What's New at WinterFest OC 2026: A Glowing Holiday Light Trail and Bounce Land!
Winter Fest OC 2026 opens Friday, Nov. 27, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, and this year it adds an all-new Holiday Light Trail that's included with every admission, plus a brand-new 20,000-square-foot Bounce Land. Early-bird Flex passes start at $25.99 through Nov. 10, and kids 2 and under get in free.
Now in its 12th season, Southern California's largest winter festival still delivers the things kids beg for: real snow, a towering ice tubing hill and visits with Santa. The biggest changes this year are about how your family spends the evening, from a glowing walk-through trail to a bounce zone built to wear out the most energetic kid in your crew. Here's what's new, what each pass includes, and how to plan a smooth night out.
Key Takeaways
When: Nov. 27, 2026, to early January 2027 on select dates, and open every night from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2.
Where: OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.
New this year: a seven-stop Holiday Light Trail included in general admission, plus an all-new Bounce Land with Polar Putt Putt mini golf.
Tickets: every pass is now a Flex pass, so you can buy now and pick your date later. Early-bird pricing ends Nov. 10.
Good to know: parking is $15 per vehicle, the festival is cashless and kids 2 and under are free.
What's New at Winter Fest OC 2026
Winter Fest OC turns the Costa Mesa fairgrounds into a holiday village every year, with real snow play, the Snowflake Summit ice tubing slide, a nightly tree lighting, a holiday house light show, carnival rides and live entertainment. Santa is in town through Christmas Eve, and the outdoor ice rink returns as one of the largest in Southern California.
For 2026, the festival layered in three big upgrades: a brand-new Holiday Light Trail designed just for Winter Fest OC, a much bigger Bounce Land, and flexible admission that lets you lock in a lower price before you know which night works for your family. If you're new to Winter Fest OC, our complete Winter Fest OC 2026 guide covers the festival from top to bottom.
Inside the All-New Holiday Light Trail
The new Holiday Light Trail is a walk-through experience with seven themed stops, and it's included with general admission during regular hours. Families start in the dazzling Peppermint Tunnel, then wander along Gingerbread Lane, through the Singing Forest and down the Aurora Snowfall Walk before reaching the Light Field, the Grand Cove and the Evergreen Tunnel.
The Grand Cove is the showstopper. Colossal trees glow in red and green, surrounded by a festive plaza filled with ornaments, a real pine forest and a starfield overhead. It's built for photos, so expect plenty of families stopping for the holiday card shot.
Parent tip: Walk the light trail early in the evening, right after doors open, when the paths are less crowded and little ones still have energy. Save the snow play and tubing for later, when the lights are at their most dramatic.
Bounce Land and Polar Putt Putt
Bounce Land is the other big headline. The new 100-by-200-foot inflatable zone covers 20,000 square feet with bouncing, climbing, obstacle courses and slides, and a Bounce Land Pass gives unlimited access for the day. Each pass also includes Polar Putt Putt, a new nine-hole mini golf course with an icy twist.
The Bounce Pass comes included with the Winter Pass and Platinum Pass for kids ages 3 to 12, or you can add it to a Snow Pass. For kids 12 and under, a parent or guardian can go in with their child for free, so you won't need a second pass just to supervise.
Parent tip: Pack socks for everyone in the family. Bouncing is a shoes-off activity at most inflatable parks, and cold feet in December can end the fun fast.
Snowflake Summit, Ice Skating and Other Add-Ons
Every admission includes the Snowflake Summit ice tubing slide, a 150-foot hill with nine lanes. Riders must be at least 42 inches tall, lap sitting isn't allowed and closed-toe shoes are required. The Snowflake Summit Fast Pass adds express access through a dedicated entrance for more runs in one visit, and daily quantities are limited.
Unlimited Ice Skating is new for 2026 and comes with the Winter and Platinum passes, or as an add-on. Sessions last 45 minutes, skate rentals are included, and the smallest skate is a child's size 8, which typically fits kids around age 3. Skate assists cost $15 at the rink office, and personal skates aren't allowed.
Want rides too? A Carnival Wristband covers unlimited carnival rides (games and the train are extra) and is included with the Platinum Pass or sold onsite. Height and size restrictions apply.
Fireside Igloos and the VIP Lounge
For a cozy night with grandparents or another family, the Fireside Private Igloos seat up to 10 people around a private fire pit, with a dedicated bar, a craft cocktail menu and s'mores for roasting. Igloos don't include admission or ice skating, so everyone in your group still needs a pass.
Platinum Pass holders also get access to the new VIP Lounge with its own bar. Birthday cakes are allowed in the igloos when you arrange it with the Winter Fest OC team ahead of time, which makes an igloo a fun option for a December birthday.
WinterFest OC 2026 Tickets and Flex Passes
All passes are now Flex, which means you buy ahead and choose your visit date later. A Value Flex pass works on the lighter-blue Value Days on the official calendar (mostly Thursdays, Fridays and early Sundays), and an Anytime Flex pass works on any open day. Here are the early-bird prices posted for 2026:
Snow Pass: $25.99 Value Flex, $30.99 Anytime Flex, or $26.99 per ticket in an Anytime Flex 4-pack. Includes Snowflake Summit ice tubing, snow play, the Holiday Light Trail, the holiday house light show, the nightly tree lighting, Santa and live entertainment.
