Finding a holiday outing that works for everyone isn’t easy. Little kids want Santa and something to climb, teens want something worth posting, and parents want a place to sit down with a warm drink. Most tree lightings give you a crowded plaza and a single tree.
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina does it differently. Its 36th annual Lighting of the Bay puts more than 50 lit Christmas trees and holiday decorations on the calm, waveless waters of the Back Bay. Pair that with fire dancers, s’mores, and Santa, and you have one of Newport Beach’s most memorable holiday traditions.
What Makes This Newport Beach Tree Lighting Different
Christmas Trees That Float
Instead of one tree in a town square, the Lighting of the Bay spreads more than 50 glowing trees and decorations across the calm waters of the Upper Newport Back Bay. The display lights up at dusk every evening from November 27, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Because the bay is so still, the lights reflect off the surface and double the glow.
Two Events, One Waterfront
The season includes two related experiences:
| Lighting of the Bay | Fire & Lights Festival | |
| What it is | 50+ floating trees and decorations | Fire dancers, Santa, inflatables, fire pits, Igloo Bar |
| When | Nightly at dusk, Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 3, 2027 | Thursday–Sunday evenings, 4–9 p.m. |
| Cost | Free to view, parking in the main lot is for a fee | Free entry; parking, inflatables, and concessions extra |
Opening Night: Watch Santa Flip the Switch
The season kicks off at the Lighting of the Bay Opening Night on Friday, November 27, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. Around 6 p.m., Santa flips the switch and the floating trees light up the bay for the first time. The evening also includes:
- Holiday crafts for kids
- Festive food and concessions
- Giant Inflatables including slides
- Photos with Santa
- Fire Dancer performance
- A holiday movie on the beach
Inside the Fire & Lights Festival
Your Weekly Festival Schedule
The Fire & Lights Festival takes place at Pavilion C, with festivities Thursday through Sunday evenings:
| Day | What’s Happening |
| Every night | Lighting of the Bay at dusk |
| Thursday–Sunday | Festival open 4–9 p.m. with fire pits, Igloo Bar, and inflatables |
| Friday and Saturday | Free fire dancer shows at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. |
| Saturdays through Christmas | Free photos with Santa, 5–8 p.m. |
The fire dancers, Wildfire Arts Collective, perform shows that run about 10 minutes, with the floating trees as a backdrop.
Fire Pits, S’mores, and the Igloo Bar
Cozy up at a fire pit, roast marshmallows, and grab a drink from the Igloo Bar. Food and drinks are sold each night:
- Warm drinks: hot cocoa, hot cider, and coffee
- Cold drinks: soda, water, beer, wine, and cocktails
- Bites: soup, tamales, and s’mores kits
Giant Inflatables and a Tree Lot
Kids can take on the Toboggan Tunnel, the Gingerbread Slide, and Snowzilla, a 40-foot slide. Riders must be 30 inches tall to ride without an adult, wear socks, and weigh no more than 250 pounds. Buy single tickets or an unlimited-ride wristband.
Need a tree for home? Santa’s Garden sells freshly cut Christmas trees on-site. It’s open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday.
Make It an Afternoon: What to Do Before the Lights Come On
Explore Upper Newport Bay by Daylight
You don’t have to arrive right before sunset. Just up Back Bay Drive, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife manages the 752-acre Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, a mix of salt marsh, mudflat, and estuary habitat. Visitors can hike, birdwatch, photograph wildlife, cycle, kayak, and canoe.
A Simple Pre-Event Itinerary
| Time | The Plan | Good to Know |
| Early afternoon | Walk or bike the paved Mountains to Sea Trail and Bikeway | It starts on Back Bay Drive at Shellmaker Road |
| Mid-afternoon | Look for shorebirds and waterfowl along the wetlands | The reserve is open sunrise to sunset |
| Sunday add-on | Stop by the Back Bay Science Center | Free, and open most Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. |
| Dusk | Head to Newport Dunes to watch the floating trees light up | Lighting of the Bay begins at dusk nightly |
| Evening (Thu–Sun) | Stay for fire pits, food, and fire dancers | The festival runs 4–9 p.m. |
Tips for Planning Around Daylight
- Start early. Winter sunsets come early, so give yourself time on the trail before the reserve closes.
