Discover the Magic of the Holidays in Anaheim, CA!

Hikari – A Festival of Lights: Tanaka Farms in Irvine offers a variety of holiday-spirit and good-vibe-inducing festivities, including 30 acres of farm-themed lighting, a wagon ride to the Land of a Thousand Lanterns, and a visit to the Gingerbread Forest with crafts, photo ops, live music, and a chance to meet Santa. This attraction begins on November 24 and is open from 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily. Registration is required.

The 6th Annual Winter in the Grove: Experience snow slides, a tree-lighting ceremony, and—gasp!—maybe even a surprise visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus (wink, wink). But let’s keep that on the down-low for now. It’s all happening at Village Green Park in Garden Grove on December 2 from 3 to 7 p.m.

Irvine Park Christmas Train: All aboard for an event sure to help you “track” who’s been naughty and who’s been nice in 2023. Christmas train tickets are only sold online, and patrons pick a specific date and time at the time of purchase. If you buy a ticket, the train will take you to the North Pole, where you can visit and take a photo with the fanciful, jolly, red-suited, white-bearded big man himself. 

Activities also await those who don’t purchase a train ticket, as the Santa’s Village part of the experience will also be open to all. Santa’s Village is a magical place with a bevy of ticketed attractions, including a moon bounce, cookie decorating, ice fishing, carnival games, Rudolph Racers, a blizzard ball, a craft corner, and food options galore. Located at Irvine Regional Park in Orange, the park is open from 4 to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends, November 24 through December 30.

Shopping

The 52nd Annual Golden Candy Caneland and Craft Fair: The City of Buena Park Community Services Department is presenting this cornucopia of fun at the Ehlers Event Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on December 9. In addition to food and craft booths, there will be games, snow slides, a petting zoo, an ice rink, and a visit from Santa to keep the kids entertained.

Holiday Festival at the Muckenthaler: Come celebrate the season with an arts and crafts sale, free art workshops for kids, live music, and family-friendly activities at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton. What’s not to like? The fair will be held on December 17 from noon to 2 p.m.



Sugar Plum Arts and Crafts Festivals: Attend the Sugar Plum Arts and Crafts Festivals in Westminster for some exciting holiday shopping! The festival is a unique shopping event that offers homemade crafts, unique holiday and home decor, garden accessories, clothing, jewelry, food items, and fine arts by more than 150 vendors.

Shows and Performances

The Nutcracker Ballet at the Grove of Anaheim: Perish the thought of a holiday season without seeing Clara falling asleep and turning her woeful winter night into a fanciful feast and wooden toys come to life. Yes, The Nutcracker will be performed by the Anaheim Ballet in all its glory with the Irvine Symphony at the Grove at Anaheim on November 24 at 7 p.m.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra: “The Ghosts Of Christmas Eve - The Best of Tso and More”: If lasers, pyrotechnics, incredible lighting effects, and live and loud rock music with a classical twist sound like an exciting night to you, then catching the Trans-Siberian Orchestra should be extremely high on your holiday wish list. TSO is sharing its Christmas classics this holiday season and plays nearby at Toyota Arena on December 2.

For King & Country: A Drummer Boy Christmas Concert: Grammy award-winning duo Joel and Luke are bringing holiday cheer this Christmas with their Drummer Boy Christmas tour. This event will be an exciting night of festive music and will take place in the Honda Center on December 9.

Opportunities to Share

Light a Light of Love – Waymakers: Take a drive to Huntington Beach on December 3 for several festive events. One of the main happenings will be the Light a Light of Love event, a celebration to benefit the Huntington Beach Youth Center. The event also includes a parade down Main Street, a visit on the beach from Surf City Santa, and a ceremony to light the Snowflakes on the Huntington Beach Pier.

Safe Celebration

Who among us has not burned a deliciously scented candle during the holidays? But did you know that up to 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles? Be sure to take extra care when lighting candles in your apartment, especially your bedroom. Consider using battery-powered candles or scented spray instead to address all your aroma needs while avoiding any inherent dangers. And if you do use candles, do not leave them unattended.



Christmas trees, of course, also can create another fire hazard. If you’ve brought a real Christmas tree into your apartment for the holidays, make sure you keep it watered so it doesn’t dry out. Keep all open flames, such as candles, away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

We could all do with a festive holiday season, and you won’t have to go far to find it. With activities, shopping, shows, and opportunities to share, Anaheim, CA, has everything you need to make the season bright. From all of us at Villa Serrano Apartments in the heart of Anaheim, Happy Holidays!