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Experience the Holiday Season in the OC at WinterFest – USA TODAY’S 10 BEST Holiday Festival

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Winter Fest OC
Experience Winter Fest in sunny Southern California with a wonderland of attractions and entertainment at the OC Fair & Event Center. Nominated in USA TODAY’S 10 BEST Holiday Festival poll, the fairgrounds providing a perfect combination of indoor and outdoor space, many of the main attractions are within buildings, making Winter Fest as “El Nino-proof” as possible!

Winter Fest is an all-new whimsical getaway for adults and children, beginning December 18th and continuing through January 3rd, a remarkable value with tickets starting at only $10 online while they last.

The Winter Fest entertainment begins each morning with a snow-capped opening moment led by resident master magician, Jimmy H.  The wildly entertaining Chainsaw Chicks will also be on hand at Winter Fest, carving out fantastic ice sculptures while engaging the crowd with their unbridled charm. More live entertainment comes courtesy of local bands, strolling carolers, and performances by community organizations from around Orange County.

The Winter Fest Promenade will bustle with the sights and sounds of winter, offering a variety of food and beverage options in a holiday atmosphere. At the end of the Winter Fest Promenade stands a 30-foot Christmas tree, where guests will gather nightly at 5:30 p.m. for a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony with snowfall. Near the Christmas tree are two of Santa’s reindeer, available for viewing and feeding.

The Mistletoe Lounge is a hot spot at Winter Fest, offering holiday-themed cocktails, international craft beers, and comfortable seating amid the holiday décor and entertainment of the Winter Fest Promenade. The Slippery Slope Ski Lodge (known as Baja Blues Restaurant during the OC Fair) is another exciting Winter Fest destination. The family-friendly eatery will capture a ski-lodge vibe with holiday-themed cuisine and drinks, mountain décor, nightly live entertainment, and staff decked out in ski gear.

Thrill seekers can climb Snowflake Summit to take part in unlimited ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, where guests 42 inches and taller can race down the slope and experience the exhilarating side of winter. Snowflake Summit also offers bleacher seating, allowing friends and family to cheer on loved ones while they zoom down the ice.

The Hangar building will be transformed into an ice-skating rink, where guests can enjoy skating around a 6,000 square foot ice rink for an additional fee of only $15 onsite. Skaters can circle the ice as beloved holiday films are projected onto a theater-sized screen in the background.

Elegant rink-side VIP cabanas will be available for only $99 per session while they last, and accommodate 2 – 10 people but can adapt to fit parties of up to 100. The VIP cabanas offer exclusive menus with seasonally inspired food, cocktails, a private ice rink entrance and private servers.  VIP cabanas are perfect for groups, parties, or a date with a loved one. Santa has transported several sleighs from his collection to the Hangar building, which will be on display for the first time ever at Winter Fest.

Winter Fest features:

Unlimited ice tubing down a 130-foot – Six lane ice slide known as Snowflake Summit – Climb Snowflake Summit to take part in unlimited ice tubing down a 130-foot, 6 lane ice slide to experience the exhilarating side of Winter!  This experience is included in every admission ticket to Winter Fest.
* Massive ice skating rink, where skaters circle the ice on 6,000 sq. ft. ice rink within the massive Hanger Building, while a 40-foot projection screen plays your favorite holiday movies. Our indoor ice rink will give you a great frosted experience for everyone in the family. Ice Rink Admission: $15 each. Tickets available onsite.
* Reindeer viewing and feeding and taking the perfect Holiday selfie!
* Experience the world’s largest walk-through ornament
* Visits with Mr. & Mrs. Claus in the North Pole building with model trains, arts, crafts
* Games and cookie decorating for kids
* Candy Cane Carnival with 30 rides and games – Height requirement of 42″ or more for all riders. Closed-toed shoes must be worn.
* Entertainment from Magician Jimmy H.
* Chainsaw Chicks
* Strolling carolers
* Stilt-walking soldiers
* Local bands and more…

Plus, plus each night a Christmas tree lighting celebration will commence with snow fall!

Winter Fest Main Entrance Opening Ceremony
Each morning at 11am (2pm on Christmas Day), guests will gather in front of the Main Gate for an opening ceremony, which will consist of a brief celebration, conducted by the Winter Fest Mayor J Frost and his characters, officially welcoming guests and providing special photo opportunities as they enter Winter Fest surrounded by the sights, sounds and scents of the Holidays.

Are you looking for the ultimate VIP experience?

All Winter Fest admission tickets include remarkable value by providing not only access to Winter Fest but also the following attractions and entertainment:

Unlimited ice tubing down Snowflake Summit, One complimentary carnival ride, One complimentary carnival game, Reindeer viewing & feeding, Access to the world’s largest walk-through ornament, Nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall, Craft making, train exhibits and games for kids in the North Pole building, Meet Santa & Mrs. Clause (through Christmas Eve), Entry to bounce houses for kids, Daily & nightly entertainment.

Winter Fest is the perfect destination for holiday office parties, birthday parties, family functions and date night, and offers an unforgettable experience.

Official Hotel of Winter Fest 2015
Winter Fest is proud to provide their guests with the huge deals for the best accomodations in Orange County. The official hotel of Winter Fest 2015 is Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa. Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa is the top-ranked hotel by TripAdvisor in Costa Mesa!

Ayres Hotel Costa Mesa is offering Winter Fest guests a $119 per-night rate which includes a great breakfast, free parking, and free internet! Use this link to book your stay on our Winter Fest rate. This rate has limited availability, so book your stay today!

Ticket prices Monday through Friday start at only $10 online, $15 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $20 online, $25 onsite for adults. Ticket Prices Saturday and Sunday are $15 online, $20 onsite for children age 4 – 11, and $25 online, $30 onsite for adults.  Children 3 and under are free.  Purchasing tickets online is highly encouraged to not only save money but also ensure the desired event date is not sold out.

Adult season passes for unlimited admission into to all 17 days and nights of Winter Fest are available for $45 advance and online (limited supply); children’s season passes (ages 4-11) are available for $25 advance and online (limited supply).

For more information on Winter Fest (#WinterFestOC) and to apply for your community group to perform or for employment opportunities visit www.WinterFestOC.com

Happy Holidays!

About the author

Jane Emery