It’s Almost that Time of Year! Winter Fest OC is Near! + Giveaway!

Winter Fest OC + Giveaway

By Erin

Winter Fest OC Begins December 20th With 40,000 Square Feet of All-New Winter Fun Attractions!

Winter Fest OC Orange County 2018

We don’t have real snow here in Southern California, but that does not mean we don’t know how to have some winter fun! There is NO shortage of fun holiday adventures to experience!  Winter Fest OC is coming back to the OC but with even more holiday experiences for all to enjoy from December 20th-January 6th. Located at the OC Fairgrounds, get into the holiday spirit as Winter Fest features 40,000 square feet of new attractions and brings back popular activities including an outdoor ice-skating rink, ice tubing at Snowflake Summit, real Snow Play, and so much more. *PLUS* enter for a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to experience it all for yourself below! Even though we don’t get real snow here, doesn’t mean we cannot bring the snow to us to enjoy all the snowy winter fun with ice skating, hot chocolate and more!

With a record-breaking attendance in 2017, Winter Fest OC will debut its fourth consecutive year with new entertainment and attractions including SoCal Dicken’s Village, Candy and Snowflake Wonderland, and an expanded Festival of Lights tunnel.

Here are a few things I am looking forward to most about this years Winter Fest!

New to Winter Fest This Year:

SoCal Dicken’s Village – Take a trip down memory lane through the 1800’s with holidays past, present, and future. Decorate Christmas cookies, listen to holiday storytelling, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus (through Christmas Eve), take a pony ride, and visit the new Victorian holiday shops.

Candy and Snowflake Wonderland – Step into an interactive wonderland full of candy and snowflakes with a new selfie experience that is sure to delight visitors and capture the picture-perfect Instagram moment.

Orange Ball New Year’s Eve Celebration – Ring in the New Year not once, but twice, with a special countdown, Orange Ball drop, fireworks and an unforgettable balloon drop at both 6pm and midnight. Multiple live bands will be playing to commemorate the end of the year, and the start of a new one.

Club Winter Fest – Private, ice rink-side VIP cabanas are available nightly starting at only $69 per session, creating the ultimate destination for holiday office parties, family retreats or date nights. Enjoy the all-new lounge area with exquisite views of the nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony featuring fireworks, snow flurries and a free drink upon entry. Tickets are limited.

Festival of Lights – Stroll through Winter Fest’s 100-foot-tunnel of two million lights to explore five lands with animated displays. For additional fun for the kids, make sure to ride through the Festival of Lights on the trackless train.

Festival of Lights Winter Fest OC Orange County

Back by Popular Demand:

Snowflake Summit – Visit Snowflake Summit for unlimited ice-tube racing down the 150 foot, eight lane slide. Fast Pass wristbands are available starting at only $10 to skip the general admission line.

Flying Santa and his Reindeer – Don’t miss the magic of the North Pole as Santa and his reindeer fly over the fairgrounds December 20th – December 24th. This spectacle takes place during the nightly Christmas Tree Lighting celebration and features fireworks and snow flurries.

Penny’s Snow Play – Fresh snow blown in daily to make SoCal’s largest snow play attraction with two snow arenas: one caters to toddlers and the other to kids (and kids at heart.)

Also returning are the world’s largest rocking horse, wintery-themed bounce houses for kids, a giant walk-through ornament, strolling carolers, petting zoo, character meet and greets, crafts, arcade games, more than 30 carnival rides and games, and seasonal food and beverages. Families are also invited to celebrate El Dia de los Reyes or Three Kings’ Day on January 6th where Winter Fest will honor the tradition of the Three Kings with a parade and live camel.

Select discounts are offered for First Responders, Teachers, and Military/Veterans with proof of ID. First Responders are guaranteed free admission on Wednesday, December 26th and January 2nd, Teacher Appreciation Days are Friday, December 21st, 28th, and January 4th, and Military/Veterans are guaranteed free admission on Thursday, December 20th, 27th, and January 3rd.

Tickets and select value packages are available now starting at only $10. For more information on Winter Fest OC, visit www.WinterFestOC.com and for the latest updates on entertainment, food and fun follows Winter Fest OC at FacebookInstagramTwitter, and YouTubeor with #WinterFestOC.

