FRIDAY, DEC. 2
CANDY CANE LANES HOME DECORATING CONTEST
The Dana Point Youth Board is inviting residents to participate in the annual holiday home decorating contest, which will take place from Dec. 19 through Dec. 22. The Youth Board will visit the homes entered in the contest and judge them for best overall, most creative, and best use of a theme. Winners will receive a sign to proudly display in their yard and gift cards to local Dana Point businesses. Enter your home to be featured on the Candy Canes Lanes map published on the City of Dana Point’s website and social media. To enter your home, email Salma Lopez at slopez@ danapoint.org or call 949.248.3534. Deadline to enter the contest is Dec. 16. inner will e noti ed a ter an. .
LETTERS TO SANTA
Santa and his elves at the North Pole are eagerly awaiting your letters so he can write back to you. If you would like to write Santa a letter, please make sure you print your name and address on the letter clearly, so Santa can return a special letter to you. Deadline to submit your letter is Dec. 12. Mail your letters to: Letters to Santa c/o City of Dana Point Recreation. 34052 Del Obispo Street, Dana Point, CA, 92629.
HARBOR LIGHTS CRUISE
6 p.m.-7 p.m. Dana Wharf invites visitors to take a boat ride around the Dana Point Harbor and enjoy holiday music and the light displays. These family-friendly cruises are available on select weekend nights, including Dec. 2-4 and Dec. 1618. Tickets for adults are $25 per person, children ages 3-12 are $15 per person, and toddlers ages 2 and under are $5 each. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com.
SATURDAY, DEC. 3
BREAKFAST WITH SANTA
9-11 a.m. Enjoy a catered breakfast along with a meet-and-greet with Santa. Children’s activities will also be featured. Tickets are $15 per person. Proceeds ene t the oy irl lu o the South Coast Area. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com.
BOAT RIDES WITH
SANTA a.m. .m. ana har ort hing hale atching will ho t oat ide with Santa on Dec. 3-4. Take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea for a $5 donation, with proceeds supporting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Reservations required. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com.
SANTA’S JOLLY TROLLEY
1:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves from the City of Dana Point’s Recreation Diviion will ride the olly rolley and to at park locations and hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age. Santa’s elves will also collect letters for Santa. The trolley will stop at Sunset Park from 1:30-2 p.m.; at Dana Woods Park from 2:30-3 p.m.; Sea Canyon Park from 3:30-4 p.m.; and La Plaza Park from 4:30-5:30 p.m. recreation@danapoint. org. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Watch a live perfor mance of the holiday classic A Christmas Carol at an uan a i trano local theater. Performances through Dec. 18. Camino Real Playhouse, 31776 El Camino eal an uan a i trano. . . . caminorealplayhouse.com.
CAPISTRANO LIGHTS
4-6 p.m. The annual holiday program will return with festive lights, music and audio tours. There will also be Christmas trees, a Nativity scene, carolers, photo opportunities and nightly tree lightings. Capistrano Lights will be open on select date through ec. . Mi ion an uan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road, an uan a i trano. . . . capistranolights.com.
SANTA’S VILLAGE BY THE SEA AND PUTTIN’ ON THE GLITZ
4-8 p.m. The City of San Clemente and the San Clemente Downtown Business Association present this festive down town holiday tradition along Avenida Del Mar featuring music, food, hot choco late, popcorn, games, Snow Hill, cookie decorating, and crafts. Enjoy late-hours shopping among the twinkling lights, carolers, street musicians and an artisans market. The city will also hold its tree lighting at the Community Center. Santa’s arrival starts at the top of Del Mar, around 4 p.m. san-clemente.org. scdba.org.
LA PLAZA TREE LIGHTING
4:30-5:30 p.m. This tree-lighting event will feature carolers, hot chocolate and cookies. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. The countdown to light the tree will begin at 5:15. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza St, Dana Point. recreation@danapoint.org. 949.248.3536.
