a jolly irvine holiday

Day 1 – Illuminate Irvine + Holidayz at the Park

Brunch

Start the day with a hearty brunch at Bluberry Social.

Afternoon

Follow suit with some winter fun by heading to the Irvine Spectrum for seasonal ice skating. It’s festive, family-friendly, and surrounded by holiday décor, shops, and treats.

Head to Great Park and take a ride on the iconic Great Park Balloon for panoramic views of Irvine, then let the kids enjoy the carousel nearby.

Evening

Stay and attend Illuminate Irvine, December 6th, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. complete with tree lighting, live holiday music, and community charm.

Grab hot cocoa from a vendor and stroll through the Palm Court Arts Complex as it transforms to Holidayz at the Park — glowing palm trees, whimsical installations, and perfect photo moments. Holidayz at the Park run through January 4, 2026.

Dinner

Try MOMO Paradise (shabu-shabu), Jiang Nan (elegant Chinese cuisine), or TigaWok if you’re feeling casual.

Day 2 – Hikari: A Festival of Lights at Tanaka Farms

Morning / Afternoon

Explore Irvine’s outdoor gems: Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Woodbridge Lake, Quail Hill Trail, or Bommer Canyon.

Optional treat: stop at Bag of Cakes at 14231 Jeffrey Road, for a banana pudding matcha. and egg sandwich

Evening

Head to Tanaka Farms for Hikari — a charming, family-friendly outing with a magical rural feel.

Take the festive wagon ride through glowing lantern tunnels and a sparkling “Land of a Thousand Lanterns.”

Enjoy comfort food from the farm grill, listen to live music, and, if you’re lucky, meet Santa.

Nightcap

Drive through nearby Irvine neighborhoods — Woodbury and Portola Springs usually have great holiday lights.

Day 3 – Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers

Afternoon

Shop or grab lunch at Diamond Jamboree at 2700 Alton Parkway (try Coco Ichibanya or BCD Tofu House, then Somi Somi for dessert).

Evening

Spend the night at the Dream Glow Festival at Wild Rivers — a fully immersive, larger-than-life holiday experience.

Wander through themed worlds like Christmas Wonderland, Realm of Dragons, and Under the Sea, filled with thousands of glowing lanterns.

Don’t miss the glowing dance floor, infinity mirror room, and oversized lantern displays for unforgettable photos.

Late night

Finish with churros, festive drinks, or snacks from the light-up food stalls before heading home.