Southern California’s largest winter festival at OC Fair & Event Center — a 150-foot ice-tubing slide, outdoor ice skating, snow play, 30+ carnival rides, 2 million synchronized lights, nightly tree lightings.
Winter Fest OC is Southern California’s largest winter festival — a multi-week, full-fairgrounds production at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, running late November through early January each year. Now in its tenth season, the festival has settled into a tradition with the scale to feel like a holiday destination rather than a single evening.
The footprint is what makes Winter Fest distinct: a 150-foot-long ice-tubing slide, outdoor ice skating under the stars, snow play, Polar Putt Putt mini golf, 30+ carnival rides and games, nightly tree-lighting ceremonies, live entertainment, and a holiday light show featuring more than 2 million synchronized lights with holiday music. The full-fairgrounds layout means families can stretch a visit across an entire evening at a single venue.
Winter Fest is ticketed (no dollar figures listed here — confirm at the official site), but the scale and the multi-week run set it apart from a single-evening tree lighting. It runs Thursdays through Sundays across the season, with weekend sessions opening earlier than weeknights – check the official site for current hours. The OC Fairgrounds parking is on-site, with the same lot pattern fair-going OC families already know.
The OC Fair & Event Center at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa — the OC Fairgrounds. From the 405 freeway, exit Fairview Road north; turn east on Fair Drive. The main entrance is on Fair Drive. On-site parking; the lot pattern matches the OC Fair’s July footprint.
Late November through early January. Open Thursdays through Sundays (evenings, with weekend hours starting earlier); closed Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in most weeks, and closed select dates near Christmas Day. Confirm the current year’s calendar and hours at the official site.
No — Winter Fest OC is ticketed: gate admission required, with some rides and activities included and others priced separately. Pre-purchase online for the best pricing and to lock in capacity on busy nights.
The Segerstrom Family Tree Lighting at Town Center Park is a single-night ceremony in mid-to-late November — the South Coast Metro district’s anchor evening. Winter Fest OC runs the entire winter season as a multi-week destination at the OC Fairgrounds two miles west. They’re different venues with different formats; many OC families catch the Segerstrom lighting one night and visit Winter Fest across multiple weekends.
No — Winter Fest OC is ticketed: gate admission required, with some rides and activities included and others priced separately. Pre-purchase online for lower pricing and to lock in capacity on busy nights.
The OC Fair & Event Center is the 150-acre fairgrounds at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa — home to the Orange County Fair every July, the Pacific Amphitheatre, and a full slate of year-round events that include large multi-week productions like Winter Fest OC. The site sits just west of the 405 freeway and Fairview Road. Operated by the 32nd District Agricultural Association under the State of California.
Costa Mesa City Hall transforms into Snoopy House each December — a beloved PEANUTS-themed holiday tradition more than 50 years strong, with Santa photos, train rides, performances, and a wonderland of lights, all free for families.
Brian J. Cook
The Segerstrom family’s 44-plus-year tree lighting at Town Center Park — a 96-foot white fir trimmed with 150,000 LED lights, with Pacific Symphony and Pacific Chorale performing free across from South Coast Plaza.
Brian J. Cook
Tanaka Farms’s evening farm-to-festival of millions of holiday lights — a Light Path Tractor Ride, walking paths, a Barnyard Exhibit, live weekend music, and seasonal treats under the night sky in Irvine.
Tanaka Farms’ holiday lights have been presented in recent years as “Hikari — A Festival of Lights.”
Brian J. Cook
Fashion Island’s nightly tree lighting experience in Newport Beach — a 90-foot tree, snowfall, music, and a choreographed light display in the Neiman Marcus–Bloomingdale’s Courtyard, every half hour through the holiday season.
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.
Check Availability
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.
This is a quick availability check, not a booking. Nothing is reserved and nothing is owed until we’ve confirmed your date and you’ve placed your retainer.
