus and Christmas lights, to talk about the precious gift of Christ Jesus. As Christians, that is our celebration and joy, and we pray, our focus at CHRISTmas! If you don't have a church to visit for Christmas or Christmas Eve--or even attend in general--here is the website for our home church. http://www.compasschurch.org/ Merry Christmas, everyone!


The 22nd Annual Dana Point Harbor Turkey Trot: This is the only Thanksgiving event on this post. It is an annual walk/run race on the morning of Thanksgiving. There is a 5K and a 10K event. Adults cost $35.00 to enter a race if you register after November 1st. What a great way to feel okay about eating that second helping of stuffing and mashed potatoes later in the day! You can get details at http://www.turkeytrot.com/.




Holiday in the Harbor: There are three Christmas events at the Dana Point Harbor. You can find out about all of them at http://www.danapointharbor.com/Calendar.html. The quaint, local funspot is celebrating the holidays with carolers, face painting, bands, magic and juggling shows and, of course, a visit from Santa Claus. You can partake in the family fun on Friday, November 30th from 4 to 8 p.m.

The harbor will also be hosting boat rides with Santa for free. Kids can come take boat rides and pose with Santa from 10-2 on Saturday and Sunday, December 1st and 2nd. Pictures cost $4.00 if you get one. Be ready for some lines and waiting, especially if you get there late.

Finally, the Dana Point Harbor is having its 33rd annual boat parade of lights. The theme this year is "A Merry Mardi Gras". The parade runs Friday and Saturday nights on December 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th. It all begins at 7:30 p.m. If you would like to be in the boat parade, you can get on a boat through the Dana Wharf Sportfishing shop. Adults cost $25.00 and kids are $15.00.




South Coast Plaza--The 27th annual tree lighting ceremony, associated with South Coast Plaza, is November 26th at 6 p.m. It will take place at the town center park, next to the Westin/South Coast Plaza. In addition, you can come for the Santa "arrives" parade on November 16th at 4 p.m. It will be in the Jewel Court, on the first level. If you miss both of these events, you can always come later to just stroll around, shop and check out the Christmas decorations throughout the mall/shops. Santa will be there all season to visit. You can get more information at http://www.southcoastplaza.com/.




Fashion Island--We love to come here to see decorations, because it is outside and you can bundle up and hold coffee. Plus, we make it a fun night to also see Roger's Gardens (further info later in the post), which is right across the street. They will have an opportunity to take photos with Santa November 16th- December 24th. This usually requires that you buy a portrait package of some sort.

They have a huge tree that stands in the center each year. The tree lighting ceremonies are November 16th and 17th at 6 p.m. This will be in the Bloomingdale's Courtyard. They light the trees and Santa arrives. There will also be a song and dance performed by the California Conservatory of the Arts.

Carolers will be at this mall on weekends from 1 to 5 p.m. by the Christmas tree. This will be in effect on the weekends from November 17th to December 23rd. Usually they also have a Christmas train that kiddos can ride for a small price. All of these events at Fashion Island can be read about at http://www.shopfashionisland.com/centerevents.aspx.


Spectrum--The newest of shopping centers, the Spectrum also enters the season with some fun treats. They will have their annual ice skating rink from November 1st (soon!) to January 21st. It will be in the Giant Wheel Court. Santa will be at the Spectrum November 23rd to December 24th. Photo packages with Santa start at $13.95. Santa will be stationed outside the Target and H&M stores area. Like Fashion Island, this area is all outside, which makes it fun for feeling "winterish." Find out all the information at http://www.shopirvinespectrumcenter.com/CenterEvents.aspx.



Irvine Regional Park--It is time for the Christmas Train! Currently, the park is closed, as it is a maincamp for the men and women fighting the Santiago fire. Check the website, which is well updated, to see when it re-opens. There shouldn't be a conflict, as the Christmas train begins November 30th and is also open December 1,2,7,8,9,and the 13th through the 23rd. The time is from 5 to 8 p.m. The cost is $8.00 per person, but the normal parking fee is FREE after 5 p.m. You take a twelve minute train ride through the park, and see all the decorations and lights, including the tunnel with hundreds of lights at the end of the ride. You can meet Santa, and they allow you to take your own pictures with your own camera. If you forget your camera, their polaroid picture of your dear ones and Santa is $5.00. They will also be selling coffe, hot cocoa, fresh popcorn and cookies. There is also a way you can pre-mail your child's Christmas list to Santa, so when you visit, it will be right there on Santa's list. The mailing instructions and all the details of the Christmas train can be found at http://www.irvineparkrr.com/pages/calendarEvents.html. They say to dress warmly, as it does get chilly out there when the sun goes down!


