Hey {{first name | friend}},

If you’ve still got some holiday energy left, this issue of The Scene gives it somewhere to go.

This week we’re checking out the holiday light contest winners, Christmas lights at the Mission, and Casa Romantica which is all decked out in cheer!

We’re also keeping an eye on the San Juan Capistrano pub crawl on Dec. 26 (listed below). Anyone else going?

To all the new readers, welcome to The Scene… Our motto is: the more you know, the more you go. That’s what this newsletter is all about, sharing ideas big and small to make it easier (and more fun) to get out and enjoy OC.

See you out there!
Lorna & Jason

🚨 P.S. We’re skipping next week since it’s Christmas Eve. We’ll see you back here the following week but check the Plan Ahead section which we will keep updated.

🌟 Christmas at the Mission
Tree lighting, Dickens carolers, glowing light features, and a full scale nativity inside the Mission.
Opens Fri, Dec 19 | Select dates through Dec 30 | San Juan Capistrano

🚤 Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade
One of the country’s top holiday events, featuring 100+ decorated boats cruising the harbor. Best viewed from Marina Park, Balboa Island, or the Fun Zone
Dec 17–21 | Starts ~6:30 PM | Newport Harbor, Newport Beach

✨ Christmas at Casa Romantica
A beloved annual tradition returns with thousands of twinkling lights, live music, hot cocoa, s’mores, and festive crafts across the historic gardens.
Dec 19 & 20 | 5–7 PM | Casa Romantica, San Clemente

🎼 Holiday Musical Dance Extravaganza
A festive evening of holiday music, dance, dinner and live performances for all ages, featuring local singers and dance companies.
Fri, Dec 19 | 6–8pm | Laguna Hills Community Center, Laguna Hills

💃 Jane Austen Regency Ball
Celebrate Jane Austen’s 250th birthday with elegant dancing and live music.
Fri, Dec 19 | 7–10pm | Morning Lavender, Tustin

🎅 Santa and Elves Night
Dress as Santa or his helpers for a festive night of dancing and axe throwing. $15 cover, ages 18+.
Thu, Dec 19 | 8pm–Midnight | Whoop Axe, Mission Viejo

🌌 Immersive Dome Experience
A 360° mind-bending visual journey blending music, art, and full-dome imagery. Save 10% with code BEAUTIFICASOUL or 25% with SURVEYTHANKS
Fri, Dec. 19 | Orange Coast College Planetarium, Costa Mesa

🎧 Silent Night Silent Disco
Dance under the stars with light-up headphones and three DJ channels to switch between.
Fri, Dec 19 | 7–10pm | Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Costa Mesa

Scroll down to see what’s happening next week and beyond:

🗓️ More Dec. 19th Events are here: PLAN AHEAD

🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options

So, How Did We Do?

If The Scene has been helping you make the most of your weekends, feel free to toss a little something in the tip jar, the holiday equivalent of a nod, a smile, and a quiet “keep it coming.”

🌟 Holiday Lights
Take a self-guided spin past the most outrageously decorated homes lighting up South OC.
Every night at Sunset | Throughout South Orange County

🎄 Holiday Night Market
A festive night market with makers, food, kids activities, a beer garden and live music by Vintage Vinyl.
Dec 20 | 5–9pm | 25282 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo

📚 Saucy Story Society: Holiday Party
A spicy, adults-only book club night with potluck snacks, wine, and very unhinged book talk. Private home; address shared after registration.
Sat, Dec 20 | 6pm | Mission Viejo

🎁 Modern Makers Mart: Holiday Edition
Shop 55+ local makers, enjoy live music and kids crafts, and snap a Santa photo by the harbor.
Sat, Dec 20 | 10am–2pm | Dana Point

🎸 Winter Blues Concert at O’Neill’s
An evening of music as O’Neill’s hosts its annual Winter Blues Concert, featuring Kim Wilson & All-Star Blues Band.
Sat, Dec 20 | 4–7 PM | Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, Mission Viejo

🎶 Ugly Sweater Sing-A-Long
Put on your ugliest sweater and sing your heart out during this festive walk-through experience at Mission Viejo’s top holiday home.
Sat, Dec 20 | 6 PM & 7:30 PM | 21906 Cosala, Mission Viejo

🗓️ More Dec. 20th events

Scroll down to see what’s happening next week and beyond:
➡️ NEXT WEEK

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

🚗 Holiday Car Parade
The 28th annual neighborhood parade winds through Califia with decorated cars spreading holiday cheer.
Sun, Dec 21 | 5:30–8pm | Starts at Bathgate School, Mission Viejo

🎷 Live Jazz
An evening of live jazz, holiday coffee samples, bites, and a first look at Jedidiah’s new roastery and studio.
Sun, Dec 21 | 5–8pm | 2175 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach

✨Holidayz at the Park Light Walk
A glowing walk-through wonderland at Great Park with sparkling displays, photo ops, and playful surprises.
Through Jan 4 | Dusk–9pm | Great Park, Irvine

🎄 Sawdust Winter Fantasy
180+ local artists, falling snow, live music, carolers, art classes, and Santa under the eucalyptus trees.
Through Dec 21 | Fri–Sun, 11am–7pm | Sawdust Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach

🗓️ More Dec. 21st events

Scroll down to see what’s happening next week and beyond:
➡️ NEXT WEEK

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

⛷️ Laguna Beach Gets a Pop-Up Ski Hill
Laguna Beach is teaming up with OC Parks to bring a temporary Ski Hill to the coast this winter. Real snow, lift access, and a chance to ski and snowboard just steps from the beach. It’s a rare, very Laguna kind of winter experience.
Dec–Jan 31 | Laguna Beach

🥩 Texas Roadhouse Could Be Coming to Laguna Hills
Texas Roadhouse has its eye on Oakbrook Village, with plans rumored for the former El Torito space. A lease is pending and a license has been filed, so those famous rolls and cinnamon butter might soon have a new South OC home.

🧗 New Climbing Gym Coming to Aliso Viejo
Sender One is set to open a massive 24,000-square-foot climbing center with bouldering, yoga, fitness classes, and an interactive “Sender City” experience for kids and adults. Big walls, big energy. Expected Feb 1, 2026

🎉 Irvine Spectrum Just Got Way More Fun
Holey Moley Golf Club and Hijinx Hotel just opened at Irvine Spectrum, bringing themed indoor mini golf, immersive challenge rooms, and a hidden speakeasy-style cocktail bar tucked inside. Now open at Irvine Spectrum Center, Irvine.

🧐 Trivia Answer ✅ Answer: B — A restaurant for ranchers and miners

Cook’s Corner didn’t start as a biker bar. It originated in 1926, when Earl Jack “E.J.” Cook converted a small cabin on the family’s land into a restaurant serving ranchers and miners in Trabuco Canyon.

After Prohibition ended in the 1930s, it became a local bar, drawing canyon regulars and weekend riders cruising the winding roads nearby. In the 1970s, new owners with ties to the motorcycle industry leaned into that crowd, helping cement Cook’s Corner as the iconic biker hangout it’s known as today.

🥱 Boring Stuff

Publication Disclaimer: Everything included here is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. It is always best to double-check links to be sure event information hasn’t changed if you plan on attending something.

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