holiday
Happening s Friday, Dec. 8 Lil’ Elves Workshop 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. The San Clemente Community Center is transforming into Santa’s Workshop for one special day of crafting and meeting Santa’s little helpers. Children ages 3-5 years old are encouraged to stop by for cookie decorating, gift making and holiday carnival games. Tickets are $15 per child. 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente. 949.361.8264. www.san-clemente.org. 43rd Annual Dana Point Harbor Boat Parade 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Arrive early for a premier spot to watch the 43rd Annual Boat Parade to celebrate the season. This year’s event will include family-friendly activities throughout the Harbor. Trolley service will be available for all four days of the parade starting at 3:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. 24650 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. www.danapoint.org. Live Theater: ‘A Christmas Carol’ 7 p.m. Laguna Niguel Community Theatre and Coast Hills Church present A Christmas Carol adapted by Lynn Stevens. Join Ebenezer Scrooge and the ghost of his former business partner as they visit the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future in an effort to warm Scrooge’s heart. The show runs all weekend at both 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $10. Coast Hills Church. 5 Pursuit, Aliso Viejo. 949.415.6281. www.lagunanigueltheatre.org. Live Theater: ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ 8 p.m. The Camino Real Playhouse presents the classic Christmas Eve tale of an average man led by his guardian angel to see what life would have been like had he never been born. Show times are every weekend until Dec. 17. Friday and Saturday
show times begin at 8 p.m., while Saturday and Sunday matinees begin at 2 p.m. Tickets start at $27. Camino Real Playhouse. 31776 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano. 949.533.0258. www.caminorealplayhouse.org.
Saturday, Dec. 9 Mistletoe and Winter Plant Walk 9-11 a.m. Join The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo for a Saturday morning walk. Participants will look for mistletoe and seasonal fruit such as the “holly berry,” while walking on the Shady Canyon trail. Participants will also have the opportunity to decorate and take home their own mistletoe. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children. Open to ages 8 and older. Reserve your spot online by 4 p.m. on Dec. 8. The Richard and Donna O’Neill Conservancy. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org. Holiday SoulCycle Charity Ride 1-2 p.m. Stand for Vets, a South Orange County nonprofit organization for wounded veterans, is hosting a local charity ride at SoulCycle in Newport Beach. Registration is $50 per rider, which includes complimentary shoe rentals, prizes and a swag bag. All proceeds will go to wounded veterans. 1177 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach. 949.424.2126. www.standforvets.org. Holiday Ice Skating 4-8 p.m. The city of San Juan Capistrano invites you for a weekend on ice at the Riding Park for their first annual Holiday Ice Skating. Skate rentals are $5 per person and all proceeds benefit the underserved youth of San Juan Capistrano. 30753 La Pata Avenue, San Juan Capistrano. 949.493.5911. (Continued)
holiday
Happening s (Continued)
Sunday, Dec. 17
South Coast Singers’ ‘Peppermint Dreams’ Concert 4 p.m. Enjoy live music featuring classic holiday favorites and a few new songs as well. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $16 for seniors. St. Andrews by-the-Sea. 2001 Calle Frontera, San Clemente. 949.492.2537. www.sabts.org.
Gingerbread Academy 10 a.m.-noon; 1-3 p.m. Feeling crafty? Join the Monarch Beach Resort pastry team in decorating gingerbread houses like one of the pros. The price for the event is $109 per family and includes one house, the fixings, access to the holiday treat bar and a glass of sparkling wine. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point. 949.234.3423.
Friday, Dec. 15
Menorah Lighting at the Outlets 4-5 p.m. The Outlets at San Clemente will be hosting a free, family-friendly event to celebrate Chanukah with the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente. Activities will include balloons, hot latkes, doughnuts and gelt. 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, Ste 190, San Clemente. 949.535.2323.
Shabbat around the World Service and Oneg Buffet 6 p.m. Join the Chabad Jewish Center of Laguna Beach for a night of blessings under the Tallit, a latke bar and matzah ball soup. Live music and a short service will be held during the festivities. Admission is free. 30804 South Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. 949.499.0770.
Saturday, Dec. 16 Cookies with Mrs. Claus at Zoomars 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join Zoomars Petting Zoo to decorate Christmas cookies with Mrs. Claus. Seats are limited so calling in advance is recommended. Entry is $15 per person. 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano. 949.831.6550. www.zoomars.com. Holiday Nature Crafting 9-11 a.m. Enjoy a cool, winter morning creating treasured keepsakes and personalized gifts made from natural and recycled materials. Space is limited and tickets are $5. Reserve your spot online by 4 p.m. on Dec. 15. The Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. 28811 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano. 949.489.9778. www.rmvreserve.org.
Breakfast with Santa at H.H. Cotton’s 10 a.m.-noon. Scarf down breakfast with Santa at the Avenida Del Mar restaurant. Photo opportunities will be available. Donate an unwrapped toy too to benefit children at Mission Hospital. Email erin@hhcottons.com for more information. RSVP for breakfast today. 201 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente. 949.429.3321.
Thursday, Dec. 21 Orange County Winter Fest 5 p.m. The OC Fair and Events Center presents Winter Fest 2017. The festival features a 150-foot ice tubing slide, an ice skating rink and nightly fireworks. Hours of operation vary. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children 12 or younger. 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 657.333.2520. www.winterfestoc.com.
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