NOVEMBER 29
Christmas Caroling
By Kaila Mellos
Noon-2 p.m. Monarch Bay Plaza is hosting the Charles Dickens Carolers. Enjoy the music or sing along with the classic holiday tunes to ring in the season. With musicianship and spectacular vocal arrangements by founder and director Dr. Kevin St. Clair, guests can enjoy holiday joy while shopping for gifts in the plaza. They will perform at Monarch Bay Plaza on three other Saturday dates during the Holiday Season on Dec. 7, Dec. 14, and Dec. 21. 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point. monarchbayplaza.com.
DECEMBER 1-13
Holiday Decorating Contest: ‘Light up the Night’
Talega residents are invited to participate in the holiday decorating contest for individual homes. Submit entries by emailing TalegaLC@ciramail.com with your first and last name, address, community name, phone number, email, and two photos of your decorated home. Submissions close on December 13. Winners will be announced via Eblast and social media, with the top three homes receiving cheerful prizes. Talega elves will judge entries by visiting the neighborhoods. For more information, visit talegatoday.com under Events & Programs.
DECEMBER 3
Giving Machine
walking around to provide a caroling experience for visitors of all ages. They plan to take guests on a ride through time with the traditional Christmas carols many know and love to the holiday favorites of today with traditional songs like “Oh Holy Night,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by the Jackson 5, or with modern movie song references like the Chipmunks sing “Christmas Don’t Be Late.” 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com
Santa Photos
4-6 p.m. Santa Claus will visit the Harbor on Dec. 5 and Dec. 6, stationed in front of the iconic Dana Point Harbor VW bus in the Clock Courtyard. The festive display will remain without Santa throughout December for all to enjoy after this event. 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com.
5-7 p.m. The Giving Machine is officially returning to Dana Point Harbor on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to kick off the season with the official celebration and launch on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3. The Giving Machine is a charitable vending machine that allows locals to select and donate 30 items, including chickens, pigs, meals, school supplies, and life-saving medicine ranging from $5 to $200. Giving Machine Orange County is partnering with five local charities this year, with 100% of the donations going directly to selected charities. Some featured local charities include the Ocean Institute and Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay, to be matched as part of the #LightTheWorld initiative. On Tuesday, Dec. 3, there will be a celebration with an appearance by Santa, The Kyle Fisher Band, and the In N Out truck catering the event. The Giving Machine will be in Mariner’s Village Clock Courtyard. 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com
Boat Ride with Santa 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale
Watching will host the annual Boat Rides with Santa on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. The 20-minute boat ride will allow guests to take photos with Santa and his holiday helpers on this adventure at sea for a $5 donation, with proceeds supporting Soroptimist of Capistrano Bay. Children can chat and interact with Santa, but there will be no direct contact. All Santa Boat Rides will happen on The Dana Pride, and reservations are required through Dana Wharf’s website. 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danawharf.com.
DECEMBER 5
Holiday Carolers
4-7 p.m. Holiday carolers will stroll through the harbor’s Wharf and Village on Dec. 5, Dec. 12 and Dec 20. The musical group, WestBeat, will be
Christmas
Santa Paws
10 a.m.-3 p.m. The Pet Project Foundation is hosting its annual Santa Paws event. Please bring your favorite furry friend to the beautiful Dana Point Harbor on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8, and have his/ her picture taken with Santa. The cost is $15 for a picture, and visitors will receive the photo immediately. Additional images can be purchased for $10. All proceeds will directly support the Pet Project Foundation to benefit homeless animals at the San Clemente - Dana Point Animal Shelter. The Pet Project Foundation and Dana Point Harbor ask that only well-behaved dogs/pets join the event, and all dogs must be on leashes. Clock Courtyard outside of El Torito, 34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com
DECEMBER 5-6
7-9 p.m.| ‘The Nutcracker’ at Casa Romantica
Enjoy The Nutcracker at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. Performances run on Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m, and Friday, December 6, from 7-9 p.m. Tickets are $50, and seating is limited. Visit casaromantica.org for details and reser-
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DECEMBER 7
10:15-11
p.m. | Cookies and Cocoa with Mrs. Claus
Kick off the holidays with cookies, hot cocoa, and a visit with Mrs. Claus at Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. Tickets are $12 per person, and space is limited. Visit casaromantica.org for reservations.
Holiday Cheers Garden
6-9 p.m. The Tea House on Los Rios in San Juan Capistrano is hosting a Holiday Cheers Garden, presented by the San Juan Capistrano Chamber of Commerce. The event is the perfect festive celebration to kick off the holiday season and will take place immediately following the City of San Juan Capistrano’s Annual Tree Lighting. The Holiday Cheers Garden will be an outdoor gathering featuring live music by the “Bunch of Guys” band. The 21-and-older event will allow guests to enjoy wine, champagne and beer available for purchase. Tickets start at $5. 31731 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuanchamber.com.
service will also be offered throughout San Juan Capistrano throughout the day and into the night. 31872 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.
“Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights”
Opening Night
10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at Orange County’s only Mission. Join The Misson on select days from Dec. 7 to Dec. 29, for daytime admission to the Mission and an evening of holiday programming and fun. “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights” returns this December with tree lighting, Dickens-era carolers, full-scale nativity, and light features, including a lighted halo grove, scented citrus grove, and more — all are included with any Capistrano Lights ticket, which also includes same-day admission to the Mission. The tradition also brings back Community Christmas Trees, Family Wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel. The Capistrano Lights audio tour will also be available throughout December so guests can enjoy hearing the Gospel and the Night Before Christmas reading while learning more about Capistrano Lights evening offerings. Tickets start at $9 and can be purchased online or in person. 26801 Old Mission Road, San Juan Capistrano. missionsjc.com.
