A Cornucopia of Options: What to Do in Orange County During the 2023 Holiday Season
- Culture OC Staff
- Nov 22, 2023
- 14 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2023
Performances, exhibitions, holiday fairs and more are in store for the culturally curious.
It seems to approach us quicker each year, but the holiday season is officially upon us. Can’t you hear those sleigh bells jingling, ring-ting tingling too?
Are you wondering what to do these holidays, besides shopping and checking out lavish holiday light displays? Well, here’s a look at some of the best O.C. holiday offerings in the areas of culture, theater, dance, visual arts, classical music, and food and drinks, brought to you by Culture OC’s talented arts and culture writers.
We appreciate your interest and support during this, our first holiday season together. May you and yours have the best of times, and happy holidays from the arts and culture team at Culture OC!
Click on the arrow next to the topic below to discover our staff picks.
CULTURE
As the temperature drops and the holiday spirit rises, Orange County communities are gearing up for another season of cultural festivities, featuring both first-time events and the usual array of annual holiday traditions.
Orange County's winter calendar is a treasure trove of cultural events, catering to a spectrum of global traditions such as Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, the Winter Solstice and more. Read on to explore the rich cultural celebrations that make the holiday season in Orange County truly special. – Kim Pham
Annual Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting
Where: 30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
When: 4-6 p.m. Dec. 10
Cost: Free
Contact: 949-831-7701, chabadlagunaniguel.com
Celebrate the Jewish wintertime “Festival of Lights” with the Chabad of Laguna Niguel and the City of Laguna Niguel at their annual Chanukah Celebration & Menorah Lighting event. This celebration is an evening of music, fun and cherished traditions as folks come together with family and friends to commemorate each day of Chanukah (also known as Hanukkah). This year, Hanukkah will run from Dec. 7-15, with the City’s celebration event taking place on the fourth day, Dec. 10.
This annual event is a staple in the Laguna Niguel community. Similar to previous year’s celebrations, attendees can expect to see live entertainment, participate in engaging activities and crafts, and indulge in traditional Chanukah treats. Guests can gaze upon the lighting of the fourth menorah candle after 4:43 p.m. and indulge in the sizzling delights of fried foods like the classic potato latke (pancake).
Holiday Fair
Where: 9200 Bolsa Ave., Westminster
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 16 and 17
Cost: Free
Contact: (714) 842-8018; hiroline.co on Instagram
Ring in the holiday season with style at the 2023 Asian Garden Mall Holiday Fair, a two-day extravaganza hosted by Hiroline.co, an events and apparel company, and featuring its token "Mini Otaku Market," also known as MOM. This event is a haven for anime and Asian culture enthusiasts, featuring 20 small businesses and artists, and a diverse showcase of anime-themed merchandise and authentic handcrafts.
While this event is Hiroline.co’s first holiday fair, the Mini Otaku Market has been featured at the Asian Garden Mall in the past. These occasions tended to include lively performances, cosplay competitions, raffles, pet cosplay competitions and more. While this event is free, attendees are encouraged to bring cash to purchase merchandise from the featured vendors or food from the many authentic Vietnamese restaurants already inside the mall.
2023 La Habra Tamale Festival
Where: Euclid Street between La Habra Boulevard & Bridenbecker Avenue
When: 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Dec. 2
Cost: Free
Contact: 562-383-4200, lahabratamalefestival.com
The City of La Habra Recreation Services Division will be hosting its 10th annual La Habra Tamale Festival on Saturday, Dec. 2. The festival will feature live entertainment on three stages (named after the sponsors) stretching across Euclid Street between La Habra Boulevard and Bridenbecker Avenue, which includes the CR&R Stage at La Habra City Hall, the Northgate Stage at Portola Park and the AFCU Stage at Brio Park. The festival caters to 10,000 attendees annually and has become a staple of the city’s annual events since 2014.
The entertainment schedule features performances by Suave, Grupo Neblina, Timba Tumbao, Corona Dance Studio, Tecnica Arte y Folklore and Ballet Folklorico Mi Lindo Mexico. In addition to the tamale vendors that guests would expect to see there, the event also has other food vendors, retail vendors, activities for children, a cantina, a holiday tree lighting and a holiday fireworks show. A free shuttle will also be provided to transport attendees to the festival grounds from convenient off-site parking areas. While the event is free, guests are encouraged to bring cash to purchase tamales, other foods and merchandise from the festival’s vendors.
