Illustration of a house and yard glowing with string lights beside a snowman at dusk (Lighting of the Bay)

Lighting of the Bay

2026 dates not announced yet. Details are from 2025.

Each evening, the bay transforms into a vibrant winter wonderland featuring more than fifty illuminated holiday displays floating on the water. Visitors can stroll along the waterfront to view the floating lights or stop by the on-site tree lot offering fresh trees, wreaths, and garlands. Opening night festivities include holiday crafts, photos with Santa, festive food, and an outdoor movie on the beach.

Details Official site

Advertisement

Browse Christmas in Newport Beach

Plan Your Visit

Going?

Tips & Advice

  • On-site parking is available with tiered hourly rates, including free parking for visits under 30 minutes.
  • Opening night features special flat-rate parking along with extra activities like photos with Santa and a movie on the beach.
  • If shopping for holiday greenery, the on-site tree lot receives weekly shipments of fresh Oregon trees, wreaths, and garlands.

Links & Contact

Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide, not the organizer of this event. For tickets, entries, vendor spots or questions, contact the organizer directly through their website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens during the opening night celebration?

Opening night features holiday crafts, festive food concessions, photos with Santa, a holiday movie on the beach, and Santa flipping the switch to light up the bay.

What types of trees are available at the tree lot?

The tree lot carries fresh varieties from Oregon, including Noble, Nordmann, Natural, and Douglas firs, along with wreaths and garlands.

What do the light displays look like?

The display consists of more than fifty holiday-themed light arrangements floating directly on the waters of the bay.

Always check the official website for the most current information.

We've done our best to keep details up-to-date, but event schedules, prices, and policies can change. For the latest updates, please visit the official website or contact the organizers directly. Christmas Events Near Me is an independent guide and isn't affiliated with the events we list.

Contributors & Updates

Last checked: