Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay
Newport Dunes' 36th annual Lighting of the Bay begins Friday, November 27, 2026, and continues through January 3, 2027. More than 50 floating holiday displays light up the bay nightly at dusk, weather permitting. The separate Fire & Lights Festival operates on select evenings, with entertainment and family activities. Visitors can view the bay lights even on nights without festival programming.
Each night the calm, waveless bay is lit up with more than fifty lighted holiday displays and Christmas trees. Guests can also roast s’mores around Newport Dunes’ public fire pits which are available on a first-come basis and s’mores kits can be purchased from the onsite market.
Planning tip: There is no ice rink at Newport Dunes for the 2026–27 season. Viewing the bay lights is free, but parking and certain activities cost extra.
Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay
Newport Dunes Lighting of the Bay plus Fire & Lights Festival
Where: Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort
Address: 1131 Back Bay Dr, Newport Beach, CA 92660
Phone: 949-729-3863
Season: Friday, November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027
Fire & Lights Festival: Thursday – Sunday, 4–9 pm (closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve)
Lighting of the Bay: Nightly at dusk (weather-dependent)
Opening night ceremony: ~6 pm when Santa flips the switch
Admission: Festival admission, fire dancing, and Santa visits are complimentary. Parking, food and beverages, and inflatables cost extra. Lighting of the Bay is free to view.
Parking: Opening night (Fri Nov 27, 2026): flat $15. Regular nights: paid on-site parking — confirm current rates on the Newport Dunes festival FAQ before you go (rates can change).
Igloo Bar & concessions: Hot chocolate, cider, canned cocktails, and seasonal treats at the Igloo Bar; food and beverages cost extra. Fire pits with s’mores supplies for purchase.
Opening Night Celebration
Friday, November 27, 2026
The fun starts at 4:00 p.m.
The 36th annual Lighting of the Bay opening night runs from about 4 pm. Santa flips the switch around 6 pm. Expect Santa visits, a fire dancer performance, a holiday movie (title/time TBA), and food available for purchase. Admission is free; parking is a flat $15 opening night.
Family activities include the season kickoff bay lighting, photos with Santa, fire dancing, a holiday movie, and festive food and drink for purchase. No ice rink this year.
Holiday Movie
Bring your chairs and blankets to on an outdoor movie screen. The movie starts at 6:30 pm.
Holiday refreshments will be available for purchase.
Santa’s Garden (Christmas Tree Lot)
Hours: Mon–Thu 9 am–9 pm; Fri–Sat 9 am–10 pm; Sun 9 am–9:30 pm
Confirm exact lot open/close calendar dates with Newport Dunes; hours above are the confirmed daily schedule.
Hours
Mon-Thu: 9.00a – 9.00p
Fri-Sat: 9.00a – 10.00p
Sun: 9.00a – 9:30p
(while supplies last)
The holiday tree lot will feature fragrant trees handpicked and delivered straight from Salem, Oregon. Varieties include Noble, Nordmann, Natural, and Douglas.
Fire & Lights Festival
November 27, 2026 – January 3, 2027 (Thu–Sun)
Hours: Thursday – Sunday, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM. Closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
Fire & Lights Festival activities include fire pits and s'mores kits for purchase, complimentary fire-dancing performances on Fridays and Saturdays (listed at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.), and holiday inflatables such as the Gingerbread Slide, Toboggan Tunnel and Giant Snowzilla. Inflatable activities cost extra and require socks. Santa photos are listed for Saturdays through Christmas from 5–8 p.m., plus opening night. Check the event calendar for any changes before visiting.
