DECEMBER 3-31
Giving Machine
By Kaila Mellos
5-7 p.m. The Giving Machine officially returned to Dana Point Harbor on Tuesday, Nov. 26, to kick off the season, and the official celebration launched 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. The Giving Machine will be in Mariner’s Village Clock Courtyard and stay open the rest of the month. 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com
DECEMBER 12, 20
5-7 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at Casa Romantica, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, with thousands of twinkling lights, illuminated gardens, and festive activities. Santa is scheduled to appear on Dec. 14 and Dec. 15 (dates subject to change). Tickets are $5-$15. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente. casaromatica.org.
Holiday Carolers
4-7 p.m. Holiday carolers will stroll through the harbor’s Wharf and Village on Dec. 12 and Dec 20. The musical group, WestBeat, will be 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 “O Holy Night,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” by The Jackson 5, or with modern movie song references such as The Chipmunks song “Christmas Don’t Be Late.” 34571 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com
DECEMBER 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 e-blast 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.
Little Folk Club
DECEMBER 12-20
Christmas Nights at Casa Romantica
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 singalong. 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. 2430024698 Dana Drive, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com.
Christmas
A l l a r e w e l c o m e ! C H R I S T M A S E V E S E R V I C E S
Add a little bit of body text
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 decorating their boats. Dana Point Habor. danapointharbor.com.
admission to the Mission and an evening of holiday programming and fun. “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights” features 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.
DECEMBER 14
DECEMBER 13-29
“Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights”
10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at Orange County’s only Mission. Join The Misson on select days through Dec. 29, for daytime
Christmas Caroling
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. 32932 Pacific Coast Highway, Dana Point.
monarchbayplaza.com.
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 sign-up 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 statue and holiday display. Browse creative, handcrafted goods, which can make the perfect 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.
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 Santa Paddle is back for 2024, starting at Baby Beach in Dana Point Harbor. The annual event is a festive celebration for those 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
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 the website outletsatsanclemente.com for more details.
