Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/01/2026
4:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Location
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
1131 Back Bay Drive
Newport Beach, CA 92660

THIS EVENT HAPPENS THURSDAY-SUNDAY FROM NOVEMBER 28 – JANUARY 4, 2026.

Join us for the opening night celebration for Lighting of the Bay and the Fire and Lights Festival on Friday, November 28th! We will have holiday crafts, festive food and concessions, photos with Santa, a holiday movie on the beach, and other fun activities for the whole family! Around 6 pm, Santa will flip the switch to turn on the 35th Annual Lighting of the Bay. The serene, waveless bay will transform into a vibrant winter wonderland featuring more than fifty holiday light displays floating on the bay. Free entry. Parking will be a flat $15 on opening night.

While you are here, pay a visit to Santa’s Garden, a Holiday Tree Lot that offers a hand-picked selection of farm-fresh trees from Oregon. Varieties include Noble, Nordmann, Natural, and Douglas. The lot receives weekly deliveries of fresh trees. Wreaths and garlands, too.

Schedule of Events:

Holiday Ornament Making | 4 – 7 p.m. (while supplies last)

Train Rides | 4 – 7 p.m.

Holiday Food & Drinks | 4–8 p.m.

Photo Booth | 4–8 p.m.

Inflatable Slide & Toboggan Tunnel | 4–9 p.m.

Fire Pits & S’mores | 4 – 9 p.m.

Various Performances | 4 – 6 p.m.

Fire Dance Performance | 5:30 p.m.

Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of the Bay Ceremony | around 6 p.m.

Photos with Santa | 6:15–8:30 p.m.

Holiday Movie Screening | 6:15 p.m.

*Activities are subject to change*

The Lighting of the Bay is free for the public to enjoy throughout the season. The Fire & Lights Festival is free entry and open to the public, Thursday – Sunday evenings through January 4, 2026 (parking, concessions & inflatables are an additional cost).

More Info