Friday, December 19

Newport Beach Parade of Lights-This is the 100th Annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade, with five nights of decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sailing along the harbor, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22. Free. 6:30 p.m. Newport Landing, Newport Beach.

Outdoor Living Nativity program with carolers. La Habra. Rain or shine, will move indoors if rain.  7 p.m. and 8 p.m. showtimes. Green Hills Baptist Church, 2200 W. Imperial Hwy. 562-943-7291. Runs Friday to Sunday. Also Christmas Eve, 5 p.m. (bilingual in Spanish) and 6:15 p.m.

Santa Ana Zoo Festival of Lights. Santa Ana. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 19th only, free for Santa Ana residents, city employees and all grandparents. Otherwise, general admission is $6. Experience the zoo decked out in beautiful lights and holiday displays, listen to holiday music, make crafts, enjoy treats, play games and have animal encounters. Santa will be there. Also dancing to the holiday D.J. Prentice Park, 1801 Chestnut Ave. Santa Ana.

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Saturday, December 20

Free train ride to see Santa at Fairview Park. Costa Mesa. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Put on by the Orange County Model Engineers, which hosts a free train ride for kids every third weekend of the month here.

Outdoor Living Nativity program with carolers. La Habra. Rain or shine, will move indoors if rain.  6 p.m., 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. showtimes. Green Hills Baptist Church, 2200 W. Imperial Hwy. 562-943-7291. Runs Friday to Sunday. Also Christmas Eve, 5 p.m. (bilingual in Spanish) and 6:15 p.m.

Christmas Sing-Along. Placentia. 7 p.m. Placentia United Methodist Church, 2050 N. Valencia Ave. 714-528-1483.

OCTA Holiday Toy Express. Anaheim. Get the whole family in the Holiday Spirit. This free event includes a decorated train with over 50,000 colorful lights, a 15-minute stage show and a visit from Santa! Free. 5:15 p.m. Metrolink Station Anaheim, 2150 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim. 1-714-636-RIDE (7433).

Newport Beach Parade of Lights-This is the 100th Annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade, with five nights of decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sailing along the harbor, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22. Free. 6:30 p.m. Newport Landing, Newport Beach.

OCTA Holiday Toy Express. Orange Get the whole family in the Holiday Spirit. This free event includes a decorated train with over 50,000 colorful lights, a 15-minute stage show and a visit from Santa! free. 6:00 p.m. Metrolink Station - Orange, 194 N. Atchison St., Orange. 1-714-636-RIDE (7433).

OCTA Holiday Toy Express. Santa Ana. Get the whole family in the Holiday Spirit. This free event includes a decorated train with over 50,000 colorful lights, a 15-minute stage show and a visit from Santa! free. 7:00 p.m. Metrolink Station - Santa Ana, 1000 E. Santa Ana Blvd., Santa Ana. 1-714-636-RIDE (7433).

OCTA Holiday Toy Express. Fullerton. Get the whole family in the Holiday Spirit. This free event includes a decorated train with over 50,000 colorful lights, a 15-minute stage show and a visit from Santa! free. 8:30 p.m. Metrolink Station - Fullerton, 120 E. Santa Fe Ave., Fullerton. 1-714-636-RIDE (7433).

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Sunday, December 21

Newport Beach Parade of Lights-This is the 100th Annual Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade, with five nights of decorated yachts, boats, kayaks and canoes sailing along the harbor, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 22. Free. 6:30 p.m. Newport Landing, Newport Beach.

Outdoor Living Nativity program with carolers La Habra. Rain or shine, will move indoors if rain.  6 p.m. 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. showtimes. Green Hills Baptist Church, 2200 W. Imperial Hwy. 562-943-7291. Runs Friday to Sunday. Also Christmas Eve, 5 p.m. (bilingual in Spanish) and 6:15 p.m.

Free train ride to see Santa at Fairview Park. Costa Mesa. 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Put on by the Orange County Model Engineers, which hosts a free train ride for kids every third weekend of the month here.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony at Fashion Island. Newport Beach. 3 p.m. Singing and festive Jewish traditions at the upscale shopping center. Call Chabad at (949) 721-9800 for more information.

Chanukah Concert Laguna Niguel. 3:30 p.m. Chabad Laguna Niguel invites the public to a Grand Menorah Lighting and Chanukah Concert. Crown Valley Community Park, 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel. (949) 831-8475.

Menorah Lighting Laguna Beach. 2 p.m. Live music, crafts, cookie decorating. Lighting surfboard menorah. Main Beach, Laguna Beach.

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Monday, December 22

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Community Chanukah Celebration-Public Menorah Lighting Rancho Santa Margarita. 5:30 p.m. This Chanukah join your local community and celebrate the festival of light with fun and meaning, at RSM’s first annual public Menorah lighting and Chanukah celebration. Fountain Courtyard at Mercado Del Lago, 31541 S. Margarita Pkwy (corner Antonio), Rancho Santa Margarita. .

Story time Huntington Beach. 7 p.m. Chanukah Story time at the Huntington Beach Central Library Tabby Theater. All ages. Call 714-898-0051 ex 204 to RSVP

Santa Ana Zoo Festival of Lights. Santa Ana. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Dec. 27th only, free for all zoo members. Otherwise, general admission is $6. Experience the zoo decked out in beautiful lights and holiday displays, listen to holiday music, make crafts, enjoy treats, play games and have animal encounters. Santa will be there. Also dancing to the holiday D.J. Prentice Park, 1801 Chestnut Ave. Santa Ana.

Tuesday, December 23

See Santa at Surf City Nights. Huntington Beach. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Santa will visit the beach for this monthly event, sponsored by the Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement Association. 301 Main St.

A Visit with Santa Irvine. 6:45 p.m. Christmas Carols, pictures with Santa, cookies and cider. An annual event at the Zelinko home, 12 Morris Rd., Irvine. 949-551-1985.

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Wednesday, December 24

Outdoor Living Nativity program with carolers. La Habra. Rain or shine, will move indoors if rain.  5 p.m. (bilingual in Spanish) and 6:15 p.m. Green Hills Baptist Church, 2200 W. Imperial Hwy. 562-943-7291. Runs Friday to Sunday. Christmas Eve,

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Thursday, December 25

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Friday, December 26

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Saturday, December 27

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Sunday, December 28

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Monday, December 29

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, you can drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Tuesday, December 30

DWP Festival of Lights, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Griffith Park, Los Angeles. Nightly until Dec. 30. I know this means driving up to L.A., but a friend swears it’s a fantastic spectacle to behold. You can walk the one-mile-long display of lights, youcan drive your own car, or you can take a shuttle on many nights. You can even bring your horse and ride through on equestrian trails from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the week. There are events at the zoo that coincide with this. We might just have to check it out.

Wednesday, December 31
First Night Fullerton. Holiday Celebration . 10:00 a.m. Downtown Fullerton, Downtown, Fullerton.

Other cool stuff:
Mission Inn Festival of Lights in Riverside. The historic inn has a beautiful light display from now until Jan. 4th.

Hey, why not read more Frumpy Middleaged Mom? It’s 42% better than real life:

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• My early Christmas letter to you little people
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• Grocery shopping as a recreational sport
• Cheerleading Is Not A Sport
• Home appraisers can bite my butt