Celebrate the Holidays in Costa Mesa, CA
Costa Mesa is a great place to be this holiday season! It’s just a few minutes from the popular beach towns of Huntington Beach and Newport Beach and not too far from Anaheim or even Los Angeles. With all the holiday light displays, special performances, kid’s activities, craft fairs, and other activities, you’ll be running all over town having fun!
Grab your family and friends and take advantage of all the seasonal activities happening in and around Costa Mesa, CA. These events only come around once a year, so don’t miss out! Here are a few of the activities we suggest you check out.
Activities
Shows and Performances
Shopping
Opportunities to Share
Safe Celebration
Activities
Costa Mesa is home to holiday cheer, whether you’re a child or an adult. There are sparkling light displays and beautiful holiday boat tours. Make sure to take part in a few activities this year. Here are some of our favorites.
Breakfast with Santa: Your kids will love having breakfast with Santa this year. The children’s breakfast includes snowman pancakes, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fresh fruit. For more developed palates, breakfast includes lox and bagels, a breakfast burrito, or avocado toast. There will be holiday music and balloon makers as well! Santa has limited time, so be sure to get your tickets now!
Christmas Boat Parade & Ring of Lights Cruise: Every year, the bayside homes in Newport Beach are decorated for the holiday season. We’re not talking about just a few strings of lights. These homes are covered in thousands of lights, decorations, and even animatronic reindeer. The best way to view these spectacular decorations is from a boat cruising along the coastline, which is exactly what this activity offers. Each boat is decorated from bow to stern with holiday lights and cheer. This cruise runs throughout December, so be sure to stop by and enjoy the Ring of Lights Cruise!
Shows and Performances
Did you know that there’s a $3.1 million organ in Costa Mesa, CA? You can see it in action this holiday season. And there are plenty of other performances worth seeing this December. Here are a few of our favorites.
Handel’s Messiah: Handel’s Messiah is one of the most celebrated holiday performances and has become a tradition for many with its thundering trumpets and reverberating chorus of “Hallelujahs.” Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holidays and reflect on your year during this magnificent performance.
The Nutcracker: The American Ballet Theatre’s more than 100 performers truly do justice to this classic breathtaking performance. The set and costumes were created by Tony Award-winner Richard Hudson, with choreography by Alexei Ratmansky, ABT artist in residence. Critics rave about this rendition of The Nutcracker, calling it a “colorful, cinematic creation filled with spectacle, humor and eye-popping costumes.” Don’t miss out on the rare opportunity to see such a great production of this classic ballet.
Nutcracker for Kids: On December 3, visions of sugarplums and beautiful ballerinas will dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet, performed in a condensed version created just for kids. This annual favorite finishes with a jolly visit from Santa Claus himself! In the lobby, enjoy pre- or post-concert fun with a coloring station, holiday craft, photo backdrop, and a ballet museum.
Holiday Organ Spectacular: Did you know that Segerstrom Center for the Arts has a $3.1 million organ? And did you know that you have the opportunity to hear a master organist play a mix of sacred and holiday music? If you’ve never been to an organ performance, you’re in for a treat. The sound reverberates through the entire auditorium and provides a whole new dimension to the music that you’ve never experienced before. If you’ve got time on December 20, the best way to spend it is taking in the amazing music of Todd Wilson and his organ.
Tis the Season!: Pacific Chorale is putting on a holiday extravaganza this year, featuring traditional favorites, seasonal selections, and an assortment of other great songs. Choir songs have never been so fun! There will be surprises, including a visit from a certain jolly gentleman from the North Pole. Come enjoy the amazing talent of these performers!
Shopping
The best kind of gift is handmade, but that doesn’t mean you have to make it yourself! There are tons of great craftsmen and artists creating truly spectacular pieces that anyone would want to receive. Here are a few places you can start looking.
Christmas Holiday Boutique: Stop by the Holiday Boutique and support local vendors. Check out handmade goods such as candles, clothing, jewelry, and more, as well as food and fun activities. There’s no reason not to stop by—it’s free!
A Costa Mesa Craft Market: This local craft market will host vendors of all kinds selling handmade goods, food, crafts, and holiday gifts, among many other things. Stop by and check out this market. If you make crafts yourself, you can sign up as a vendor, too!
Marine Mammal Care Center Holiday Boutique: Celebrate the holidays at the Marine Mammal Care Center on Sunday, December 4. This Annual Holiday Boutique is a festive day filled with crafts, pictures with Santa, goodies, free hot cocoa, and, of course, patient viewing. Guests can shop for gifts, enjoy photo opportunities, and learn about marine mammals and ocean conservation. Proceeds will go to the Marine Mammal Care Center’s life-saving work. Tickets are free and will sell out, so reserve your spot today!
The Wrapper: This store is unique in that it only sells holiday items. It is also seasonal, opening around the middle or end of October and selling holiday decor, Christmas trees, ornaments, and large statement pieces. Basically, if it has anything to do with the holidays, chances are you’ll find it at The Wrapper. Stop by and take a stroll around this winter wonderland.
Opportunities to Share
We all look forward to enjoying the holidays, and the best way to do that is often helping others do the same. Consider volunteering at a toy drive or helping provide holiday meals to the homeless and those living in poverty. Here are a few places you can help out.
UNIVISION Toy Drive: This amazing volunteer and donation activity is more than just a toy drive. The children that come to this event on December 10 will have access to health screenings, COVID vaccines, and even haircuts. In addition to receiving a toy, children will enjoy fun activities too! Consider donating toys or giving some of your time to Univision’s toy drive.
Operation #MovingForwardTogether Food Distribution: This service offers meals to seniors and those unemployed and in need due to COVID-19. The meals are hot and delicious. This 100 percent volunteer-run and donation-funded operation delivers over 500 hot meals in each of the 15 cities in which it operates. This is a great opportunity to directly affect the lives of others for the better!
Safe Celebration
Everyone loves a good candle this time of year, but up to 7,500 fires are started each year because of household candles. Be extra careful when lighting candles in your apartment, especially your bedroom. Battery-powered candles can achieve the same ambiance without the added danger. Whatever you do, never leave your holiday candles unattended!
Christmas trees can be another fire hazard. If you’ve brought a real Christmas tree into your apartment during this holiday season, make sure you keep it watered so it isn’t quite as dangerous. Keep all open flames, especially candles, away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home. You never know when electrical issues might cause fires.
The holidays are in full swing in Costa Mesa! Be a part of the holiday celebration by taking part in one of the many activities, shows, shopping opportunities, or performances happening this year. The 2022 holiday season will be one to remember!
From all of us at The Parsons Apartments in Costa Mesa,
Happy Holidays!
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