2023 Holiday Happenings & Gift Guide

San Clemente Times November 30 - December 6, 2023

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UNIQUE GIFTS & HOLIDAY MAGIC

THIS SEASON, ENJOY THE MAGIC OF A TRAIN RIDE! Gather with family and friends for a delightful, affordable journey without driving. Just for you, we’ve put together convenient day trip suggestions from LA to Oceanside with fun, adventure and great food for all. Enjoy, and happy holidays!

ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN 2 FREE METROLINK TICKETS!

MetrolinkDaycations.com

Unique Gifts by 168 Artists Holiday Entertainment • Free Art Classes

Photos with Santa • And More!

November 17- December 17 Five 3-Day Weekends, 10am to 7pm

SAWDUSTARTFESTIVAL.ORG San Clemente Times November 30 - December 6, 2023

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The Holidays SATURDAY, DEC. 2 SANTA’S JOLLY TROLLEY & LA PLAZA TREE LIGHTING 1:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves from Dana Point’s Recreation Division will ride on his Jolly Trolley to make stops at Sunset Park, Dana Woods Park and Sea Canyon Park, where they’ll hand out pre-packaged treats for kids up to 12 years of age. Santa’s elves will also collect letters to Santa. The letters should include your mailing address, so Santa can return a special letter to you. At the city’s last stop, La Plaza Park, from 4:30-5:30 p.m., the annual community tree-lighting ceremony will be held with carolers, hot chocolate, and cookies. The tree lighting will be held promptly at 5:15 p.m. La Plaza Park, 34111 La Plaza Street, Dana Point. danapoint.org.

‘CAPISTRANO LIGHTS: MISSION IN LIGHTS’ OPENING NIGHT 3-8 p.m. Celebrate the holidays at Orange County’s only Mission. Join the Mission on select days from Dec. 2 through Dec. 30 for daytime admission and an evening of holiday programming and fun. “Capistrano Lights: Mission in Lights” returns with a tree lighting, visits with Santa, Dickens-era carolers, a fullscale nativity scene, light features including a new lighted halo grove, a new butterfly orchard, dancing swallows and more—all are included with any Capistrano Lights ticket, which also includes same-day admission to the Mission. The tradition also brings back Community Christmas Trees, Family Wreaths, and a harpist in the Serra Chapel. The Capistrano Lights audio tour will also be available throughout the entire month of December, so guests can enjoy hearing the Gospel and “The Night Before Christmas” reading while learning more about Capistrano Lights evening offerings. Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road San Juan Capistrano.

949.234.1300. missionsjc.com.

SAN JUAN CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING 4 p.m. Join the City of San Juan Capistrano for its annual Tree Lighting Celebration at Historic Town Center Park. Festivities begin with preshow entertainment, followed by a musical holiday production. The tree lighting will take place at 5:45 p.m., followed by a variety of holiday activities. Special event trolley services will be offered. The service includes two trolleys on 20-minute frequencies servicing a continuous loop from Junipero Serra Road (JSerra Catholic High School North Campus northern terminus) to a trolley stop at Stonehill Drive and Del Obispo Street. Historic Town Center Park 31852 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. sanjuancapistrano.org.

SANTA’S VILLAGE BY THE SEA

are right around the corner Downtown Business Association present Santa’s Village by the Sea. One holiday event that brings the Holly Jolly Hoopla and Puttin’ on the Glitz on Avenida Del Mar together for a night of music, games, cookie decorating, and snow to San Clemente—one big occasion for the entire family to enjoy. Those looking to play the games, eat cotton candy/popcorn, decorate a cookie (while supplies last) or take a ride down the snow hill can purchase wristbands at the Community Center front desk.

At 5 p.m., the city will host the Tree Lighting ceremony on the Community Center lawn. For the rest of the evening, there will be carolers and street musicians and a Holiday Market, in addition to the restaurants and shops along Del Mar. Downtown San Clemente, `100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar. san-clemente. org.

Get ahead on your shopping list!

- Gift Cards & Holiday Gift Sets are now available.

Your One Stop Shop For Unique & Fun Gifts This Holiday Season!

MONDAY, DEC. 4 PINES PARK TREE LIGHTING 4:30-5:30 p.m. Santa and his elves will arrive at Pines Park on his Jolly Trolley to hand out pre-packaged treats for children up to 12 years of age. The event will feature carolers, hot chocolate, cookies and the annual tree lighting at 5:15 p.m. Pines Park, 34941 Camino Capistrano, Dana Point. danapoint.org.

220 Ave. Del Mar, San Clemente | Follow Us On IG: @MikiisOnDelMar | 949.503.3326

TUESDAY, DEC. 5 SAN JUAN CITY COUNCIL HOLIDAY RECEPTION 4:30 p.m. Join the City of San Juan Capistrano at the Nydegger Building for cocoa and holiday cheer. The reception will mark the last council meeting of the year and final meeting in the temporary Council Chambers location before moving into the newly constructed Council Chambers at the Community Center in January 2024. Nydegger Building, 31421 La Matanza Street. sanjuancapistrano.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 8 48TH ANNUAL BOAT PARADE OF LIGHTS 6:30 p.m. Join Dana Point Harbor for its 48th annual Boat Parade of Lights taking place on Friday, Dec. 8; Saturday, Dec. 9; and Sunday, Dec. 10. This year’s parade theme is “Candyland,” with boaters vying for prizes from best overall theme, most original and more.

