Celebrate The Holidays In Costa Mesa With South Coast Plaza’s Stunning Tree Lighting And Holiday Events

Published on November 19, 2025

South Coast Plaza is beaming with holiday cheer and is inviting the public this upcoming holiday season to experience bountiful holiday festivities, holiday cheer, theatrical decorations, and numerous joyous activities and surprises with the arrival of the 2023 holiday season. The traumatizing shopping destination will offer many different forms of entertainment to mark the arrival of the festive holiday season, starting with the famous and annual Holiday tree lighting ceremony, and ending on January 4, 2024. The shopping destination will begin its entertainment offerings on November 20, 2023.

For this 2023 holiday season, South Coast Plaza will offer an experience like no other in Southern California. The South Coast Plaza shopping experience will be world-class, and the new rope holiday will be themed with amenities and activities to be enjoyed by all ages. Looking to simply soak in the holiday spirit and cheer, or on the hunt for the ideal gift, South Coast Plaza steam offers shopping, festive activities, and holiday spirit wrapped in one neat package.

Celebration Highlights: Annual Tree Lighting and Performances

Every year, celebrating the holiday season at South Coast Plaza commences with the Segerstrom family’s 44th Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. This year, the ceremony will take place on November 20. This heartwarming event will take place at Town Center Park in front of The Westin Hotel South Coast Plaza. Attendees will enjoy spectacular performances from local organizations, such as Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, South Coast Repertory, and American Ballet Theatre Gillespie School. Evening performances will also include the Southern California Children’s Chorus and the Orange County School of the Arts.

Joining in on the pre-lighting festivities will be Santa Claus! After all the performances, Santa will help count down to the lighting of the stunning Christmas Tree. This event is free, and all family members and visitors of all ages can participate in the festivities.

Three Captivating Holiday Trees: Holiday Photo Backdrops

The South Coast Plaza community will be able to enjoy three terrific holiday trees! Each tree, decorated in its own holiday spirit and style, is the perfect holiday photo backdrop.

With incomparable magnificence and grace, the Jewel Court tree has become a local and regional attraction, and a perennial favorite holiday photo backdrop. En route to the photo opt, visitors are greeted by the large Christmas tree in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing, where Santa figurines collected from around the world are displayed. Additionally, there is a charming little train that circles the base of the tree, and children of all ages love it!

In Town Center Park, there is yet another beautiful and fully decorated fir tree, which is illuminated by thousands of sparkling, festive lights. As patrons walk around the shopping center, it is sure to add to the festive atmosphere. These decorated trees and holiday displays provide a warm and inviting atmosphere to the shopping center.

A Visit with Santa is a Time-Honored Tradition

A Christmas celebration would not be complete without a visit to Santa, and starting November 21, Santa will be at South Coast Plaza in two places. Families will be able to visit Santa and his Village on Level 1 in Carousel Court and The North Pole, which is located in the Crate & Barrel/Macy’s Home Store wing.

Kids get to send their holiday wishes to Santa and get an extra special holiday treat by taking a picture with him. Santa’s time at South Coast Plaza is a long-standing holiday tradition and a great way for families to celebrate the season by creating special and lasting memories together.

Holiday Rides for Everyone!

South Coast Plaza offers holiday rides to enhance and extend the festive spirit. Children will enjoy the unique Reindeer Carousel, featuring beautifully crafted, hand-painted reindeer. Located in Carousel Court, families will enjoy Santa’s Express Train, a one-of-a-kind festive train that is sure to delight and create holiday cheer bought at the Macy’s Home Store. WA. We provide complimentary rides to the train with the purchase of any photo with Santa.

South Coast Plaza Holiday Shopping: New Stores & Holiday Pop-Ups

The holidays have come, and so have more new shops and pop-ups to explore at everyone’s favorite retail therapy destination, South Coast Plaza! New and exclusive to South Coast Plaza is the capture of the essence and spirit of the holidays, retail Southern California’s luxury shopping center, and includes newly designed store spaces for Mango, Alo, Manolo Blahnik, Bottega Veneta, and Tory Burch. This collection of retailers is set to the higher end of the range and aims to turn the Hollywood-style capital of the region into a center of holiday movie magic with a wide range of offerings, including fashion, jewelry, accessories, and beauty retail.

The recently opened stores have made holiday shopping even more enjoyable and with even more options, including plenty of stores designed to meet a wide variety of preferences and price points, South Coast Plaza is the HQ for your every holiday shopping need!

Finishing the Season Off Well

Custom holiday gifts always melt the heart. Wrapping gifts with care and style is always needed. For festive gift decor and holiday sprucing up, The Wrapper at South Coast Plaza is the best choice. They have many holiday decorations and gift wrapping options. The Wrapper has everything to make the holiday season extra special.

A Holiday Experience Like No Other

In South Coast Plaza, the variety of events held for the holiday season is second to none. And it all starts with the ceremonial city tree lighting and Santa’s visits. For those in need of holiday cheer, the South Coast Plaza is your destination with all the luxury shopping. Combine the world shopping with holiday songs and festive cheer, and you have the South Coast Plaza holiday experience.