How to Celebrate the Holidays in Santa Ana, CA!

Activities

There are so many fall and holiday activities near Santa Ana to keep you busy this season! Here are some of our favorite holiday activities happening near Santa Ana, California.

Winter Village

You won’t find much wintry weather in Southern California. In Santa Ana, however, there will be a winter wonderland through the whole month of December. Head over to the Santa Ana Civic Center Plaza to enjoy a host of wintry activities, including ice skating, food trucks, and vendors at the Santa Ana Winter Village. Kids will also enjoy meeting Santa Claus and reading with Mrs. Claus. 

Winter in the Grove

Kickstart your holiday festivities with Winter in the Grove in nearby Garden Grove on December 2. The event runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at Village Green Park and will have free refreshments and lots of activities for kids and adults alike. Meet Santa and Mrs. Claus, check out the craft boutique, and enjoy the snow slide and tree lighting.

Aquarium Holidays

From December 2 to 23, don’t forget to attend Aquarium Holidays at the Santa Ana aquarium. Enjoy festive decor, holiday shopping, snowfall in the Great Hall, appearances by Santa Diver, and Hanukkah storytelling. Whether you’re looking for a family- or kid-friendly activity or simply are an animal lover, the aquarium will surely warm your heart and bring a smile to your face! Advanced reservations are required, so we recommend signing up early while there are still plenty of spots left.

Shows and Performances

For those who enjoy theater or live performances, this section is for you! Embrace the holidays by attending one (or all) of the three shows below.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical

It’s just not Christmas without an appearance by the Grinch. At the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, your heart can grow three sizes as you enjoy a production of Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical from December 19 through December 24. Audiences of all ages are sure to enjoy the performance and leave with souls full of the Christmas spirit.



The Nutcracker

Is it really the holiday season without The Nutcracker? Don’t miss this spectacular production by the American Ballet Theatre starting on Friday, December 8. Follow Clara as she befriends a nutcracker and wages a battle against the evil Mouse King. The stunning costumes, music, choreography, and winter wonderland props will leave you and the entire audience in awe.

Shopping

Shopping during the holiday season can be stressful and intimidating. The good news is that there are so many places other than the mall to buy gifts for your loved ones. From small boutiques to holiday festivals, you’ll have multiple opportunities near Santa Ana to find the perfect presents.

Vintage Market

If you’ve never been to a Sugar Plum festival, now is your chance to go. The Sugar Plum Festival will be held multiple times throughout the holiday season. Browse beautiful antiques and collectibles, recycled items, and other unique treasures. Do your Hannukah, Christmas, and New Year’s shopping at the festival from November 29 through December 2, and check out the all-new Christmas Store from December 6 through December 17.



M.Lovewell

Located in Downtown Santa Ana on 4th street, M.Lovewell is a boutique shop that sells stationery goods, gifts, plants, and decor. The next time you need a thoughtful gift or a special holiday card, consider making a stop here and supporting this small local business.

Acts of Service

There’s no better way to get into the holiday spirit than by serving others. Thankfully, our Santa Ana community and nearby cities offer a variety of service opportunities. Pick a day in the upcoming weeks and make a plan to get out and serve! Here are two of our favorite service opportunities near Santa Ana, California, that you can choose from.

Someone Care’s Soup Kitchen

Someone Care’s Soup Kitchen is a nonprofit organization that provides breakfast, lunch, and dinner to over 300 guests daily. On certain holidays, particularly Thanksgiving and Christmas, the soup kitchen creates an incredible dining experience for its guests by serving exceptional holiday food to the homeless, which, on average, is about 500 individuals each holiday. The soup kitchen is always looking for volunteers all year long. Visit their website, email info@someonecareskitchen.org, or call (949) 548-8861 for more information.



Senior Santa & Friends

Senior Santa & Friends provides gifts and everyday household items to low-income and/or disabled elderly adults. Each holiday season, the staff at Orange County Health Care Agency chooses elderly individuals who could benefit from an extra boost of love and service. Last year alone, the organization donated almost 2,721 gifts to seniors. To donate clothing, medical equipment, nutritional supplements, or other items, please call (714) 825-3111 or email Senior.Santa@ssa.ocgov.com.

Safe Celebration

When enjoying the holiday season, it’s essential to follow safety protocols. Up to 7,400 fires are started because of household candles, and although we love smelling cinnamon and cedar fir scents throughout our community, we care that all our residents are safe! With that being said, we ask that all residents safely light candles in their homes and never leave a candle unattended.



Another safety protocol to follow is to take special care of your live Christmas tree. Water your tree continually to prevent it from drying out, keep all open flames away from the branches, and make sure to turn off all decorative holiday lights when you leave home. Following these steps will ensure you have an enjoyable and safe holiday season!

Refer to this holiday guide if you’re looking for ways near Santa Ana to help you embrace the festive season. From activities and shopping to performances and service, you’ll be in the holiday spirit in no time! Happy holidays from our friendly staff here at California Palms.