The holiday season is here and so is OC Parks’ lineup of free, festive fun throughout Orange County.
Wander through beautifully decorated historic buildings aglow with holiday lights and seasonal décor at the 39th annual Candlelight Walk Dec. 5 to 7 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Enjoy live musical performances, festive crafts for kids and a visit from Santa Claus. Refreshments will be available for cash purchase. The event is free to attend with free parking.
The celebration continues the following weekend with the return of Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill Historical Park, Dec. 12 to 14, from 5 to 9 p.m. Stroll through twinkling light displays and snap pictures at a variety of holiday-themed photo opportunities. Light refreshments will be available for purchase. Pets are welcome to join the festivities outdoors on leashes no longer than 6 feet. This event does not include live entertainment.
Join the holiday fun at Christmas at the OC Zoo Saturday, Dec. 13 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 goodies hidden inside Christmas trees throughout the day. Activities are free with paid zoo admission ($2 per person, 3 and older).
Don’t forget to stop by the Old Orange County Courthouse and enjoy holiday decorations all month long. The exterior lights light up at sunset each night, offering a charming, historic backdrop for festive photos. The display will go on through the end of the year.
Candlelight Walk
Date: Dec. 5 to 7
Time: 5 to 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: Dec. 6
Time: 10 a.m. to noon
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/activities
Seasons Series: Fall into Winter
Date: Dec. 12
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Peters Canyon Regional Park
Address: 8548 E. Canyon View Ave., Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Holiday Lights
Date: Dec. 12 to 14
Time: 5 to 9 p.m.
Location: Heritage Hill Historical Park
Address: 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Website: ocparks.com/heritagehill
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Holiday Ornament Painting
Date: Dec. 13
Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Christmas at the OC Zoo
Date: Dec. 13
Time: 10 a.m. to 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 and under are free)
Parking: $5 per vehicle
Winter Birdwatching
Date: Dec. 17
Time: 7:30 to 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: Dec. 17
Time: 10 to 11 a.m.
Location: Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve
Address: 2301 University Drive, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
Little Explorers: Snow!
Date: Dec. 18
Time: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Location: William R. Mason Regional Park
Address: 18712 University Drive, Irvine, CA 92612
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle
Registration: lagunacanyon.org/events
Winter Solstice in Weir Canyon
Date: Dec. 20
Time: 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Santiago Oaks Regional Park
Address: 2145 Windes Drive, Orange, CA 92869
Website: ocparks.com/events
Cost: Free
Parking: Free
Registration: letsgooutside.org/activities
