All is Bright as the City of Irvine Celebrates the Holiday Season

Tuesday, November 14, 2023

The City of Irvine invites the community to celebrate the holiday season with three signature events opening Saturday, December 2, at the Great Park. This year’s festivities reimagine Irvine holiday classics, including the Holiday Tree Lighting, now Illuminate Irvine, and Holidayz at the Park, and introduce a new seasonal event hosted by the Irvine Fine Arts Center, Holiday Market. The evening culminates in a grand finale with the lighting of the Holiday Tree and the Great Park Palm Court Arts Complex that will brilliantly sparkle and shimmer — radiating the joy of the season.  

Illuminate Irvine | December 2, 3–7 p.m. 
Illuminate Irvine offers an enchanting evening at the Palm Court Arts Complex with live, holiday music and activities designed for guests of all ages that are sure to inspire festive cheer. The night's grand finale will be the dazzling lighting ceremony of the Holiday Tree and Palm Court Arts Complex, adorned with thousands of radiant, glistening lights. Guests are also encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped gift suitable for infants or children up to age 12 in support of the Irvine 2/11 Marine Adoption Committee Holiday Toy Drive. 

Holiday Market | December 2, 3–7 p.m. & December 3, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. 
This two-day market at the Great Park Hangar 244 showcases a carefully curated selection of 28 skilled vendors and artisans featuring one-of-a-kind treasures perfect for the gift-giving season. These handcrafted products encompass a wide range of artistic creations, from exquisite jewelry and intricate ceramics to captivating folk-crafts, fine woodwork, and more. 

Holidayz at the Park | December 2–January 7 
Guests can step into a winterscape as the Great Park is adorned with sparkling light displays that twinkle and shimmer throughout the Palm Court Arts Complex. This captivating setting offers the perfect backdrop for a leisurely evening stroll or snapping family photos. Holidayz at the Park is open daily from dusk to 9:30 p.m. 

Celebrate the spirit of togetherness, goodwill, and the wonder of the season as a community, creating new memories and sharing in the joy of the holidays. 

Parking and admission are free at all holiday events. Great Park is located at 8000 Great Park Blvd. in Irvine. Visit cityofrivine.org/events for a list of all activities. For more information, call 949-724-6600.