Newport Beach Fashion Island Tree Lighting Ceremony

November 17, 2023-January 5, 2024, 5:30-8 p.m.

Fashion Island
401 Newport Center Drive
Newport Beach, CA
Free, shopfashionisland.com

For the 2023 holiday season Fashion Island is expanding its Holiday Tree experience and seasonal festivities. Each evening beginning November 17 through January 5 a holiday celebration will be held, including the lighting of the iconic 90 ft holiday tree, with a magical choreographed light display with holiday music and snow on the half hour every evening from 5:30-8 p.m.

50 Nights of Coastal Lights

Fashion Island's beautifully decorated 90-foot tree comes to life with magical snowfall, music and a choreographed light display in the Neiman Marcus - Bloomingdale's Courtyard, every half hour. Nightly Scheduled Times: 5:30 p.m., 6 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 8 p.m.

Santa's House and Santa himself will be back in-person this year.

Join the annual Tree Lighting nightly through the holidays

Fashion Island Menorah Lighting Ceremony

December 7, 2023, 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Atrium Courtyard
Free, shopfashionisland.com

Celebrate Chanukah at Fashion Island with singing and festive traditions

Newport Beach, CA

In addition to the tree lighting ceremony, every night after 5 p.m., enjoy the lit Fashion Island's towering tree as it twinkles to life with custom holiday music and glittering lights.

One of Orange County's most popular holiday traditions returns to Fashion Island for two exciting evenings. If you can't make it one night, maybe you can attend the other!

Holiday musical performances and the arrival of Santa Claus accompany the splendid spectacle, a dazzling holiday tree that's absolutely huge!

The evening begins at 6 p.m. both nights with entertainment and culminates with the lighting of the Christmas tree in the Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdale's Courtyard.

Stick around after the Tree Lighting to see Santa in his Christmas cottage. He will be waiting in his cozy shelter at Atrium Lawn to hear your wishes and to take photos.

If you love the holidays and enjoy celebrations, be sure to visit Newport Beach during other lively seasons that include Newport Beach summer concerts.

Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay + Fire & Ice

November 24, 2023 Official Lighting |  November 24, 2023-January 1, 2024 Fire & Ice event - New this year - Newport Dune Ice Rink

Newport Dunes
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA
Free, newportdunes.com
Parking: $0-20, depending on length of visit

Ring in the Holidays With the 33rd Annual Lighting of the Bay Nightly at Newport Dunes

At the Fire & Ice Festival opening night celebration on Friday, November 24, 2023, there are live musical performances, fire dancers, stocking and ornament decorating, a holiday photo booth and Santa taking center stage at 4 p.m.  He flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than 50 floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees, marking the official start to the holiday season.

• Sip hot cocoa and cider
• Watch an outdoor screening of a holiday movie
• Skate in the new ice rink opening at 12 p.m.
• Festive food and beverages for sale
• Food trucks and a full bar opening at 2 p.m.

The Lighting of the Bay continues each evening at dusk through New Year's Day. Lighting of the Bay begins at dusk, lasting 37 days during the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. In honor of the season, the serene, waveless bay transforms each evening into a vibrant winter wonderland featuring more than 50 lighted Christmas trees and holiday decorations.

The Newport Dunes holiday display is open nightly to the public, inviting all to get outside and join in the celebration. According to Phil Ravenna, General Manager of Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, "Our Lighting of the Bay display is a quintessential element of the holiday season in Southern California."

Get warm & cozy around a beach bonfire while roasting marshmallows for s'mores and bring your own blankets. Newport Dunes' public fire pits are available on a first-come basis and s'mores kits can be purchased from Newport Dunes' onsite market.

For campers, the Lighting of the Bay is a can't-miss event to get into the holiday spirit with friends and family. Bring an RV or stay in Newport Dunes' charming, single-family Beach Cottages for a cozy, home-away-from-home experience. For first-time campers, many local rental companies will deliver an RV to your Newport Dunes campsite, all set up and ready to enjoy.

Keeping beloved traditions alive, Newport Dunes' Christmas Tree Lot. Select from a large variety of fresh, handpicked pines delivered within 16 hours from Salem, Oregon. Fragrant wreaths, garland, Christmas ornaments, and trinkets will also be available for purchase. The Christmas Tree Lot will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

The Lighting of the Bay is free for the public to enjoy, and on-site parking is available for a fee. For more information on events and amenities at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort and to book a stay, please visit NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3863.

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort Lighting of the Bay

• Live Performances
• School Choirs.
• Train Rides
• Cookie Decorating, Holiday Crafts
• Hot Cocoa
• Full bar being offered. No outside alcohol allowed.
• Countdown to the Lighting of the Bay (around 5 p.m.)
• Santa Claus flips the giant switch to illuminate the bay (around 5:30 p.m.)
• 50+ electric Christmas trees and holiday decorations in the bay illuminate the holiday season.
• Elf, holiday movie on the gazebo (around 6 p.m.) Bring blankets.

Taking center stage at the actual Lighting of the Bay is Santa Claus, who arrives not by sleigh but on a lighted paddleboard. He flips the switch that will turn on 50+ electric Christmas trees that will illuminate the bay. 

 Come to Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort for the kick off the holiday season with  Lighting of the Bay celebration, featuring a full schedule of holiday festivities.

Live chorale and concert performances, cookie decorating, holiday crafts and train rides. Santa Claus will take center stage at dusk as he arrives by Waverunner and flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than 50 LED-lit Christmas trees and holiday decorations. An outdoor  Movies on the Beach screening of ELF will be featured. The day's schedule includes:

3 p.m.  Choir and Talent Groups Performances begin Train Rides, cookie decorating and holiday crafts will be offered for as long as supplies last. Food trucks will be serving a wide variety of food and full bars will be offering your favorite cocktails and hot toddies. 5 p.m. Countdown to the Lighting of the Bay featuring Santa Claus arriving by wave runner. Get your picture taken with Santa following the lighting of the bay.

6 p.m. Movie of the Beach featuring ELF! Bring your blankets and beach chairs. Concert with the Tijuana Dogs The Tijuana Dogs will perform live during a ticketed concert, with full bar service, to culminate the evening with festive decorations, full bar service and additional food favorites in our main tent (concert light show included). Hot cider and cocoa are also available. Parking is limited. Tickets will be released shortly to the general public.

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.