NIPOC Yalda Night Celebration
Where: 4647 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach
When: 6-11:30 p.m. Dec. 21
Cost: $99 for general admission (plus additional ticket fees)
Contact: (949) 273-6543, nipoc.org/events/yalda-night-2023
The Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County is hosting a Yalda Night celebration event consisting of a dinner and dance at the Changes Lounge in Newport Beach. While NIPOC has hosted an array of Yalda Night events in the past, this year’s dinner and dance get-together will be the first of its kind for NIPOC. Guests can look forward to traditional Persian cuisine, featuring fruits, nuts and aromatic delicacies, as well as live musical performances, including popular Iranian entertainer DJ Rushid.
Rooted in Persian culture, Yalda Night, also known as Shabeh Yalda, is an ancient Persian celebration on the night of the winter solstice, symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. This occasion holds cultural and spiritual importance as families and communities gather to celebrate the turning point of the season. Yalda Night serves as a reminder to embrace the warmth of companionship, share stories that span generations, and rejoice in the hope and joy that accompany the lengthening days following the longest night. Tickets can be purchased online for this year's Yalda event.
Theater
Anyone asked to select three upcoming holiday-oriented theater productions might not be faulted for starting with what is essentially the granddaddy of all such shows, South Coast Repertory’s annual staging of “A Christmas Carol.” Although well deserving of the acclaim it roundly receives, the vaunted show is already familiar to most theater fans. So we’ve chosen three other holiday-time stage productions that will get you in the mood for the winter holidays – if you aren’t already. – Eric Marchese
‘Inspecting Carol’
When: Through Dec. 10
Where: Newport Theatre Arts Center, 2501 Cliff Drive, Newport Beach
Cost: $25
Contact: 949-631-0288, NTACtickets.com
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” which turned 180 this year, has been the basis for numerous holiday-time stage adaptations, some of which depict companies of actors struggling to get their own versions of it onto the stage. Such is the 1991 comedy “Inspecting Carol,” in which a pint-sized professional theater company struggles to maintain funding for its annual production of the famed Dickens story despite everyone involved being burned out on doing the show. The troupe’s finances have been yanked, and to obtain funding to keep the doors open, they’ve agreed to allow a government inspector to scrutinize their every move.
Predictably, and comedically, nothing goes according to plan. If the plotline sounds a bit familiar, it’s because playwright Daniel J. Sullivan recycled it from Nikolai Gogol’s satirical 1836 comedy “The Inspector General.”
‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’
When: Dec. 14-17
Where: Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea
Cost: $30
Contact: 714-990-7722, stagesoc.org
Since its first staging years ago, STAGEStheatre’s annual production of this “radio” version of the beloved Frank Capra film became an Orange County holiday theater tradition. The Fullerton-based company now stages the show at the Curtis Theatre in Brea. Playwright Joe Landry has given the now-familiar tale a novel twist, setting the action at a New York City radio station in the 1940s during the holidays. Movie stars and various celebrities stroll in, then offer their faithful listeners the compelling story of George Bailey, who finds himself at an awful impasse one Christmas Eve in his home town of Bedford Falls, New York. Clarence, George’s guardian angel, comes to Earth to convince him that he has touched more lives and done more good than he realizes. A handful of actors portray the story’s dozens of characters, while the radio station setting creates the fun of seeing a “live” broadcast, complete with over-the-air sound effects.
‘A Cinderella Christmas’
When: Dec. 7-29
Where: Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive, Laguna Beach
Cost: $41-$74
Contact: 949-497-2787, lagunaplayhouse.com
For years, Laguna Playhouse has partnered with Lythgoe Family Productions, a longtime Southern California theater scene fixture comprised of a family of theater-loving Brits, to create and stage original family-oriented shows during the holidays. The Lythgoes create each original show, then bring it to Laguna Beach. This year’s staging is the Orange County premiere of “A Cinderella Christmas,” which first appeared at Pasadena Playhouse in 2016.
