[singlepic id=530 w=320 h=240 mode=watermark float=right]From LagunaBeachBest.com, here are all the great holiday events and Christmas activities in Laguna Beach for 2011. This list also includes charitable functions you and your family can get involved in this holiday season.
(This list is growing, so bookmark this page. Also, be sure to click here for the growing list: Laguna Beach Holiday Gift Ideas
Friday, November 25, 2011 thru Christmas Eve, December 24, 2011 – This Wonderful Life debuts at The Laguna Playhouse. Tickets are $30-$65 and can be purchased online. Our infamous Laguna Playhouse is at 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach, CA.
Friday, November 25, 2011, Sat., Nov.26th, Sun., Nov. 27th and Dec., 3rd and 4th, and Dec. 9th, 10th, 11th – Winter Fantasy Sawdust Festival, an awesome holiday event for the entire family. Click for all details, tickets, online tickets, hours and more. Click for Sawdust Winter Fantasy holiday decor for your home. Click for Sawdust Winter Fantasy holiday gift ideas.
Monday, Nov. 28th, 4:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m. – Montage Laguna Beach Tree Lighting. Laguna Beach residents and visitors are invited to the annual 60-foot tree lighting event. See details
Friday, Dec. 2nd, 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Hospitality Night Laguna Beach, Tree Lighting Laguna Beach, “Santa Parade” Laguna Beach. At Laguna Beach’s annual Hospitality Night, Santa will light Laguna Beach’s “Christmas tree” – the Pepper Tree at City Hall – at 6pm, then Santa parades down Forest Avenue in downtown Laguna Beach to waiting children at Santa’s House. Many retailers stay open much later, with free drinks and appetizers, and the Laguna Beach restaurants will be happily accommodating. Free trolley service will run along Coast Hwy from 5-9pm (bundle up!). Screening of “It’s A Wonderful Life” at 9:15 pm at South Coast Theater. Complimentary tickets are available.
Saturday, Dec. 3rd & Sunday, Dec. 4th, 9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m. – Crystal Cove’s Holiday Bazaar. In the charming seaside historical village just north of Laguna Beach, Crystal Cove’s Holiday Bazaar will feature fine art, holiday gifts, author book signings and craft classes for kids. Proceeds benefit the restoration and education efforts of Crystal Cove State Park & the Historic District. Parking is at the Los Trancos parking lot on the east side of PCH. Shuttle service is provided for just $1 each way, or traipse through the colorfully painted tunnel under PCH.
Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m. – Glennwood House of Laguna Beach Wine Tasting Benefit. This charitable fundraiser focuses on helping the Glennwood House provide housing and community to young adults with developmental disabilities. It features lovely wines from The Organic Cellars, live music, appetizers, a silent auction and gifts aplenty. Tickets are just $25 at the door. You’ll find the Glennwood House at 2130 S. Coast Highway in Laguna Beach just a tad bit south of Ruby Street.
Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. – Crystal Cove’s 15th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. While the Crystal Cove Holiday Bazaar runs all day Saturday and Sunday, the Crystal Cove Christmas Tree lighting takes place on Saturday with festivities beginning at 4:00 p.m. Strolling carolers and hot beverages will accompany Santa’s arrival at 4:00 p.m., with the lighting of the holiday tree at sunset. Parking is at the Los Trancos parking lot on the east side of PCH and FOR THE TREE LIGHTING EVENT, the $15 parking fee is waived. Shuttle service is provided for just $1 each way, or traipse through the colorfully painted tunnel under PCH.
Friday, Dec. 9th, Sat., Dec. 10th and Dec. 16th and 17th – Dana Point’s Christmas Boat Parade of Lights. I don’t usually talk about neighboring city events, but the Dana Boat Christmas Parade is a kick. It runs 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., but starts MUCH earlier in the harbor (like at 10:00 a.m.) with everyone readying for the theme of the year, “A Salute to the 70s.” Boat rides with Santa, Santa photos and strolling carolers come along for the ride. View the parade anywhere in the harbor, or make a reservation at any harbor side restaurant.
Saturday, Dec. 17th, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. – Pancakes With Santa, Aliso Creek Inn. If you want to be absolutely sure that Santa got your yearly order of gifts, here’s one of your last chances to meet with him at the Aliso Creek Inn. The pancake breakfast serves up all the greates breakfast trimmings, too. Admission is $10/guest.
Sunday, Dec. 18th, 8:30 a.m. – dusk – Laguna Craft Guild Show, Main Beach, Laguna Beach. Buy last-minute stocking stuffers, hostess gifts and REAL gifts at this lovely beachside artists’ fair. Admission is free.
Christmas Eve, Sat, Dec. 24th, 5 – 7 p.m. – Walk the Labyrinth at the Neighborhood Congregational Church. Continue the centuries-old tradition of walking meditation and solution-finding in this labyrinth, which is a replica of the San Francisco Grace Cathedral. Because people walk at their own pace in the labyrinth, children might not understand, so please clue them in if they’re coming along.
Christmas Eve Church Services, Laguna Beach, Sat. Dec. 24th, 7:00 p.m. – Laguna Beach Neighborhood Congregational Church. Candlelight ceremony.
Christmas Eve Church Services, Laguna Beach, Sat. Dec. 24th, 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., 11:00 p.m. – United Methodist Church. 5:30 – families and children, 7:30 – Chancel choir with traditional hymns, 11:00 – Joyful Noise live music and candle lighting
Christmas Eve Church Services, Laguna Beach, Sat, Dec. 24th, 10:30 p.m. – An Evening of Carols and Holy Eucharist, St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. What a fabulous way to bring in Christmas Day. Admission is free. The church is at 428 Park Avenue.
Christmas Eve Dining Laguna Beach, Sat. Dec. 24th, Special Menu offers:
- Broadway by Amar Santana Restaurant, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. A 4-course select menu offering. Call for reservations, (949) 715-8234
- French 75 Restaurant, 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. A 3-course select menu. Call for reservations, (949) 494-8444
- Sapphire Restaurant, 4:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A 3-course prix fixe Christmas Eve dinner. call for reservations, 949-715-9888
Christmas Day, Sat. Dec. 25th, Live Music Laguna Beach events – when you’re looking for something to do with your guests:
- Missiles of October, The Marine Room, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Reggaefest, Mozambique, 4:00 p.m. – 8:0 p.m.
- Reggae Sunday, Royal Hawaiian, 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Laguna Beach is the going-Christmas place to be!