There is an all new family holiday festival coming to town and it is called Winter Fest & it will be happening at the OC Fair & Event Center from December 18 – January 3! This event will bring winter to the OC, featuring ice-skating, ice tubing, the world’s largest walk-through ornament, live entertainment, reindeer feedings, VIP private cabanas and more!
Experience ice-skating with a theater-sized screen playing holiday films in the background while you skate in the Hangar building which will be transformed into a winter wonderland, ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, nightly snowfall and tree lighting, festive entertainment, reindeer feedings, and more than 30 carnival rides and games. Winter Fest will be filled with seasonal foods, craft cocktails, magical lights, and holiday décor and I am super excited for this event! I love the Orange County Fair in the summertime and I am so excited there will now also be a fun event at the fairgrounds in the wintertime! 🙂
“We love creating events that instantly engage and delight guests of all ages,” Mark Entner, Absolute Event Solutions CEO, says. “This is an affordable holiday experience that ensures a fantastic adventure rain or shine, for seventeen days and nights during the traditional holiday school break. The fairgrounds are the perfect venue for Winter Fest, offering both indoor and outdoor space. The majority of the main attractions and entertainment are within buildings, essentially making Winter Fest ‘El Nino-proof.’ We’re thrilled to bring a wintry sense of wonder to Orange County, and we’re inviting the community to join us for what is sure to become an annual tradition.”
In addition to the activities above there will also be entertainment daily, which will include roaming holiday characters, performances by singers and artists, magicians, and a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snow flurries.
The Winter Fest entertainment will begin each morning with resident master magician, Jimmy H. The wildly entertaining Chainsaw Chicks will also be at Winter Fest, carving out amazing ice sculptures. More live entertainment comes courtesy of local bands, strolling carolers, and performances by community organizations from around Orange County.
Winter Fest offers the spirit of the holiday season at an affordable price, with admission starting at only $10 online. All tickets are a great value, as they include unlimited access to tube down the 130-foot, six-lane ice slide (available for guests 42” and taller). All tickets also include one complimentary carnival ride and game in the midway, and access to themed bounce houses for young attendees, as well as a chance to visit the famous couple of the North Pole, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, and partake in arts and crafts and games!
Ice skating in the Hangar is available on a first come, first serve basis and will cost $15 per person including skates. Skate assists are available for $5. Private, rink-side VIP cabanas are also available for $99 per session. Each cabana holds up to 10 guests but can be expanded to accommodate parties up to 100. All cabanas offer a special menu with holiday inspired foods and craft cocktails, and a cabana server to attend to guests’ needs.
There will be many delectable dining pleasures available at Winter Fest which will include Mrs. Claus’ Bakery for sweets while watching live fudge cutting and cinnamon roll making. There will also be a variety of internationally inspired foods, including soups in bread bowls, potpies, tamales, Chinese food, crepes, and turkey and stuffing. Pizza, tacos, grilled cheese, and BBQ kabobs will also be available. I am looking forward to the hot chocolate and martini bar! The OC fairgrounds’ traditional Baja Blues Restaurant will be re-imagined as a snow-covered ski lodge called, “The Slippery Slope Ski Lodge” where guests can enjoy food, libations, and local bands. The Mistletoe Lounge is a hot spot at Winter Fest, offering holiday-themed cocktails, international craft beers, and comfortable seating amid the holiday décor and entertainment of the Winter Fest Promenade.
Winter Fest will be happening at the OC Fair & Event Center for seventeen days and nights from December 18 – January 3. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Special hours of operation include December 24 (Christmas Eve) 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. and December 25 (Christmas Day) 2 – 11 p.m.
Admission ticket prices Monday through Friday are $10 online, $15 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $20 online, $25 onsite for adults. Ticket Prices Saturday and Sunday are $15 online, $20 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $25 online, $30 onsite for adults. Children 3 and under are free. Tickets are on sale now! You can buy tickets here –> Winter Fest Tickets.
Hope to see you there! I will be there opening night on the 18th! If you see me, come say hello! 🙂
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