Night of Lights OC + Giveaway

Night of Lights OC Winter Wonderland Drive-Thru Experience Returns with More Nights of Magical & Safe Holiday Fun

By Erin

Night of Lights OC

Night of Lights OC, an immersive Drive-Thru Holiday Light Show Begins November 26th through January 2nd at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa; Features More Than One Million Lights Animated to Music, Interactive Holiday Vignettes, Characters, Special Effects, and More

Night of Lights OC, is a beautiful, magical and interactive winter wonderland drive-thru experience presented by Winter Fest OC, that returns to the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa this November to provide the Southern California community with a safe, family-friendly holiday celebration. The Night of Lights OC experience guides guests through a mile-long drive-thru course filled with more than one million lights, themed holiday scenery and immersive vignettes, animated light shows, snow flurries and tunnels synchronized to music, special effects, even more interactive characters including Santa through December 24th and more.

“Building on the immense success of last year’s inaugural Night of Lights OC, we are thrilled to return with an even bigger and more magical holiday drive-thru event beginning Thanksgiving weekend through the New Year,” said Katrina Carlson, executive producer of Night of Lights OC. “Night of Lights OC allows you and your loved ones to enjoy the magic of the holiday season from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle, keeping annual holiday traditions alive.”

Night of Lights OC kicks-off the holiday season on Friday, November 26th and runs Wednesday to Sunday nights through January 2nd. The experience begins at 5:00 p.m. with ticketed time slots available until 10:00 p.m. (Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday) or 11:00 p.m. (Friday and Saturday).

This year, guests will enjoy many new themed experiences and immersive vignettes including a drive-in movie queue area when they arrive, featuring classic holiday movies playing and strolling entertainers offering holiday favorite treats to enjoy before starting their magical holiday journey. Additional new experiences include an interactive Santa’s Workshop with synchronized lights to music, Toyland where a toy chest is brought to life, Steam Engine Springs with model trains, Santa Takes Flight as St. Nick greets guests through December 24th, plus the return of the most popular vignette from last year: Winter Wonderland, with even more snow flurries to dust car windows!

“Last year, guests were amazed that Night of Lights OC was so much more than a typical drive-thru light show, there was interactive entertainment and special effects that invited you to become a part of this unique experience,” continued Carlson. “This year, we are planning to add even more unique experiences as guests will drive-thru a mile long path of holiday magic as they’re taken through dazzling lights and spectacular scenes including a Christmas Village, Santa’s Workshop, Forest of Lights, and Winter Wonderland. Whether it’s a family outing, date night, company get together or girls night, we’re thrilled to bring holiday cheer to the Southern California community with a safe and fun activity for all ages.”

Also, new this year, Night of Lights OC is excited to announce a partnership with the Power of One Foundation’s Annual Toy Drive. Beginning opening night through December 17th, guests attending Night of Lights OC are encouraged to bring new toys for boys and girls ages 1-15 to donate as they will be collected by the elves at Santa’s Workshop in Night of Lights OC. Our goal is to put a smile on the faces of more than 3,000 children in need in Orange County during Christmas by putting a toy in their hands and leaving a lasting impression in their hearts during the holiday season. Toys will be distributed to qualifying low-income families on select nights.

Tickets & Pricing

Entry to the event is through online ticket purchases only at https://nightoflightsoc.com. Limited reservations are available per time session and guests are encouraged to buy in advance to reserve their date and time session before they sell out.

Early Bird general admission (while supplies last) starts at $39.99 per vehicle (up to five people) on select nights. Larger vehicle tickets (six to nine people) start at $59.99 on select nights. Vehicle height is limited to 8 feet or less, due to the light tunnels. Silver Admission vehicle tickets are also available, which include express lane entry, a digital in-vehicle photo and Holiday 3D glasses. Pricing will increase after Early Bird tickets are sold out.

Pre Order In-Car Holiday Food Treats

Holiday favorite treats are available before entering the Night of Lights OC experience through a pre-order with ticket purchase. Seasonal favorites include hot cocoa, cinnamon sugar donuts, as well as Mom’s Bake Shoppe cookie buckets and brownies, cinnamon roasted nuts, tamales, Holiday ‘Family 4 Pack’ meals, and much more. Food is available to order online by 10am on the date of admission and will be available to pick-up prior to entering the drive-thru experience.

Community Heroes Discounts

Every Wednesday, Night of Lights OC will honor local community heroes with a special $5 off online coupon code for teachers, military personnel, medical workers, firefighters and law enforcement. Tickets must be purchased in advance online using the online code.

