by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Ice skating under the stars. Squeals of joy as ice bumper cars make contact. A simulated snowboard experience.
It’s happening in Southern California this Christmas season, as Orange County Fair and Convention Center hosts an all-new Winter Fest OC!
And here’s an early Christmas present: their pre-season sale is happening right now! (It ends at 11:59 pm, on Tuesday, November 8th.)
So, what all else can you experience as Southern California’s largest winter festival happens in Costa Mesa, November 25th through January 1st?
Think “brand-new adventures plus favorites”.
New and immersive
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Winter Fest OC includes a brand-new walk-through experience, “North Pole Journey”. Step inside and you’ll be presented with an important mission.
You’re tasked with traveling to the North Pole Village, meeting Santa and saving Christmas.
Sounds like a challenge that’s right up our alley.
“North Pole Journey”, according to a press release, has participants travel from Forest Gate to North Pole Village. Along the way, they visit magical lands. And there’s a quest involved: gather festive elements that will help Santa take flight on his magical journey.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
“The immersive favorites from the last two years of our wildly successful Night of Lights OC production will be integrated into the new ‘North Pole Journey’ walk-through experience that’s included in every general admission ticket,” says Katrina Carlson, executive producer of Winter Fest OC.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission)
In other words, along the way, you’ll get to meet some of your favorite characters from previous years. These include Yowie the Yeti, Polar Bear, Snow Princess and Toyland Troupe.
In addition
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Additional all-new magic is coming, as well.
Trackless train rides, LED mini golf (who says that’s only for summer? Not in California!) and a nine-lane, 150-foot-long ice-tubing slide will also be a part of the festivities. So will a wintertime carnival.
But no one’s forgetting to include our Christmastime favorites.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Accordingly, there will be arts and crafts, bounce houses and a holiday market. Strolling entertainment and tribute bands will add to the festive atmosphere. So will a nightly celebration with snow flurries, and a certain gentleman in a red suit making a guest appearance.
Make sure your phone has plenty of space for photos, too.
There will be photo opps with Santa, various seasonal settings for the perfect Christmas-card picture and numerous giant Christmas trees.
Plus, where else can you get a picture in a 30-foot-tall walk-through ornament?
Honoring our heroes
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with parmission.)
An important note: if you are a first responder, member of the military or a veteran, a nurse, or a teacher (thank you!), Winter Fest OC would like to say “thank you”, as well.
Discounts will be offered on select days to honor community heroes. Please bring your ID if you are a veteran or member of the military, and follow Winter Fest OC on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more information.