🍂 November in Orange County brings the holiday season into full swing: 🕯 Dia de los Muertos celebrations, 🦃 Thanksgiving tradition, 🎄 the county's first holiday light displays, and 🎅 Santa making his rounds well before December arrives. Here's everything worth putting on your calendar this month.
🎅 Join Me: Santa & Mrs. Claus Visit to Las Flores
I'm hosting my 4th annual Santa & Mrs. Claus visit to Las Flores on Saturday, Nov. 14 at the Las Flores Apartment Clubhouse (391 Sable, Las Flores, Rancho Santa Margarita). Stop by for 📸 complimentary professional photos, cocoa, cookies, crafts, Santa's vintage truck, and a new sleigh for selfies. Photos run 10–11:30am with a Boho Holiday Chic backdrop, and 1:30–3pm with Santa's vintage truck (weather permitting) – reserve a 15-minute photo window, or just drop by for crafts, cocoa, and cookies, no reservation needed. Leashed pets are welcome, and one lucky family will win a Christmas tree courtesy of the Tesoro High School Baseball Team. Donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are warmly welcomed but never required.
🔗 Reserve your photo time & event details
Scheduled Events
Plaza de la Familia – Through Nov. 2
Anaheim
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with colorful displays, music, and festivities inspired by Disney's Coco.
🔗 disneyland.disney.go.com
Sugar Plum Arts & Crafts Festival – Nov. 6–8
Costa Mesa
Shop seasonal gifts, decor, and crafts.
🔗 ocfair.com
Irvine Holiday Faire at the Great Park – Nov. 7
Irvine
Handcrafted gifts and festive shopping.
🔗 cityofirvine.gov
Noche de Altares – Nov. 7
Santa Ana
Celebrate Dia de los Muertos with traditional altars, cultural art, music, and festivities.
🔗 elcentroculturaldemexico.org
Happy Harbor Days – Nov. 12–Jan. 10
Dana Point
Stroll along the harbor and enjoy holiday lights, decor, and waterfront photo opportunities.
🔗 danapointharbor.com
Chapman Winterfest – Nov. 18
Orange
Celebrate with holiday music, Santa visits, seasonal treats, magical snowfall, and a festive tree lighting.
🔗 chapman.edu
Sawdust Winter Fantasy – Nov. 20–Dec. 20
Laguna Beach
Shop art and handcrafted gifts while enjoying live music, holiday decorations, and family activities.
🔗 sawdustartfestival.org
Creep It Real Festive – Nov. 20–22
Santa Ana
A spooky holiday celebration with themed vendors, unique gifts, entertainment, and festive attractions.
🔗 creepitrealoc.com
Plaza Navidena – Nov. 21
Santa Ana
Enjoy a festive tree lighting, live entertainment, Santa photos, and family activities.
🔗 santa-ana.org
Dana Point Turkey Trot – Nov. 26
Dana Point
Celebrate Thanksgiving with scenic 5K and 10K races, a children's fun run, and beautiful views.
🔗 turkeytrot.com
Turkey Trot on The Ranch – Nov. 26
Rancho Mission Viejo
The 10th annual Turkey Trot on The Ranch features a 10K (8am), 5K (8:30am), and Little Gobbler's 1K (10am) through the community's pathways, with proceeds benefiting The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo. Rain or shine.
🔗 ranchomissionviejo.com
🔗 Register: runsignup.com
A Christmas Carol – Nov. 28–Dec. 27
Costa Mesa
Dickens' classic theater production at South Coast Repertory.
🔗 scr.org
Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting – Nov. 29
Mission Viejo
Welcome Santa with crafts, games, live entertainment, a petting zoo, and festive lights.
🔗 missionviejo.gov
Local Favorites
Farmers Markets – Every Week
Orange County
Local produce, artisan foods, flowers, and specialty goods throughout Orange County.
🔗 orangecounty.net
Holidays at Disneyland Resort – Nov. 13–Jan. 6
Anaheim
Enjoy holiday parades, fireworks, festive attractions, and California Adventure's Festival of Holidays.
🔗 disneyland.disney.go.com
Knott's Merry Farm – Nov. 20–Jan. 3
Buena Park
Enjoy dazzling lights, Christmas shows, festive rides, seasonal treats, and holiday fun with Snoopy.
🔗 sixflags.com/knotts
Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay – Nov. 27–Jan. 3
Newport Beach
Experience dazzling waterfront lights, festive entertainment, fire dancers, and holiday activities.
🔗 newportdunes.com
Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train – Nov. 27–Dec. 23
Orange
Ride a magical train to visit Santa and enjoy sparkling lights, festive decorations, and family activities.
🔗 irvineparkrailroad.com
Hikari Festival of Lights – Nov. 27–Dec. 27
Irvine
Enjoy illuminated wagon rides, sparkling holiday displays, festive treats, and family activities at Tanaka Farms.
🔗 tanakafarms.com/pages/hikari
Winter Fest OC – Nov. 27–Jan. 3
Costa Mesa
Snow play, lights, holiday entertainment, and attractions.
🔗 winterfestoc.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I meet Santa in Orange County in November 2026?
Kristina Nagel is hosting her 4th annual Santa & Mrs. Claus visit to Las Flores on Nov. 14 in Rancho Santa Margarita, with complimentary photos, crafts, and treats. Other spots include Chapman Winterfest on Nov. 18, Plaza Navidena on Nov. 21, the Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train starting Nov. 27, and Santa's Arrival & Tree Lighting in Mission Viejo on Nov. 29.
Are there Dia de los Muertos events in Orange County this November?
Yes. Plaza de la Familia at Disneyland runs through Nov. 2 with displays and festivities inspired by Disney's Coco, and Noche de Altares in Santa Ana on Nov. 7 features traditional altars, cultural art, and music.
When do Orange County's holiday light displays open in November 2026?
Several kick off in late November: Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay, Hikari Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms, and Winter Fest OC all begin Nov. 27, while Happy Harbor Days in Dana Point starts Nov. 12 and Holidays at Disneyland Resort begins Nov. 13.
Is there a Thanksgiving race in Orange County?
Yes, there are two on Nov. 26: the Dana Point Turkey Trot features a scenic 5K and 10K along with a children's fun run, and Turkey Trot on The Ranch in Rancho Mission Viejo offers a 10K, 5K, and Little Gobbler's 1K through the community's pathways, with proceeds benefiting The Nature Reserve at Rancho Mission Viejo.
What's a good family holiday outing in Orange County this November?
The Irvine Park Railroad Christmas Train (starting Nov. 27) lets kids visit Santa aboard a train ride, and Knott's Merry Farm (starting Nov. 20) combines festive rides and shows with holiday fun featuring Snoopy.
Event dates, times, and details are subject to change — please confirm with each event's website before you head out.
