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Nov 21, 2022

Holiday Happenings in Anaheim, California

Holiday Happenings in Anaheim, California

Anaheim, California, might not be much of a “winter wonderland” when it comes to the weather. But the city and surrounding areas have an amazing variety of seasonal events to help ring in the holidays. 

Whether you’re a longtime resident or just visiting for the season, Summer Crest has put together this list of some of our favorite opportunities to take in a show, support local businesses, and give back to the community this winter, so let’s take a look at what’s happening in and around Anaheim, California, this holiday season!

Activities

Shows and Performances

Shopping

Opportunities to Share

Safe Celebration

Activities

Whether you take in the city’s annual tree lighting or strap on your mouse ears, there are some great activities that include festivals, food, and fun this winter in Anaheim, California.

Nutcracker Holiday Village and Lighting : Start the holiday season with the City of Anaheim’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, which also includes holiday crafts and entertainment, unique shopping opportunities, and a dog costume contest! The free event kicks off on Saturday, December 3, at 12:00 p.m., and will continue throughout the day. The tree-lighting ceremony will take place at 6:00 p.m. at the West Center Street Promenade in downtown Anaheim. This event is free and open to the public.

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort : Anaheim and Disneyland go hand in hand, and the park’s seasonal festivities are a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Beginning November 11 and running through January 8, Disneyland’s holiday events include the Festival of Holidays, which looks at how the season is celebrated in other cultures through traditions, music, and food, as well as the lighting of the 50-foot Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree.

Swedish Christmas Fair : This holiday season, take the time to experience Christmas the Swedish way. Since 1979, the Swedish Women’s Education Association has been hosting the annual julmarknaden (Swedish Christmas Fair). This year’s festivities will be held in Huntington Beach on November 20, with both morning and afternoon sessions. Attend the fair to experience a selection of genuine Swedish handcraft, a beautiful Lucia pageant, home-brewed wine, traditional cuisine and treats, and a chance to greet Santa. 

Shows and Performances

One unique thing about the holiday season is that it has its own music. Whether you’re looking to listen or join in, these performances in and around Anaheim, California, are sure to put you and your family in the holiday spirit.

Bellflower Civic Chorus : Back again for another performance this year, the Bellflower Civic Chorus will perform a mix of traditional carols and contemporary songs in “ Christmas Bells! ” Performances will take place on December 10 and 11 from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. in the Bristol Civic Auditorium. If you love to spread Christmas cheer through song, make sure to join the Bellflower Civic Chorus for their sing-along performance this holiday season. 

Dickens Christmas Carol Singalong : For some sounds of the season, look no further than the four-part harmonies of the Charles Dickens Carolers, performing this year at the Sage Granada Park United Methodist Church in nearby Alhambra on Sunday, December 18. Dressed in traditional Dickensian costumes, the group has been performing in and around Anaheim since 1987, singing both traditional and contemporary holiday tunes. Reserve a space for you and that special someone—or the whole family—ahead of time, as seating for the performance is limited. This event is free and open to the public with an RSVP or $15 at the door on the day of the event.

Intergenerational Orchestra Holiday Concert : Guests are invited to attend the second annual holiday concert put on by Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) , an organization that provides free academic, arts, and athletic programs to underserved youth in and around the Anaheim area. Taking place on Sunday, December 13, at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles, California, at 7:00 p.m., the concert will also feature guest singers alongside the intergenerational orchestra . Afterward, guests are invited to meet the performers at a post-concert reception. This event is free and open to the public. 

Shopping

Local businesses are gearing up for the holiday season, and shopping locally is a great way to support them. While these special events aren’t the only way to do so, they do provide a fun opportunity to check out a lot of what Anaheim, California, has to offer.

Downtown Anaheim Certified Farmers Market & Craft Fair : Local restaurants, businesses, and vendors converge every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (weather permitting) at Center Street Promenade and Lemon Street in downtown Anaheim as part of this year-round event. Make it a point to stop by and see what’s being offered this holiday season in an effort to support local businesses while hunting for that perfect present. This event is free and open to the public.

