Greer's OC

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort will kick off the holiday season with the 32^nd Annual Lighting of the Bay opening night celebration featuring a full schedule of festivities on Friday, November 25 from 4-9 p.m. The resort’s nightly bay lighting will continue through New Year’s Day. 

On opening night enjoy live musical performances, stocking decorating, holiday photo booths, and more. Santa will take center stage at dusk as he flips the magic switch to illuminate the bay with more than fifty floating holiday decorations and Christmas trees. Once the bay is aglow, children will have the opportunity to meet and take photos with Santa. Guests are invited to bring blankets and beach chairs and to relax while sipping on hot cocoa and cider during an outdoor movie screening of a holiday favorite, Elf (PG), to wrap up the evening. Festive food and beverages will be available for purchase. 

Through the winter season, Newport Dunes welcomes the public to experience a variety of additional family-friendly resort activities, amenities, and holiday happenings, including:

Holiday Tree Lot

As one of Southern California’s premier locations to pick top-of-the-line pines, Newport Dunes receives their trees from Salem Oregon in five to six farm-to-lot deliveries before Christmas. The highest quality, fragrant trees are handpicked and delivered within 16 hours of being cut, given a second cut upon arrival, and immediately placed in stands with fresh water. Fresh wreaths and garlands are also available for purchase. The tree lot will be open from 10 a.m.–9 p.m. daily beginning November 22 through December 24 and closed Thanksgiving Day. Holiday Tree Lot customers receive complimentary parking. Find your perfect pine and stay to view the Lighting of the Bay. For more information visit NewportDunes.com/event/christmas-tree-lot. 

Fire Pits and  S’mores 

Get cozy while roasting marshmallows for s’mores around a beach bonfire. Newport Dunes’ public fire pits are available on a first-come basis and s’mores supplies can be purchased from Newport Dunes’ onsite market. 

Moe B’s  Munchies

Newport Dunes’ walk-up beachfront grill and bar will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. this winter to enjoy a picnic on the beach. Sip on seasonal beverages and stay until dusk to take in the glowing lights in the Newport Dunes lagoon. 

Duffy Boat Rentals

Enjoy getting out on the water year-round in Newport Dunes’ 21-foot electric Duffy boats. Stay cozy with the window enclosures or open them up to feel the breeze while taking a leisurely cruise through Newport Harbor. Duffy rentals are available on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. for 2, 3 and 4-hour rentals with a maximum of 8 people. Book all watersports including kayaks, pedal boats, and SUPs, online at NewportDunes.com/Watersports.

Book a Stay

Escape to the beach this winter and rent a cozy, single-family, one-bedroom Beach Cottage, or reserve an RV campsite just steps from the sand. For those who do not own an RV, Newport Dunes can recommend local RV rental companies that will deliver an RV to your site, all hooked up and ready to enjoy.

Holiday Parties

Newport Dunes offers a variety of venues to host holiday parties. The Back Bay Bistro is a lovely holiday event venue featuring sweeping views of the bay. Full bar and in-house catering are available to make holiday hosting a breeze. To learn more about hosting a holiday party at Newport Dunes call (949) 729-3800 or email events@newportdunes.com.

 NOVEMBER 25 EVENT SCHEDULE:

• Holiday Food Concessions & Bar | 4–8 p.m. 
• Clam chowder, chili, churros, and festive drinks available for purchase. Full bar.
• Photo Booth | 4–8 p.m.
• Stocking Decorating | 4-7 p.m. (or until supplies last)
• Southern California Brass Consortium | 4:30–5:30 p.m.
• Performance by OC Song & Dance | 5:30–6 p.m.
• Santa’s Arrival & Lighting of the Bay | 6 p.m.
• Photos with Santa | 6:15–8:30 p.m.
• Holiday Movie Screening on the Beach: Elf (PG) | After lighting
• Lighting of the Bay Opening Night Celebration: Friday, November 25, 4-9 p.m. 

Price: Onsite parking $10.

Lighting of the Bay: Friday, November 25, 2022, through Sunday, January 1, 2023

The bay is illuminated each evening at dusk.

Price: On-site parking is available at the following rates: First 30 minutes FREE, 30 minutes to 2 hours $10, 2 to 5 hours $15, 5 to 8 hours $20, 8 to 24 hours $25.

Holiday Tree Lot: Sunday, November 22 through December 21, 10 a.m.–9 p.m. or until trees are sold out. 

Prices vary. Parking is free for Holiday Tree Lot customers. 

Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort

1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach