Beyond Orange County
What to expect at Winter Fest 2018
Winter Fest OC is back at the OC Fair & Event Center! Winter Fest OC, Southern California’s largest winter experience, returns to the Orange County Fair & Event Center December 20th through January 6th. Get into the holiday spirit as Winter Fest features 40,000 square feet of new attractions and brings back popular activities including an outdoor ice-skating rink, ice tubing at Snowflake Summit, real Snow Play, and so much more. Winter Fest OC will debut its fourth consecutive year with new entertainment and attractions including SoCal Dicken’s Village, Candy and Snowflake Wonderland, and an expanded Festival of Lights tunnel.
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We’ll be there on opening day (December 20th) sharing pictures and videos of what to expect because our familia loves a good time, and snow play is rare for us. A visit to Winter Fest will give us snow play AND ice tubing, a visit with Santa and his reindeer and even some ice skating with a holiday classic playing in the background. Follow us on our social channels and follow the hashtag #WinterFestOC. Meanwhile, here’s more info on ticket prices, parking info and, of course, a GIVEAWAY!
About Winter Fest
Winter Fest embodies the spirit of the winter season, bringing fun and merriment to sunny Southern California. Experience ice-skating with a theater-sized screen playing holiday films in the background, ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, nightly snowfall and tree lighting, festive entertainment, reindeer feedings, and more than 30 carnival rides and games. Winter Fest is filled with seasonal foods, craft cocktails, magical lights, and holiday décor including the world’s largest ornament. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present at Winter Fest too!
New to Winter Fest This Year
SoCal Dicken’s Village – Take a trip down memory lane through the 1800’s with holidays past, present, and future. Decorate Christmas cookies, listen to holiday storytelling, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (through Christmas Eve), take a pony ride, and visit the new Victorian holiday shops.
Candy and Snowflake Wonderland – Step into an interactive wonderland full of candy and snowflakes with a new selfie experience that is sure to delight visitors and capture the picture-perfect Instagram moment.
Festival of Lights – Stroll through Winter Fest’s 100-foot-tunnel of two million lights to explore five lands with animated displays. For additional fun for the kids, make sure to ride through the Festival of Lights on the trackless train.
Orange Ball New Year’s Eve Celebration – Ring in the New Year not once, but twice, with a special countdown, Orange Ball drop, fireworks and an unforgettable balloon drop at both 6pm and midnight. Multiple live bands will be playing to commemorate the end of the year, and the start of a new one.
Club Winter Fest – Private, ice rink-side VIP cabanas are available nightly starting at only $69 per session, creating the ultimate destination for holiday office parties, family retreats or date nights. Enjoy the all-new lounge area with exquisite views of the nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony featuring fireworks, snow flurries and a free drink upon entry. Tickets are limited.
Back by Popular Demand
Snowflake Summit – Visit Snowflake Summit for unlimited ice-tube racing down the 150 foot, eight lane slide. Fast Pass wristbands are available starting at only $10 to skip the general admission line.
Flying Santa and his Reindeer – Don’t miss the magic of the North Pole as Santa and his reindeer fly over the fairgrounds December 20th – December 24th. This spectacle takes place during the nightly Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and features fireworks and snow flurries.
Penny’s Snow Play – Fresh snow blown in daily to make SoCal’s largest snow play attraction with two snow arenas: one caters to toddlers and the other to kids (and kids at heart.)
Also returning are the world’s largest rocking horse, wintery-themed bounce houses for kids, a giant walk-through ornament, strolling carolers, petting zoo, character meet and greets, crafts, arcade games, more than 30 carnival rides and games, and seasonal food and beverages. Families are also invited to celebrate El Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings’ Day on January 6th where Winter Fest will honor the tradition of the Three Kings with a parade and live camel.
Dates
December 20 through January 6
Where
OC Fair & Events Center 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Prices
Online ticket purchases are less than tickets purchased at the event even with the additional fees charged for online tickets.
Select discounts are offered for First Responders, Teachers, and Military/Veterans with proof of ID. First Responders are guaranteed free admission on Wednesday, December 26th and January 2nd, Teacher Appreciation Days are Friday, December 21st, 28th, and January 4th, and Military/Veterans are guaranteed free admission on Thursday, December 20th, 27th, and January 3rd.
Tickets and select value packages are available now starting at only $10.
Parking
$8.00 per vehicle
Ice Skating Rink
The Hangar building inside the fairgrounds will be transformed into an elegant festival space with a massive ice skating rink, where brilliant hanging snowflakes light up the ice below. Onlookers can watch skaters circle the rink while beloved holiday films play on the theater-sized projection screen in the background. You are able to bring in your own ice skates to save on rentals.
Food
Come hungry as Winter Fest OC has a wide selection of seasonally inspired foods from grilled entrees to desserts, cocktails, craft beers and wines. Visit the Slippery Slope Ski Lodge with your family for a ski-lodge vibe with holiday themed cuisine and drinks, mountain decor, TV’s to catch your favorite bowl game. Comfortable seating is available both inside the restaurant and outside on the deck.
Get Winter Fest OC tickets here.
Follow Winter Fest on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more info.
WinterFest OC Ticket Giveaway
Enter for a chance to win four (4) Ultimate Platinum Passes (valued at $75 each). Each ticket includes admission, an Ice Skating session, unlimited carnival rides, Snowflake Summit ice tubing fast pass, and access to the all-new Club Winter Fest to enjoy a drink with the voucher at the bar.
Originally published on November 27, 2018. Last Updated on December 4, 2018 by Pattie Cordova