Best Of OC - Week Of December 15
The countdown to Christmas and the winter holidays is drawing closer and closer. With all the excitement comes a few great opportunities for families to celebrate the season. From amusement park festivities, to over-the-top brunches, teas, and live entertainment, nearly every day of this week is decked out in holiday flare.
Holidays at Disneyland Resort
1313 Disneyland Dr.
Anaheim, CA 92802
(714) 781-4636
www.disneyland.com
Although the holiday season runs well through New Years at the Disneyland Resort, this last week before Christmas is one of the best times to visit. Take advantage of your local status and get into the parks one last time before the out-of-towners really take over the magic offered at these parks. To explore the wide assortment of holiday opportunities at Disneyland, check out these our official guides: Guide to the Holidays at Disneyland Park (featuring tips on rides, decorations, where to stay, and more), and this guide to the Best Holiday Treats at Disneyland to satisfy your holiday sweet tooth cravings.
Disney on Ice: Let's Celebrate
Honda Center
2695 E Katella Ave.
Anaheim, CA 92806
www.disneyonice.com
More than 50 Disney characters from 16 beloved Disney stories weave together in a magical celebration on ice for the whole family. The six-night OC run kicks off today, giving your family the chance to celebrate Christmas, holidays, and celebrations from around the globe in one setting. This fun-filled holiday celebration theme is coupled with some of your favorite Disney songs and memories for the perfect wintertime family evening. Through December 21.
LIV AND MADDIE visit CHILL
The Queen Mary's CHILL
1126 Queens Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90802
(800) 437-2934
www.theatricum.com
Dove Cameron and the cast of Disney's Hit Show LIV AND MADDIE will visit The Queen Mary's CHILL tonight, bringing even more cheer and fun to the already festive Queen Mary's holiday offerings. Don't miss the Ice Kingdom, filled with grand sculptures carved out of ice, ice tubing down the Glacier Glide, or ice skating in front of the Queen Mary. The cast of LIV AND MADDIE will sign autographs for fans from 6-8pm.
Newport Beach Christmas Parade
Newport Harbor
Newport Beach, CA 92663
www.christmasboatparade.com
The 106th Newport Beach Christmas Parade, the nation's longest running lighted holiday boat parade, returns with a fun and festive theme for 2014: "Deck the Hulls with Bows of Jolly." The parade, which features over 100 vessels of all sizes decked out with lights, decorations, dancers, music, and animated displays, sails through the 14-mile stretch along Newport Harbor, with free viewing spaces throughout the Harbor area. Many of the restaurants in the neighborhood will be offering special menus for the event, providing parade view dining. Try A&O Kitchen + Bar; Billy's at the Beach, offering a special three-course prix-fixe menu and 4 seatings that guarantee viewing of the entire parade; Newport Landing; Waterline; or Hornblower Cruises, offering a dinner cruise and unique view from onboard a Hornblower yacht.
Holiday Skating & Selfies with Santa
Irvine Spectrum Center
71 Spectrum Center Dr.
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 753-5180
www.skatespectrum.com
Take advantage of the beautiful outdoor ice rink winter wonderland at Irvine Spectrum Center for an afternoon or evening full of whimsy as you whisk around the rink with friends and family. After your 75 minute skating session, stop by for a visit a true OC style Santa, clad in Hawaiian shirt and board shorts in his Crystal Cove beach-inspired house. Take home your "Selfies with Santa" picture for a fun memento or just share on social media.
Duck the Halls
2961 El Camino Real
Tustin, CA 92782
(714) 730-4124
www.HolidayStyleOC.com
Celebrate the season Mighty Ducks style with a family day at The Market Place's "Duck the Halls" seasonal event. Head to the CPK Courtyard where you kids of all ages can decorate mini wreaths and pine cones, enjoy balloon artists, get their faces painted, and listen to the festive live entertainment under the Ducks-themed Christmas tree. During the event, fans will have the chance to enter to win an Ultimate Fan Package that includes four Anaheim Ducks tickets and a $500 American Express gift card to spend at The Market Place.
Breakfast with Santa
Tangata
2002 N. Main St.
Santa Ana, CA 92706
(714) 550-096
www.patinagroup.com
Before St. Nick completes his Christmas Eve rounds, he has to fill up on some amazing breakfast. Head to Tangata, located in Santa Ana at Bowers Museum, for their Breakfast with Santa event for the whole family. Kids can enjoy activity areas with cookie decorating, gifts, and visits from the jolly old man himself throughout the morning. Menu highlights from the family-style breakfast includes a baker's basket full of freshly baked muffins, croissants, and Danish pastries with sweet butter and preserves; soft scrambled eggs; crème fraîche and chives; brioche French toast with maple butter and syrup; Yukon breakfast potatoes with caramelized onions and fresh herbs; apple wood smoked bacon; and turkey breakfast sausage. This weekend only, family four-pack meals include two adult and two children meals for $135.
Nutcracker Tea Holiday Party
22701 South Pelican Hill Rd.
Newport Coast, CA 92657
(855) 315-8214
www.pelicanhill.com
For the ultimate enchanting holiday tradition, head to the Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Coast for their elegant Nutcracker Tea Holiday Party. Children and their families are invited to enjoy a performance of the Nutcracker ballet followed by tea in the resort's stunning ballroom. The tea, fit for the princes and princesses in your family, features a variety of tea sandwiches, pastries, and scones. Reservations are highly recommended. $45/child; $85/adult.
