HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS THURSDAY, NOV. 28 42nd Annual Turkey Trot
6 a.m. The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce’s 42nd annual Turkey Trot will be held Thanksgiving Day. Registration opens at 6 a.m., with races starting at 7. Participants will receive shirts and medals. 949.496.1555. Dana Point Harbor, Dana Point. turkeytrot.com.
Turkey Trot on the Ranch
7:30 a.m. Thanksgiving Day race and other events at the Ranch. Proceeds from the race will benefit The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. Registration/packet pick-up opens at Sendero Field and The Pavilion. Start locations are The Pavilion, 2 Tierno
Road, Rancho Mission Viejo and Sendero Field, 29201 Ortega Highway, Rancho Mission Viejo. Visit turkeytrotontheranch.com for full times and more information.
FRIDAY, NOV. 29 ‘A Christmas Carol’
8 p.m. Adaptation of the classic story directed by Darrell Hill at the Camino Real Playhouse. Runs through Dec. 22. Individual show times for each day vary. Dickens will be introduced to the audience, observe, and perform roles. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.8082. Visit caminorealplayhouse.org for schedule and ticket information. (Continued)
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS SATURDAY, NOV. 30 Small Business Saturday in San Clemente
All day. Support local businesses in Downtown San Clemente during the annual holiday. Avenida del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. scdba.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 6 45th Annual Boat Parade of Lights
4:30-7:30 p.m. Dana Point Harbor will undergo a Tiki Holiday takeover. Also held Dec. 7, 13-14. Festivities begin at 4:30 p.m., and the boat parade starts at 7:30. Dana Point Harbor, 34571 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. 949.388.3663. danapointharbor.com.
Holiday Storytelling
5 p.m. Children and families can enjoy a selection of holiday storytelling at the Eco-Adventure Center at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Donations of new children’s books will be collected for Miracles for Kids. Also happens Dec. 7, 13, and 14. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com.
SATURDAY, DEC. 7 Boat Rides with Santa
10 a.m.-2 p.m. Join Santa and Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching on a 20-minute cruise around Dana Point Harbor to take pictures with Santa and his holiday helpers. Boat rides will be offered Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 7-8. During your holiday adventure at sea, a $5 donation benefiting the El Camino Real Junior Woman’s Club is welcome and appreciated. Voyagers can take the Boat Ride with Santa at Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, located on the east end of the Harbor near Waterman’s Harbor at Dock 1. For more information, call 949.496.5794 or 949.923.2255 or visit online at danawharf.com.
Santa Paws
9 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation is excited to host the 8th annual Santa Paws event. Bring your pets and have their picture taken with Santa for a small fee at the Clock Courtyard in Dana Point Harbor. All proceeds go to support the Pet Project Foundation, which supports the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. For more information, visit petprojectfoundation.org. 34571 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. 949.492.1617.
Dana Point Winter Festival and Tree Lighting
Noon-5:30 p.m. The annual event will take place at La Plaza Park in Dana Point and fea-
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ture Santa Claus, entertainment, an artisan craft fair, carnival games, rides, crafts for kids, cookie decorating and more. The tree lighting takes place at 5:15 p.m., with free hot chocolate and cookies. 34111 La Plaza, Dana Point. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.
City of San Juan Capistrano Christmas Celebration
4:15-5:45 p.m. Head to the Historic Town Center Park for an evening of entertainment and a Christmas tree lighting. Free shuttle service is available. 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.496.5911. sanjuancapistrano.org.
San Clemente Choral Society Concert
3 p.m. Theme is “Sights, Sounds and Stories of the Holidays.” Tickets are $15 per person. Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, 33501 Stonehill Drive, Dana Point. 949.429.3224. sccs-arts.org.
Annual Christmas Concert and Alternative Gift Fair
4-6 p.m. Join San Clemente Presbyterian Church for a festive evening, as their music ministry collaborates to bring carols celebrating the start of the Advent season. Admission is free, though a free-will offering will be taken. After the concert, go Christmas shopping at the Alternative Gift Fair. 119 N. Ave. de la Estrella, San Clemente. 949.492.6158. scpres.org.
Christmas at the Casa
5-7:30 p.m. Casa Romantica invites the community out to celebrate the holidays at San Clemente’s citywide holiday celebration. There will be snacks and refreshments, photo opportunities with Santa Claus, a bell choir and a traditional choir, kids’ crafts, and other festivities. The free event is held in partnership with the City of San Clemente and is part of Santa’s Village by the Sea. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.
