Open-air ice skating under the Giant Wheel, a 75-foot tree with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes, and a special Skate with Santa session each December at the Irvine Spectrum Center. Walking the Spectrum to see the lights and tree show is free; skating sessions are ticketed.
The Irvine Spectrum Center‘s holiday season anchors at Giant Wheel Court, where the open-air ice skating rink runs through the new year alongside a beautifully decorated 75-foot tree with a choreographed light show every 30 minutes starting at 5:00 PM. Walking the Spectrum, watching the tree light show, and enjoying the holiday décor are all free — only the rink and the Skate with Santa session are ticketed.
The signature event is Skate with Santa, a morning session where Santa himself takes the ice. Ticket holders get a skate session, rental skates, reindeer antlers, festive socks, and treats. Beyond the named event, the rink runs themed nights under the Giant Wheel lights through the season, and visits with Santa are available at the Spectrum throughout December.
For families across Irvine, Lake Forest, and the broader south OC area, the Spectrum is the December outing of choice — a single open-air destination that handles dinner, shopping, lights, and skating in one visit. Confirm this season’s schedule at irvinespectrumcenter.com.
A single morning session in early December, with Santa himself on the ice. Ticket includes a skate session, rentals, reindeer antlers, festive socks, and treats. Book in advance — it sells out.
The Irvine Spectrum ice rink runs from mid-November through early January, with timed skate sessions throughout the day. Themed Thursdays under the Giant Wheel lights add a weekly variation.
At Giant Wheel Court, the central plaza of the Irvine Spectrum Center, 71 Fortune Drive. The 75-foot decorated tree and its light show are at the same plaza.
Yes. The Spectrum runs visits with Santa during the holiday season separately from Skate with Santa. Check the current year’s hours and locations on the official Spectrum events page.
Park in the structures further from Nordstrom or near the rear of the property for shorter walks back at the end of the night. Both the tree light show every 30 minutes and the walk through the Spectrum’s holiday décor are free — a family can spend a full evening here without buying a skating ticket.
The Irvine Spectrum Center is a 100-acre open-air shopping and entertainment destination at the southern edge of Irvine, anchored by the iconic Giant Wheel — a 108-foot Ferris wheel visible from the I-5 and I-405 freeways. Opened in 1995 and now home to more than 100 shops, restaurants, the OC Improv, and a hotel, it’s one of OC’s most-visited destinations year-round and the south-county social hub. The center’s centerpiece is Giant Wheel Court, a circular plaza around the wheel that doubles as a holiday-season ice rink.
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.