SUNDAY, DEC. 4
‘SLEIGH THE HOLIDAYS’ MARKET & FESTIVAL
11 a.m.-6 p.m. This curated holiday market on Del Prado will showcase local artisans and small businesses, as well as gourmet street food, specialty cocktail bars, live music, carolers, and a kids’ zone with activities for families. Del Prado Avenue, Dana Point. thepopupshoppesoc@gmail.com.
MONDAY, DEC. 5
PINES PARK TREE LIGHTING
4:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will be arriving at Pines Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years of age. The event features carolers, hot chocolate and cookies. The tree lighting will take place at 5:15 p.m. Bring an unwrapped toy for the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano. recreation@danapoint.org. 949.248.3536.
THURSDAY, DEC. 8
CASA ‘NUTCRACKER’
7-8 p.m. Performed by the Orange County Ballet Theater, the abridged version of the holiday classic The Nutcracker features choreography tailored to Casa Romantica’s Main Salon theater. The runtime is one hour and 20 minutes. Tickets are $40. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 9
SURFIN’ USA DANA POINT HARBOR BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS
7 p.m. The Dana Point Harbor Partners invites visitors to gather on the water to view all the boats participating in the parade, as well as the beautiful harbor scenery. The 47th annual boat parade
will take place beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday, and at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, and Sunday, Dec. 11. The harbor’s eet will oin rivate oater rom all over Orange County as they decorate their boats, and everyone will vie for awards from Judges’ Choice to Best Use of Lights, as well as for cash prizes and gi t certi cate . ana oint ar or 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. 949.496.5794.
DANA POINT BOAT PARADE CRUISE
6:30-8 p.m. Join Capt. Dave’s Dana Point Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari aboard one of their catamarans to be a part of the Dana Point Boat arade o Light and en oy the ight of decorated boats and holiday music lling the air. ic et or the minute cruise are $39 per person for all ages. Capt. Dave’s, 24440 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. dolphinsafari.com. 949.488.2828.
SATURDAY, DEC. 10
SANTA PAWS
Noon-6 p.m. Bring your favorite furry friend to the Outlets at San Clemente to have their picture taken with Santa. The cost is $15 for one picture, and additional photos can be purchased for $10. Pictures will take place at Center Court under the “World’s Tallest Tree.” ll roceed ene t the animal at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. et ro ect oundation.org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 11
HOLIDAY JAZZ BRUNCH
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season with a special program featuring songstress Maria Schafer and a special brunch menu. Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $40. The Casino San Clemente, 140 W. Avenida Pico, San Clemente. eventbrite.com.
SUNSETS WITH SANTA
.m. n oy anta wee end vi it to the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as the backdrop. Visitors are recommended to bring their own cameras. San Clemente Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.361.8264.
SATURDAY, DEC. 17
SANTA PADDLE
9 a.m. Celebrate a California Christmas by dressing up like a reindeer, snowman, elf or Santa for this family-fun Santa Paddle. The paddle group will meet at Baby Beach in the Dana Point Harbor. standuptotrash.com. 34551 Puerto Place, Dana Point.
SANTA PAWS
10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation will host the 10th annual Santa Paws in the Clock Courtyard in Dana Point. Pet photos with Santa will be offered or a donation with all proceeds supporting the Pet Project Foundation. Clock Courtyard, 34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. petprojectfoundation.org. 949.492.1617. info@petprojectfoundation.org.
SUNDAY, DEC. 18
CHANUKAH
ON THE PIER
4 p.m. The Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente invites the community to participate in the lighting of its 10-foot menorah with music and more. There will also be a Build-a-Dreidel Workshop. Register online at jewischsc.com. San Clemente Municipal Pier, 622 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.489.0723.
TUESDAY, DEC. 20
CHANUKAH
AT THE OUTLETS
5-6 p.m. Join the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente at the Outlets at San Cle mente for its Grand Menorah Lighting. RSVP at jewishsc.com/outlets. Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente. 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com.