Your Ultimate Guide to Things to do in Newport Beach at Christmas

There is no denying the fact that a Newport Beach Christmas will always be warm and sunny. But that doesn’t mean Christmas cheer isn’t in the air!

If you are searching for breathtaking light displays over the water or a festival that’s perfect for the whole family, you have come to the right place. Let’s take a look at the amazing things to do in Newport Beach this Christmas.

Reminder: please double check times and dates of all events, as each is subject to change.

Newport Beach CA Christmas boat parade — *credit Visit Newport Beach*

Dig Into The top Christmas things to do in Newport Beach, CA

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade

Address: 309 Palm St #A, Newport Beach CA
Date: mid-December (parade), holiday boat tours throughout December
Website

Gather the family and enjoy an elaborate Christmas light display when you watch the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. Decorated ships will sail and compete for the top award as their festive lights sparkle across the water.

This must-see event is perfect for anyone looking for some holiday magic and to get into the season.

If you are looking for a great viewpoint, book a table at one of these restaurants that offer fantastic views of the boat parade as it passes by.

The Fun Zone
Balboa Village
Reserved Seating at the American Legion
Reserved Seating at the Newport Sea Base
Harborside Restaurant
Rusty Pelican Restaurant

One of my absolute favorites from this list is the annual Newport Beach Holiday Boat Parade. For over 100 years, this parade has been dazzling spectators and giving the true feeling of Christmas cheer. The parade lasts throughout the evening so it’s wise to grab a spot early and camp out until late into the night.

There’s many different ways to enjoy the parade, including booking a boat trip with local companies, which not only puts you right in the middle of the parade and getting the closest view of the other boats, but gives you a wonderful view of all of the decorations on nearby businesses and homes as well! Last year, I booked a hotel on the parade route and didn’t regret it!

The parade dates fluctuate from year to year, but usually runs for three nights in mid-December. This is definitely worth checking out and is an unforgettable experience all around!

Check the dates and book your Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade tickets.

Santa in Newport Beach at Christmas — *credit Visit Newport Beach*

Newport Beach Holiday Market

Address: Marina Park, Newport Beach CA
Date: mid-December (same night as the parade) 4 pm to 8 pm
Website

Marina Park will hold their annual Holiday Pop-Up Market that all can enjoy. Look for your favorite local makers and load up on crafts for those you need a unique gift for this year.

Aside from shopping, the family can watch live entertainment, and grab some delicious food to snack on while you watch the parade and knock some of the gifts you need off of your list.

Things to do in Newport Beach at Christmas in California

Kids Christmas Party

Address: 215 15th St, Newport Beach CA
Date: Second Sunday in December, 11 am to 1 pm
Website (NOTE: this event doesn’t happen every year)

Newport Beach’s American Legion Hall will hold a kids’ party to celebrate the holidays. From 11 am to 1 pm, your kids are welcome to join a pizza party, which will include crafts, music, games, and a visit from Santa.

Bring an unwrapped gift to donate to a child in need during the holidays. Here’s a few suggestions that we know any kid will love.

Pet photos with Santa in Santa Monica California

Photos with Santa at Fashion Island

Address: Fashion Island, 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach CA
Date: Mid-November through Christmas Eve
Website

Santa will be at Fashion Island, waiting to snag a photo with your little one. Santa’s Village is perfect for sharing your holiday wishes and getting a picture in Santa’s unique house.

Hour vary depending on the day, so be sure to check the website to make sure the big man will be available for photos before you arrive.

Christmas in Balboa Village in Newport Beach CA — *credit Visit Newport Beach*

Christmas Eve Brunch at Balboa Bay Resort

Address: 1221 West Coast Hwy, Newport Beach CA
Date: December 24, 10am to 2pm
Website

The Balboa Bay Resort will host a special Christmas Eve Brunch featuring holiday favorites and signature seafood dishes. Your brunch will be on the water, in the Lighthouse Room, giving you a stunning view while you eat.

Make reservations ahead of time to secure your spot.

Holiday High Tea and Songs of the Season at Pelican Hill Resort

Address: 22701 Pelican Hill Road South, Newport Beach CA
Date: Two weeks in December before Christmas, Thursday through Sunday 3 pm to 4:30 pm
Website

Try something new this holiday season by having high tea at the Pelican Hill Resort. Guests will be serenaded by opera performers as they eat their way through a three-course menu paired with champagne.

You can find their high tea menu online and secure a reservation while you’re there. Weekends do sell out quickly, so reserve as soon as you can.

More Christmas events at the Pelican

Gingerbread House Decorating Class
Traditional Afternoon Tea (after Christmas day)

Breakfast with Santa at The Lot

Address: 401 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach CA
Date: Friday before Christmas, 9 am to 12 pm
Website

Santa is coming to town and is ready to have breakfast with your kids. Bring your list and enjoy the breakfast buffet at The Lot with the company of your loved ones.

Santa Schedule

9:00am: Breakfast Buffet
10:00am: Mrs. Claus arrives
10:15am: Story time with Mrs. Claus
10:30am: Santa arrives
10:30am: Meet & Greet with Santa and Picture Time
12:00pm: Santa & Mrs. Claus return to the North Pole

Make your reservations online now, as spots DO sell out.

Christmas Nights at the Casa

Address: 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
Date: Mid-December, 5pm-7pm
Website

2023 UPDATE: Due to the closure of the back terrace, “Casa Lumina” will not be taking place this year. Casa Romantica will still be spreading holiday cheer with their new “Christmas Nights at the Casa.”

Why do we love this event? There is something incredibly special about the Casa at Christmas, which is that it’s not just limited to Christmas! Throughout the month, they have different crafts and snacks to celebrate many different holidays, including Chanukah, Bodhi Day, and Kwanza.

Sherman Library 1000 Lights in Newport Beach at Christmas — *credit Visit Newport Beach*

Nights of 1000 Lights

Address: 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
Date: 13 nights in the weeks leading up to Christmas
Website

Tickets for Nights of 1000 Lights in Sherman Gardens sell out fast, and here’s why!

The festival is not only about the lights; there are aerial silk performers, a fairy-themed forest, and even s’mores available!

There are so many surprises to be found here that it is worth having a number of visits over the holiday season to truly see all the things there are to offer!

Capistrano Lights

Address: 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Date: month of December
Website

Another wonderful thing to do in Newport Beach for Christmas is to check the out Capistrano Lights display.

This event is an opportunity for you to have a look at the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano, which dates back to 1776! The Capistrano Gardens and Chapel are decorated for the Christmas season with a wondrous display that dazzles visitors and chapel members alike.

As part of the festivities, there will be a tree lighting, carolers, prayer candles, and surprise performances. There’s no doubt that this is one of the most meaningful light displays you’ll ever see. It’s truly among the best Newport Beach Christmas Lights!

The lights run throughout the whole month of December on select evenings, and tickets are available for about $20 per person.

Hikari – A Festival Of Lights

Address: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612
Date: various dates in December, 4:30pm – 10pm
Website

Tanaka Farms is a family run farm in Southern California located a few miles off the coast of Newport Beach. The farm offers many activities throughout the year, such as pumpkin picking in the fall, flower and melon picking in the summer, and wagon rides with the Easter bunny!

However, it is really at Christmas that Tanaka Farm truly shines. I can honestly say that the Hikari Festival of Lights is a once in a lifetime experience that you don’t want to miss!

There is a wagon ride you can take around the farms that gets you up close to the absolutely stunning light display that they have set up.

As soon as your wagon ride is over, you will be dropped at the ‘Land of a Thousand Lanterns’ and you will be directed to the Gingerbread Forest… where you will find food, live performances, arts & crafts… and best of all, you will be able to get pictures with Santa!

Every year Hikari runs from the beginning of November through the end of December, and I absolutely recommend that you check it out with the entire family.

Tickets start at around $20 for the gingerbread forest ,so grab your tickets ASAP.

A Christmas Carol

Address: 655 Town Center Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Date: Weekend after Thanksgiving through the first week of January
Website

One of the more unique offerings on our list is the yearly production of ‘A Christmas Carol’ from the South Coast Repertory Theatre with founding member Richard Doyle playing the role of Scrooge.

For lovers of the Charles Dickens story, this play certainly won’t disappoint! The play runs from early in November to right after Christmas each year and is a huge treat to young ones and adults alike.

Winter Fest OC

Address: 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Date: Weekend after Thanksgiving through the first week of January
Website

Lastly, but certainly not least, we have the Winter Fest OC. Taking place at the Orange County Fairgrounds, this is the place to go if you want to immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit everywhere at once!

This is a must-see event running all the way through December and into January, and it’s even open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. We love it because even if we can’t travel to see family, we can still have a magical, epic Christmas-filled day.

This delightful festival has a lot to offer, such as the ice skating rink on a frozen pond, the lighting of the Christmas tree every night, ice tubing, Santa meet and greets, and more!

This is another place I recommend stopping by more than once to make sure you have seen everything they have to offer!

Keep an eye out for half-price days, which is way more economical for families who want to have fun, but not break the bank doing it.

Lido House Holiday Cottages

Address: Via Lido Plaza, 3300 Newport Blvd, Newport Beach, CA 92663
Date: Throughout the Christmas season
Website

To round out the activities, the Lido House Holiday Cottages are perhaps the most luxurious of the bunch when it comes to Christmas in Newport Beach.

In the price of this package you will receive an overnight stay in a cottage of your choice, a private dinner prepared by an experienced executive chef, and a keepsake of your choice from The Cove – the Lido Houses gift shop.

A truly remarkable aspect of the experience are the two spa treatments available – a peppermint spice sugar scrub that will leave your skin looking supple and feeling refreshed, and a yam and pumpkin facial that will leave you feeling rejuvenated.

There is no doubt in my mind that this package is more than worth the money you pay for it!

Afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton

Address: The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel
Date: Weekend after Thanksgiving through the weekend before Christmas
Website

It has to be said that I’m a tea aficionado and for that reason I find this to be one of the best choices for Afternoon Tea on the list.

A holiday afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton is unlike any other you have ever experienced. Those looking for a little decadence will enjoy the wide selection of savory and sweet treats, as well as a multitude of teas inspired by the holiday season.

Aside from the extraordinary food and drink that you’ll enjoy, you’ll relax with a breathtaking view of the ocean, making this an experience that you will never forget.

The Ritz usually offers their tea during the first two weeks of December. Spots fill up quickly, so you’ll want to keep an eye out for this incredible experience!

More Holiday Events at the Ritz-Carlton

Holiday Tree Lighting- weekend before Thanksgiving
Breakfast with Santa
Christmas Brunch Buffet
Christmas Dinner in RAYA

No matter what event you head out to this season, your family will have an incredible time spending the holiday season together and making lasting memories.

Need a hotel in Newport Beach?

Newport Beach Marriott Bayview: Outdoor pool and spa, with parking available onsite.
Renaissance Newport Beach Hotel: Pet-friendly with a pool and suites available.
Lido House, Autograph Collection: Close to the beach with hotel rooms and cottages available.

Find more Newport Beach Hotels and vacation rentals HERE and in the interactive map below.