San Clemente’s official holiday kickoff — Santa’s procession down Avenida Del Mar, the community center tree lighting, games, snow play, cookie decorating, food, drink, holiday market, and live children’s performances along a closed-to-cars village center.
Each December, San Clemente closes Avenida Del Mar — the city’s walkable main street running from the bluff to the historic pier — for Santa’s Village by the Sea, the city’s official holiday kickoff. The afternoon-into-evening event is co-hosted by the San Clemente Downtown Business Association and the City, and pulls together every piece of the village at once.
The centerpiece is Santa’s Procession down Avenida Del Mar, followed by the Community Center Tree Lighting. The closed street fills with games, snow play, cookie decorating, inflatables, food and drink vendors, a holiday market, live children’s performances, and visits with Santa. The San Clemente Trolley Red Line runs to the Outlets, downtown, and the Community Center, which makes it easy to skip the parking crunch.
For families in San Clemente and across south OC, this is the village’s December anchor. Many pair the public street energy of Santa’s Village with the quieter bluff-top atmosphere of Christmas Nights at Casa Romantica — both run different December weekends and complement each other.
Along Avenida Del Mar and at the Community Center in downtown San Clemente. Avenida Del Mar closes to cars for the event.
Santa’s Procession down Avenida Del Mar starts at 4:30 PM, with the Community Center Tree Lighting immediately after at 5:00 PM.
Avenida Del Mar is closed. The San Clemente Trolley Red Line runs to the Outlets and Community Center until 10:00 PM and is the easiest way in. The Outlets and surrounding city lots are the backup; expect to walk a few blocks.
Games, snow play, cookie decorating, inflatables, food and drink vendors, a holiday market, live children’s performances, and visits with Santa. The full program runs 4 PM to 8 PM.
Yes, naturally — Casa Romantica Cultural Center runs Christmas Nights at the Casa on separate December weekends with twinkling lights, hot cocoa, s’mores, and live entertainment. Two complementary San Clemente experiences across the same season.
Avenida Del Mar is San Clemente’s main walkable downtown street — a six-block corridor running from the Pacific bluff down toward the San Clemente Pier. Lined with restaurants, boutiques, and the San Clemente Community Center, it’s the city’s civic and commercial spine. The pier and beach lie at the foot of the street; the city’s Trolley Red Line connects the Community Center, downtown, and the Outlets to the Pier, making the whole village walkable and transit-accessible.
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.
