PICKS
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
Get Out and Celebrate the Season
Thursday, November 26
Outlets at San Clemente Moonlight Madness
8 p.m. Outlets at San Clemente hosts their inaugural Moonlight Madness event with family-friendly entertainment and holiday décor. Shops will remain open throughout Black Friday on Nov. 27. 101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa, www.outletsatsanclemente.com.
Friday, November 27
Hike Off Your Thanksgiving Feast
10 a.m.–noon. Pack your leftovers and head to The Richard and Donna O’Neil Conservancy for a post-holiday picnic and hikes. $5–$10. Call for directions, 949.489.9778, mvreserve.org.
Saturday, November 28
Gingerbread Spectacular
Vibrant coastal scenes come to life in edible form as The Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel’s pastry team takes gingerbread “houses” to a new level. On display until Dec. 31. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.2000, ritzcarlton.com.
Puttin’ on the Glitz
5 p.m.–10 p.m. Enjoy an evening of holiday dining, shopping and entertainment along Avenida Del Mar as Santa Claus and carolers make their way to town. This family holiday event features train rides, roasted chestnuts and more. 949.218.5378, villagesanclemente.org.
Thursday, December 3
A Christmas Carol
7 p.m. San Clemente High School students present Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale. Watch Ebenezer Scrooge’s visits from the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future Dec. 3, 4 and 5. Tickets $15. SCHS, 700 Avenida Pico, San Clemente, schsdrama.com.
Friday, December 4
Holiday in the Harbor
4:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. Celebrate the holiday season in true Dana Point fashion along the water’s edge. Meet Santa, enjoy holiday crafts and enter the Darth Vader Ugly Christmas Sweater contest.
Dana Point Harbor, 949.923.2255, danapointharbor.com.
Saturday, December 5
Santa Paws
10 a.m.–3 p.m. Pets have holiday requests too. Bring your favorite pet to the El Torito Courtyard for a picture with Santa. $15 per picture. All proceeds benefit animals at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Dana Point Harbor, petprojectfoundation.com.
Boat Rides with Santa
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Dana Wharf Sportfishing hosts Santa Claus and his helpers on 20-minute Harbor cruises. Recommended $3 donation to the El Camino Real Junior Woman’s Club. Dana Wharf docks, 34675 Golden Lantern, 949.496.5794, danawharf.com.
Winter Festival & Tree Lighting
Noon–7 p.m. Santa, reindeer and snow make their way to La Plaza Park where all members of the family can decorate cookies, partake in crafts, meet farm animals and much more. Celebration includes a tree lighting ceremony, movie and popcorn. danapoint.org.
Santa’s Village by the Sea
2 p.m.–5 p.m. San Clemente and Casa Romantica team up for a day of holiday games, cookie decorating, face painting and a 5:15 p.m. tree lighting at the San Clemente Community Center. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.361.8264, san-clemente.org.
San Juan Capistrano Tree Lighting Ceremony
Start the holiday season in Historic Town Center Park with a holiday performance before the tree lighting at 5:45 p.m. Festivities continue on Los Rios Street with kids activities at Los Rios Park, the O’Neill Museum and Zoomars Petting Zoo. San Juan Capistrano, 949.493.5911, www.sanjuancapistrano.org.
Christmas at the Mission 5:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Mission San Juan Capistrano holiday celebration features a snow play area, cookie decorating and holiday card making, photos with Father Christmas and live music. $5 for adults, $3 for children age 4-11. 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, 949.234.1300, www.missionsjc.com. (Continued)
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS (continued)
Christmas at the Casa 5 p.m.–7 p.m. Casa Romantica’s festive open house with live music, a visit from Santa Claus, choral groups, a talking tree, holiday décor and refreshments. 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949.498.2139, casaromantica.org.
Sunday, December 6
Yappy Howl-iday
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Canines and their human companions can meet the “Big Dog” himself, Santa Claus, while celebrating the holidays. Guests are asked to bring unopened dog food, treats or toys for donation. The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel, 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point, ritz-carlton.com.
Friday, December 11
Little Elves Workshop
10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Santa’s elves are in need of extra help. Children 3 to 5 are invited to the San Clemente Community Center to make gifts for family and friends, decorate cookies and more. Preregistration suggested. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente, 949.361.8264, san-clemente.org.
Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights
7:30 p.m. Snag a waterfront viewing perch for the brightest holiday party around. In its 41st year, this four-night parade—running Dec. 11, 12, 18 and 19—celebrates Star Wars and a galactic holiday inspired by a galaxy far, far away. Join the parade aboard a participating vessel with Captain Dave’s Dolphin & Whale Watching Safari, Dana Wharf Sportfishing or the Ocean Institute. Dana Point Harbor, 949.923.2255, danapointharbor.com.
Holiday Lights Viewing Party
6:30 p.m.–9 p.m. Sip hot cocoa with Santa and watch the Boat Parade. Guests can build lightsabers, decorate cookies and make ornaments. Celebrate the parade theme and come as a Star Wars character. $15 per person, $9 for children. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, ocean-institute.com.
Saturday, December 12
Ho Ho Haul Away Sail
1 p.m.–4 p.m. Sail with Santa aboard the Spirit of Dana Point. Take a turn at the helm, watch the crew fire the ship’s gun and make a holiday keepsake. $50 for adults, $33 for children. Ocean Institute, 24200 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point, 949.496.2274, ocean-institute.org.
South Coast Singers Holiday Concert
4 p.m. Orange County’s own South Coast singers present the holiday show, “Heav’n and Nature Sing.” $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and students. St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea, 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente, 949.613.7840, southcoastsingers.org.
Choral Concert: Christmas at the Shores 4:25 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The South Shores’ 75-voice sanctuary choir performs with orchestra and tableaux, Tickets $10. Show also runs Dec. 13 at 2:55 p.m. and 5 p.m. 32712 Crown Valley Parkway, Dana Point, 949.496.9331, southshores.org.
Tuesday, December 15
SOCSA Holiday Concert
7 p.m. South Orange County School of the Arts students present an evening of holiday entertainment. Beverages and dessert served at intermission. Tickets start at $12. Show also runs Dec. 16. Dana Hills High School, DHHS Mall, 33333 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, socsarts.org.
Friday, December 18
Christmas at the Cabrillo
8 p.m. Enjoy the Christmas season at Cabrillo Playhouse with holiday favorites in this song and dance holiday revue. Show runs Dec. 18, 19 and 20. Tickets are $20. 202 Avenida Cabrillo, San Clemente, 949.492.0465, cabrilloplayhouse.com.
Thursday, December 31
New Year’s Eve Broadway Time!
6 p.m. Ring in the New Year when the actual ball drops in Time Square at the Camino Real Playhouses’ annual celebration. Enjoy dinner from Sundried Tomato and dance the night away, well until 10 p.m. at least. Tickets are $68. Buy now, tickets are limited. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, 949.489.8082, caminorealplayhouse.org.
Midnight at the Cliffs
9 p.m. Revel in the final hours of 2015 at the Laguna Cliffs Marriott Resort & Spa’s special ballroom celebration featuring the ’80s tribute band Flashback Heart Attack. Tickets start at $125 and include two drink tickets, midnight champagne toast and small bites. 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000, lagunacliffs.com.
For more New Year’s Eve event listings visit sanclementetimes.com.
