LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — Winter break is right around the corner! Grab your friends and family and make sure to hit these local winter festivities to get into the Christmas spirit before it’s too late.
Naples Island Christmas lights
Naples Island in Long Beach is a great place to get into the Christmas spirit, as hundreds of people walk the canals to see the extravagant Christmas lights up on each house in the Naples neighborhood. This is a free option as the canals are open to the public. Going earlier in the evening or on a weekday would be a better option because weekend nights are the busiest time to walk through the narrow sidewalks of Naples Island. Make sure to grab a holiday drink like hot chocolate just down the road on 2nd St. before heading to your walk through the magic of Naples Island.
“Going to look at Christmas lights every year is my favorite holiday activity,” James Freeman, a Los Alamitos High School senior, said.
Winter Fest OC
From 4-10 p.m. every day until Jan. 7, Costa Mesa puts on a winter festival at the OC Fair and Event Center. Tickets for adults (13+) are $39.99 and children are $34.99, according to Winter Fest OC. These single-day use tickets include access to the snow play area, light shows, ice tubing and a “North Pole Journey Interactive Walk-Through.” There are many add-on activities such as ice skating, mini-golf, carnival rides and games. Winter Fest OC is a great way to fit many different Christmas activities into one day!
Knott’s Merry Farm
Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park turns into a Christmas wonderland until Jan. 5. The amusement park is decorated to bring the Christmas spirit all around. According to Visit Buena Park, there is live entertainment, a craft fair, ice shows, nightly tree lightings and photo opportunities with Santa. Keep in mind that the ice shows are only running during weekends! Knott’s Merry Farm will also be hosting a countdown into the new year on New Year’s Eve with exclusive entertainment and firework shows. Along with all of these winter festivities, the usual Knott’s rides will be open to enjoy.
According to Knott’s, when bought online, single-day tickets are $65.99 for the general and $60.99 for juniors. When bought at the gate, both tickets will be $99.99.
Long Beach Ballet’s “Nutcracker”
From Dec. 14- 22, The Long Beach “Nutcracker” will be putting on its 42nd annual show accompanied by a full orchestra at the Terrace Theater located at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. The show is put on by Long Beach Ballet and is about two hours long with an intermission. The performance also includes a live horse and pyrotechnics. According to the Goldstar Audience Survey this show has been voted “Best-loved Nutcracker in the Nation.”
Tickets start at $38 for the perimeter balcony, then go up to $48 for the main balcony. There is also an option for perimeter and main orchestra or loge for $95 and $70. Lastly, there is a VIP option that has prime orchestra seating, a souvenir program and even backstage passes, all for $145. Be sure to buy your tickets soon, as there will only be seven performances in total. This is a great Christmas tradition to have and get into the spirit of the holiday by dressing up nice and going out to a show.
There are many local activities to make festive winter memories with your friends and family. While each activity is different, any of them are a great way to get out and about during your free time this month. Winter break is almost here, so check out these four activities to enjoy the Christmas season!
