(Orange County, Calif.) – Have a holly jolly good time with OC Parks this December by taking part in a variety of free, festive holiday happenings throughout Orange County.
Celebrate the spirit of the holidays at the 38th annual Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Stoll through the merry grounds and enjoy historical buildings ornamented with holiday lights and décor December 6-8 from 5 to 9 p.m. Join in the joy of the evening with live musical performances, holiday crafts for kids and a visit with Santa Claus. Refreshments will be available for cash purchase. The event is free to attend with free parking.
The merriment continues the following weekend with the return of OC Parks' Holiday Lights Dec. 13-15 from 5 to 9 p.m. Delight in twinkling light displays and snap pictures in front of a variety of holiday-themed photo opportunities. Pets are welcome to join the festivities outdoors on leashes no longer than six feet. Please note additional entertainment and refreshments will not be available during Holiday Lights.
Join the holiday fun Saturday, Dec. 14 for Christmas at the OC Zoo from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, enjoy holiday crafts for kids and see zoo animals receive treat-filled “gifts” and treats hidden inside Christmas trees throughout the day! Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under free).
Visitors can also enjoy holiday decorations all month long at the Old Orange County Courthouse. The outside of the building will light up at sunset each night through the new year, providing a wonderful and festive historic backdrop for a holiday photo.
Adaptation Spotlight: Staying Warm
Date: December 4
Time: 3 - 4:30 p.m.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park
Address: 18751 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: lagunacanyon.org/events
Candlelight Walk
Date: December 6-8
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park
Address: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: ocparks.com/heritagehill
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Art at the Oaks: Citrus Ornaments
Date: December 7
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Address: 2145 Windes Drive, Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Registration: letsgooutside.org/ocparks/activities
Little Explorers: Snow!
Date: December 12
Time: 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Staging Area
Address: 20070 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: lagunacanyon.org/events
Christmas at the OC Zoo
Date: December 14
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location: OC Zoo at Irvine Regional Park
Address: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, ages 2 & under are free)
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Holiday Ornament Painting
Date: December 14
Time: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Location: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Holiday Lights
Date: December 13-15
Time: 5 - 9 p.m.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park
Address: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: ocparks.com/heritagehill
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Winter Bird Watching
Date: December 18
Time: 7:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Location: Irvine Regional Park
Address: 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Critter Investigation: Merry Mule Deer
Date: December 18
Time: 10 - 11 a.m.
Location: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve, Peter and Mary Muth Interpretive Center
Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Winter Solstice Hike to Mini Moab: Fremont Canyon
Date: December 20
Time: 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Location: Irvine Ranch Open Space
Address: 13333 Black Star Canyon Road, Silverado, CA 92676
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Nature Creativity: Wood Cookie Ornament
Date: December 20
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Location: Laguna Coast Wilderness Park, Willow Staging Area
Address: 20070 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: lagunacanyon.org/events
###
OC Parks
OC Parks manages nearly 60,000 acres of parks, historical and coastal facilities and open space for the County of Orange as part of OC Community Resources. http://www.ocparks.com
