Celebrate the Season at Pendry Newport Beach

The holidays are here, and Pendry Newport Beach is ready to celebrate with a festive lineup of dining experiences, family fun and seasonal traditions. From breakfast with Santa to pastry hours and menorah lightings, the resort is bringing holiday cheer to guests, members, and the local community throughout December.

Holiday High Tea at Viamara at The Elwood Club
Through December 31 | Wednesdays through Sundays | Noon to 3 p.m.

Viamara at The Elwood Club is celebrating the season with a Southern California take on Holiday High Tea. Guests can enjoy premium hot teas and a curated selection of petite sandwiches, house-made holiday pastries, caviar, champagne, and other celebratory treats. The experience blends classic tea traditions with festive sparkle throughout the holidays.
Reservations: here

Mrs. Claus Story Time
The Cabaret at The Elwood Club
Dec. 6, 13 and 20 | 4 to 6 p.m.
Families are invited to a cozy afternoon with Mrs. Claus featuring holiday stories, letters to Santa and seasonal crafts. Complimentary for hotel guests and Elwood Club members.

Christmas by SET Steak & Sushi
Dec. 24 | 5 to 10 p.m.
Dec. 25 | 4 to 9 p.m.
Celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with a three-course holiday feast. The menu includes Maine lobster carpaccio, braised lamb shank and a Bûche de Noël reimagined as a matcha-dusted éclair.
Reservations available online.

Menorah Lighting Ceremony
Dec. 14 to 22 | Sundown
Pendry Newport Beach will host nightly menorah lightings throughout Hanukkah. Guests can gather for prayers, gelt and dreidel games. Complimentary for hotel guests, Elwood Club members and locals.

Holiday Pastry Hour at Coffee Bar
Fridays and Saturdays in December | 2 to 4 p.m.
Indulge in seasonal sweets including warm cinnamon rolls, festive princess cake, chocolate bark and cookie tins.
More information available online.

Breakfast with Santa at Viamara
Dec. 21 | 8 to 10 a.m.
Families can enjoy a holiday breakfast buffet, live music, crafts and cookie decorating as Santa stops by Viamara. Each ticket includes a holiday stuffed animal.
$77 per adult and $53 per child. Reservations available online.

2026 by SET Steak & Sushi
Dec. 31 | Beginning at 5 p.m.
Ring in the new year with a four-course prix fixe dinner complete with live music, a DJ and a midnight countdown. Guests may also choose à la carte dining in the bar and lounge with cocktails and champagne.
$195 per adult. Reservations available online.

690 Newport Center Dr, Newport Beach. 949.688.8001.

il Girasole Turns Thanksgiving Into a Day of Giving Back

As Orange County’s modern Italian favorite il Girasole approached its one year anniversary, owner and visionary Antonio Bevacqua set out to make Thanksgiving Day about more than a meal. His goal was to create an experience rooted in heart, purpose, and community impact. In searching for a local organization that could help connect with those in need, il Girasole found an ideal partner in The Hub OC.

A nonprofit organization, The Hub OC provides resources and programming designed to meet the physical, relational, and emotional needs of individuals and families throughout Orange County and beyond. Through a strategic partnership with Holiday Zimmerman, CEO of The Hub OC, il Girasole opened its doors on Thanksgiving Day to welcome guests of all ages for a traditional holiday meal served in the warmth and dignity of a private restaurant setting.

Thanks to generous contributions from several of the restaurant’s vendors and the il Girasole team members who volunteered their time, the day came together as a meaningful celebration of nourishment and connection. While closing the restaurant on a major holiday meant sacrificing important revenue for a young business, the team embraced the decision fully and plans to make the Thanksgiving meal an annual tradition.

“It has been a dream of mine to bring this experience to life, and it proved to be profoundly rewarding,” Bevacqua said. “I speak for our entire team when I say we are grateful to have made a meaningful difference in our community. Our day of giving back and giving thanks was soul food for us.”

Located at SOCO and The OC Mix, il Girasole has quickly become a destination for modern Italian cuisine in Orange County. The seasonal menu highlights California’s bounty, featuring vegetables sourced from local farmers markets, wild caught sustainable seafood, and meats selected from small, ethically responsible farms. Each dish reflects a thoughtful balance of Italian tradition and Southern California sensibility, complemented by a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails that complete the refined dining experience.

Follow on Instagram at @ilgirasole_oc. 

iL Girasole is located at 3321 Hyland Ave, Suite E, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

A Coastal Take on Christmas at Huntington Holiday House

The Huntington Beach House has transformed its oceanfront venue into The Huntington Holiday House, bringing a coastal spin to Christmas cheer in Southern California. Now through January 4, the seasonal pop-up blends holiday magic with Surf City culture. Guests can enjoy themed food and drinks, photo moments, and festive fun for families and friends right on the sand at Huntington State Beach.

Santa Claus will appear throughout the month for beachside photos leading up to Christmas. Select evenings will feature live music to create a cozy and festive atmosphere by the ocean.

The menu is designed for chilly beach nights with dishes like birria ramen, French onion soup pot roast, chicken piccata, and a hearty Soup SZN lineup. Brunch favorites return with a holiday twist, including Christmas cereal French toast, cinnamon rolls, and eggnog pancakes. Guests 21 and over can sip holiday beverages such as mulled wine, buttered rum, Dirty Dr Pepper, and housemade Baileys served over a coffee ice block.

The Huntington Holiday House is open now through January 4, 2026. Families, friends, and pets are welcome to experience a cozy coastal Christmas with themed food, activities, and beachfront holiday magic. For hours, event details, and updates, visit thehbhouse.com.

21601 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach.