Celebrate the Holidays in Irvine, CA!
Irvine, California, is one of the best places to spend the holidays, whether you live here or are visiting for the season. The weather is temperate enough to get out and enjoy nature, and we’re near dozens of festivities. If you’re looking for holiday activities in or near Irvine, here are a few of the best things to enjoy, including great shows and performances, events, and opportunities to give back to the community.
Activities
Shows and Performances
Shopping
Opportunities to Share
Safe Celebration
Activities
You don’t need to stay bundled up inside to enjoy the holiday season! Here are a few of our favorite activities near Irvine that include getting outside and enjoying the cool weather.
Holidayz at the Park: At the Orange County Great Park in Irvine, from November 19 to January 1, you can enjoy a winterscape of holiday-themed displays, lights, and events. For example, the Palm Court Light Display offers the chance to stroll through decorations such as a larger-than-life airplane, paying tribute to the park’s military roots, playfully taken over by the Grinch. The lights are on daily from dusk until 9:30 p.m.
Ice Skating at Great Park Ice & Five Point Arena: Ice skating is a great way to be active and pick up a new skill. The Great Park Ice is one of the most popular ice skating rinks in the area. Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy public ice skating sessions and learn how to skate. Because all sessions will be limited capacity, you will have to register before you go. If you’re interested, you can register at this link!
All is Bright Celebration & Tree Lighting: In Aliso Viejo, you can enjoy the annual lighting of a 22-foot tall tree, featuring a visit from Santa Claus, crafts like ornament making, train rides, caroling, and opportunities for giving. All they ask is that you bring an unwrapped gift for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. They will even have snow to enjoy! This event takes place on December 1 from 5 to 8 p.m.
South Coast Botanic Garden’s GLOW Event: The GLOW event is hosted every year at the Botanic Garden in Palos Verdes Peninsula, where thousands of lights are strung up and you can enjoy delicious food and drinks. Plus, you can experience stunning views of the beach, waterfalls, bayou, and kelp forest. Running from November 20 to January 17, this year’s GLOW event will include interactive experiences and specially themed nights, making each year a completely unique adventure.
Wild Light and Jungle Nights: Make unforgettable holiday memories at America’s Teaching Zoo under a wonderland of lights! On December 2, start your journey at Santa’s workshop and walk past the 12-foot holiday tree before taking a 45-minute stroll through the zoo filled with lights, photo ops, and seasonal magic!
Shows and Performances
On top of fun events and activities, shows and performances are another festive way to celebrate the best time of the year! Whether you want to watch a show or star in one, here are a couple of fun performances to catch this year.
The Nutcracker: The Nutcracker ballet is a holiday classic! Our very own city hosts a production of the ballet as presented by Festival Ballet Theatre at the Irvine Barclay Theatre. The story follows a girl named Clara as she takes a magical journey to mystical, festive lands and features some of the most iconic songs from Tchaikovsky’s score. People of all ages are sure to enjoy the beautiful music and dances in this ballet! Don’t miss your chance to see The Nutcracker in Irvine on December 10–24.
Shopping
We also love the holidays because it is the perfect time to show those love by giving gifts and letters of appreciation. It is also a great opportunity to give to those in need and make this time of year a great experience for everyone!
Irvine Spectrum Center: The Irvine Spectrum Center is one of the best shopping malls in the area! It has some of the most popular stores all in one place, making it the perfect holiday shopping stop for everyone in the family. With stores like Lucky Brand, Urban Outfitters, Lush, H&M, and more, you can find all of your must-have brands there.
Opportunities to Share
Kids Give to Kids Toy Drive: The holidays are such a great time for giving back to the community. The annual toy drive is something you can do with your kids to give toys to other children. Want to donate at a different time of the year too? It’s easy! You and your kids can choose to donate toys they don’t play with at any time through their app.
Safe Celebration
On top of enjoying holiday events in Irvine, it’s also important to stay safe this holiday season! According to the US Fire Administration, this time of the year is the top time for home candle fires. In fact, Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve are the top three days of the year with the most fires caused by candles! Everyone loves a pumpkin- or pine-scented candle, but be safe by monitoring them and never leaving them unattended.
Christmas trees are another common fire hazard. They cause hundreds of fires every year due to electrical light shortages or the flames from candles—especially when the tree is dry and neglected. If you’re someone who loves to keep a real tree in your apartment, be sure to water it regularly to minimize the risk of home fires. Stay safe this holiday season!
We wish you the happiest holiday season filled with the best holiday activities in Irvine, CA. We hope you enjoy these holiday activities, events, shows, and opportunities for shopping and giving back. Let us know what you like most about the holiday season!
We’d love to see your holiday fun! If you decorate for the holidays or try out one of the activities above, post a photo on social media, tag us, and use #TisTheSeasonAtAMC.
From all of us at Axis 2300 Apartments in Irvine, CA, Happy Holidays!
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