Rockin’ Holiday Happenings

Rockin’ Holiday Happenings
By Shelley Hudson

South OC isn’t missing a beat this year with a superstar lineup of festive family fun! We’ve got the skinny on where to find Mr. Belly-Full-of-Jelly and more from now until the new year.

Dana Point
Harboring The Good Life
This town always goes all-out for the yuletide season and this year is no exception. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on December 6th, Dana Point Harbor is hosting Holiday in the Harbor with a sea of family-friendly fun. A petting zoo, game booths, Santa chats, holiday crafts, and “people painting” will go down simultaneously. All events and parking are free!

A Boatload Of Fun
Dana Point’s 39th Annual Boat Parade of Lights is an absolute can’t miss. Boaters from all over OC elaborately decorate their vessels and compete for prizes. The show can be viewed from virtually any spot in the harbor, but the best (and warmest) views can be enjoyed from one of the many restaurants (make reservations early) lining the waterfront. You can even hop on board a parade boat and experience the festivities first-hand by reserving a ride at DanaWharf.com. The parade starts cruising at 7:30 p.m. on December 6th, 7th, 13th, and 14th.

‘Tis the season to share your list with Mr. Claus on a cruise! Twenty-minute Boat Rides with Santa are offered by Dana Wharf Sportfishing on the 7th and 8th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. With a new toy donation, you’ll get a $10 Bask Bucks certificate toward a future trip or purchase. Come to the sportfishing docks near the Jolly Roger—and don’t forget your camera.

Santa Paws
Bring your furriest family member to Dana Point Harbor near El Torito on the 14th between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. for Pet Project Foundation’s Santa Paws fundraiser. For a small fee, pose with your pets and Sandy Claws and support the work of this worthy organization.

A Bundle Of Joy
The City’s Winter Festival and Tree Lighting takes place at LaPlaza Park on December 14th. The jam-packed schedule kicks off at noon and runs until the start of the Boat Parade at 7:30 p.m. This FREE day of entertainment includes (deep breath…) a craft fair, face painting, reindeer, carnival games, caricature artists, a petting zoo, pony rides, crafts, cookie decorating, balloon twisters, marionettes, storytelling, great food, carolers, jazz musicians, dancers, and SNOW! Lots and lots of cold, fluffy powder! A screening of Arthur Christmas with complimentary popcorn is set to immediately follow the hot-chocolate-and-cookie-accompanied tree lighting at 5:15 p.m.

Homework For The Holidays
Dana Point is proud to team with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Capistrano Valley for Operation Holiday Homework. Students in the program are encouraged to complete homework assignments and are rewarded on a point system which are redeemed for a “shopping spree” for family gifts. Community participation is vital to this event’s success, so please get involved! You can collect gifts for boys, girls, moms, and dads at your office or in your neighborhood in one of the club-provided boxes, and then donate them to the program. You may also volunteer your time at the event on December 14th to help kids select gifts for their families or assist with wrapping them. Email Steve Rho at srho@bgccapo.com for details.

San Clemente
Holly Jolly Hoopla
The elves of Santa’s Village by the Sea and Casa Romantica have put in overtime to sponsor a double dose of merriment at this year’s Holly Jolly Hoopla. Starting at 2 p.m. on December 7th, the Community Center will host photos with the portly Guest of Honor, cookie decorating, and a viewing of Polar Express. San Clemente’s Mayor will officiate the tree lighting at 5:15. Head over to the holiday-bedecked Casa Romantica for Christmas at the Casa at 5:30 for carolers, crafts, and live music.

Food For Thought
The Watershed Task Force, Holiday Inn Express and Carbonara Trattoria are joining forces with The Funniest Housewives of Orange County to host the 5th Annual Adopt-A-Marine Holiday Dinner for service members stationed at Camp Pendleton. This is a great way to show appreciation to military personnel who can’t be with their loved ones for the holidays. Your $25 donation covers a Marine’s night out and keeps you off the “naughty” list. Email info@SCWwatersheds.com for donation details.

A Family Affair
Another opportunity to spread good tidings is through Family Assistance Ministries’ Adopt-A-Family program. Your co-workers, club, scout troop, or family can sign up at the FAM office and pick up a special family’s wish list, including ages and sizes of clothing for children. Your group can remain anonymous or deliver gifts personally. If you prefer, you can donate groceries for holiday meals instead. Check out Family-Assistance.org for more info.

San Juan Capistrano
Making Spirits Bright
The Annual Tree Lighting Celebration and Downtown Festivities will be more wondrous than ever this year. This long-running tradition at Historic Town Center Park kicks off on the 7th at 4 p.m. with a stage show, followed by the tree lighting at 5:15. Downtown shops will stay open late and provide refreshments and one-night-only discounts. The Claus couple, train rides, face painting, and art projects will keep the tots busy, and ZOOMARS’ Live Nativity will surely entertain even the scroogiest Scrooge.

After the tree lighting ceremony, stroll down the street for Christmas at the Mission. Carolers, chamber singers, orchestra musicians, dancers, mariachis and an always-fun Santa’s Workshop for kids make for holiday card-worthy family memories.

Let It Snow!
For the first time ever, San Juan Capistrano will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland on December 14th. We’re talking sledding and snowmen—the real white stuff. Don your cozy apparel between 10:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. and check out the Second Saturday Art Fair along with live music, an ugly sweater contest, and a visit with Father Christmas. Bring receipts from local shops for complimentary gift wrapping.

Laguna Niguel
A Latke Fun
Chabad Laguna Niguel and the City of Laguna Niguel will jointly host the Chanukah Wonderland and Menorah Lighting on December 1st at 3:30 p.m. at City Hall. This free family event includes all the traditional favorites, live music, and activities and crafts for kids.

A Feast For The Eyes
Throw watts to the wind and enter your home in the Holiday Lights Decorating Contest. Now’s your chance to channel your inner Clark Griswald and create a magical scene—and score a $25 Home Depot gift card in the process. Prizes will be awarded for a variety of display categories. For an entry application, see the CityofLagunaNiguel.org calendar. The application must be received by December 9th for judging on the 10th.

Strike Up The Band!
The City’s marquis event this season is the Holiday Parade on December 14th along Crown Valley Parkway. This spectacle draws a crowd of more than 10,000 each year. Marching bands, floats, youth groups, equestrian teams, military units and local celebrities entertain onlookers along the route. A special appearance by the Man In Red is the highlight of the festivities. The parade gets going at 10 a.m., so come early and bring a chair. A free shuttle from the Federal Building at Dorine and El Lazo is your best bet for easy parking.

Star Light, Star Bright
The Christmas Tree Lighting at City Hall on the 14th is just a stocking full o’ fun. This community tradition is the perfect time to offer season’s greetings to friends and neighbors while enjoying performances from St. Anne Strings, Center Stage dancers and Dana Hills High Dickens Carolers. Cool stuff for kids like a photo booth, balloon animal-making and a pow wow with St. Nick will keep your little creatures stirring (at least from 5 to 7 p.m.). Bring a new toy donation for the 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment and the USS McClusky to spread joy to the families of local Marines. Word from the North Pole is to “dress festive and warm.”