Orange County Tree Lighting Ceremonies (2024)

Christmas season is here and we have a great list of Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Orange County! We love these FREE family events.

For ease of use, this list of Orange County tree lighting events in Orange County list is organized by city in alphabetical order. Take a look and let us know if we missed one of your favorite Orange County tree lighting ceremonies! Email ([email protected]) or message us on Facebook.

Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies in Orange County

ALISO VIEJO
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting Ceremony
November 30, 2023 | 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Aliso Viejo Town Center, Aliso Creek and Pacific Park Dr., Aliso Viejo
Usher in the holiday season with tons of cheer, train rides, caroling, magical snow and a visit from jolly ole St. Nick as we light our 22-foot Christmas tree! Near the fountain.

ANAHEIM
Nutcracker Christmas Tree-Lighting and Holiday Shopping Village | City Hall
December 8, 2024 | 12:00pm – 7:00 pm
Take photos with Santa, enter the Candy Canine dog costume contest, shop local vendors, and watch as we light up the Center Street Promenade tree to mark the start of the Christmas season!

BREA
Christmas Tree Lighting | Civic and Cultural Center
December 5, 2024 | 6:30pm – 8:00pm
Light up the holiday at the City of Brea’s annual tree lighting celebration. Live music and entertainment will put everyone in the holiday spirit. Watch the holiday tree light up the evening and see children’s eyes sparkle when Mr. and Mrs. Claus drop in for a visit. Pictures with Santa are available for a fee. Cookies and hot chocolate will be served.

BUENA PARK
Christmas Tree Lighting | City Hall
December 6, 2024 | 6:00pm
Entertainment, festivities, and even a visit from Santa Claus himself, makes the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting you won’t want to miss! Food trucks will be serving up tamales, hot chocolate and more!

For more information, please call (714) 562-3860 or visit BuenaPark.com.

COSTA MESA
South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony | Town Center Park (Adjacent to The Westin South Coast Plaza)
November 21, 2024 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
FREE Kick off the holiday season with cheer at the annual South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 21, featuring many of OCSA’s talented student artists. Sit back and enjoy as our singers, dancers, and musicians whisk you away on a magical musical tour to the North Pole! General and lawn seating will be available to the public at no cost on a limited first-come, first-served basis.

CYPRESS
Cypress Holiday Sing and Tree Lighting | On the Civic Center Green, Corner of Orange Ave. & Grindlay St.
December 3, 2024 | 6:00 pm
This festive holiday evening will include: 

• Performances from local schools
• Train rides
• Hot chocolate & cookies
• Letters to Santa, cards to Veterans
• Crafts
• Life-sized games
• A visit from Santa himself

Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some wonderful holiday memories!

The event is festival seating, chairs and blankets are highly recommended. Free parking is available in the Civic Center parking lot. 

For more information, please call Cypress Recreation and Community Services at (714) 229-6780.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY
Fountain Valley Tree Lighting | Fountain Valley Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst Street
December 7, 2024 | 4:30pm – 8:00pm
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Fountain Valley Recreation and Community Services will have their annual Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Fountain Valley Sports Park. 

The event is FREE to the public so put on a jolly smile and celebrate with us at the Fountain Valley Sports Park on Brookhurst and Heil.

GARDEN GROVE
Winter in The Grove | Village Green Park, 12732 Main Street, Garden Grove
December 7, 2024 | 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Join us for Winter in the Grove on Saturday, December 7th from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Village Green Park! The event will feature song and dance performances from local schools and performers, holiday crafts and inflatable activities for children of all ages, a holiday craft boutique featuring handmade gifts from local vendors, and a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus!

50 tons of snow to create nine snow slides for the whole family to enjoy!

IRVINE
Christmas Tree Lighting | Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex
December 7, 2024 | 3:00pm – 8:00pm
Live, holiday music and activities designed for guests of all ages that are sure to inspire festive cheer. The highlight of the evening will be the dazzling lighting ceremony of the Holiday Tree, adorned with thousands of radiant, glistening lights. 

