WINTER FEST OC
- COSTA MESA, CA

Winter Fest OC returned to Costa Mesa at the OC Fair & Event center for the 2025 season.  The themed areas were noticeably smaller this year compared to last but the rides and attractions seemed bigger.

Winter Fest OC 2025:  Experience

The Winter Fest OC experience this season felt smaller.  What was immediately noticeable was the removal of the large white tents that used to house the North Pole Journey.  The only tent visible was for Santa's Workshop.  Some of the walk-throughs and props from the North Pole Journey from previous years still remain, but it felt a lot smaller with less props.  Gone also were the elves that made it all come to life.   The model train tracks were also quite smaller.  The layout has also been modified this year.  Activities from previous years also made a return: Snow Play, Polar Putt Golf, Ice Skating, VIP Igloos and Ice Tubing.  Performances from the Holiday House from Holiday characters and Nutcrackers and Elves who once roamed the North Pole Journey and Santa's Workshops were non-existent this year.  There seemed to be more food vendors this year but a couple of them were notably missing: the BBQ one and the Old Fashioned Hand-Dipped Ice Cream vendor.  

Though it's not the Winter Fest OC of yesteryears, it doesn't mean that there are no positives.  Since there are no skits and very minimal character interaction, it makes it easy to take advantage of photo-ops throughout the Forests of Light and Santa's Workshop area.  The train is working properly this year and runs pretty often.  Many times, we had to get out of its way!  The Christmas Tree lighting happens twice per night with Holiday characters in the front do to a little skit and countdown, mainly for the kids.  The food vendors are all spread throughout the entire festival compared to it being in the middle section; making easier to get some nourishment no matter where you are.  The Carnival and Games area is now located towards the rear, the last third of the festival.  If you can't locate it, just look for the giant ferris wheel.  The entrance boasts an lit up marquee over some trusses and it makes it very obvious which section you are at.  This makes it easy if your group is split up and you need a meeting place.  Lastly, the musical talent seemed to rival that of the Pacific Amphiteatre at the O.C. Fair.  The roster comprises a band list of known cover bands from the area.  

Winter Fest OC 2025: Conclusion

If you are planning on doing every activity including the carnival and games area, then the shortened themed areas will work in your favor.  Especially if you have little ones, it would allow you for more time to do all the activities.  There are still plenty of photo-op areas within the Forest of Light and Santa's Workshop area after you come in through the light tunnels.  With a more simplified format, it is definitely possible to do every activity that Winter Fest OC has to offer.  For the high anxiety prone attraction seekers; rest assured that you can enjoy everything Winter Fest OC has to offer even coming with little ones.

(Click on Image for Photo-Journal)

For more info, https://www.winterfestoc.com/