Puttin’ On the Glitz
5-9 p.m. Santa Claus, carolers, and other holiday features will be featured during an evening of shopping, dining, and entertainment in San Clemente. Avenida del Mar, San Clemente. 949.218.5378. scdba.org.
Capistrano Lights Opening Night
5:30-9 p.m. Opening night for the holiday program Capistrano Lights at Mission San Juan Capistrano. There will be holiday readings and other features during the openingnight program. Opening night is a ticketed event. Capistrano Lights is a recurring event going through early January. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.234.1300. Visit capistranolights.com for ticket and schedule information. (Continued)
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS MONDAY, DEC. 9
SUNDAY, DEC. 15
Pines Park Tree Lighting
‘Yappy Howl-iday’!
4-5 p.m. There will be carolers, a dog costume parade, refreshments and other fun activities for the tree lighting at 5 p.m. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point. 949.248.3536. danapoint.org.
THURSDAY, DEC. 12 ‘The Nutcracker’ at Casa Romantica
7-8 p.m. Sit just steps away from the stage at Casa Romantica’s annual production of The Nutcracker. Staged for the intimate Main Salon performance venue, Orange County Ballet Theater delivers a 90-minute version of the beloved holiday ballet—perfect for families. Admission is $40 per person. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.org.
FRIDAY, DEC. 13 Dana Point Symphony Orchestra 3rd Annual Holiday Concert 7:30 p.m. The Dana Point Symphony marks its return for a ninth season with its third holiday concert program. The symphony will perform Hallelujah Chorus, Lord Nelson Mass and other holiday favorites. Purchase your tickets at danapointsymphony.com. St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33866 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point. 949.542.6282.
SATURDAY, DEC. 14 Gingerbread House-Making
10-11 a.m. Bring your children to Casa Romantica for the traditional holiday craft of building gingerbread houses. Limited spaces available; reservations are required. This event is appropriate for children ages 6 and up. A parent or guardian must be present for the duration of the class. Please register only your participating child. Tickets are $12 per person. Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. 949.498.2139. casaromantica.com.
Holiday Nature Crafting at the Reserve
9-11 a.m. Enjoy a cool, winter morning creating treasured keepsakes and personalized gifts made from natural and recycled materials. Take a walk around the area to look for natural treasures for winter plant bundles. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13. The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo Headquarters. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.
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11 a.m.-2 p.m. This festive gathering of canines and their companions provides furry friends with the opportunity to be photographed with the “big dog” himself, Santa Paws. Guests are asked to bring unopened canned or dry dog food, treats, or dog toys to support animals in need. The event is complimentary, with food and beverages available for purchase; proceeds benefit Canine Companions for Independence. The Dana Lawn at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel, One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com
Gingerbread House and Holiday Cookie Decorating
2-4 p.m. Gather with the family to decorate your very own large-scale gingerbread house and holiday cookies with an expert pastry team at The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Complimentary hot cocoa served. $185 per gingerbread house. One Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com.
Merry Monarch Celebration
3-5 p.m. Celebrate the season and support Capistrano Unified School District students at Monarch Beach Resort. There will be student performances, hot cocoa and cookies, visits with Santa Claus and a tree lighting. One hundred percent of ticket sales will benefit music program in the district. Tickets may be purchased at the door for cash only. One Monarch Beach Resort , Dana Point. 949.234.3900. Visit bit.ly/MerryMonarch2019 to purchase tickets in advance.
THURSDAY, DEC. 19 Christmas Bird Count
8-11 a.m. Join experienced birders for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them, though there will be plenty to borrow. Ages 10 and up. Participants must be registered or on the wait list by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, December 18. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy, 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. rmvreserve.org.
TUESDAY, DEC. 31-JAN. 1 New Year’s at San Juan Hills Golf Club
8 p.m.-1 a.m. Ring in the New Year at San Juan Hills Golf Club, with a DJ and a special guest band. The event will feature tapas, appetizer stations and a champagne toast. Guests can take home a souvenir from the New Year’s-themed photo experience. Tickets are $120 per person. 32120 San Juan Creek Road, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.1167. sanjuanhillsgolf.com.