- Know the reserve rules. Dogs must stay on a leash no longer than 6 feet and aren’t allowed on some trails. E-bikes aren’t permitted, and drones require a permit.
- Split the day by age. Younger kids can enjoy the daylight nature walk, while older kids may prefer to stay for the evening festivities.
- Prefer the water? Check Newport Dunes’ water sports rentals for seasonal availability. Powered watercraft aren’t allowed in the reserve.
For more ideas, browse Newport Dunes’ guide to nearby areas.
Plan Your Festival Visit
Parking Fees at a Glance
Entry to the festival is free and open to the public, but parking is charged by the hour:
| Time Parked | Cost |
| 0–30 minutes | Free |
| 30 minutes – 2 hours | $15 |
| 2–4 hours | $20 |
| 4–8 hours | $25 |
| 8–24 hours | $30 |
| Lost ticket | $60 |
Download the festival map, then follow the signs to Pavilion C at 1131 Back Bay Drive.
Tips for the Best Night
- Dress in layers. Coastal evenings get chilly after sundown.
- Bring blankets for comfortable seating by the water. The Fire & Lights Festival has seating & tables available.
- Time your photos. Newport Dunes suggests shooting about 15 minutes after dusk, while the sky still holds a hint of blue.
- Check the weather and dates. The festival is weather dependent and closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve. Call (949) 729-3863 with questions.
Stay Overnight and Wake Up by the Lights
Skip the Drive Home
One of the best ways to experience the Lighting of the Bay is to stay right where it happens. Newport Dunes offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and Newport Beach cottages. Overnight guests can walk straight to the festival and enjoy the lights on more than one night.
Book Your Holiday Getaway
Holiday dates fill quickly, especially bayfront sites. Browse the accommodations map, check RV rates, and review resort policies. Then book online or call 949-729-3863.
You can also join the Newport Dunes Insider list for special offers, or give a Newport Dunes holiday gift.
Make the Floating Trees Your New Holiday Tradition
If you’re searching for a Christmas tree lighting in Newport Beach, the Lighting of the Bay offers something no town square can: more than 50 trees glowing on the water, with fire dancers, s’mores, and Santa nearby. Add an afternoon on the Back Bay, and it becomes a full holiday outing.
Mark your calendar for opening night on November 27, 2026. Explore the Fire & Lights Festival, book your stay, or call 949-729-3863 to start planning today.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Christmas tree lighting at Newport Dunes in 2026?
The opening night celebration is Friday, November 27, 2026, from 4 to 9 p.m. Around 6 p.m., Santa flips the switch to light the floating trees. After that, the Lighting of the Bay glows nightly at dusk through January 3, 2027.
Is the Fire & Lights Festival free?
Yes. Entry is free and open to the public, and so are the fire dancer shows and photos with Santa. You’ll pay for parking, inflatables, and concessions. The first 30 minutes of parking are free, and longer stays cost $15 to $30.
Can I see the floating trees when the festival is closed?
Yes. The Lighting of the Bay runs every evening at dusk from November 27, 2026, through January 3, 2027. Festival activities run Thursday through Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m., and are closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
When are the fire dancer shows?
Wildfire Arts Collective performs on Friday and Saturday nights at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. The free shows last about 10 minutes and have the floating trees in the background, so arrive a few minutes early for a good view.
When can we take photos with Santa?
Santa visits on opening night and every Saturday evening through Christmas, from 5 to 8 p.m. Photos are free, so bring your phone or camera and plan to stay for the fire dancers.
What can we do nearby before the lights come on?
Dine at Moe B’s Munchies or explore the bay with Water Sports Rentals at Newport Dunes (hours vary). Visit the Upper Newport Bay Ecological Reserve, just up Back Bay Drive. You can walk or bike the paved Mountains to Sea Trail and Bikeway, watch for shorebirds, or visit the Back Bay Science Center on most Sundays. The reserve closes at sunset, so start early.
Can I stay overnight at Newport Dunes during the festival?
Yes. Newport Dunes offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and cottages on the Back Bay. Overnight guests can walk to the festival and enjoy the lights on multiple nights. Book online or call 949-729-3863 for holiday availability.
