The holiday season is upon us. Below is a list of some fun things to do in and around Irvine this holiday season.
Holidayz at the Great Park
If you are trying to think of something fun to do with the kids over the holidays, why not head out to the Great Park? The City’s annual Holidayz at the Park features an outdoor light display in the Palm Court Arts Complex (located at 270 Cosair), where guests can stroll at a leisurely pace and snap photos.
The holiday decorations include “Air Santa,” which is a larger-than-life airplane paying homage to Saint Nick’s travels and the Great Park’s military roots.
Your family can enjoy the lights and displays through January 4th daily from dusk until 9pm.
Visit the Irvine Spectrum
Stop by the Irvine Spectrum Center (670 Spectrum Center Drive) after 5pm to take a selfie in front of the 75-foot tall Christmas tree before grabbing dinner, doing some holiday shopping, or celebrating the season by ice skating at the Spectrum’s seasonal ice rink. Visit their website for more information.
Ride the Christmas Train at Irvine Regional Park
Irvine Regional Park (1 Irvine Park Road) is decked out for the holidays! Be sure to stop by and ride the park’s popular Christmas train with the whole family! The train gets crowded on the weekends, so be sure to plan accordingly. Learn more here.
Visit Hikari: the Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms
The annual Hikari (Festival of Lights) has begun at Tanaka Farms (5380 University Drive). Bring the family down and take a wagon ride and then stroll through the festive holiday village. You need to reserve your spot ahead of time via their website here.
Watch a Holiday Movie at Home or in Theaters
Below are some holiday favorite movies to watch at home. Some of the Irvine movie theaters, including the Regal Theatre at the Irvine Spectrum (500 Spectrum Center Drive), will be showing classic holiday films on select days throughout December. Visit their website for more info.
– Christmas with the Kranks, The Night Before, and Klaus are streaming on Netflix
– Love Actually, Polar Express, and Die Hard are on Hulu
– How the Grinch Stole Christmas is streaming on Peacock
– The Family Stone and Miracle on 34th Street are streaming on Amazon Prime Video
Ice Skate at the Great Park Ice & Fivepoint Arena
The Great Park Ice Center (888 Ridge Valley) has open skate times for the whole family. However, slots fill up fast over the holidays so you need to make reservations. For more information visit their website here.
Watch The Nutcracker at the Irvine Barclay Theatre
The Nutcracker ballet is playing at the Irvine Barclay Theatre (located at 4242 Campus Drive) from December 6th thru December 24th. Visit their website for ticket information.
Pack Up the Family & Enjoy Holiday Lights
If this isn’t an annual holiday tradition in your family, you may want to start it this year. Once the sun sets, make some hot cocoa, pack up the kids, crank up the holiday tunes, and drive around town to see the homes that have gone all-out with festive displays.
It’s a great way to get into the holiday spirit while spending quality time with your loved ones.
- Things To Do In Irvine Over The Holidays - December 3, 2025
- Best Coffee Shops in Irvine - October 15, 2025
- Small-Budget Film “Northwood Pie” Brings Irvine to the Big Screen - August 12, 2025
