Get ready for 50 days of festive fun in Newport Beach! From photos with Santa and dazzling tree lighting ceremonies to watching the famous Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, there’s so much to experience this holiday season. No need to search elsewhere for winter wonders—Newport Beach has it all. We’ve compiled a (nice) list of holiday events, seasonal hotel offers, winter activities and shopping destinations that will surely make your season merry and bright. Join us as we turn our seaside town into a captivating holiday haven, twinkling with lights, adorned with festive decor and bustling with a variety of merry festivities.

Holiday Happenings

With a host of holiday happenings this year, it’s easy to embrace the magic of the season in Newport Beach! From tree lightings and home decorating competitions to festive pop-up markets and Santa sightings, this year’s winter events are sure to make your season oh-so merry. Stop by Fashion Island between Nov. 22 and Dec. 29 for the nightly lighting of the center’s 90-foot tree, along with music, magical snowfall and a choreographed light display. The center will also host photos with Santa in his Coastal Cottage from Nov. 22 through Dec. 24.

For those in search of a little holiday magic, don’t miss the 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade and Ring of Lights competition from Dec. 18-22, where the boat-filled harbor and homes on Balboa Island come to life with dazzling light displays! There will also be a celebration for Santa’s arrival by boat at Lido Marina Village on Dec. 7, where visitors can sip hot chocolate, enjoy visits from the Little Drummer Boy and Winter Ballerina and groove to live tunes. Other family-friendly festivities this year include the Fire & Lights Festival at Newport Dunes, Nights of 1000 Lights at Sherman Library & Gardens and the 45th Annual Corona del Mar Christmas Walk. For a full list of holiday events in Newport Beach, click here!

Seasonal Savings

Unwrap a bundle of holiday travel perks with Newport Beach’s exclusive holiday offers. Partners of our city extend their warmest welcomes, offering up a sleigh-full of packages that promise to add some sparkle (and savings) to your winter season. Lido House’s Season of Festive Fun in Newport Beach package includes two signature holiday cocktails per day, a holiday room service amenity and a weekly list of holiday events, while VEA Newport Beach’s Holiday Haven Suite package allows vacationers to make themselves at home in a decorated Festive Panorama Suite. It also includes a $100 food and beverage credit and a gingerbread house kit, a hot cocoa bar or a candy station. For those looking to experience the newest hotel in Newport Beach, book Pendry Newport Beach’s The More the Merrier package and receive an additional and complimentary Garden King guestroom.

Winter Excursions

Memories are the best souvenirs, and we’re here to help you make them. Whether you’re eager for some festive family fun, a romantic getaway or a day of holiday shopping, there’s something for everyone in our city by the sea. Check out this map, which depicts the 10 different neighborhoods that make up Newport Beach, and get ready to plan your adventures!

Cruise down the coast to Corona del Mar and explore the shop-lined streets and beautiful beaches like Big Corona, then zip over to Fashion Island to grab dinner at one of the many restaurants or catch a holiday movie at THE LOT. For those who prefer to stay at sea level, book a whale-watching tour, play a game of seaside golf or embark on a sunset gondola cruise through the channels of the bay. At nighttime, stroll around Balboa Island with a cup of hot cocoa or a famous chocolate-dipped balboa bar and see the dazzling Ring of Lights home decorating competition.

Gifts for Everyone

On the hunt for the perfect gift? Newport Beach is home to several top-notch shopping destinations that come alive with holiday cheer each year. Take a walk around the charming Lido Marina Village, where you’ll find a cheerful display of holiday decor and shops full of goods and apparel. Stop into Eberjey for cozy pajama sets, Le Labo for their signature scents and Stoney Clover Lane for colorful and customizable accessories. For name-brand and department stores, hit Fashion Island, where holiday magic abounds and you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list. Another must-visit this season for those who love to shop is Roger’s Gardens’ Christmas Boutique—a treasure trove of sparkling ornaments, seasonal decor and cherished gifts. And don’t forget to visit Newport Beach’s online pro shop for all the holiday merch and souvenirs!