Locals and visitors alike can look forward to exciting lighting installations along with holiday-themed photo opportunities, visits with Santa and more. To experience the Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade of Lights: Candy Land on board one of the harbor’s 90-minute holiday cruises, visit danawharf.com/cruises. Dana Point Harbor, 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. danapointharbor.com/event/danapoint-harbor-48th-annual-boat-parade/.

4-9 p.m. The City of San Clemente and the

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SATURDAY, DEC. 9 SANTA PAWS 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Bring your favorite furry friend to the beautiful Dana Point Harbor on Saturday, Dec. 9, and Sunday, Dec. 10, and have his or her picture taken with Santa. The cost is $15 for a picture, and you’ll receive the photo immediately. Additional photos can be purchased for $10. Start a family tradition with these keepsake photos of your beloved pets. All proceeds benefit the homeless animals at the San Clemente-Dana Point Animal Shelter. Photos will be taken in the Clock Courtyard directly in front of El Torito Restaurant.Please park in the main parking lot. Well-behaved dogs/pets welcome. All dogs should be on leashes. Clock Courtyard. 34521 Golden Lantern, Dana Point. petprojectfoundation. org/santa-paws-dpharbor/

SUNSETS WITH SANTA 3-5 p.m. Enjoy free visits with Santa on the San Clemente Municipal Pier with a beautiful sunset as your backdrop on Dec. 9, 16 and 17. Bring your

San Clemente Times November 30 - December 6, 2023

own camera. For more information, contact the City of San Clemente’s Recreation Division at 949.

361.8264. san-clemente.org.

FRIDAY, DEC. 15 SC SOCIAL: POLAR EXPRESS TROLLEY ADVENTURE 5-8 p.m. All aboard the Polar Express! Get ready to experience the magic of the holiday season like never before at the City of San Clemente’s epic SC Social Trolley Adventure! Celebrate this holiday season with pizza, hot chocolate, games and a gingerbread decorating contest. But that’s not all.

The highlight of the night will be a thrilling trolley ride through the city to see all of the breathtaking Christmas lights and do activities along the way. san-clemente.org.

SATURDAY, DEC. 16 HOLIDAYS WITH THE HOMIES 1-8 p.m. It’s Homies on the Hill: Holiday Edition.

The Homies on the Hill have concocted this ultimate holiday brewery crawl. Step into the magic of

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this traditional event, now sprinkled with some holiday cheer at Delahunt Brewery, Lost Winds Brewing and Artifex Brewing Company in San Clemente. Partygoers can cruise on the free shuttle making brewery hopping a breeze, score $2 off beers all day by punching your punchcard at each brewery and groove to live music at all locations. You can also flaunt your festive worst in the ugly sweater contest with three grand prizes.

Each brewery will have one winner receive a complimentary brew crawl for four people. There will be also be a holiday vendor show to knock your holiday shopping off the list, featuring delectable bites from top food vendors. Spread joy through the event’s toy drive in partnership with Station 59 and be entered in a raffle. You can also meet “Santa,” who will be making an appearance at each location to see if you’re on the naughty or nice list. This holiday extravaganza put in by your favorite breweries is a can’t-miss celebration. Delahunt, 1011 Calle Recodo.

949.503.2763. delahuntbrewing.com. Lost Winds, 924 Calle Negocio, #C. lostwindsbrewing. com. 949.361.5922. Artifex, 919 Calle Amanecer, Suite A. artifex.beer. 949.429.7805.

MONDAY, DEC. 18, CANDY CANE LANES HOLIDAY HOME DECORATING CONTEST The Dana Point Youth Board’s annual home decorating contest will take place between Monday, Dec. 18, and Thursday, Dec. 21. Youth board members will visit the homes entered in the contest and judge them for best overall,

most creative and best use of theme. Winners will receive a sign to display on their yard and gift cards to local Dana Point businesses. Residents interested in entering their home to be featured on the Candy Cane Lanes map published on the city’s website and social media can email recreation@danapoint.org or call 949.248.3536.

The deadline to enter the contest is Friday, Dec. 15. Winners will be notified after Jan. 8.

THROUGH JAN. 4 DANA POINT’S HOLIDAY PASSPORT: LOYAL TO LOCAL Shop locally to help make an investment in the community all while supporting friends and neighbors. The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce’s Loyal to Local Holiday Shopping Campaign features the town’s unique local businesses and encourages shoppers to think local all holiday season long. The holiday passport program kicked off Nov. 15 and continues through Jan. 4. Pick up and then take your passport with you while you shop in the neighborhood. When you make a purchase at participating businesses, you’ll receive a special stamp equal to the amount of your purchase.

Collect enough stamps to fill the passport and submit your passport to the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce for a chance to win weekly prizes and a grand prize package. There’s no limit to the number of passports you can submit. The earlier you submit, the more chances you have to win. For more information, contact the Dana Point Chamber of Commerce at holiday@danapointchamber. com or 949.496.1555. danapointchamber.com/ holiday.

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San Clemente Times November 30 - December 6, 2023

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