Winter Pass: $45.99 Value Flex, $50.99 Anytime Flex, or $44.99 per ticket in a 4-pack. Adds unlimited ice skating, a Bounce Pass with Polar Putt Putt for ages 3 to 12 and priority gate entry.
Platinum Pass: $101.99 Value Flex, $111.99 Anytime Flex, or $101.99 per ticket in a 4-pack. Adds a Snowflake Summit Fast Pass, the VIP Lounge and a Carnival Rides Wristband.
Season Snow Pass: $47.99 for unlimited visits on open days (not transferable).
Kids 2 and under are free, and there are no added fees at checkout. All sales are final, so pick the pass type carefully. Add-on prices for Bounce Land, ice skating, the Fast Pass and the igloos are listed on the official Winter Fest OC tickets page, and prices go up after the early-bird window closes on Nov. 10.
Parent tip: If your kids will skate and bounce, compare the Winter Pass with a Snow Pass plus add-ons, since the Winter Pass bundles both. And if you live nearby, the Season Snow Pass pays for itself in two visits.
Winter Fest OC 2026 Dates, Hours and Location
OC Fair & Event Center
88 Fair Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
Friday, Nov. 27, 2026, through Saturday, Jan. 2, 2027 (select dates)
Thursdays and Fridays: 5 to 10 p.m.
Saturdays: 4 to 11 p.m.
Sundays: 4 to 10 p.m.
Mondays to Wednesdays, Dec. 21 to 30: 5 to 10 p.m.
New Year's Eve, Thursday, Dec. 31: 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
The festival is closed Nov. 30 to Dec. 2, Dec. 6 to 9 and Dec. 14 to 16, and it's open every night from Dec. 17 on, including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Winter Fest OC lists the season as running through Jan. 3, 2027, while the posted calendar ends on Saturday, Jan. 2, so check the official hours and calendar before planning a Jan. 3 visit. Last entry is 30 minutes before closing.
Parent tip: Value Days in 2026 are Nov. 27 and 29, Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 13, 17 and 18. Saturdays and the busy stretch from Dec. 20 on are Anytime Flex only, so a Value Flex pass is the cheapest way in if your schedule allows a weeknight.
Parking, Food and Policies to Know
Parking at the OC Fair & Event Center is $15 per vehicle, and you'll pay again each time you leave the lot. Re-entry to the festival is allowed with a hand stamp and your ticket. Winter Fest OC is cashless, so bring a card or phone wallet for food, games and extras.
Outside food and drinks aren't allowed, but sealed or empty water bottles, baby food and special-diet food in small amounts are fine. Only small portable strollers and wagons are permitted, and metal wagons aren't allowed. The event runs rain or shine, and if a full day is closed for weather, tickets move to a rescheduled date. The trackless train is wheelchair accessible, and accessible parking is available. Find more answers on the Winter Fest OC FAQ page.
Parent Tips for Winter Fest OC
Dress in layers. Costa Mesa evenings get chilly, and snow play means wet gloves, so pack spare socks and mittens in a zip-top bag.
Measure your kids before you go. The 42-inch height rule for tubing is firm, and it's easier to set expectations at home.
Plan your Santa visit before Christmas Eve, his last night at the festival.
Buy during early bird. Flex passes mean you don't need to pick a night yet, and prices rise after Nov. 10.
Carpool if you can. Parking is charged per vehicle, so one car for two families saves money.
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Takeaway
Winter Fest OC 2026 gives families more to do than ever, with a new Holiday Light Trail included in every admission, a supersized Bounce Land and flexible passes that let you buy now and choose your night later. Pair the glowing trail with a few runs down Snowflake Summit and a visit with Santa, and you've got an easy holiday tradition in Orange County.
If you already know you'll go, early-bird pricing runs through Nov. 10. Check the calendar for Value Days, and bundle up for a chilly, cheerful night.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Winter Fest OC 2026?
Winter Fest OC 2026 opens Friday, Nov. 27, at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa and runs on select dates into early January 2027. The posted calendar runs through Jan. 2, with nightly hours from Dec. 17 on. Hours are usually 5 to 10 p.m. on weeknights and 4 to 11 p.m. on Saturdays.
Is the Holiday Light Trail included with Winter Fest OC admission?
Yes. The all-new Holiday Light Trail is included with general admission and open during regular operating hours. It features seven themed stops, including the Peppermint Tunnel, Gingerbread Lane, the Singing Forest, the Aurora Snowfall Walk and the Grand Cove with its giant glowing trees.
How much are Winter Fest OC tickets in 2026?
Early-bird prices run through Nov. 10. A Snow Pass starts at $25.99, a Winter Pass at $45.99, a Platinum Pass at $101.99 and a Season Snow Pass is $47.99. All passes are Flex, so you can choose your date later. Kids 2 and under are free.
What is Bounce Land at Winter Fest OC?
Bounce Land is a new 20,000-square-foot inflatable zone with bouncing, climbing, obstacle courses and slides. A Bounce Land Pass includes unlimited access plus Polar Putt Putt, a nine-hole mini golf course. The Bounce Pass is included in the Winter and Platinum passes for kids 3 to 12.
How much is parking at Winter Fest OC?
Parking at the OC Fair & Event Center is $15 per vehicle, and the fee applies each time you exit the lot. Winter Fest OC is cashless, so plan to pay by card or phone. Carpooling with another family is an easy way to save.
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