San Juan Capistrano celebrates the season around its oldest landmark. For a stretch of late December, Mission San Juan Capistrano is lit for Capistrano Lights, one of the most beautiful holiday evenings in Orange County.
In San Juan Capistrano
- City tree lighting. Saturday, December 5.
- Capistrano Lights. Select evenings, December 18 to 30, Mission San Juan Capistrano, 26801 Old Mission Road. Tickets are $23 for adults, $19 for seniors, $16 for youth and students 5 and up, and free for children 4 and under, and include same-day admission to the Mission.
Nearby
- Dana Point Boat Parade of Lights. December 11 to 13, 6:30 to 8 PM, Dana Point Harbor, ten minutes away.
- Santa’s Village by the Sea. Saturday, December 5, 4:30 to 9 PM, San Clemente Community Center.
Tips for Enjoying the Season
- Capistrano Lights is ticketed by date; popular nights near Christmas sell out, so book ahead.
- Pair the Mission with dinner in the Los Rios Historic District, often called the oldest residential neighborhood in California, a short walk away.
Living in San Juan Capistrano
From equestrian estates to the historic homes of Los Rios, San Juan Capistrano is one of the most distinctive places to live in Orange County. See the San Juan Capistrano guide and its neighborhoods, including the Los Rios Historic District.
Dates and times are as announced by the organizers as of November 14, 2026. Plans can change, so check with the organizer before you go.
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