Verified Christmas event · Mission Viejo, CA
Santa's Arrival Festival & Lighting Ceremony 2026
Mission Viejo's holiday kickoff: an afternoon festival at the Civic Center, then Santa arrives on a fire engine at 6 pm to light the city's holiday lights. Free.
- Verified by the organizer
- Sun, Nov 29
- All ages
- Free
No tickets are needed. Details come from the Mission Viejo Activities Committee. Rally Takes the Train doesn't sell tickets or take a cut.
VerifiedSanta's Arrival Festival & Lighting Ceremony
Hosted by the Mission Viejo Activities Committee.
- Sunday, November 29, 2026Festival from 3 pm, Santa at 6 pm
- Civic Center Plaza200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo
- FreeFood and some activities extra
- For all agesOutdoors, rain or shine
About this event
The Mission Viejo Activities Committee hosts Santa's Arrival Festival & Lighting Ceremony at Civic Center Plaza on Sunday, November 29. The festival starts at 3 pm with a live band and dance performances on the Main Stage, make-and-take crafts, holiday games, a petting zoo, a bubble experience and a photo booth.
At 6 pm Santa arrives on a fire engine and, with the children, lights up the Mission Viejo holiday lights. Food trucks sell snacks and goodies, and face painting and build-a-stuffed-animal cost extra.
Parent tip: Stay until 6 pm: the lighting with Santa is the end of the day, not the start. Bring some cash or a card if your kids will want face painting or a stuffed animal, since those cost extra.
What kids can do
On site
- Parking
- Free lot, shuttle from City Hall
- Setting
- Outdoors, rain or shine
- Tickets
- None needed, free
- Public transit
- Nearby, says the organizer
- Verified
- By the organizer,
Date
- Sunday, November 29, 20263 to 6 pm
The festival starts at 3 pm. Santa arrives on a fire engine at 6 pm for the lighting. A shuttle runs from the City Hall lot to North Paseo from 3 to 7 pm.
Prices
| Admission | Free |
|---|
Entry, crafts, the bubble experience, the petting zoo and the photo booth are free. Food trucks, face painting and build-a-stuffed-animal cost extra.
Where it is
- Civic Center PlazaMission Viejo Civic Center Plaza
200 Civic Center
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Directions to Mission Viejo Civic Center Plaza (opens in a new tab)
Civic Center Plaza is between Mission Viejo City Hall and the library. The organizer reports a free parking lot, and a shuttle runs from the City Hall lot to North Paseo from 3 to 7 pm. Restrooms, changing stations and seating are on site.
Good to know
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Accessible restrooms
- Accessible parking
- Sensory-friendly hours or a quiet area
- Service animals welcome
- Mostly paved, level ground
Who you will see
- Santa, arriving on a fire engine at 6 pm
- Live band
If the weather turns
The festival happens rain or shine.
Questions
When is Santa's Arrival in 2026?
Sunday, November 29, 2026. The festival starts at 3 pm, and Santa arrives at 6 pm.
Where is it?
Civic Center Plaza, 200 Civic Center, Mission Viejo, CA 92691, between City Hall and the library.
Is it free?
Yes. Entry, crafts, the petting zoo, the bubble experience and the photo booth are free. Food, face painting and build-a-stuffed-animal cost extra.
How does Santa arrive?
On a fire engine at 6 pm, and then he lights the city's holiday lights with the children.
Where do we park?
The organizer reports a free lot, and a shuttle runs from the City Hall lot from 3 to 7 pm.
Verified by Mission Viejo Activities Committee
The details on this page came from the organizer on November 13, 2026, and the organizer has committed to providing safe Christmas magic for kids. How verification works
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