Orange County Holidays: Unique Activities, No Snow

Though Christmas is inevitably linked with snow in many parts of the world, the only snow you'll find in Orange County is man-made. That sometimes seems bizarre to first-time winter visitors, but Orange County offers plenty of unique and traditional holiday events to keep visitors busy. And the mild winter climate is a joy to visitors from more northerly climates.

Disneyland outdoes itself during the holidays, which roughly cover the period from Thanksgiving (the last Thursday in November) through New Year's Day. The 'must-see' holiday specials include "It's A Small World Holiday," where the popular boat ride featuring handcrafted dolls from around the world is converted to a Christmas theme.

Next up is the more recent addition of the "Haunted Mansion Holiday," which celebrates a collision of holidays--Halloween and Christmas--in a redecorated Haunted Mansion. This year, the playful theme-based on the film "Tim Burton's Nightmare Before Christmas"--includes a giant gingerbread mansion in the mansion's ballroom, along with numerous other surprise scenes that will make you giggle and put you in a festive mood.

But whatever else you do at Disneyland, don't miss the "Believe ... in Holiday Magic" choreographed fireworks that culminate with gentle snowflakes falling on Main Street. The show is magnificent and hardly leaves a dry adult eye in the park, while kids scamper to catch the snowflakes.

Across the way at Disney's California Adventure, children can design their own Christmas cards at craft areas throughout the park. Some of those are selected for inclusion in the nightly "Luminaria" show over the Paradise Pier Lagoon.

At the Knott's Berry Farm, you'll find a Christmas Crafts Village in the theme park's Ghost Town that also features strolling carolers, community choirs and bands. Outside the park, the Knott's shopping village (where park entry fees are not required) is a popular place for locals to shop for holiday gifts.

Another arts and crafts festival-dubbed "Sugar Plum" festival-runs through November 17 at the Orange County Fair & Exposition Center in Costa Mesa. Or you can browse the Sawdust Winter Fantasy in Laguna Beach, an arts and crafts fair featuring local artists and holiday entertainment (weekends starting Nov. 23 through Dec. 15).

Of course, there are numerous tree-lighting ceremonies at shopping plazas around the county and numerous concerts and ceremonies. Among the most well known are the Menorah Lighting at Fashion Island in Newport Beach (Nov. 29), the tree lighting at South Coast Plaza and Christmas at the Mission at Mission San Juan Capistrano.

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