Laguna Beach’s signature holiday kickoff — Santa arrives at the Peppertree Lot in the evening for the tree lighting, merchants stay open late along Forest Avenue, and the whole village comes alive for one of the most genuinely festive evenings in OC.
Hospitality Night is Laguna Beach‘s official kickoff to the holiday season — the first Friday of December, organized by the Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the City. Santa Claus arrives at the Peppertree Lot (Lot 2) for the tree lighting, and from that moment the village commits to being its full holiday self for the rest of the night.
Lower Forest Avenue fills with entertainment and merchant open houses, and the downtown shops, galleries, and restaurants stay open late — it’s the rare evening when Laguna’s gallery scene is on the same beat as its retail and dining scene. Street closures in the downtown area put the village center car-free and walkable for the whole event.
For Laguna families and visitors, this is the night the village turns on the season — not because of any one attraction, but because every shop, gallery, and restaurant participates at once. Many pair Hospitality Night with a daytime visit to Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy up Laguna Canyon Road for a full Laguna Beach holiday weekend.
The first Friday of December each year, in the evening. Santa arrives at the Peppertree Lot for the tree lighting; merchant open houses run late.
At the Peppertree Lot (Lot 2) in downtown Laguna Beach. Santa arrives in the evening and the tree is lit immediately after.
Downtown closures begin in the afternoon, so the central lots are out. The bluff lots along the coast and the residential streets just outside the closure zone are the alternatives — expect to walk in.
Yes — Hospitality Night is built around merchants and galleries staying open late along Forest Avenue and the surrounding streets. Many run their own open houses with treats, discounts, and small events.
Downtown closures start in the afternoon, so the central lots are out. The bluff lots along the coast and the residential streets just outside the closure zone are the alternatives — expect to walk in.
The Peppertree Lot (Lot 2) sits at the heart of downtown Laguna Beach along Forest Avenue — the village’s main pedestrian and gallery corridor. Forest threads from the bluff above the cove down toward the beach, with the city’s art galleries, boutiques, and restaurants clustered along it. Laguna Beach itself has been a recognized arts colony since the early 1900s, and the village centers its civic and seasonal events on these few walkable blocks.
Approaching its sixtieth year — the Sawdust Art Festival’s holiday edition turns the canyon grounds into a handcrafted gift village, with artisan booths, carolers, puppet shows, a petting zoo, and twinkling pine-lined pathways every weekend through December.
Brian J. Cook
Each December, the historic cottages of Crystal Cove State Park host one of the coast’s most picturesque holiday traditions: the Crystal Cove Tree Lighting & Holiday Bazaar. Presented by the Crystal Cove Conservancy on the sand near Newport Beach in Orange County, it’s a free beachside celebration where local artisans sell their wares, Santa poses for seaside photos, and the day ends with the lighting of a beach Christmas tree as the sun drops over the Pacific.
Brian J. Cook
Aliso Viejo Ice Palace runs daily holiday public skating sessions through December — themed sessions, the annual A Holiday Celebration on Ice skating show, and a warm covered-rink atmosphere a short drive from Aliso Viejo Town Center.
Brian J. Cook
Aliso Viejo’s annual tree-lighting celebration at Town Center features Santa, train rides, music, crafts, and a community toy drive — free for the whole family. Confirm this season’s date and details at avcity.org.
Brian J. Cook
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
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Have a date in mind? Tell us when and where, and we’ll let you know whether Santa is open. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded Santa Claus to Live Visits and Group Experiences across Southern California, and December fills quickly, so the sooner you check, the better your odds of locking in your first choice.
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