As with all such Lythgoe shows, it’s what’s known as a “panto” – a performance style originating in England that fuses song and dance, slapstick, jokes and topical humor with a storyline based on a well-known fairy tale, fable or folk tale. The Lythgoe shows Americanize the concept and lean heavily on ‘70s through present-day pop music to generate audience interest. The characters interact with the audience, encouraging their participation. They also typically select kids to come up onto the stage and briefly become part of the show.
‘Santa Claus Conquers the Martians’
When: Through Dec. 23
Where: Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton
Cost: $30; tickets are sold out, a waitlist is available
Contact: 714-526-7070, mavericktheater.com
Maverick Theater’s spoofy live version of the campy ‘60s kiddie flick has become an Orange County holiday theater tradition that’s now in its 17th year, adapted for the stage by Brian Newell, Maverick’s founder and artistic director, and Nick McGee, from the low-budget 1964 B movie. Tickets are sold out; some tickets may become available off a waitlist.
Dance
As expected, Nutcracker productions are aplenty this holiday season as they seek to enchant audiences with Clara's timeless journey. If you’re looking for year-end dance shows that extend beyond the holiday classic, it will take some digging, but upcoming performances do include festive folklorico dance and for the more discerning dance patron, university dance showcases. Whether you crave the comfort of holiday nostalgia or a fresh exploration of dance's possibilities, Orange County invites you to immerse yourself in the magic of movement and artistic expression this festive season. – Kaitlin Wright
Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico
Where: Musco Center for the Arts, 415 N. Glassell St., Orange
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20-21
Cost: Starting at $25
Contact: 714-997-6812, muscocenter.org
Ballet Folklórico de Los Ángeles and Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar blend music, dance and culture in this depiction of Christmas Eve or “Nochebuena.” Spirited folk tales are shared through a display of vibrant colors and dance as mariachi music fills the air. The show consists of traditional Christmas songs like “Sleigh Ride” and “White Christmas,” but performed as mariachi renditions. These selections are paired with traditional and notable Mexican songs like Pepe Aguilar’s “Son las dos de la mañana.” Musco Center’s website warns that the show sells out each year, so secure your tickets early.
University Dance Concerts
California State University, Fullerton’s “In Tandem”
Where: Hallberg Theatre, 800 N. State College Blvd., Fullerton
When: Various times, Nov. 30-Dec. 9
Cost: $14, general; $12 student
Contact: 657-278-3371, artstickets.fullerton.edu
Chapman University’s “Fall Faculty Dance Concert”
Where: Musco Center for the Arts, 415 N. Glassell St., Orange
When: 7:30 p.m. Dec. 1-2
Cost: $10-$20
Contact: 714-997-6812, muscocenter.org
UC Irvine’s “New Slate”
Where: Claire Trevor Theatre, 4002 Mesa Rd, Irvine
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 7-9, 2 p.m. Dec. 9
Cost: $10-$25
Contact: 949-824-2787, dance.arts.uci.edu/events
Explore three Orange County university dance showcases from some of the leading dance programs in the nation. UCI's Department of Dance presents “New Slate,” featuring original choreography by MFA candidates. Cal State Fullerton’s “Fall Dance Theatre: In Tandem” showcases features guest choreographers – including alumnus Bradley Beakes – faculty and students and will be presented for the first time "in the round," where the audience surrounds the stage on all four sides. Finally, Chapman University’s “Fall Faculty Dance Concert” brings together diverse styles and features choreography by Liz Maxwell, Alicia Benneche, Ido Tadmor, Dwight Rhoden, Zach Groenewold and guest artist Megan Doheny. These performances collectively illuminate the dynamic range of exemplary dance in Orange County.
‘The Nutcracker’
American Ballet Theatre
Where: Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: Various times, Dec. 8-17
Cost: Starting at $29
Contact: 714-556-2787, scfta.org
Anaheim Ballet
Where: City National Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 25-26 and 2 p.m. Nov. 26
Cost: Starting at $25
Contact: anaheimballet.org/nutcracker
Festival Ballet Theatre
Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine
When: Various times, Dec. 10-24
Cost: Starting at $45
Contact: festivalballet.org
Step into a winter wonderland where tradition meets artistic inspiration. This year's "Nutcracker" performances in Orange County feature renowned guest artists, impressive sets and costumes (ABT’s are designed by a Tony Award-winner), and local talent.
