Discover the Magic of the Holidays in Anaheim, CA!
It’s the most wonderful time of year—and even more than that, it’s happening in one of the most wonderful locations in the world. As if the temperate Southern California winters weren’t enough of a cause for celebration on their own, Anaheim and nearby areas will be home to myriad activities, celebrations, and good-vibe creators for the holidays, melding multiple cultures and traditions into one big to-do list.
However you choose to spend November and December, we hope you feel the magic of the season. Here are several suggestions that will help make this a holiday season to remember:
Activities
Shows and Performances
Shopping
Opportunities to Share
Safe Celebration
Activities
Disney’s Festival of Holidays: One can be certain that anywhere that refers to itself as “The Happiest Place on Earth” would not undersell extravagant holiday celebrations. Festival of Holidays, being held at Disney California Adventure Park, is a multicultural event with a heavy musical influence that takes in the sights and sounds of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day and runs from November 11 through January 8.
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 25 and is open from 4:30 to 10 p.m. daily. Registration is required.
The 5th 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 3 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 2021. Christmas Train tickets, which normally sell out, go on sale on November 7. 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, 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 25 through December 23.
Shows and Performances
The Nutcracker 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 25 at 7 p.m.
Switchfoot: This Is Our Christmas Tour: Enjoy an exciting night of rock Christmas music with Grammy award-winning Switchfoot at their Christmas tour in the Anaheim City Hall on December 17. The band will be playing holiday hits from their new Christmas album. You won’t want to miss this!
A Magical Cirque Christmas: Whimsical choreography and high-flying feats of amazement are on tap in this performance, which also features live Christmas music, making it an exciting night out for the whole family.
Shopping
The 51st Annual Golden Candy Caneland and Craft Faire: The City of Buena Park Community Services Department is presenting this cornucopia of fun at the Ehlers Event Center on December 3. In addition to food and craft booths, there will be games, snow slides, and a visit from Santa to keep the kids entertained. In a celebration of diverse traditions, there also will be the popular “Holidays around the World” cultural booths as well.
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 18 from 12 to 4 p.m.
Sugar Plum Arts and Crafts Festivals: Concerned about a compromised supply chain affecting your holiday shopping plans? Put those worries to bed by attending the Sugar Plum Arts and Crafts Festivals in downtown Buena Park. 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.
Opportunities to Share
Light a Light of Love – Waymakers: Take a drive to Huntington Beach on December 4 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.
Volunteer with The Salvation Army: Whether you like to get out and interact with the community or work behind the scenes, the Salvation Army is the perfect place to volunteer. They have multiple different volunteer options to choose from, including dressing up as Santa Claus and collecting donations, becoming a personal holiday shopper, or helping out with administrative duties.
Operation Santa Claus: Unfortunately, not everyone gets to enjoy a merry Christmas. That’s why the County of Orange Operation Santa Claus program works to provide new gifts and toys to children who are abandoned, neglected, and/or abused. This holiday season, donate toys and gifts to children and families in need. Last year, Operation Santa Claus distributed over 39,000 toys and gifts, bringing happiness and hope to the most vulnerable children in Orange County who wouldn’t have otherwise had much at all.
Safe Celebration
Who among us has not burned a deliciously scented candle during the holidays? But did you know that up to 7,500 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.
We’d love to see your holiday fun! If you decorate for the holidays or try out one of the activities above, post a photo on social media, tag us, and use #TisTheSeasonAtAMC.
From all of us at Villa Serrano Apartments in Anaheim, Happy Holidays!
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