Every December, Orange County parents face the same challenge: finding Santa photos that don’t mean long mall lines, pricey photo packages, and overstimulated kids. You want a sweet holiday picture and a fun family outing, not an hour in a crowded hallway.
The Fire & Lights Festival at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina offers a different kind of Santa visit. Photos with Santa are free, and the setting is the 36th annual Lighting of the Bay, where more than 50 lit holiday displays float on the calm Back Bay.
Why Newport Dunes Is a Standout Spot for Santa Photos
Free Photos in an Outdoor Setting
At the Fire & Lights Festival, meeting Santa is free, and so is festival entry. Newport Dunes’ Christmas lights guide notes that families can use their own cameras or phones for the photo. That means no required photo package and no waiting for prints. Bonus – other than opening night, there is rarely a line!
A Backdrop of Floating Christmas Trees
Instead of a mall set, your evening unfolds on the waterfront. The Lighting of the Bay glows nightly at dusk, with holiday trees and decorations reflecting off the still, waveless water. After your Santa visit, walk to the shore for a second family photo with the floating lights behind you.
The 2026 Santa Schedule
The festival page says Santa visits on opening night and every Saturday evening through Christmas. Here’s how those dates fall in 2026:
| Date | Occasion | Santa Photo Hours |
| Friday, November 27 | Opening Night | About 6:15–8:30 p.m. |
| Saturday, November 28 | Thanksgiving weekend | 5–8 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 5 | Festival Saturday | 5–8 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 12 | Festival Saturday | 5–8 p.m. |
| Saturday, December 19 | Last Saturday before Christmas | 5–8 p.m. |
Because the festival is weather dependent, call (949) 729-3863 before heading out.
A Santa Photo Night on Opening Night
Arrive Early and Warm Up
If Santa photos are the goal, opening night on Friday, November 27, is worth making a full evening. According to Visit Newport Beach’s event listing, activities begin at 4 p.m. Families can make ornaments, grab holiday food, try the inflatables, or warm up with fire pits and s’mores before Santa arrives.
The Opening Night Schedule
Visit Newport Beach lists this potential schedule, noting that activities are subject to change:
| Time | Activity |
| 4–7 p.m. | Holiday ornament making (while supplies last) |
| 4–8 p.m. | Holiday food and drinks |
| 4–9 p.m. | Inflatable slides, Toboggan Tunnel, fire pits, and s’mores |
| 4–5:25 p.m. | Live holiday music from SoCal Brass and Upstream |
| 5:45 p.m. | Fire dance performance |
| Around 6 p.m. | Santa’s arrival and the Lighting of the Bay ceremony |
| 6:15–8:30 p.m. | Photos with Santa |
| 6:15 p.m. | Holiday movie screening on the beach |
Choose Your Own Adventure After the Lighting
After Santa flips the switch, you don’t have to rush into line. With photos running until about 8:30 p.m., families can catch the start of the holiday movie, visit Santa later, or split up. One parent can take little ones to the photo line while older kids ride the inflatables.
Saturday Santa Visits: Your Game Plan
A Simple Saturday Evening Plan
Saturdays pair Santa with the free fire dancer shows, so you can pack a lot into one visit:
| Time | What to Do |
| 4:00 p.m. | Arrive, park, and follow the signs to Pavilion C |
| 5:00 p.m. | Visit Santa early in the window, before the evening crowd |
| 5:30 p.m. | Watch the first fire dancer show |
| Dusk | Head to the shoreline as the floating trees light up |
| 7:30 p.m. | Catch the second fire dancer show before heading home |
Photo Tips for Parents
- Bring a helper. Have one adult take photos while another wrangles the kids.
- Charge your phone and clear some storage before you leave home.
- Layer under festive outfits. Coastal evenings get chilly, so bring jackets to slip off for the photo.
- Time the lights. Newport Dunes suggests shooting the bay about 15 minutes after dusk, when the sky still has a hint of blue.
Keep the Evening Going
- Igloo Bar and concessions: hot cocoa, cider, coffee, hot toddies, beer, wine, soup, tamales, and s’mores kits
- Giant inflatables: Snowzilla, the Gingerbread Slide, and the Toboggan Tunnel. Kids must be 30 inches tall to ride without an adult, and socks are required.
- Santa’s Garden: fresh-cut Christmas trees from Oregon, plus wreaths and garlands. Visit Santa’s Garden for details.
Know Before You Go
Parking and Location
Festival entry is free, but parking has a fee. Visit Newport Beach lists a flat $15 parking rate on opening night. On other festival nights, Newport Dunes charges 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 |
The festival is at Pavilion C, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. Download the festival map before you go.
Dates and Closures
Festival activities run Thursday through Sunday, 4 to 9 p.m., from November 27, 2026, through January 3, 2027. They’re closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve, though the floating trees still light up nightly. Find more answers on the resort’s FAQ page.
Stay Overnight and Skip the Drive Home
Turn Santa Night Into a Getaway
Why rush home after Santa? Newport Dunes offers full-hookup RV sites, tent camping, and Newport Beach cottages on the Back Bay. Overnight guests can walk to the festival and enjoy the lights on more than one night, which is a handy backup if kids aren’t in the mood.
Book Your Holiday Stay
Holiday weekends fill quickly, especially bayfront sites. Browse the accommodations map, check RV rates, and review resort policies. Then book online or call 949-729-3863.
Join the Newport Dunes Insider list for special offers, or give a Newport Dunes holiday gift.
Make Santa at the Bay Your New Family Tradition
If you’re wondering where to get Santa photos in Orange County, Newport Dunes offers a simpler, more memorable option. You get free photos on your own camera, a backdrop of floating Christmas trees, and an evening of fire dancers, s’mores, and holiday fun.
Start with opening night on November 27, 2026, or pick your Saturday. Visit the Fire & Lights Festival page, book your stay, or call 949-729-3863 to plan your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Santa at Newport Dunes in 2026?
Santa visits on opening night, Friday, November 27, and every Saturday evening through Christmas from 5 to 8 p.m. In 2026, those Saturdays are November 28 and December 5, 12, and 19. Call (949) 729-3863 to confirm before you go.
What time are Santa photos on opening night?
Visit Newport Beach lists photos with Santa from about 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. on November 27. They follow Santa’s arrival and the Lighting of the Bay ceremony around 6 p.m. The schedule is subject to change, so check the listing close to the date.
Are Santa photos at the Fire & Lights Festival free?
Yes. Photos with Santa are free, and festival entry is free and open to the public. You’ll pay for parking, inflatables, and concessions. Parking is a flat $15 on opening night and is charged hourly on other festival nights.
Can I use my own phone or camera for Santa photos?
Yes. Newport Dunes’ Christmas lights guide says families can use their own cameras or phones. Bring a fully charged phone and a second adult to handle the camera while you get everyone looking at Santa.
Is Santa at the festival on Sundays or weeknights?
No. After opening night, Santa visits only on Saturday evenings through Christmas. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday, so you can still enjoy fire pits, inflatables, and the Igloo Bar on other nights. Fire dancers perform Fridays and Saturdays.
How much does parking cost at Newport Dunes?
Opening night parking is a flat $15, according to Visit Newport Beach. On other nights, it’s free for 30 minutes, then $15 up to 2 hours, $20 for 2 to 4 hours, and $25 to $30 for longer stays.
Can we 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.
