Santa Back In Lake Forest This Holiday Season

LAKE FOREST, CA — Santa Claus will be back in Orange County this holiday season after a couple of years of COVID-19 restrictions that made it difficult for kids to crawl up on his lap and make their case that they’ve been good boys and girls over the last year.

Visits and pictures with Santa are at the heart of many families’ holiday traditions, but the coronavirus pandemic gave them a lump of coal. Malls and other places took social distancing measures in both 2020 and 2021 to help contain the spread of the virus, moving Santa meet-ups largely online.

Virtual visits are still an option in many places, but there’s nothing quite like seeing jolly old St. Nick live and in person. In Lake Forest, kids have several chances:

• Tanaka Farms Hikari — A Festival of Lights is open daily in Irvine from 4:30 to 10 p.m., with doors closing at 8 p.m., through Dec. 30. Residents can grab a photo with Santa, enjoy a holiday wagon ride or simply revel in the lit-up space of Tanaka Farms. Tickets start at $20. For more information, click here.
• Residents can meet Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and some elves for taking photos on Saturdays and Sunday Dec. 10 through 18 at the Mission Viejo Civic Center. For more information, visit the city's website.
• Santa Claus makes daily visits to the annual Winter Fantasy at Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach. Residents can still purchase tickets for the festive event until Dec. 18. To purchase tickets or learn more, visit Sawdust Art Festival's website.

Santa arrived Nov. 12 at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Santa’s Wonderland and will hold court through Christmas Eve. Reservations are encouraged.

Santa will be at Macy’s stores in New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando.

JC Penney stores, including stores in Orange County, are offering professional portraits with Santa through Dec. 18.

Know of any upcoming chances to meet Santa Claus this holiday season in Lake Forest? Let us know in the comments below!