Holiday Events All Month Long
You’ll find holiday fun around every corner in Newport Beach with festive events for your enjoyment all season long! Eat, drink and be merry!
Fashion Island Christmas Tree Lighting
In case you missed the Tree Lighting Ceremony in November, there is an opportunity every night at 5:00pm until January 4, 2015 to view Fashion Island’s elaborately decorated towering tree as it twinkles to life, Disney style, with custom Disney holiday music and glittering lights. Make a day (or night) of it and be sure to peruse over 125 shops, followed by an indulgent meal at one of Fashion Island’s chic restaurants.
Christmas at the Beach
Balboa Village – Home of the Fun Zone invites you to kick-off the holiday season at the beloved holiday event, Christmas at the Beach on December 6, 2014 at 2pm – 6pm. Celebrate the season with the whole family with the Christmas tree-lighting ceremony, performance by Southern California Children’s Chorus, photos with Santa Claus, live entertainment, children’s activities, winter-themed bounce house and animated characters from your child’s favorite winter movie. This is an absolute can’t miss of the season!
18th Annual Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Gift Bazaar
This one-of-a-kind event gives visitors an art experience at a charming location rich with history by the sand and sea, on December 6, 2014 from 9am-5:30pm. All day at Crystal Cove Historic District, browse over 20 nationally known plein air artists, local artisans with handcrafted jewelry and ceramics. The event ends at sunset, with a magnificent evergreen tree lighting ceremony that will illuminate the Crstal Cove’s picturesque beach.
Corona del Mar Christmas Walk
The merchants of the quaint village of Corona del Mar are opening their doors on December 7, 2014 from 11am – 4pm for one, for all. Attendees can stroll at their leisure in-and-out of boutiques, vendors, restaurants and more along Pacific Coast Highway. What’s more, ‘The Walk” gives you live music, beer and wine garden, Firemen’s BBQ, exhibitions and prize drawings. The kids will love the bouncy houses, holiday characters and games! This locally-loved event will be one you look forward to year, after year!
18th Annual Balboa Island Holiday Home Walking Tour
On December 7, 2014 from 11am – 4pm, explore extravagantly decorated cottages and bungalows on Newport Beach’s island gem, Balboa Island. Balboa Island homes are famous for their creative and over-the-top holiday decorations that you have to see to believe. With interior and exterior festive home displays, the Balboa Island Home Walking Tour will surely ignite your holiday spirit. The tour is independent and tickets are $25.
106th Annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
You’re invited to celebrate the 106th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, the nation’s longest running lighted holiday boat parade, for five jam-packed nights on December 17-21, 2014. The parade starts at Bay Island at 6:30 pm and finishes at the same site at approximately 9:00 pm each evening. On opening night, Wednesday, December 17, Newport Beach natives – comedic actress Leslie Mann and singer/actor Mark McGrath of Sugar Ray will reign as the first-ever Grand Marshals for the parade. Hailed as one of the “World’s Best Christmas Parades” by Conde Nast Traveler and one of “Top Ten Christmas Happenings in the Nation” by the New York Times, the Newport Harbor transforms into an illuminated wonderland. Over 100 vessels of all sizes are adorned from top to bottom with lights, decorations, moving displays, dancers, music and more! The theme this year is Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly. For more information on the Christmas Boat Parade please visit www.christmasboatparade.com.
Ring of Lights
Serving as the backdrop for the hundreds of lighted boats in the parade is the annual “Ring of Lights” contest, hosted by the Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce. For the month of December, beautifully decorated bayside homes and businesses surrounding the harbor go “all out” with their own holiday spirit, featuring everything from roof-top animated scenes to dancing Christmas trees. With its own judged categories and prizes awarded, the “Ring of Lights” has become as celebrated as the boat parade itself.
Newport Beach wishes you happy holidays! For a full listing of Newport Beach events and for more holiday information, please visit www.visitnewportbeach.com