Santa Ana Discovery Science Center--The science center is having an exhibition called "The Science of Gingerbread." It is through the month of December. Kids, ages 3-17 cost $9.95 (under 3 are free), adults are $12.95, and parking is $3.00. Last year, they had a snowblowing machine at the entryway, and we spent a good 20 minutes there listening to Carter laughing at the snow and the kids dancing in it. I am not sure if they will do this again, but I'm guessing they will. Find out more at http://www.discoverycube.org/.



Anaheim Nutcracker Festival--December 4th, from 3 to 7 p.m., you can go to the Center Street Promenade in Anaheim for a holiday street fair. Food, games, music, face painting and family fun are promised. You can call 714 956-3586 for more information, or you can look here.

Roger's Gardens--This is an upscale nursery/boutique type store in Corona Del Mar. It is right across the street from Fashion Island, so it is easy to combine a visit to the two places on the same night. Once you enter the store, you can veer to the left and see hundreds of ornate trees, each with hundreds of ornaments for sale. The gardens are the beautiful part. Head straight back. They have model train sets going, music serenading visitors, and photo opportunities (such as a set up sleigh) throughout the beautiful, Christmas light covered garden. The entry is free, and it is a quaint little excursion to help make the season slow down a bit. For directions and information, look at http://www.rogersgardens.com/hoursdirections.asp.



Newport Harbor Boat Parade--This is a hot cocoa must have event. Go down anywhere along the Newport harbor in order to view the sailboats and watercraft float by with Christmas music and lights. It is approximately 2 and 1/2 hours long, and it happens every night from December 12-16th. The event starts at 6:30. Dress warmly, and have beach chairs ready in the car (along with some snuggly blankets). For more information, see http://www.balboa-island.net/ehbp.htm.




Santa Ana Zoo--The Holiday Lights Festival at the zoo takes place December 21,22,28th and 29th. There will be strolling musicians, holiday crafts, and lights. For more information, the website is www.santaanazoo.org/calendar.htm.



Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade--You can pretend you live in a small town. This is a true hometown parade, with cheerleaders, mayors, bands, baton twirlers and lots of old vintage cars. Yours truly marched in this parade once or twice in high school. Join the fun on December 8th. It starts at 10 a.m. The route is Crown Valley Parkway, between Nueva Vista and the Crown Valley Community Park. Expect some road closures and re-routing that morning.



Cruise of Lights in Huntington Beach--I've never done this event, but this looks fun. It is a benefit for the Philharmonic Society. It is a Narrated cruise through the waterways of Huntington Beach. You get to see a waterway view of the Christmas lights and decorations on the pricey homes. This takes place December 13th-23rd. On weekdays, you can go at 6,7, or 8 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, the departures are at 5:30, 6:30, 7:30, or 8:30. On the 17th, the prices are adults-$11.00 each and kids over 2 years-$8.00 each. On weekdays other than the 17th, adults are $13.00 and kids over 2 are $8.50 each. On weekends, adults are $15.00 each and kids are $9.00 each. Find out more at http://www.cruiseoflights.org/home.html or call 714 840-7542.


Light Viewing--Our family always has three favorite spots. We drive through all the streets of Nellie Gail, playing Christmas music on the radio and sipping hot cocoa. You can spend over an hour doing this if you drive slowly.



El Corzo street in Rancho Santa Margarita (also known as Candy Cane Lane) is the best! You park at the end of the tiny cul-de-sac and walk. Plan to be amazed. Snow machines, music, animatronic creatures and thousands of lights greet you. There will most likely be many people joining you, as it is usually crowded. You can Mapquest the directions.

Finally, Ladera Ranch is another great place to drive to see lights. Last year, we bought hot cocoa from kiddos selling it on a light laden street. Fun! Have dinner beforehand and get the little ones sleepy with a drive through the festive city.



Of course, all the amusement parks, from Disneyland, Knott's, Sea World, and the Wild Animal Park, offer some Christmas themed fun. I hope you get some fun ideas from this list. Remember to share any ideas I missed!

5 comments:

Sarah Cox said...

Oh Chiara, I am sooo excited. This just makes me want it to be December NOW! :) I desperately want to get out my calendar and start saving dates. A lot of the stuff that you do, we do too. :) But you posted so many new ideas that we can hopefully try out. Thanks for sharing all of these!

Seagers said...

Chiara, I was just thinking today about how excited I am for Christmas. Thanks for posting all of these ideas. This year, we will probably skip over some because of Chase's age, but I am doing the Turkey Trot for sure (my family always does it)! Thanks for writing out all of the details!

Laura said...

WOW! Thanks for writing down all the activities around here! I cannot believe the holidays are already upon us and I'm pretty sure the boys "get it" this year. I'm excited to head to Irvine Park this year. Thanks Chiara!

Kelly @ The Nourishing Home said...

Thank you so much, Chiara, for taking the time to share all these family-fun and festive events! We were glad to see you promoted the Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park – that's a Smith Family tradition! It's so much fun! Thanks for all the great ideas! Have a blessed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year in Our Lord!

Ryan Hawley said...

FUN!!!