San Juan Capistrano Christmas Tree Lighting
4-6 p.m. The City of San Juan Capistrano is hosting the annual Christmas Tree Lighting to kick off the holiday season on Saturday, Dec. 7. Festivities begin at 4 p.m. with pre-show entertainment and a musical holiday production. The tree lighting will occur at 5:45 p.m., followed by various holiday activities. Following the lighting, various activities will be held around the historic Los Rios District, including pictures with Santa Claus, storytime with Mrs. Claus, a holiday puppet show, a s’mores station, and many other holiday crafts. The Orange County Fire Authority will also host a holiday gift drive during the event, and they ask visitors to bring new and unwrapped gifts to donate to designated boxes throughout Los Rios. A free special event trolley
DECEMBER 12-19
5-7 p.m.| Christmas Nights at Casa Romantica
Celebrate the holidays at Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, with thousands of twinkling lights, illuminated gardens, and festive activities. Tickets are available now. Visit casaromantica.org for details.
DECEMBER 13
Little Folk Club
10-11 a.m. Little Folk Club returns to Dana Point Harbor. The event hopes to bring festive holiday joy to the island with decor, photo ops, and plenty of interactive holiday music and fun. Located
near the Richard Henry Dana Statue, Little Folk Club also invites children of all ages to bring their favorite instruments for a special Christmas sing-along. Guests can bring their favorite blankets, towels or chairs to sit and enjoy the music. Victoria Bailey started Little Folk Club in 2016 to introduce children and families in her community to her love of traditional folk music and instruments. 24300-24698 Dana Drive, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com.
Boat Parade of Lights
6:30 p.m. Themed “Santa’s Seaside Carnival,” the harbor’s much anticipated 49th annual Boat Parade of Lights will take place Dec. 13 to Dec. 15, with the parade beginning nightly over the three days. Boaters will get the chance to decorate their vessels to the parade theme for a chance to win up to $10,000 in cash prizes across several award categories, courtesy of Dana Point Harbor Partners. Award categories include Best Use of Theme, People’s Choice, Supervisor’s Cup, Mayor’s Cup, and more. Boaters can sign up online or at The Marina at Dana Point office in person for $20. Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching, Capt. Dave’s Whale Watching and the Ocean Institute offer rides for up close and personal viewing of the boats in the harbor. They are all helping guests get on the harbor to enjoy
the holiday spirit with holiday music, an up-close view of all the boats participating in the parade, and their own fleet will be joining in with all the private boaters from all over Orange County as decorating their boats. Dana Point Habor. danapointharbor.com.
DECEMBER 14
Santa Paws at Outlets at San Clemente
Bring your furry friends to Santa Paws at the Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa. For a $15 donation, receive a printed photo of your pet with Santa at the Christmas Tree. Proceeds benefit the Pet Project Foundation and the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Visit outletsatsanclemente.com for more details.
DECEMBER 17-18
Adopt a Senior for Christmas
Support seniors this holiday season through the Age Well Dorothy Visser Senior Center’s Adopt a Senior for Christmas program. For $25, provide a senior with a holiday meal and heartfelt note. Meals are delivered December 17 and 18. Contact the center at 949.498.3322 or visit 117 Avenida Victoria, San Clemente.
DECEMBER 21
Santa Cares at Outlets at San Clemente
The Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa, will host Santa Cares, a sensory-friendly opportunity for children with special needs to meet Santa in a calm, welcoming environment. Details and signup information will be available soon. Visit outletsatsanclemente.com for updates.
Holiday Modern Makers Mart
10 a.m.-4 p.m. New this year, the Modern Makers Mart will bring a festive Holiday Market to the Harbor’s Island near the Richard Henry Dana Jr. statue and holiday display. Browse creative, handcrafted goods, which can make the perfect for last-minute holiday gifts. The Makers Market is a vibrant hub of creativity where artisans, crafters and creators come together to showcase specialty goods. The market offers diverse goods, from handmade jewelry and pottery to locally sourced foods and one-of-a-kind artwork. Visitors can engage with the makers, learn about their processes, and even commission custom pieces. Shoppers can enjoy live holiday music, an appearance by Santa, and other special performances throughout the day. 24698 Dana Drive, Dana Point. modernmakersmart.com.
who enjoy being out on the water. Those who are interested in participating can dress like a reindeer, snowman, elf, Santa or Mrs. Claus. The Santa Paddle is a community fun event in which participants can bring their own equipment, or Westwind Sailing has equipment for rent at a 20% discount, donating $5 for every piece of equipment rented. The paddle will start on the beach at Baby Beach, where a group photo will be taken on the water, and then a paddle around the island. 34451 Ensenada Place, Dana Point. standuptotrash.com.
DECEMBER 25
Menorah Lighting
DECEMBER 22
Santa Paddle
9 a.m. The return of the Santa Paddle is back for 2024, starting at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. The annual event is a festive celebration for those
4 p.m. The Dana Point Harbor Partners, in partnership with the Chabad Jewish Center of Dana Point, will host the lighting of a 12-foot menorah at Hansen Plaza. Guests can enjoy hot latkes, music, coffee, dreidels and crafts for kids. The menorah will remain at the pier for Hanukkah from Dec. 25 to Jan. 1. 34555 Golden Lantern Street, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com.
DECEMBER 31
Menorah Lighting at Outlets at San Clemente
Join the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente for a Menorah Lighting in front of the MetroLux Theatre at the Outlets at San Clemente, 101 W Avenida Vista Hermosa. Celebrate the final day of Hanukkah with this meaningful ceremony. Visit outletsatsanclemente.com for more details.
