Winter Fest at the OC Fair & Event Center

An all-new holiday attraction! Winter Fest at the OC Fair & Event Center  December 18  through January 3

Enjoy the spirit of the winter season at Winter Fest,  bringing fun and merriment to sunny Southern California. We were invited to opening day to preview all the fun activities last Friday, here's what you can expect. Experience ice-skating with a theater-sized screen playing holiday films in the background, ice tubing down a 130-foot, six-lane ice slide, nightly snowfall and tree lighting, festive entertainment, reindeer feedings, and more than 30 carnival rides and games. Winter Fest is filled with seasonal foods, craft cocktails, magical lights, and holiday décor including the world’s largest ornament.

Largest Walk Thru Ornament  

Enter Winter though the Fest’s icy gates revealing a whimsical wonderland where you can stroll through the center of the world’s largest illuminated ornament. Sample holiday treats from Santa Clause bakery while sipping hot cocoa or specialty craft cocktails.

Entertainment includes:

• Roaming holiday characters
• Performances by singers and artists
• Magicians
• Nightly Christmas tree lighting ceremony with snow flurries.
• Daily Performances by the Chain Saw Chicks (Ice Sculpturers) 
• Meet and Greet with Santa Claus

Guests are encouraged to arrive early for Winter Fest’s opening moment each day, and stay throughout the night to enjoy all of the festival’s attractions. 

Ice Skating Inside the Hangar with all your favorite movies.

Admission starts at only $10 online and includes:

• Unlimited access to tube down the 130-foot, six-lane ice slide (guests 42” and taller)
• One complimentary carnival ride and game in the midway
• Access to themed bounce houses for young attendees
• Meet Santa Claus
• Tales told by Mrs. Claus during story time
• Elves’ arts, crafts, and games in the North Pole building.

Try your luck at one of the 30 Carnival Games and Rides.

Winter inspired activities your children can take part in are:

• Face painting
• Balloon art
• Photos with Santa
• 30 carnival rides and games
• Reindeer graham cracker feedings
• Rides on the North Pole LTD trackless train
• Ice-skating.
• Model Trains that you can control.
• Ice Tubing

Ice Tubing down a 130' long run, super fast and Fun!

The Hangar building inside the fairgrounds will be transformed into  a massive ice skating rink, where brilliant hanging snowflakes light up the ice below. Onlookers can watch skaters circle the rink while enjoying holiday films playing on the theater-sized projection screen in the background. Skating is available on a first come, first serve basis; $15 per person including skates. Skate assists are available for $5. Private, rink-side VIP cabanas are also available for $99 per session. See site for details.

They have several train sets you can control at #WinterFest , so fun watching them go around and around. www.cleverlycatheryn.com

Posted by Cleverly Catheryn on Friday, 18 December 2015

Visit Mrs. Claus’ Bakery for sweets while watching live fudge cutting and cinnamon roll making. Seasonally and internationally inspired foods, including soups in bread bowls, potpies, tamales, Chinese food, crepes, and turkey and stuffing as well as traditional SoCal fun foods will also be available. Kettle corn and popcorn will be offered for guests on the go, and thirsty festival-goers can indulge in a tempting hot chocolate and beers from around the World.

Hours of operation are 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Special hours of operation include December 24 (Christmas Eve) 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. and December 25 (Christmas Day) 2 - 11 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be present at Winter Fest every day and night through Christmas Eve, December 24.

Tickets on sale now. Admission starting at $10 online (for a limited time). Ticket prices Monday through Friday are $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. 

Rink side cabanas for rent.

Adult season passes for unlimited access for all of Winter Fest’s dates are available for $45 advance and online (limited supply); children’s season passes are available for $25 advance and online (limited supply).