Pho, beer fests, parades, holiday cheer…. Check out the top Orange County weekend events for Dec. 6-9.

Edited by Laura Okey.

EVENTS

Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Dec. 7-8. Boaters deck out their ships with themed decorations and cruise the Dana Point harbor at this 44th annual event. This year’s theme is “A Western Wonderland.” OC Parks hosts free family activities including games, crafts, photos with Santa and live entertainment. Festivities 4:30 p.m., boat parade 7:30 p.m. Free. Dana Point Harbor, 34555 Golden Lantern Dr., Dana Point, 949.923.2255. danapointharbor.com

 

 

Candlelight Walk
Dec. 7-9. Join the 33rd annual event featuring strolling Victorian carolers and musicians as you wander through luminous pathways at Heritage Hill Historical Park. Visit with Santa in the Arbor, enjoy crafts with Mrs. Claus and listen to winter tales via OC Libraries storytelling. Light refreshments are available for purchase. 5:30-8:30 p.m. $5 general admission, free for children under 3. Heritage Hill Historical Park, 25151 Serrano Road, Lake Forest, 949.923.2230. ocparks.com

 

 

Barks of Love Bash 
Dec. 8. Bring your pup to the outdoor patio at Ways & Means Oyster House for an afternoon of fun benefiting the Barks of Love pet rescue. Enjoy dog-friendly activities, drinks, appetizers and fun offerings from Pacific City vendors including Pop Bar “pup-sicles” and Top Dog Boutique. 3-5 p.m. $20. 21022 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, 714.960.4300. wmoysters.com

 

 

 

Ho-Ho-Ho Night Hike
Dec. 8. See Carbon Canyon Regional Park in a completely different setting—in the dark. Park rangers lead a night hike to the Redwood Grove highlighting the natural wonders of the park. The event features hot cocoa and cookies and a live animal presentation by the Nature of Wildworks. Dress for cold weather, wear sturdy shoes for the trail and bring a flashlight. To register, email carboncanyon@ocparks.com. 5:30-8 p.m. Free. Carbon Canyon Regional Park, 4442 Carbon Canyon Road, Brea, 714.973.3160. ocparks.com

 

Holiday Santa Tour and Sanrio Village
Dec. 8-9. Get caught up in a snow flurry at the Tanaka Farms Holiday Santa Tour, which also features beautiful views, photos with Santa and a “Walk through the Seasons” in a meandering corn maze filled with Hello Kitty & Friends decor. Tours depart every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m. Arrive 20 minutes before tour time. 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. $18; 2 and under, free. Entry without tour, $4. Tanaka Farms, 5380 3/4 University Dr., Irvine. tanakafarms.com

 

 

Winter on the Walk
Dec. 8. Find your Christmas spirit amidst cascading “snowfall,” hot cocoa, a live DJ, and a special laser light show at Anaheim Gardenwalk. 6-8 p.m. Free. Anaheim GardenWalk, 400 West Disney Way, Anaheim, anaheimgardenwalk.com

 

 

 

 

Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy
Dec. 8-9. The Sawdust Art Festival grounds are transformed into a winter wonderland for the holiday season. Experience unique artworks by 175 artists, live holiday entertainment, outdoor cafés, art classes and demonstrations and Santa Claus. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $4-$8. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustartfestival.org

 

 

 

The Slime Bonanza 
Dec. 9. The insta-famous homemade slime trend that’s sweeping the nation is hitting the District this Saturday with slime contests, slime demos and a slew of homemade slimes for sale. Dozens of SoCal slimers will be selling, making and sliming. Noon-4 p.m. $15 GA, $35 VIP (includes goody bag and early access). The District at Tustin Legacy, 2437 Park Ave., Tustin, 714.259.9090. Tickets

 

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Duck Donuts Holiday Assortment
Now Available. Dive into the holidays with Duck Donuts’ popular mint icing and seasonal sprinkles on their made-to-order donuts. Drool-worthy seasonal espresso drinks include the snowbird mocha, a traditional peppermint mocha with a coconut twist; horchata white mocha, a creamy snicker doodle-flavored latte with a hint of cinnamon; and cookie butter chai latte, a seasonal chai latte resembling a spiced sugar cookie. 6:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Duck Donuts, 18591 Main St., Huntington Beach, 714.375.5430. duckdonuts.com

 

 

