Not Your Ho Hum Holiday

Not Your Ho Hum Holiday
By Shelley T. Hudson

Sail Over To The Harbor
The city’s 37th Annual Holidays in the Harbor kicks off with its Holiday Open House on December 2nd from 4 to 8 p.m. Family activities including face painting, crafts and live music will entertain grownups and kids alike. Santa will sit for photos, so remember to bring your camera. Come on back to the harbor the next day for a 20-minute Harbor Cruise with Mr. Claus. Boat rides start at the Dana Wharf Sportfishing docks and your $3 donation will benefit the El Camino Real Jr. Women’s Club. Cruises depart regularly from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on December 3rd and 4th. If you miss these photo-ops, you’ll have another opportunity at the El Torito courtyard on December 8th and 15th from 3 to 5 p.m. for your official Photos with Santa.

Rock The Boat
The Boat Parade of Lights in Dana Point Harbor is sure to get the holiday party started with this year’s theme: “Santa Salutes the 70’s.” Boaters will deck their vessels in elaborate light displays and compete for prizes. View the parade from anywhere in the harbor or watch from one of the restaurants. Be a part of the parade and reserve a spot on one of Dana Wharf Sportfishing’s boats and wave at the adoring crowds while you cruise. Visit www.danapointharbor.com for a parade application and for event information. The parade sets sail on December 9th, 10th, 16th and 17th.

Happy Pawlidays!
The Santa Paws and Claws event is new this year and benefits the Pet Project Foundation. Bring your furry friend to Aegis in Dana Point (26922 Camino de Estrella) on December 3rd from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. or to the harbor on the 10th from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for an afternoon of photos and fun. For more information, visit www.petprojectfoundation.org or call 949.595.8899.

Reindeer Games
The Dana Point Winter Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony takes place on December 10th from noon to 7:30 p.m. at La Plaza Park. Highlights include a craft faire, real snow, a petting zoo (with actual reindeer!), cookie decorating, children’s crafts, carnival games and entertainment all day long. Be sure to make time for a visit with Santa and catch the special holiday movie that starts at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call 949.248.3530.

Turn Up The Lights
Pull out the holiday decor and do the Griswalds proud. Power up for the 12th annual Holiday Home Decorating Contest and vie for the best on the block in creativity, originality, and overall enthusiasm for the winter holidays. Judging will be done by the Dana Point Youth Board on December 16th from 5 to 7 p.m. Awards will be given to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place homes. Call 949.248.3512 for more information.

Artfully Done
The Sawdust Festival’s Winter Fantasy is a must-see local tradition. Shop for one-of-a-kind gifts while you enjoy entertainment, art demonstrations and snacks from four outdoor cafes. Over 170 exhibitors will display and sell wares, including jewelry, clothing, ceramics, paintings and sculpture. Craft booths will keep little ones busy and St. Nick is rumored to stop by to see who’s being naughty or nice. Admission is $6 for adults and $3 for kids, but you can slide in for free on Sundays with the donation of a new unwrapped toy. The Winter Fantasy runs December 3rd, 4th, 9th, 10th and 11th from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jingle All The Way
The City of San Clemente will present its annual Santa’s Village by the Sea shindig at the Community Center on December 3rd. Enjoy a real snow hill with sledding, a chat with Santa and refreshments. The fun starts at 1 p.m. and continues until the tree lighting at 5 p.m. Afterward, follow the elves down Candy Cane Lane for Christmas at the Casa from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Casa Romantica. The venue will be decorated in holiday finery and will offer hot chocolate, cookies, crafts and caroling.

Handle With Care
The Annual Toy Drive and Adopt-A-Family Gift Program is a great opportunity to help those in need. Family Assistance Ministries will distribute new clothes and shoes to needy families from 10 to 11 a.m. on December 17th at 100 N. Calle Seville. Go to www.family-assistance.org for donation information and to read about the work this organization does all year long.

Go To Town
The Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony goes down December 3rd from 4 to 9 p.m. at Historic Town Center Park and features roaming entertainment, crafts, face painting, Santa photos, train rides and marionette performances. ZOOMARS is sponsoring a petting zoo and hay ride and disabled adults from “Pathway to Hope” will enact a living nativity. Downtown businesses will stay open until 9 p.m. to help get your holiday shopping under way.

Mission Accomplished
Mission San Juan Capistrano will host its annual Christmas at the Mission tradition on December 3rd from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Local choirs and bands will provide entertainment, food vendors will offer refreshments and your little elves can visit Santa’s Workshop. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children and can be purchased at the Gate House.

A Train Of Thought
For the young and young at heart, Metrolink’s Holiday Toy Express will once again make local stops to spread holiday cheer on Sunday, December 4th. The Firefighter’s Spark of Love Toy Drive coordinates with Metrolink to collect and distribute toys to kids who might go without otherwise. The light-bedecked Metrolink will come screeching into the station with candy cane-bearing elves on board. Come down to your local stop with the kids in tow and an unwrapped toy for Spark of Love. The train will stop at the San Juan Capistrano station at 7 p.m., San Clemente’s North Beach at 7:45 p.m. and San Clemente Pier at 8:20 p.m.

Home For The Holidays
The Assistance League of Capistrano Valley’s 6th Annual Christmas Home Tour takes place on December 4th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour four palatial hillside homes and sample food tastings from The Cellar, Hapa J’s, Sundried Tomato and more. The $35 ticket can be purchased at www.capistranovalley.assistanceleague.org. Proceeds benefit Capistrano Unified Schools and Camp Pendleton Marine families. The tour takes place rain or shine and comfortable, flat shoes are recommended.

Happy Holidays from The Local Dish Magazine!