Lighting of the Bay and Fire & Lights Festival Opening Night

Newport Dunes kicks off the holiday season in sparkling style with the opening night of the 36th Annual Lighting of the Bay and the Fire & Lights Festival. The calm, waveless lagoon becomes a glowing winter wonderland as more than fifty holiday light displays float across the water, and the big moment arrives around 6 PM when Santa himself turns on the lights.

The fun starts in the late afternoon with holiday ornament making, inflatable slides and a toboggan tunnel, cozy fire pits with s'mores, train rides and a photo booth. Live music sets the mood, including SoCal Brass and Caribbean-style holiday tunes, and a fire dance performance warms up the crowd before Santa's arrival. After the lighting, kids can pose for photos with Santa while families settle in for a holiday movie on the beach.

Entry is free, which makes this one of the most budget-friendly ways to start your family's holiday traditions in Orange County. Some activities, like the inflatables, concessions and parking, cost extra, and the posted schedule may shift a bit, so arrive early to grab a good spot by the water.

While you are there, families can also browse Santa's Garden, the resort's holiday tree lot stocked with fresh-cut trees, wreaths and garlands. The Fire & Lights Festival continues Thursday through Sunday evenings through January 3, 2027, if your crew wants to come back for more.

📅 Dates & Times

Friday, November 27, 2026

4:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Santa's arrival and Lighting of the Bay ceremony: around 6:00 PM

Holiday movie screening: 6:15 PM

Photos with Santa: 6:15 PM – 8:30 PM

📍 Venue

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina

1131 Back Bay Drive

Newport Beach, CA 92660

👨🏻‍👩🏻‍👦🏻‍👦🏻 Age Requirement

All ages are welcome.

🎟️ Tickets/Price

Entry is free.

Parking, concessions and inflatables cost extra.

🍔 Food

Holiday food, drinks and concessions are available from 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Fire pits with s'mores run from 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM.

🚙 Parking

Parking is a flat $15 on opening night.

🌐 Website Link

Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay Opening Night

🧭 Directions

Click on the “Google” map for directions.

📢 Disclaimer

Event listings are believed to be accurate at the time of posting, but details are subject to change without notice. Please confirm all details with the event organizer before attending. FUN WITH KIDS IN LA® is not liable for errors, omissions, or changes to listings in our calendar. Some events have paid us to be on our events calendar, and some events contain an affiliate link.