Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is celebrating the holiday season with the return of its Fire & Lights Festival, held Thursday through Sunday evenings from 4 to 9 p.m. through January 4, 2026. The annual Lighting of the Bay glows nightly at dusk with more than 50 floating trees and festive waterfront displays.
Festival Highlights
• Fire Dancing: Free fire performances by The Wild Fire Arts Entertainment every Friday and Saturday at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
• Photos with Santa: Complimentary photos with Santa every Saturday through Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m.
• Igloo Bar: Seasonal sips and snacks including hot chocolate, cider, hot toddies, and soup du jour.
• Fire Pits and S’mores: Marshmallow roasting by the bay under sparkling lights.
• Giant Inflatables: Toboggan Tunnel, Giant Snowzilla slide, and Gingerbread Slide with unlimited wristbands or single-ride tickets. Height, weight, and sock requirements apply.
Admission to the Fire and Lights Festival is free. Fees apply for parking, inflatables, and concessions. The Lighting of the Bay runs nightly through January 4, 2026.
Santa’s Garden Holiday Tree Lot
Fresh Noble, Nordman, Grand, and Douglas trees, plus wreaths and garlands from northern Oregon. Custom flocking, trimming, loading, and home or business delivery available. Open daily through December 21. Sunday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Make It a Stay
Guests can enjoy the views from RV campsites or Beach Cottages. RV rentals can be delivered directly to campsites. Back Bay Bistro offers waterfront settings for holiday parties and private events. Visit NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3800.
Parking and Location
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach
Parking: 0–30 minutes free; 30 minutes–2 hours $15; 2–4 hours $20; 4–8 hours $25; 8–24 hours $30.
For festival updates and details, visit NewportDunes.com/fire-and-lights-festival. Book resort stays at NewportDunes.com or call 949-729-3863.
The Latest from greer's oc
Ignite Dance: 35 Years of Movement in Orange County
Ignite Dance marks 35 years of extraordinary performances at Irvine Barclay Theatre on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 8 p.m. The program features seven distinguished ensembles with deep ties to Orange County and a legacy of performances on the…
An Exciting Career Update
I’m proud to share that I’m now a licensed insurance agent specializing in Medicare. Over the past few years, I’ve devoted my time to studying Medicare because I genuinely enjoy helping people and care deeply about making healthcare decisions…
Lunch & Learn at Zov’s Bistro Focuses on Brain Health
Zov’s Bistro will host a Lunch & Learn in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Orange County Chapter, bringing the community together for an educational conversation centered on brain health and healthy aging.
Titled Healthy Living for Your Brain &…
Dry January, Done Right at Khan Saab
Khan Saab Desi Craft Kitchen is raising the bar this Dry January with a curated lineup of zero-proof mocktails that deliver the same balance, depth, and creativity as classic cocktails, without the alcohol.
Grounded in the restaurant’s 100 percent halal…
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 01.14.26 – Ignite Dance: 35 Years of Movement in Orange County
- 01.13.26 – An Exciting Career Update
- 01.12.26 – Lunch & Learn at Zov’s Bistro Focuses on Brain Health
- 01.11.26 – Dry January, Done Right at Khan Saab
- 01.08.26 – Strickland’s Ice Cream Celebrates 90 Years and Two Sweet Years in Costa Mesa
- 01.08.26 – THE NOTEBOOK Musical Set for Segerstrom Hall in 2026
- 01.04.26 – THE DAILY HEALING Presents Healing House Lido
- 01.04.26 – Your Business. Our Audience.
- 12.30.25 – Mastro’s Ocean Club Irvine Toasts the New Year With Zero-Proof Style
- 12.26.25 – Holey Moley and Hijinx Hotel Bring Immersive Play to Irvine Spectrum Center
- 12.22.25 – A Thoughtful Holiday Gift for OC Locals
- 12.21.25 – A Coastal Take on Christmas at Huntington Holiday House
- 12.18.25 – Katsuya Century City Debuts Festive Holiday Menu for December Dining
- 12.15.25 – Cozy Earth Is a Holiday Gifting Favorite in Corona del Mar
- 12.12.25 – il Girasole Turns Thanksgiving Into a Day of Giving Back
- 12.09.25 – Holiday Lights Boat Cruise Aboard Pendry Newport Beach’s Private Yacht
- 12.09.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at CasaDami on the Waterfront
- 12.06.25 – Pete’s Christmas Vacation Returns to Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
- 12.03.25 – Wrap Yourself in Luxury at Oats Cashmere’s Annual Event
- 12.02.25 – French Florist Opens New Boutique in Mission Viejo
More Daily Doses
- 01.13.26 – Newport Beach Restaurant Week Returns Jan. 15–25
- 01.12.26 – Earlybird Flies Into The LAB With One-Pound Burritos
- 01.08.26 – FACE FOUNDRIÉ Makes Its Southern California Debut in Newport Beach
- 01.04.26 – Parlor Doughnuts Opens 100th Location in Huntington Beach
- 12.21.25 – Phantom: A Perfect Gift Idea
- 12.18.25 – Celebrate the Season at Pendry Newport Beach
- 12.18.25 – Inside Poppy’s, Anaheim’s New Go-To for California Cuisine
- 12.14.25 – Fire & Lights Festival Returns to Newport Dunes
- 12.11.25 – Butcher’s House Marks Four Years With New Fromage Menu
- 12.09.25 – Manolo Blahnik Opens First West Coast Boutique at South Coast Plaza
- 12.09.25 – ClubSport Debuts New High-End Recovery Amenities in Time for the Holiday Season
- 12.04.25 – Festive Holiday Dining at Paseo, Céntrico and Naples in the Downtown Disney District
- 12.03.25 – Celebrate the Holidays at Discovery Cube Orange County
- 12.02.25 – Chef Charbel Hayek to Open ILYA in San Clemente
- 12.01.25 – Family Holiday Celebration This Saturday at The District
- 11.27.25 – QUA Brings Contemporary Chinese Cuisine to Fountain Valley
- 11.25.25 – Holiday Packages to Help You Look and Feel Your Best
- 11.23.25 – Winter Fest OC Returns November 28 With Expanded Experiences
- 11.21.25 – Wellness That Works: Vida by VTL Boutique Spas + Wellness
- 11.17.25 – Santa Maria Novella Brings Centuries of Craft to South Coast Plaza