From the critically acclaimed production by American Ballet Theatre, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky, to the cherished annual renditions presented by local professional companies Anaheim Ballet and Festival Ballet Theatre, every performance promises to be a delight for the senses. Let the timeless melodies of Tchaikovsky guide you through a journey woven with holiday magic.
Visual Arts
‘Tis the season once again for Orange County museums, galleries and art centers to celebrate the holidays! Expect your favorite local venue to be sprucing itself up with holiday lights and winter wonderland decorations. Some will offer special family-oriented events or host pop-up shows, such as the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art from Dec. 1-16.
Here are a handful of holiday highlights, from the north and central parts of the county to the deep south. – Richard Chang
Bowers Museum
Where: 2002 N. Main St., Santa Ana
When: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 3
Cost: Free
Contact: (714) 567-3600; bowers.org
The Bowers Museum is hosting a free family festival, the Celebration of Winter Holidays. The festival will include holiday-themed art activities, face painting and live performances.
On Dec. 17 from 11 a.m. to noon, the Bowers is offering a pattern-stamping workshop with Kiyomi Fukui Nannery. Attendees can learn how to craft unique stamps using everyday items like vegetables, twine and foam. You can use these stamps to design intricately patterned prints, ideal for wrapping paper or personalizing T-shirts and tote bags. This event costs $15 for members, $20 for non-members. Space is limited and advance reservations are encouraged. Participants may bring their own T-shirts or tote bags to decorate with prints.
Muckenthaler Cultural Center
Where: 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton
When: 2-4 p.m. Dec. 17
Cost: $20-$35 for concerts
Contact: (714) 738-6595; themuck.org
Celebrate the holiday season at The Muck with the Darden Sisters’ Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 14. The four sisters – Selah on violin, Clarah on guitar, Havi on mandolin and Tabbi on bass – will perform classic yuletide carols and contemporary holiday songs. Tickets are $20 (members) to $35 (non-members).
On Dec. 17, the Muck will host its annual Holiday Fest, with free family friendly activities, live music, food and drinks, art workshops for kids, and an arts and crafts sale.
On Dec. 21 at 7:30 p.m., Grammy winning “slack key” guitarist Jim Kimo West will bring his own unique musical perspective to the Muck, performing Christmas songs and accompanied by hula dancing. Tickets are $20 (members) to $35.
Capistrano Lights
When: 3:30-6:30 p.m. Dec. 3-30
Where: Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano
Cost: $20 adults, $17 seniors, $14 for children 5-11, and free for children 4 and younger
Contact: (949) 234-1300 or capistranolights.com
Capistrano Lights returns to the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano this holiday season with extended hours and expanded light features. The California historical landmark and its grounds will be transformed with festive lights, community-designed Christmas trees, a large-scale nativity scene in the Ruins of the Great Stone Church (circa 1806), Charles Dickens-era carolers, extended backdrops for holiday photos and the nightly 30-foot tree lighting with music at 5:05 p.m. Children’s activities include Selfies with Santa, crafts by AR Workshop and a daily hunt for Sullivan the Elf and his best friend Poppy. The galleries will remain open until 6:30 p.m. nightly.
33rd Annual Winter Fantasy
Where: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach
When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Fridays-Sundays through Dec. 17
Cost: $10 adults, $7 for seniors, $5 for children 6-12 years old, free for children 5 and younger
Contact: (949) 494-3030 or sawdustsartfestival.org
The Sawdust Art Festival is hosting its 33rd annual Winter Fantasy show, offering unique, handcrafted items by over 160 local and international artists. Three stages are presenting live music and community performances daily, Santa will be present for photos, and there will be carolers, marionette puppet shows, art classes, glassblowing and other art demonstrations.
Christmas Nights at the Casa
Where: Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente
When: 5-7 p.m. Dec. 15-21
Cost: $12 for general admission; $10 for children 2-12; free for children under 2; free on Sundays
Contact: (949) 494-2139 or casaromantica.org
Casa Romantica is open again, and it’s once again transforming into a festively decorated winter wonderland this December. The grounds will be illuminated by thousands of lights with a Casa Lumina Holiday Walk, and letters to Santa – with photo opportunities – will occur on Sunday, Dec. 3 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. (free admission that day). Crafts for kids will be available, as well as holiday treats.
On Dec. 7 and 8 from 7-8 p.m., the Orange County Ballet Theater will present a modified version of the “Nutcracker” ballet. Tickets for this event are $40 each.
