Here Are 14 Ways to Enjoy the Holidays in Anaheim

Holiday activities in Anaheim are abundant! When it gets dark earlier and earlier, it can be tempting to just hang out at home, watching TV or playing on your phone after work or school. To break the habit, it helps to have preplanned activities to look forward to. From Christmas tree farms to tree lighting to day camps, here are three holiday activities for everyone to enjoy:

Christmas Tree Selection

First, head over to Christmas Tree Village in La Palma to look for your own real Christmas tree. They “have the freshest Noble Firs, Douglas Firs and Grand Firs shipped direct from [their] farms in Oregon!” For an added wintery touch, they also offer flocking (i.e., artificial snow). Picking out your own tree is something you have to do at least once. Give it a try!

Tree Lighting

Speaking of trees, the city is hosting a tree-lighting event on Sunday, December 3. The Nutcracker-themed tree lighting will be at 6:00 p.m. and will be preceded by holiday entertainment, food, and fun in the Nutcracker Holiday Village. What could get you into the spirit of the season better?

Kids Activities

For kids, Anaheim has fun activities going on all season:

• Night Hike on December 16 through the Oak Canyon Nature Center
• Tales and Trails on Saturday mornings each week in Oak Canyon
• Winter Day Camps December 18 to 22 (Celebrations Around the World) and December 26 to 29 (Winter Wonderland)
• 

See the Fall 2023 Anaheim Activity Guide for more information and prices.

Shows and Performances

There’s just something about seeing performers in person and feeling the electricity of their excitement that adds a great feeling of fun to the holidays. There are tons of shows for all different preferences for everyone to get into the spirit of Christmas in Anaheim.

The Nutcracker

You can never go wrong with a ballet performance of The Nutcracker! On Friday, November 24, at 7 p.m. or Saturday, November 25, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., head over to the City National Grove of Anaheim for a performance by Anaheim Ballet. This is their 37th season of Nutcracker performances, but they always update the staging to keep the performance fresh.

Fancy Nancy

There is nothing fancier than Christmas, so a Fancy Nancy Christmas production surely can’t be missed. From December 1 to 23, you can catch the Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas play at Chance Theater. 



Elf

If you’re a fan of the movie Elf, get tickets to Elf the Musical in Chino. Experience the story live with talented performers from the Chino Community Theater. The songs are sure to delight you because, as we know, “the best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.”

Shopping

One of our favorite holiday activities in Anaheim is gift shopping! There are few things as exciting as watching your loved ones open the presents you picked out just for them. These days, it’s super easy to shop online at larger retailers, and these retailers have tons of options. But if you’re looking for something a little rarer, Anaheim has some great and unique stores for you to check out.

Morning Lavender

Head over to Morning Lavender to check out a “boutique inspired by all things pretty.” There’s clothing, bridal dresses, accessories, and curvy, petite, and maternity options. They also have some kids clothing, lifestyle items, and pretty tea sets. Buy something you think your gift recipient will like or a gift card for them to spend later! 

SEED Peoples Market

If you’re shopping for the outdoorsy person in your life, give SEED Peoples Market a try. They sell outdoor clothing and gear, like LifeStraws and rechargeable lanterns, as well as some homeware and everyday items like wall calendars or sunglasses. There’s something for people of all ages, so you could get things for a few people on your list here!



Ridemakerz

If you want a toy store experience unlike any other, head over to Ridemakerz. If your kid (or kid-at-heart adult) loves toy cars, this place will give them the opportunity to create and build a toy car of their own. Put your imagination and building skills to work and take home a one-of-a-kind toy car.

Opportunities to Share

They call it the season of giving, and it’s not just because of the presents. Giving back is a huge part of what makes this time of year so special. Even if you can only give a little, every little generous action makes a big difference.

Toys for Tots

In 2022, the local Seal Beach chapter of the Toys for Tots program gave 60,599 toys to support 50,000 children. This program exists nationwide, and you can participate by donating new toys or money or volunteering to help with things like warehouse tasks or meal delivery. If there are children in your life who could use toys or books this year, you can also fill out a form to request toys.

South County Outreach Food Pantry

Too many families are food insecure, and the South County Outreach food pantry is here to help, serving up to 3,000 families in South Orange County each month. The good news is there are so many ways to help, and it can be easy! Donate food or money, work in the food market, or do jobs like provide front desk support.



WISEPlace

WISEPlace is an organization with the goal of ending homelessness for unaccompanied women. If you have 45 minutes a week around noon on Thursdays, you can help get meals from the donors to the WISPlace shelter. See the opportunities available through November and December here.

Safe Celebration

Candles are such a cozy addition to your holiday decor, but please know that 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles. Be careful when lighting candles in your apartment, especially in your bedroom, where you may fall asleep and then leave the candle unattended. You might consider trying battery-powered candles, which create a similar ambiance without the fire hazard. If you do use real candles, be sure to keep an eye on them and blow them out when you are done!



Speaking of fire hazards, Christmas trees can pose a hazard in two ways. First, real Christmas trees can dry out, so be sure to keep yours watered! Keep any candles away from the branches, and be sure to turn all Christmas lights off when you’re not at home. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

We hope you enjoy some of these holiday activities in Anaheim. From all of us at Beachwood Apartments in Anaheim, Happy Holidays!