Trend Watch: Santa bringing tunes to OC Market Place
Santa Claus is coming to town — and this time he’s singing.
Kris Kringle hits the Orange County Market Place at the Orange County Fairgrounds Dec. 1 and 2, and Dec. 8 and 9. Each day, he’ll arrive at the swap meet singing, before leading sing-a-longs and, of course, posing for photos and listen to wishes.
Santa’s hours are from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, a press release said.
Dennis Skiles, a Fullerton Kenny Rogers tribute artist, will be Santa. He recently became a new member of the Fraternal Order of the Real Bearded Santas. He will be joined by “Twinkie” the elf, who is Mimi Becker of La Habra.
Bring a canned food donation and receive free admission. Children 12 and younger are free.
The fairgrounds are located at 88 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa. Admission is $2 with preferred parking at $5. More information is at https://www.ocmarketplace.com or call (949) 723-6660.
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Holiday Pop-Up Sale in Newport
Get some of your favorite action sports clothes at the Action Sport Holiday Pop-Up Sale on Dec. 8 and 9 at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina.
The sale will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days and several items will be on hand: Christmas trees for sale, gourmet food trucks, tunes spun by DJ Desi, a game truck, a Newport Beach Film Festival premiere playing on a screen and more, according to a news release.
Price of admission is $10 and parking is also $10. Donations from the Christmas Tree Raffle will go toward the Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation with a $1 from every admission ticket being given to the Newport Beach 1st Battalion, 1st Marines Foundation.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is at 1131 Back Bay Drive. For more information, visit https://www.newportdunes.com.
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Hotel offering holiday deals
If you visit the Sawdust Art Festival’s Winter Fantasy, bring in your ticket to the Pacific Edge Hotel’s The Deck through Dec. 9 and receive half off an appetizer. The hotel is also hosting a Toys for Tots drive. Bring a new toy and get a free appetizer at The Deck or 20% off a room at the hotel.
Pacific Edge is at 647 S. Coast Hwy. or call (949) 281-5709.
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Holiday movies at The Lab
Free outdoor holiday movies are shown at 6:30 p.m. at The Lab through Dec. 20. This Thursday National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” will be shown; Dec. 6 will be Christmas Cartoon Classics with “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town,” and “Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer”; Dec. 13 “Elf” will be shown; and “A Christmas Story” and “Charlie Brown Christmas” will air Dec. 20.
Free popcorn will also be given. The Lab is at 2930 Bristol St. in Costa Mesa. Visit https://www.thelab.com for more information.
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Spice plate now at Sapphire Laguna
Sapphire Laguna is now offering a spice plate that features flavorful small bites such as Short Rib Poutine, Duck Confit Fried Rice, Swiss Chard Quesadilla, Oxtail Taco, Bacon Wrapped-Kimchi Hotdog, Southern Fried Chicken Liver, Crispy Baja Fish Taco and Steamed Kobe Cheese Sliders, according to the restaurant.
Small plates are served starting at 4 p.m. Prices run $6.50 to $12.
Sapphire Laguna is at 1200 S. Coast Hwy.; https://www.sapphirelaguna.com or (949) 715-9888
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Piecemakers hosting craft fair
So many holiday events, so little time. The Piecemakers is hosting its Christmas Under the Stars Craft Fair Dec. 7 and 8 at the Piecemakers Country Store, 1720 Adams Ave. in Costa Mesa.
More than 90 vendors will be on hand with handmade gifts, antiques and collectibles, a release said. There also will be live country music, caroling and complimentary hay rids Friday evening for kids and face painting.
Admission and parking are free. More information is at (714) 641-3112 or https://www.piecemakers.com.
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Cruise your way through the lights
Cruise your way through a festival of lights with the Huntington Harbour Philharmonic Committee’s 50th annual Cruise of Lights, a 45-minute narrated boat tour through Huntington Harbour from Dec. 15 to 23.
The harbor’s decorations are touted as the “most spectacular holiday light show on the water,” with lights on boats, decks and homes, according to a news release. Proceeds from the event benefit Philharmonic Society of Orange County’s Youth Music Education Programs.
Cruses take off at 5:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Shuttles to the cruise leave from the Huntington Harbour Mall parking lot. Tickets run $17 for adults, $10 for children 2 to 12 and children under 2 are free. Special pricing of $15 for adults is offered for Dec. 20 cruises.
For more information, visit https://www.CruiseOfLights.org or call (714) 840-7542. Huntington Harbour Mall is at 16889 Algonquin St. in Huntington Beach.
ALISHA GOMEZ is managing editor of the Coastline Pilot and Huntington Beach Independent. She can be reached at alisha.gomez@latimes.com or (714) 966-4618.