CLASSICAL Music
Christmas music is an interesting compartment of our fractured musical world: We all know most of it, by osmosis if nothing else. It’s a community music, a folk music almost, no matter what your religion is. All the more reason to celebrate it as a way to bring us together. Here are three concerts worthy of your attention. —Timothy Mangan
Carols by Candlelight
Where: Our Lady Queen of Angels Catholic Church, 2046 Mar Vista Drive, Newport Beach
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 6
Cost: $25-$80
Contact: pacificchorale.org
A lovely idea, carols sung by professionals, in a peaceful church sanctuary, by candlelight (even if faux). The program is sophisticated too, calm and complex, ranging from Howells to Muhly to Praetorius. The singalongs are minimal and should be painless. A crack collection of Pacific Chorale singers performs, along with guests.
Handel’s Glorious Messiah
Where: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa
When: 3 p.m. Dec. 3
Cost: $53-$215
Contact: pacificsymphony.org
Handel’s Messiah was never intended as a Christmastime piece. The first performance was a charity event in April 1742, in Dublin, which raised enough money to get more than 140 people out of debtors' prison. But a Christmastime piece now it is, a go-to for choral organizations all over the planet. The Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale have collaborated for decades on a high quality performance of this entertaining masterpiece, right across the street from the shopping mall. This year the Chorale’s artistic director Robert Istad conducts.
The Holidays with Canadian Brass
Where: Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine
When: 8 p.m. Dec. 18
Cost: $38-$98
Contact: philharmonicsociety.org
The Canadian Brass have long been a standard for instrumental virtuosity. Plus, their humor and burnished sound make them the perfect group for a lively Christmas program. This is a good show. This year they’ll play everything from “Penny Lane” to “The Canuck Cracker.”
Food and Drinks
As we head into the holiday season, restaurant announcements on grand and modest scales remind us to nourish and feed our souls first before taking care of others. From maple bacon happiness in Anaheim to expert pasta in Aliso Viejo, this short list will make all spirits bright. – Anne Marie Panoringan
Trattoria Trullo Opening
Where: 26611 Aliso Creek Road, Unit C, Aliso Viejo
When: January
Cost: tbd
Contact: www.trattoriatrullo.com
A traditional stone house with a conical roof, Trullo was the name chosen by Chef Marco Criscuolo because it is associated with the Puglia region of Italy where he was raised. With a culinary résumé that includes stints at Santa Barbara’s Bacara Resort and most recently as head chef of Andrea at Pelican Hill, his commitment to regional specialties and handmade pasta will bring next-level dining to the town center.
Salt and Lime Modern Taqueria Opening
Where: 350 E. 17th St., Suite 2, Costa Mesa
When: Late December
Cost: Food starting at $6; cocktails starting at $12
Contact: www.saltandlimetacos.com
Chef Zach Ficke’s first brick-and-mortar is a Tulum-inspired, fast-casual delve into tacos with international influences and seasonal twists. Taco purists will encounter a progressive dining menu (think curry-dusted chicken and mushroom confit flavors) while sipping their specialty margarita. Happy Hour and Taco Tuesday are also on the agenda.
Great Maple Pixar Place Now Open
Where: 1717 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim
When: Open as of Nov. 15 to walk-ins; formal reservations accepted Nov. 21
Cost: Entrees start at $16
Contact: www.thegreatmaple.com
The fourth location of this Modern American eatery opened last week. Serving three square meals daily, this specific Great Maple branch closes between 2-5 p.m. to reset for evening service. Remember to request the (buttermilk fried chicken and) signature maple bacon doughnuts. Note: The Paradise Pier Hotel rebrand officially converts to Pixar Place Hotel on Jan. 30, 2024.
Mercado González by Northgate González Market Opens
Where: 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa
When: Newly open as of Nov. 17
Cost: Varies
Contact: https://www.northgatemarket.com/mercado
This 70,000 square foot space encompasses 21 puestos (food stalls) with hand-painted signage, a performance stage, bespoke murals from renowned Mexican artists, an outdoor bar and community kitchens in addition to Northgate’s supermarket aisles. On-site, high-end dining room Maizano will accept reservations beginning Nov. 22. Market hours are from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily; individual puesto hours will vary.
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