Zion Lutheran’s Annual Christmas Boutique : This annual event will bring more than 75 local vendors to the Zion Lutheran Church at 222 N. East Street in Anaheim. From Friday, December 2, to Sunday, December 4, attendees can purchase homemade candles, jewelry, crafts, and more. This event is free and open to the public.

Sawdust Winter Fantasy : If you are looking for some unique, handcrafted gifts for your loved ones this holiday season, look no further than Winter Fantasy hosted by the Sawdust Festival. This enchanting event will feature handcrafted gifts and art from more than 150 artists, live music, art classes, daily photos with Santa, and a number of other holiday festivities. Winter Fantasy will begin on November 19 and run every weekend until December 18. Make sure you don’t miss it! 

Creative Babe Holiday Market : The OC Fair and Event Center will be hosting the Creative Babe Holiday Market this holiday season. The market will include more than 100 local businesses and will offer free photos with Santa, food and drinks, DIY workshops for all ages, a live DJ, and much more! The Creative Babe Holiday Market will take place on Saturday, December 3, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free, but parking will be $10 if you choose to park at the event center.

Opportunities to Share

Many people take the opportunity to volunteer during the holidays as a means of giving back to their community. If you’re looking for ways you can help in Anaheim, California, or if you yourself could use a little holiday magic, these events are working to help those in need this holiday season.

Annual Christmas Together Toy Drive : On December 18, Families Together anticipates one of the largest toy giveaways in its history of annual toy giveaways. Since 2015, FTOC has been gathering toys and hosting a fun-filled festival for residents in Orange County at no cost to those who register. With the help of volunteers just like you, Families Together plans to give away 20,000 toys to families in need this year. The organization takes toy donations year-round leading up to this event, monetary donations, and hands-on volunteer work. Visit their website to learn how you can help give local families the Christmas they are missing.

Heart of Christmas : The Aaron Community Cultural Centers is hosting this year’s Heart of Christmas toy, book, and food donation drive with the goal to create a positive holiday atmosphere for struggling youth in the community. There will be games, music, toys, and more. The ACCC could really use the help of donations and volunteers to make this special event happen. If you are looking for ways to give back this holiday season, consider donating books or toys or signing up for in-person volunteer work that can count toward community service or internship hours.

Safe Celebration

Decorating your home is a perfect way to get into the holiday spirit, but those decorations can also become dangerous if not properly set up and monitored.

Whether you’re using a real or fake Christmas tree, it’s important to make sure that it’s securely stationed to minimize the risk of it falling and causing damage or even a fire. Check your lights to make sure the cords are not damaged or frayed—especially if you have a curious pet at home who is interested in the seasonal decorations—and if you’re using a real tree, keep it watered to prevent it from drying out.

Candles can also be dangerous if not properly monitored. The American Red Cross says that during the winter months, candles cause up to four times as many fires , so keep candles away from other decorations and properly extinguish them if you’re not going to be around to watch them. Battery-powered candles are a safe alternative that can achieve the same effect. You can also check out these downloads from the National Fire Protection Association for more information on winter holiday and Christmas tree safety .

While our warmer winters in Anaheim, California, may prevent us from seeing snow, our holiday spirit is alive and well with many events, performances, and opportunities for both shopping and volunteering. However you plan on celebrating this holiday season, we hope this list has given you some ideas.

We’d love to see your holiday fun! If you decorate for the holidays or try out one of the activities above, post a photo on social media, tag us , and use #TisTheSeasonAtAMC.

From all of us at Summer Crest Apartments in Anaheim, Happy Holidays!

Come On In

OPEN DAILY

9 AM–6 PM

Contact

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(714) 942-4052

Address

2828 W. Ball Road, Anaheim, CA 92804

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