Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, Feast of Seven Fishes, Mariachi Los Camperos and more…. Here are the top Orange County weekend events for December 19-22.

Edited by Whitney Lauren Han.

EVENTS

Disney on Ice Presents Mickey’s Search Party
Dec. 19-23. Create unforgettable memories and become part of the story at the Disney on Ice Mickey’s Search Party at the Honda Center. The show brings the magic closer to fans than ever before through engaging elements on the ice, in the air and in the seats. Characters come from Disney-Pixar’s Coco, Frozen, Moana, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Toy Story and The Little Mermaid. See website for showtimes. $16+. 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.704.2500. hondacenter.com

 

 

Gingerbread Academy
Dec. 21-22. Treat the family to the sweet treat of decorating gourmet gingerbread houses at the Monarch Beach Resort. During each session, Santa makes an appearance and takes photos with guests. The experience includes one house, all the decoration fixings, access to the holiday treat bar and two beverages. 10 a.m.-noon, 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m. $135 for two adults and two children. 1 Monarch Beach Resort, Dana Point, 949.234.3900. monarchbeachresort.com

 

 

South Coast Plaza Tree Lighting
Dec. 21. The Segerstrom family continues its tradition, once again illuminating a taller-than-90-foot white fir tree. The fir is decorated with more than 94,000 colorful LED and strobe lights. TV and Broadway star Matthew Morrison makes a guest appearance at the event. Complimentary seasonal drinks and sweet treats available along with holiday entertainment, including a live band and carolers. 6 p.m. Free admission. Town Center Park (adjacent to the Westin South Coast Plaza), 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, 800.782.8888. southcoastplaza.com

 

 

Witch Walk
Dec. 21. Discover the enchantment at this family- and pet-friendly community art walk showcasing 35 vendors of unique handmade gifts, tarot readers, clothing, healers and apothecaries in downtown Santa Ana. Local author Jamie Della leads an opening ceremony marking the Winter Solstice. 5-10 p.m. 222 W. 2nd St. Promenade, Santa Ana. witchwalkdtsa.com

 

 

 

Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade 
Through Dec. 22. Watch the procession of boats decked out in  brilliant twinkling lights at the 111th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade. One hundred extravagantly decorated boats light up the waters of Newport Harbor from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. For five nights, experience the parade in a variety of fun-filled ways, from a family-friendly event on the sand to a memorable prix-fixe meal at a waterfront restaurant. See website for parade times and more info. Newport Beach, 949.675.0551. christmasparadeboats.com

 

 

Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy
Through Dec. 22. Experience the annual magical outdoor art village this year featuring 180 artists and artisans, three stages of live music and entertainment, holiday-themed festival classes and ceramics, art demonstrations, daily visits with Santa, carolers, a petting zoo, marionette shows, falling snow, holiday photo-ops, outdoor cafes and a saloon. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. $8 adults, $6 seniors age 65+, $4 children ages 6-12, free for ages 5 and under. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.494.3030. sawdustartfestival.org

 

CHRISTMAS EVE + CHRISTMAS DAY

Bayside Restaurant
Dec. 24. Come get festive and bright, and let Bayside do the holiday cooking and cleanup for you so you can simply enjoy merriment with friends, family and loved ones. Bayside is available for reservations during dinner service, with a special three-course prix fixe menu and select a la carte items available for the whole family. Live music will make the season bright. $64 for prix fixe. 900 Bayside Drive, Newport Beach, 949.721.1222. baysiderestaurant.com

 

 

Oak Grill
Dec. 24-25. Experience chef Brittany Valles’ innovative five-course dinner menu on Christmas Eve, showcasing her best holiday fare with live entertainment. On Christmas, savor a traditional holiday-inspired buffet with a contemporary twist. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., stations offer brunch fare; from 3 to 7 p.m., the stations feature dinner choices such as prime rib. Additional highlights include a kids station at both buffets, desserts, live entertainment and a photo booth. Christmas Eve 5:30-9 p.m., Christmas 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Christmas Eve: $125 adults, $45 kids ages 5-12. Fashion Island, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. oakgrillnb.com

 

 

Queen Mary Christmas
Through Jan. 1. Enjoy the holiday spirit aboard the historic Queen Mary as it transforms into an epic adventure-filled wonderland. Highlights include live entertainment, festive libations, strolling performers, sweet treats, light shows, gingerbread and stocking decorating, ice-skating, and shopping. There’s also a meet-and-greet with Ol’ Saint Nick in the Captain’s Quarters. See website for schedule and ticket prices. $20 on-site parking. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 800.437.2934. queenmary.com

 

 

HANUKKAH

Menorah Lighting
Dec. 22. Families are invited to celebrate Chanukah with the Chabad Jewish Center of San Clemente during the fifth annual menorah lighting at Outlets at San Clemente. The family-friendly event includes the lighting of a menorah, entertainment and activities for children, hot latkes, doughnuts and gelt. 4-5 p.m. Free admission. Outlets at San Clemente, Oak Tree Court, 101 W. Avenida Vista Hermosa, San Clemente, 949.535.2323. outletsatsanclemente.com

 

 

FOOD + DRINK

Holiday Tea at Raya
Through Dec. 19. Experience the timeless tradition of afternoon tea at the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Raya, its fine-dining room, features an array of teas, savory canapés and sweet bites in an elegant ocean-view setting. M-Th 2:30-3:30 p.m. $78 per person. 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Dana Point, 949.240.2000. ritzcarlton.com

 

 

 

 

Holiday Festival at Crew Coffee & Cremerie
Dec. 22. Sweeten up with cookie decorating and get toasty with a holiday beverage—peppermint mocha, anyone?—at Lido House. you can also cuddle up for a Christmas movie and visit with Santa—Lido House will be a true treat right before the holidays. 4-7 p.m. 3300 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach, 949.524.8500. lidohousehotel.com

 

 

 

Feast of Seven Fishes
Through Dec. 24. Cucina Enoteca honors the Italian-American holiday tradition of Feast of the Seven Fishes. Both locations offer a seven-item seafood platter nightly, intended for sharing by two to four guests. The platter includes baked mussel, salt cod fritter, white anchovy skewer, tuna conserva, salmon crudo, octopus and calamari scapeche. $32. Irvine Spectrum, 532 Spectrum Center Drive, Irvine, 949.861.2222; Fashion Island, 951 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.706.1416. urbankitchengroup.com

 

ARTS + CULTURE

Fiesta Navidad with Mariachi Los Camperos
Dec. 19. Fiesta Navidad, one of Orange County’s most anticipated and popular holiday celebrations, returns to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. The family concert features the renowned Grammy Award-winning Mariachi Los Camperos and dance group Chiquina Palafox. 8 p.m. $29+. 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org

 

 

Photos: Mickey Mouse Disney on Ice courtesy Disney on Ice. Gingerbread Academy courtesy Monarch Beach Resort. Tree courtesy South Coast Plaza. Witch Walk courtesy Cali Communications. Winter Fantasy, Sawdust Festival. Boat Parade courtesy Visit Newport Beach. Bayside Christmas Eve photo courtesy Shout PR. Oak Grill  courtesy Fashion Island Hotel. Queen Mary, Mathew Martinez. Menorah Lighting courtesy Outlets at San Clemente. Raya courtesy the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel. Crew Coffee & Cremerie courtesy Lido House. Cucina Enoteca courtesy H2 Public Relations. Mariachi Los Camperos, Armstrong International Cultural Foundation/Reese Zoellner.