Hey {{first name | friend}},

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

And don’t miss what’s below: our full South OC holiday lights tour map plus a lineup of festive events to keep the season glowing.

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

🚤 50th Annual Boat Parade of Lights: Carol of the Boats
Watch Dana Point Harbor glow as boats decked in dazzling holiday lights sail by in this golden anniversary celebration.
Fri, Dec 12–14 | 6:30pm | Dana Point

☕ Parade Viewing Party
Enjoy front-row views, live music, cocoa, cookie decorating, and festive bites as the lit-up boats pass by.
Fri, Dec 12 & Sat Dec 13 | Ocean Institute, Dana Point

⚓ Parade of Lights Cruise
Sail through Dana Point Harbor aboard the R/V Sea Explorer and be part of the glowing boat parade.
Dec 12–14 | Ocean Institute, Dana Point

✨ Holiday Lights at Heritage Hill
Wander through twinkling light displays and holiday photo ops during special evening hours. Free.
Dec 12–14 | 5–9pm | Heritage Hill Historical Park, Lake Forest

🎶 Messiah by Opera Laguna
A fresh, reimagined take on the holiday classic.
Fri, Dec 12 & Sun, Dec 14 | Laguna Beach

🩰 The Nutcracker by Festival Ballet Theatre
Experience a magical journey with dazzling costumes, enchanting sets, and Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday tradition.
Through Dec 24 | Irvine Barclay Theatre, Irvine

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

🗓️ More Dec. 12th Events are here: PLAN AHEAD

🎶 🎶 Checkout This Weekend’s Live Music Options

🎉 Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade
Marching bands, classic cars, fire engines, and festive community groups roll down Crown Valley Parkway for one of South OC’s biggest holiday parades.
Sat, Dec 13 | 10am | Laguna Niguel

🎶 Holiday Caroling
Sip hot cocoa and enjoy classic carols performed in Dickens-style costumes.
Sat, Dec 13 | 5–7pm | Potocki Center Mission Viejo

🌽 Downtown Santa Ana Tamalfest
Thirty thousand tamales, local vendors, live bands, kids activities, and tons of photo ops take over West 4th Street for this massive (and totally free) food festival.
Sat, Dec 13 | 3–10pm | W. 4th St, Santa Ana

🎄 Old Town Christmas Festival
Elf games, live music, Santa visits, local bites, raffles, crafts, and a festive costume contest in Old Town San Clemente.
Dec 13 | 10am–7pm | 111 W Avenida Palizada, San Clemente

🤠 Western Movie Night: Dinner & Movie
Live-fire cooking, country classics from Mama Tried, a hat bar, tattoo lounge, and popcorn with every ticket.
Dec 13 | 4–9pm | The Swanner House, San Juan Capistrano

🍺 A Surf Ghetto Christmas
A holiday block party with real snow on the grass hill, live music, ornament making station and a visit from Surf Ghetto Santa.
Dec 13 | 3–8pm | Los Molinos Beer Co., San Clemente

🍻 Elfed Up Holiday Party
Patsy’s Irish Pub is throwing its annual Elfed Up bash, complete with festive chaos, holiday cocktails, and a crowd that knows how to celebrate.
Dec 13 | 8pm | Patsy’s Irish Pub, Laguna Niguel

🥳 Happy Birthday Jason Ladd 🎂

🗓️ More Dec. 13th events

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

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

🍀FREE Irish Christmas Buffet
A completely free holiday buffet and live music bash at Pub Thirty-Two — just bring a toy to support St. Killian’s and you’re in.
Sun, Dec 14 | From 2pm | Pub Thirty-Two, Mission Viejo

🎶 Messiah by Opera Laguna
A fresh, reimagined take on the holiday classic, blending powerful choral work with choreography.
Sun, Dec 14 | Laguna Beach

🧘‍♀️ Mindful Nature Walk & Tea Ceremony
A slow, 1-mile guided walk with playful mindfulness exercises, nature connection, and a closing tea ceremony. Registration required.
Sun, Dec 14 | 9–11am | Nix Nature Center, Laguna Beach

🕎 Hanukkah Lighting at the Harbor
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with a 12-foot Menorah glowing nightly on the Dana Point Fishing Pier.
Sun, Dec 14 thru Mon, Dec 22 | Evenings | Dana Point

🎄 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 Art Festival Grounds, Laguna Beach

🗓️ More Dec. 14th events

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

🎶 🎶 Checkout South OC Live Music Options

🧐 Trivia Answer ✅ Answer: C — Dana Point

This colorful mosaic by Lance Jost sits under the Doheny Beach Pedestrian Bridge, greeting drivers as they enter the south end of Dana Point. Commissioned by the City of Dana Point in 2009, the artwork is made of ceramic tile, glass, and stone, creating a coastal scene that reflects the city’s surf-and-sand identity.

🥱 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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©️ 2025 The Scene: South OC | All content and information set forth above was created by Lorna Ladd and Jason Ladd and is the intellectual property of this publication. It is protected under US copyright law, including but not limited to “The Digital Millennium Copyright Act.” Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or duplication of any material, in whole or in part, without express written authorization & consent, is strictly prohibited by law and may result in legal action. Violators will be subject to prosecution to the fullest extent of the law.