by Noella Noelophile®
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.
The snow is just about to fall in Costa Mesa.
Snowmen will appear. Ice skaters will spin. Ice tubers will glide down the 150-foot “Snowflake Summit”.
Carnival rides will elicit smiles from visitors. Polar Putt-Putt mini golfers will score a hole in one–or not. Gleeful children will leap in the Bounce House. A “Snow Play” zone will allow Southern California children–small and tall–a chance to play in the cold white stuff that they wouldn’t normally get to see.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
And it’s all happening courtesy of Southern California’s largest winter festival: Winter Fest OC, now celebrating their 11th year!
Winter Fest OC opens this Friday, November 28th, at 5 pm, at the Orange County Fair and Event Center, and runs through Sunday, January 4th, 2026.
It’s going to be a seasonal great time.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Nightly festivities
At the heart of Winter Fest OC is their 40-foot-tall Christmas tree. Guests get to see a nightly tree lighting celebration, with falling snow. At nearby Holiday House, a dazzling light show, with music, will run throughout each night.
And this year, themed entertainment zones have been added.
These will feature live music and surprise performances throughout the season.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Meet-and-greet photo opportunities will give visitors a chance to take pictures with fan favorites including Jack Frost, Snowflake stilt walkers and Yowie the Yeti.
And a curated lineup of live bands and community performers will entertain visitors, nightly.
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission._
“Back by popular demand, this year we’re thrilled to feature even more live bands and community entertainment that bring the magic of the holidays to life,” said Mark Entner, CEO of PSQ Productions, in a recent email.
Just a few of the featured performers and entertainment experiences listed include:
- Line Dancing with DJ Cindi on Sunday, November 29th;
- Bruno Mars Tribute Band 24K Magic, on Thursday, December 11th;
- and, School of Rock, on Saturday, December 20th, and the closing date, Sunday, January 4th.
One more VIP
Oh–and guess who’s going to be onsite?
(Photo courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Guests can visit with Santa in the Forest of Lights from now through Christmas Eve!
Winter Fest OC is open daily, from this Friday through January 4th, with hours from 4 to 10 pm Mondays through Thursday, 4 pm to 11 pm on Fridays and 12 noon to 11 pm on Saturdays. Sunday hours are 12 noon to 10 pm.
They are open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (5 to 10 pm), as well as New Year’s Eve from 5 pm to 12:30 am, and New Year’s Day, from 5 pm to 10 pm.
(Graphic courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)
Tickets are available both online and at the gate, but you’re encouraged to purchase online–these are popular and may sell out! Here’s the link for information.
One note: if you’re planning on purchasing OC Winter Fest’s “Giveback Snow Pass” for this weekend, you’ll also be giving back to the community! Their website says that 50% of the proceeds from Opening Weekend Snow Pass admission tickets will be donated to a local food pantry.
Enjoy–and give Yowie a big Christmastime hug for me!
(Graphic courtesy of Winter Fest OC, and used with permission.)