Celebrate the Holidays @OCParks: Heritage Hill Historical Park, OC Zoo, Christmas Train, and More! #OCOrangeFriday

This information is brought to you by OC Parks. All opinions are our own. 

Photos Courtesy of OC Parks. Left: Heritage Hill Historical Park, 

Right: ​Betty the Beaver at OC Zoo. 

If you're looking for more ways to spend quality time with the family this holiday season, you don't have to look very far in Orange County. Some are inexpensive or free!  Start with this outdoor one at Irvine Regional Park on Orange Friday.

Friday, November 28 – Orange Friday
2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Irvine Regional Park
1 Irvine Park Road

Orange, CA 92869
ocparks.com/parks/irvine
(714) 973-6835

Cost: Free
Parking: $3 per vehicle

OC Parks and Irvine Regional Park invite you to burn off the Thanksgiving dinner calories in the great outdoors. Orange Friday offers a family-friendly event with something for everyone to enjoy. A Santa Cruise will be available for mountain bikers, a Rudolph Ride for the equestrians and a Snowman Stroll for the hikers with a ranger-led interpretive hike at 3 p.m. Holiday-spirited costumes are encouraged at Orange Friday and prizes will be awarded to the best dressed and most appropriate for each category (like Santa hats for the Santa Cruise or antlers for the Rudolph Ride). After the event, stay at Irvine Regional Park to enjoy the opening night of the Christmas Train at Irvine Park Railroad. 

______________________________

November & December - Christmas Train

Irvine Park Railroad 

(inside Irvine Regional Park)
1 Irvine Park Road 

Orange, CA 92869

(714) 973-6835 or (714) 973-3173
www.irvineparkrailroad.com

Cost: $12 per person (children under age 2 ride free)
Parking: $5 per vehicle and free after 5 p.m.

The Christmas Train runs November 28-30, December 5-7, and 12-23.

______________________________

Saturday, December 6 – 33rd Annual Victorian Christmas
11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road

Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 923-2230 or (949) 923-2232
www.ocparks.com/heritagehill/

Cost: $4 Adults, $3 kids ages 3-12
Parking: FREE

On Saturday, December 6, Heritage Hill Historical Park welcomes the 33rd Annual Victorian Christmas. Take a trip down memory lane and enjoy holiday traditions of the past. The park’s historic buildings will be festively decorated for the holidays. Enjoy live musical performers, local craft vendors, and food available for purchase. Families and friends will enjoy fun, hands-on activities including Christmas ornament and card making, candle dipping, Victorian-inspired crafts, and cookie decorating with Mrs. Claus.

______________________________

Saturday & Sunday, December 13-14 – Candlelight Walk
5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Heritage Hill Historical Park
25151 Serrano Road

Lake Forest, CA 92630
(949) 923-2230 or (949) 923-2232
http://www.ocparks.com/heritagehill/

Cost: $4 Adults, $3 kids ages 3-12
Parking: FREE

The annual Candlelight Walk at Heritage Hill Historical Park returns on Saturday, December 13 and Sunday, December 14. More than 1,000 luminaries will light the park’s pathways as strolling carolers and musicians fill the air with music. Children can visit with Santa in the arbor and sit at a historic school desk while storytellers spin holiday tales in the one-room El Toro Grammar school. Visitors will enjoy music as they tour the 1930’s Bennett Ranch house and can watch a Spanish guitarist and Flamenco dancer in the 1863 Serrano Adobe. There will also be ongoing entertainment in the 1891 St. George’s Episcopal Mission. Hot chocolate, apple cider, and homemade cookies will be available for purchase.

______________________________

Saturday, December 13 – Christmas at the Zoo
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

OC Zoo 

(inside Irvine Regional Park)
1 Irvine Park Road 

Orange, CA 92869

(714) 973-6847

www.ocparks.com/oczoo/

Cost: $2 per person, ages 2 & under are free
Parking: $5 per vehicle

Christmas at the OC Zoo invites children to a special story time with Mrs. Claus and a visit with Jolly Old St. Nicholas. Guests will enjoy seasonally inspired crafts and holiday face painting. Watch the animals of the OC Zoo receive treat-filled gifts hidden inside of Christmas trees and inside gift boxes throughout the day. Reservations are not required to enjoy Christmas at the OC Zoo. The holiday activities are free with paid zoo admission.