Celebrate the 2023 Holidays in Costa Mesa, CA!
Winters in Costa Mesa, CA, may not be white, but they’re certainly bright, with plenty to see and do once the holiday season rolls around.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, a new transplant, or a seasonal visitor, we at Westside Apartments want you to make the most of your time here and create memories that will last a lifetime. To that end, here are our top holiday activities in and around Costa Mesa, CA, including shows and performances, shopping, opportunities to share, and safe celebration practices.
ACTIVITIES
Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights Cruise: Every year, 1.5 million people come to Newport Beach to see the Christmas Boat Parade. On December 13–17, owners decorate their boats in stunning light displays and sail them for the delight of spectators on the shore.
Want to see the view from the water? Bayfront homes along the coast get in on the fun for the Ring of Lights competition, going all out to best each other in a test of Christmas cheer. A sleigh ride might not be practical in California, but you can get the next best thing and book your family a place on a yacht or ship to take in the sights along the shore.
Long Beach International Tamales Festival: The holidays are the perfect time for sharing culture and cuisine. The International Tamales Festival checks that box with gusto. This new Long Beach tradition features tamales and other dishes from across Latin America, live music and performances, a tamale contest, vendors, art activities for children, and much more. So be ready to get out to Long Beach City College on December 9 for a delicious time.
Tis the Season!: On December 17–18, the Pacific Chorale and the Southern California Children’s Concert Chorus will join together for this beloved Orange County tradition. Listen as they sing holiday favorites, with some surprises promised to make this a performance like no other.
Shows and Performances
The Nutcracker: With its ties to Christmas, The Nutcracker may be the most popular ballet in the world. And the American Ballet Theatre’s production is one of the most celebrated currently running, led by Alexei Ratmansky (former director of the Moscow Bolshoi Ballet), sets and costumes by Tony-winner Richard Hudson, and accompaniment by the Pacific Symphony. The show runs at Segerstrom Hall on December 8–17, so get your tickets now to enjoy Clara’s adventures with the nutcracker in the Land of Sweets.
A Merry Little Christmas with Megan Hilty: Broadway fans unite! Megan Hilty, star of the stage and screen, has enough credits to cement her place among the greats (Wicked, Little Shop of Horrors, Smash, and much more)—and she’s finally returning to Costa Mesa. Join her on December 14–16 for a night of Christmas magic.
Handel’s Messiah: Since 1742, George Frideric Handel’s musical celebration has persevered and touched audiences around the world. For many, this production is as much of a Christmas tradition as the tree and presents. On December 3, join the audience and listen as the Pacific Symphony accompanies the vocalists on this musical tour de force, culminating in the iconic “Hallelujah” chorus.
Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical: Whether you read the book or watch one of the three animated/filmed adaptations every year, Dr. Seuss’s green, rhyming grouch is as much a part of the Christmas canon as Santa Claus or Ebenezer Scrooge. Now there’s another way to enjoy the classic tale with How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical, playing December 19–24. Perfect for families and the young at heart, this live performance will delight all.
Shopping
SOCO Farmers Market: Elsewhere in the country, farmers markets are limited to the spring and summer months when the weather is agreeable. Not so in Southern California, where we still enjoy temperatures in the mid-60s even in the winter. The SOCO Certified Farmers’ Market takes place year-round. Every Saturday, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., you’ll find not only fresh and local produce but also food artisans and hot-food vendors as well as craftspeople and their wares. It’s the perfect place to spend a morning and find unique, hand-crafted gifts.
The Wrapper: Located in South Coast Plaza, The Wrapper is unique in that it’s a Christmas decor-and-more store open year-round, Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. It has everything you need to get your home in the spirit of the season, from wreaths and trees to Nativity sets and stockings.
Christmas Tree House: We understand the allure of artificial trees—they don’t need to be watered, they don’t shed (as much), and they come 100 percent sap-free. But nothing’s quite like the presence of a live tree in your living room, bringing in the fresh pine scent and lushness that plastic trees just can’t quite imitate. (And did we mention that live trees are a renewable resource?) Starting the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Tree House opens to the public to meet all of Costa Mesa’s Christmas tree needs, so mark your calendar!
Swedish Christmas Fair: Want to get an early start on the Christmas season? Every year, the Swedish Women’s Education Association hosts the Swedish Christmas Fair in Huntington Beach, featuring Swedish food, handicrafts, and more. There are two sessions on Sunday, November 19, and admission costs $5 per person, but children under eight years of age get in free!
Opportunities to Share
Christmas Together 2023: It’s time once again to join in Orange County’s largest toy giveaway event. The event sees food vendors, rides, performances, and, of course, toy collection and giveaways. Last year, Families Together collected and distributed 20,000 toys! That’s quite the present precedent for this year’s event. If you’re eager to really get into the season of giving, there are multiple ways to get involved, like donating a toy, your money, or just your time. Christmas Together needs over 400 volunteers to pull off the magic, so sign up today and mark your calendar for Sunday, December 10, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
Spark of Love Toy Drive: The Orange County Fire Authority is once again participating in the Spark of Love Toy Drive. Last year was a huge success, with 39,312 toys collected and $50,000 in monetary donations for children in need. Donations can be made at any Orange County fire station now through December 12.
Safe Celebration
When getting into the seasonal cheer, remember to do so safely. A pine-scented candle may hit the spot, but around 7,400 fires are started each year by household candles. To avoid becoming a statistic, place your candles in safe locations, and never leave candles lit when sleeping or leaving the house. Even better, use a candle warmer to get those candles melting without enlisting fire.
Christmas trees pose another potential fire hazard. If you’ve opted for the real McCoy, keep it well watered to prevent it from drying out and becoming flammable. Keep candles as far away as you can, and turn those lights off when you step out of the house.
We can’t wait for the season to really get going. With all of these holiday activities in and around Costa Mesa, CA, we know it will be a time to cherish. From everyone at Westside Apartments, happy holidays!
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1959-1961 Maple Ave
Costa Mesa, CA 92627
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MON 9AM – 5:30PM
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