Guests are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift suitable for infants or children up to age 12 in support of the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Holiday Toy Drive.

You can visit the Irvine Fine Arts Center’s Holiday Market and browse handcrafted, holiday-inspired items from a curated selection of skilled vendors and artisans. The Holiday Market will also be open Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

Nightly Tree Lighting | Irvine Spectrum – Giant Wheel Court
November 29, 2024 – January 5, 2025 | 5:00pm
From Nov. 29 to Jan. 5, stop by the beautifully decorated 75-foot tree in Giant Wheel Court every night to see it come to life with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes beginning at 5 pm.*

LAGUNA BEACH
Hospitality Night and Tree Lighting Ceremony | Peppertree Parking Lot – Downtown Laguna Beach 
December 6, 2024 | 5:00pm – 9:00pm
The City will be hosting arts and crafts and holiday card writing to U.S. military personnel overseas in the lot until 8 p.m. Street closures in the downtown area will begin at 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Portions of Forest Avenue, Ocean Avenue, Beach Street, and the Peppertree Parking Lot will be closed to vehicular traffic prior to and during the event.

ORANGE
Tree Lighting Ceremony and Candlelight Choir Procession | Old Towne Orange
December 8, 2024 | 3:30pm – 7:00pm
Come join us for an evening of holiday cheer and family fun as we sing traditional carols of the season with the Orange Community Master Chorale led by Musical Director, Michael Short. Our local non-profit groups will be there too with yummy treats, and youth activities, for a nominal charge.

2022 event: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClxNi7RDKlM/

PLACENTIA
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Placentia Civic Center Plaza
December 5, 2024 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
The event will feature a NEW snow play area from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please wear warm clothing and gloves to participate. Additionally, the event will feature performances by the Musical Theatre University, the lighting of the Menorah by the Chabad Beth Meir Hacohen, Holiday crafts, the lighting of the Holiday Tree, hot chocolate and coffee sponsored by Golden State Coffee Roasters, and tasty treats from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Photos with Santa Claus will be available from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Please bring your own camera for photos. The Holiday Tree will be lit every evening throughout the Holiday Season. For more information on City events, contact Community Services at (714) 993-8232. 

RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Lago Santa Margarita Lakeshore, 21472 Avenida De Los Fundadores
December 7, 2024 | 5:00pm – 7:00pm
Enjoy the season’s sights, sounds, and treats with family and friends at the Lago Santa Margarita! The festivities will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Lakeshore. Stroll through the all-new “Trail of Lights”, enjoy complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, and decorate a festive stocking. Watch a holiday dance performance and storytelling of “The Night Before Christmas” while anticipating Santa and Mrs. Claus’s arrival to help light the Christmas tree at 6 p.m.! Take your professional family photo with Santa and Mrs. Claus sponsored by FatDaddy’s Bakery!

SAN CLEMENTE
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Outlets at San Clemente
November 16, 2024 | 5:00pm
The night begins with live performances by the talented students from OCSA, the soulful Full Circle Boys, and the incredible Calvary South OC, leading up to an exciting headliner performance by country singer Caleb Lee Hutchinson. Then, get ready for a special visit from Santa Claus as he helps light up the season with a spectacular countdown. To cap off the evening, prepare to be amazed by our magical Snow Show! 

2022 event: https://www.instagram.com/p/ClK24L_D02l/

TUSTIN
Tree Lighting Ceremony | Old Town Tustin
December 6, 2024 |
Get ready to kick off the holiday season with a magical celebration you won’t want to miss. The Tree Lighting Concert is a festive extravaganza that combines the joy of the holidays with the power of music, creating unforgettable memories for everyone.

WINTER HOLIDAY EVENTS IN ORANGE COUNTY

Originally published on October 24, 2023. Last Updated on November 18, 2024 by Pattie Cordova