The Official start of winter is just under 6 weeks away, but in Southern California temperatures are dropping into the 50’s and 60’s and a chill is in the air. Soon, houses will be lit up with festive lights, Christmas music will fill the air, and the stores will be a buzzing. Wouldn’t it be fun to get even more in the spirit with a fun family holiday outing? Winterfest OC is coming back and will be even bigger and better than past years! So put on those sweaters and pull on those boots and lets get ready to have some fun!
This event takes place at the OC Fairgrounds and engages and delights guests of all ages. From November 25th -January 1st, The festival embodies the spirit of the winter season, bringing fun and merriment to sunny Southern California. Experience ice-skating with a theater-sized screen playing holiday films in the background, ice tubing down a 150-foot, nine-lane ice slide, nightly snowfall and tree lighting, festive entertainment, character live shows, and more than 30 carnival rides and games. Winter Fest is filled with seasonal foods, craft cocktails, magical lights, and holiday décor including the world’s largest ornament.
Video Of Winterfest OC
Winter Fest OC, Southern California’s largest winter festival, kicks off 26 days and nights of winter-themed fun at the OC Fair & Event Center on Friday, November 25th. A popular destination for families, groups of friends and date nights, Winter Fest OC brings the community together this holiday season with tons of festive fun including live entertainment, unique photo opportunities, visits with Santa, winter attractions, seasonal food and drinks, and so much more through January 1st.
Claus House Stage Entertainment
At the center of Winter Fest OC is the 40-foot-tall holiday celebration tree and The Claus House Stage, where guests can enjoy live entertainment, community acts, interactive kid activities, and even more holiday magic. Daily entertainment includes meet-and-greets with favorite Winter Fest OC characters such as Yowie the Yeti, Snowman and Polar Bear, plus the popular nightly parade, tree lighting and live show with snow fall. Grab a cup of hot cocoa and winter treats and enjoy a variety of entertainment at The Claus House Stage to celebrate the holiday season.
North Pole Journey Immersive Walk-Through Experience
Included in all general admission tickets, the new North Pole Journey walk-through experience immerses guests in the sights, sounds and smells of five magical lands on an important mission from Santa. Enjoy dazzling lights, music, unique photo opportunities, and a wide range of free entertainment and interactive activities in each of the five pavilions. Keep an eye out for “Journey Guides” along the way to help guests gather the three elements of the Holidays that will help Santa! North Pole Journey highlights include:
Forest of Light: A kid’s hedge maze, wisteria tunnel, giant waterfall, and unique 360-degree free photo booth!
Winter Wonderland: Meet-and-greets with your favorite winter characters, plus Dance of the Snow Fairies performances daily.
Holiday Town: Remote-controlled model train exhibits plus an intimate movie theater with holiday classics.
Toyland Circus: Special appearances by PJ Masks (Nov. 25 – 27), Peppa Pig (Dec. 1 – 4), Paw Patrol (Dec. 8 – 11) and more of your favorite cartoon show characters! Plus Toyland Soldiers Assembly performances daily.
Santa Send Off: Tree ornament decorating, Santa Elves Dance Party performances, plus free meet-and-greets and photos with Santa (through Dec. 24)!
Shows in The North Pole Journey
Seasonal Food & Drinks
Indulge in seasonal drinks and treats at Winter Fest OC including hot cocoa, hot apple cider, Mom’s Bake Shoppe cookies and brownies, Old Tyme Ice Cream, churros, popcorn, lemonade and kettle corn. All this plus meal options from BBQ ribs or chicken to pizza, hot dogs, sausages, fries and more! Seasonal adult beverages including beer, wine and holiday-inspired craft cocktails are also available for purchase.
VIP Experiences & Large Party Reservations
VIP Fireside Lounge: Enjoy an exclusive VIP fireside lounge area with comfortable seating, fire pits roasting s’mores and an exquisite view of the nightly parade and stage entertainment from The Claus House Stage. With a private bar with craft cocktails, beer and wine, then Fireside Lounge is perfect for groups and holiday corporate parties, and can be reserved in advance to accommodate up to 300 people.
Rink-Side VIP Private Cabanas: Private, ice rink-side VIP cabanas for up to 10 people are available to rent for 2-3 hour timeblocks, creating the ultimate premium lounge for intimate holiday gatherings and other special occasion celebrations. A private server is available for the purchase of specially themed food and drinks including craft cocktails. Rink-Side VIP Private Cabanas can also be adjoined to accommodate up to 150 people for memorable office parties.
Military & Veteran Discount Days
Every Thursday, Winter Fest OC will honor local military members and veterans with a special $5 off online coupon code. Eligible guests can use the code “HERO” to purchase tickets in advance online and bring their relevant ID for onsite verification.
Season Passes for Unlimited Fun
Enjoy holiday magic all season long with a Winter Fest OC season pass, providing unlimited entry for all 26 days, access to the “North Pole Journey” immersive walk-through experience, daily live entertainment, the crowd-favorite evening tree lighting parade and show, dazzling light displays, winter photo ops and the opportunity to meet Santa in-person.