Now it’s time to spread some Holiday Cheer! We are giving away a pack of 4 GA tickets +ICE SKATING! Please enter below and good-luck! *See all rules below* Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****US Residents Only +18 years to enter. No purchase necessary to enter. Ends 12/18 at 12AM PST. All readers have an equal chance to win, however, you must enter to win. Winner will be selected at random via RaffleCopter and notified via email. If the winner cannot be reached by email within 48 hours, a new winner will be selected the same way. There are several different ways to enter. Prizes are not transferable or refundable and must be accepted as awarded. The winner is responsible for any and all other costs and expenses not listed above. Horsing Around In LA is not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment of the prize.*****

Winter Fest OC Returns December 16th-January 1st!

Winter Fest OC!

By Erin

This is a sponsored post written by me for GigaSavvy.

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We may not get any snow here in Southern California, but that does not mean there is a shortage of fun holiday adventures to go on!  Winter Fest is coming back to the OC next month, but with even more holiday experiences for all to enjoy. Located at the OC Fairgrounds, new this year is a Festival of Lights with 10 holiday themed lands, a Snow Play area with real snow blown in daily, live mini cartoon shows with meet-and-greets, World’s Largest Rocking Horse rides, an outdoor skating rink, a New Years Eve celebration, and more! *PLUS* enter for a chance to win a 4-pack of tickets to experience it all for yourself below! Even though we don’t get real snow here, doesn’t mean we cannot bring the snow to us to enjoy all the snowy winter fun with ice skating, and hot chocolate!

Here are a few things I am looking forward to most about this years Winter Fest!

Festival of Lights

winter-fest-oc-costa-mesa-1

*Some of the cool lights from last years Winter Fest!*

Stroll through a 2 million light illuminated pathway and explore 10 holiday themed lands that you and your family can walk through. It will be a great, memorable time for all!

Outdoor Ice Rink–*additional cost* 

winter-fest-orange-county-oc

It wouldn’t feel like the holidays without some ice skating fun!

The FOOD!

homemade-tamales-e1479668035833Being a total foodie… I have to check out all the delicious holiday food and drinks on hand at Winter Fest!

Santa’s Furry Friends

winter-fest-oc-animals

You have to say hello to Rudolph and all of Santa’s other furry friends! They are so cute!

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Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County! #WinterFestOC

Winter Fest is Coming to Orange County!

By Erin

*I will be attending Winter Fest as Media.*

Winter Fest Entrance Image - 10.29.15

It’s getting cold outside! Well, for Southern California standards it is, and it’s about to get colder! Winter is coming to the OC with an all-new holiday wonder, Winter Fest. Unfolding over the OC Fair & Event Center December 18January 3, a magical and whimsical getaway will be unveiled  that features unlimited ice tubing, the world’s largest walk-through ornament, festive entertainment, ice skating, VIP rink-side cabanas, live reindeer, a nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall, seasonal-themed eateries, libations, a carnival and much more. Winter Fest offers such an unforgettable experience at an unbelievable value with tickets starting at only $10 online while they last. Many of Winter Fest’s attractions are within buildings, making the event as “El Nino-proof” as possible.

Entertainment for Winter Fest begins each morning with a snow-capped opening moment led by resident master magician, Jimmy H.  The Chainsaw Chicks will also be here at Winter Fest, carving out fantastic ice sculptures while captivating the crowd with their unbridled charm. Local bands, strolling carolers, and performances by community organizations from around Orange County bring tons of live entertainment to Winter Fest.

The Winter Fest Promenade will be bustling with all of the sights and sounds of winter and with a variety of holiday food and beverage options. A 30-foot Christmas tree stands at the end of the Winter Fest Promenade, where guests will gather nightly at 5:30 p.m. for a heartwarming tree lighting ceremony complete 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, that you will surely find me at! 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.
Winter Fest, Snow, Tubing, Orange County

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.

Ice Skating in Orange County

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. Holiday films will be projected onto a theater-sized screen in the background as skaters zip around the rink. 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.

VIP cabanas Orange County Winter Fest

What’s Included in the price of your ticket?

All Winter Fest admission tickets, held December 18 – January 3 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
  • Entry to bounce houses for kids
  • Reindeer viewing and feeding
  • Access to the world’s largest walk-through ornament
  • Nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snowfall
  • Craft making and games for kids
  • Daily & nightly entertainment

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) visit www.WinterFestOC.com

Come join in the winter fun at the OC Winter Fest!