  • ●  December 1st Salute to Teachers: Eligible guests can use the online code “TEACH” and bring their relevant Teacher ID for onsite verification.
  • ●  December 8th Salute to Military: Eligible guests can use the online code “HERO” and bring their relevant Military ID for onsite verification.
  • ●  December 15th Salute to Medical Workers: Eligible guests can use the online code “FIRSTAID” and bring their relevant Medical ID for onsite verification.
  • ●  December 22nd Salute to Firefighters: Eligible guests can use the online code “FIRE” and bring their relevant Firefighter ID for onsite verification.
  • ●  December 29th Salute to Law Enforcement: Eligible guests can use the online code “SERVICE” and bring their relevant Law Enforcement ID for onsite verification. For more information, visit NightOfLightsOC.com or follow them on Facebook, Twitterand Instagram @NightofLightsOC.

GIVEAWAY

Now it’s time to spread some Holiday Cheer! I am giving away 1 Silver Large Group Vehicle Ticket to Night of Lights OC: Includes entry for (1) Vehicle (6 to 9 people maximum). PLUS a digital in-vehicle photo and express entry lane. Up to a $99.99 value. Valid for any night, depending on availability.*See all rules below* Happy Holidays!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*****US Residents Only +18 years to enter. No purchase necessary to enter. Ends 11/16 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, travel to Orange County to the event and expenses not listed above. Horsing Around In LA is not liable for unclaimed prizes or fulfillment of the prize.*****

Sally-Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies

Sally-Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies

By Erin

Sally-Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies are perfect to make for Halloween or even Christmas! Or anytime really for all the Nightmare Before Christmas Fans! If you need a quick, last minute treat to make for Halloween to wow everyone, then I got you! These Sally- Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies are super easy & quick to put together.😉

Sally-Nightmare Before Christmas Brownies

Sally Brownies Ingredients

1 13×9 premade brownie bars (Sam’s Club or Costco carries this) 4 large egg whites
3 1⁄2 Cups powdered sugar
1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1 tsp cream of tartar
5 disposable piping bags
Teal, black, pink, yellow gel food coloring, fitted with a number 3 tip 1 container of black cake frosting
1 3in circle cookie cutter

Directions

Using a standing mixer, beat the egg whites, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream of tartar for 5-7 minutes until stiff peaks form

You may need to add in 1⁄2 Cup more of powdered sugar

Divide the icing into 4 bowls

Mix 1 color into each bowl until you get the desired colors you like

Cut 12 circles out of the brownie bar and place onto a cookie sheet

Using whichever color you like, pipe a triangle or some odd shape onto the top of the brownie and fill it in

Repeat the same step with the remaining colors, making sure they touch

Using the black icing bag, pipe black lines over the parts where the colors meet to create sallys “stitching”

Pipe small lines or x over the black lines to create the binding look of Sally’s dress.

Allow the icing to harden.
Squeeze the black frosting into the last piping bag
Pipe a spider anywhere on the top of the brownies

Allow the frosting to harden for a hour before enjoying.

Enjoy!!

More Fun Halloween Treats!

Jack Skellington Cupcakes

Spunky Unicorn Cupcakes

Jack Skellington Cupcakes

Jack Skellington Cupcakes

By Erin

Jack Skellington Cupcakes make for some fun Halloween treats!

Jack Skellington Cupcakes
Jack Skellington Cupcakes

Jack Skellington Face

1 – 8oz white fondant
1 black edible marker with fine tip

Directions
Pinch off 2 tbsp of the white fondant and roll into a ball Place onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper Allow to dry overnight
Using the black marker, draw on Jack’s face
Allow to dry while you make the cupcakes.


Moss Cookie Ingredients and Directions

1 tube of refrigerated sugar cookie dough Moss green gel food coloring
1 container of white frosting

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper

Place the refrigerated dough into a large bowl and mix in about 1 tsp of the moss green gel food coloring into the dough

Scoop about 1 tbsp of the dough onto the cookie sheet
Use a butter knife and press the dough into irregular shapes
Bake in the oven for 10-12 minutes or until the cookies have a lightly brown edge Allow to cool completely
Pick out 12 smaller size cookies and set aside. These will be placed on the cupcakes Crumble the remaining cookies into a bowl

Using the frosting container, mix in about 1 tsp of the moss green gel food coloring into the frosting.

Carefully spread a thin layer of the frosting onto the cookie you set aside Sprinkle the crumbled cookie on top and set aside.

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