Lindsey Szeto, right, ice tubes down Snowflake Summit with her “thrill-seeking” daughters, Lucy, 9, left, and Charlotte, 7, at Winter Fest OC in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Alessandra Gim, 8, experiences the joy of snow during Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ride-goers get a fix of adrenalynn on the “Soundwave” amusement ride during Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Ryan Hughes and his daughter Lily, 3, of Orange, are bundled up as they cruise through the 11th annual Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The Forest of Lights features a mesmerizing display of colors durng Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Lindsey Szeto, right, ice tubes down Snowflake Summit with her “thrill-seeking” daughters, Lucy, 9, left, and Charlotte, 7, at Winter Fest OC in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A dazzling stilt-walker is backdropped by a 40-foot Christmas tree during Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The sun sets over the Winter Fest OC ice rink while a skater tries to gain his balance at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
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Alessandra Gim, 8, experiences the joy of snow during Winter Fest OC at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Sunday November 30, 2025. (Photo by Mindy Schauer, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The fairgrounds’ winter wonderland has heated up the fun again this holiday season.
Now open through Jan. 4 in Costa Mesa, Winter Fest OC combines a carvinal atmosphere with a snow day and a sprinkling of holiday magic. Activities include a snow play area, ice tubing down a 150-foot slide, Polar Putt-Putt, a nightly tree lighting with entertainment, meet-and-greets and more.
Winter Fest is open on select dates through Dec. 18 and then nightly after that date at the OC Fair & Event Center. Information and ticket prices — some activities come with an additional cost, can be found at winterfestoc.com.