New and Returning to Winter Fest This Year:
All-New Immersive Walk-Through Experience: “North Pole Journey” – Travel from Forest Gate to North Pole Village in the all-new “North Pole Journey” walk-through experience that will immerse you in the sights, sounds, and smells of five magical lands on an important mission from Santa. Stop in three Holiday Towns and collect an element of the holidays in each that will help Santa take flight. Enjoy dazzling lights, music, unique photo opportunities, interactive activities, and visits with your favorite Night of Lights and Winter Fest OC characters including Yowie the Yeti, Snow Princess, Toyland Troupe, Toy Soldiers, Polar Bear, and Santa in this unforgettable experience!
LED Mini Golf
Orange Ball New Year’s Eve Celebration – Ring in the New Year not once, but twice, with a special countdown, Orange Ball drop, fireworks and an unforgettable balloon drop at both 6pm and midnight. Multiple live bands will be playing to commemorate the end of the year, and the start of a new one.
Back by Popular Demand:
Winter-themed bounce houses
Arts and crafts area
Holiday Market
Seasonal food and drinks.
Winter Fest OC features a variety of stage and strolling entertainment, including a nightly Holiday celebration featuring snow flurries and Santa, meet and greets with kid’s favorite characters, tribute bands, and more. All this plus unique winter-themed photo opportunities with the 30-foot-tall giant walk-through ornament, numerous giant Christmas trees, and of course, meeting Santa himself.
Mini Trains
Inside one of the buildings, there are little scale trains that run along elaborate cities and backdrops. Guests can control the train themselves, you just need to take turns. It so fun to watch all of them run together and the kids were content for a long time!
Carnival Rides
Who doesn’t love endless carnival rides? You can even purchase an Ultimate Experience Pass for unlimited rides. They have rides for big kids AND little kids so everyone can have fun!
Ice Skating
Adults and Kids can both ice skate! Tickets are $18 and they have bobbies available for beginners as well. Time slots are every hour and each session is 45 mins long.
Holidays & VIP Experiences
New Year’s Eve Orange Ball Celebration: Ring in the New Year not once, but twice, with a special countdown, Orange Ball drop, fireworks and an unforgettable balloon drop at both 6pm and midnight. Live bands will be playing to commemorate the end of the year, and the start of 2023! Awarded by Reader’s Digest as one of the top New Year’s Celebrations in the U.S.
Fireside Lounge: Enjoy an exclusive fireside lounge area with comfortable seating, fire pits roasting s’mores and an exquisite view of the nightly Holiday celebration. With a private bar, Fireside Lounge is perfect for groups and holiday corporate parties.
Rink-Side VIP Private Cabanas: Private, ice rink-side VIP cabanas for up to 10 people are available to rent, creating the ultimate premium lounge for families, date nights and girl’s night out. Cabanas can be adjoined to accommodate up to 250 people for memorable office parties. A private server is available for the purchase of specially-themed food and drinks. Reserve now as they typically sell out early.
Snow Fall
How much is WinterFest?
There are various price tiers for admission to Winterfest. For a full listing click here. Keep in mind that a lot of things will cost extra (i.e. face painting, ice skating, food, rides and games). There is a pre-season sale through November 15th. There are also various promotions and deals daily for WinterefestOC.
General Admission during the pre-season sale:
CHILD –$14.95 / ADULT $19.95. You can also buy a season pass here.
Click HERE to learn about the Artic Pass and The Ultimate Experience Pass.
Tips
If you are going to go ice skating and have a skater who needs a Bobby (stand up pusher) it will cost $5 extra
The ice is wetter than the average ice rink so expect to get wet.
Do not walk away from your pusher. You might risk losing yours.
It randomly snows at various times throughout the day. Check map for location.
There are some really great photo ops.
The Hot Coco is really delicious.
Tickets and select value packages are available now starting at only $10. For more information on Winter Fest OC, visit www.WinterFestOC.com and for the latest updates on entertainment, food and fun follow us onFacebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube or with #WinterFestOC.
Thank you for this opportunity! My favorite time of the year! I love baking holiday cookies with my kids, going to look at all the holiday lights and of course watching holiday movies! I have too many that we love! Home alone, it’s a wonderful life, the Santa clause, and the grinch! Thank you!
Mini Trains
Home Alone!
It’s a wonderful life
The Gift of the Magi
Rudolph, of course!
National Vacation
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!
The cold weather
Love all the lights and decorations! Wintertime is just a festive season to be spent with family and friends!!
I love the snow, we don’t get a lot here so I love snow at the winterfest OC!
The sledding!
Home Alone!
Watching how excited the kids get!
I love spending the time with family and looking at Holiday Lights. Winterfest experience looks amazing!
Thank you for the chance to win. I look forwards to winter knowing Xmas will be around the corner for the kids to see the Xmas light display.
All the holiday decorations and cooler weather make me smile!
I like the extra family time and coziness of winter.
I love the festivities and the decorations
I love the holidays, spending quality time with family, and playing in the snow!
Thank you for this opportunity! My favorite time of the year! I love baking holiday cookies with my kids, going to look at all the holiday lights and of course watching holiday movies! I have too many that we love! Home alone, it’s a wonderful life, the Santa clause, and the grinch! Thank you!
I love taking the kids to play in the snow, spending time with family and enjoying all the holiday lights
I love having a cozy nice warm fire, hot chocolate and making memories with the family.
I love the holiday season and all the decorations every where you go!
I love how festive and cheerful everyone is during the holiday season!
Love Christmas lights displays, caroling, playing with snow, and all snuggle up watching a movie.
What I love most about winter is all of the holiday lights every where we go! It’s just beautiful