Joseph Phelps Vineyard at Montage
Dec. 7. Enjoy top-tier dining and wine pairing on Montage Laguna Beach’s Pacific Lawn with the venerated wines of Joseph Phelps Vineyard. Dishes by executive chef Jeff Walter include grilled lobster tacos with salsa verde, petite beef Wellington with green peppercorn sauce, and seared diver scallop with red quinoa salad, citrus-fennel relish and basil oil. Five-course dinner with wine pairing is $350 per guest, not including tax or gratuity. 30801 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.6420. montagehotels.com

 

 

Fountain Valley Pho Festival 
Dec. 7-9. This citywide festival celebrates the flavors of Vietnam’s most popular home-style dish, pho. In addition to creative and tasty variations of the festival’s namesake dish, enjoy other traditional Vietnamese foods, cooking demonstrations, live music and carnival attractions. F 7-9 p.m.; Sa 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Su 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Free admission. Unlimited carnival rides for $30. Parking $5. Fountain Valley Sports Park, 16400 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley. ocphofest.com

 

 

Brew Ho Ho! Holiday Ale Festival
Dec. 8. The 7th annual Brew Ho Ho! features more than 90 craft beers from the finest breweries in Southern California and beyond, including rare and limited-release holiday and winter ales. Pair craft beers with bites from food vendors such as the Viking Truck and Cousin’s Maine Lobster. 21+. Noon-4 p.m. $55 online, $65 at the door; $20 for parking at the Honda Center. Anaheim Phoenix Club, 1340 S. Sanderson Ave., Anaheim. ocbrewhoho.com

 

 

Brunch with Santa at Back Bay Bistro
Dec. 8. Take photos with Santa between trips to sprawling buffet tables including live food stations such as cooked-to-order omelets and pancakes and a dessert display including white and milk-chocolate fountains. Beverage options include endless mimosas ($5) or a Bloody Mary carafe ($10). 11 a.m.-1 p.m. $28 adults, $13 children 10 and under. 1131 Back Bay Dr., Newport Beach, 949.729.1144. newportdunes.com

 

 

Brunch with Santa at Davio’s 
Dec. 9. Enjoy a delectable Sunday brunch at Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse, serving up seasonal Saint Nick Pancakes and Christmas Tree Waffles and a variety of other holiday-themed treats. Bring the kids for a Santa Claus meet-and-greet. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Davio’s, 18420 Von Karman Ave., Irvine, 949.477.4810. davios.com

 

 

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Candour
Opens Dec. 6. Stroll the streets of Laguna Beach for the monthly Art Walk, featuring a new exhibition, Candour at Avran Fine Art. The exhibit features collaborative works by artists Andrew Cortez and Shannon Vaught. 6-9 p.m. Free. Avran Fine Art, 540 S. Coast Hwy., Suite 106, Laguna Beach, 949.494.0900. avranart.com

 

 

 

Nutcracker for Kids
Dec. 8. Twirling ballerinas enchant in the holiday classic The Nutcracker for Kids. The Pacific Symphony concert brings to life the world of toy soldiers, waltzing flowers and the Sugar Plum Fairy in a 45-minute version for kids ages 5-11. Enjoy a musical carnival before or after the show. Musical Carnival 9 a.m. (for 10 a.m. guests) and 12:15 p.m. (for 11:30 a.m. guests). Showtimes 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. $45-$76. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 714.755.5799. scfta.org

 

 

Festival Ballet Theater’s “The Nutcracker”
Opens Dec. 8. Festival Ballet Theater presents the traditional full-length production of the cherished holiday classic. Children and the young at heart will enjoy its colorful scenery, magnificent costumes and sensational dancing. See website for showtimes. $45+. Irvine Barclay Theater, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine, 949.854.4646. thebarclay.org

 

 

Holiday Boat Parade photo courtesy the Ace Agency. Candlelight Walk photo courtesy OC Parks. Holiday Santa Tour and Sanrio Village photo courtesy Tanaka Farms. Night Hike photo by Jake Campell. Winter on the Walk photo courtesy Anaheim GardenWalk. The Slime Bonanza photo courtesy @squishintime/Instagram. Duck Donuts photo courtesy Duck Donuts. Brew Ho Ho photo courtesy the ACE Agency. Montage photo courtesy Montage Laguna Beach. Brunch with Santa photo courtesy Back Bay Bistro. Santa pancakes photo courtesy Davio’s. Sawdust Festival photo courtesy Sawdust Art Festival. “Candour” photo courtesy Avran Fine Art. “Nutcracker for Kids” and “The Nutcracker” photos courtesy Festival Ballet Theatre.

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