Winter is Coming... To the OC

 The weather has dropped by a few degrees and Southern Californians are bundling up and preparing for winter!  And why not?  There are so many great things to look forward to.  Ice skating, ice tubing, holiday movies, hot chocolate, decorations and festivities!  You'll find all that and more at the all new Winter Fest, opening December 18th at the Orange County Fair and Event Center. 

Winter Fest is taking the family holiday event game up a notch.  Maybe a few notches.  In addition to traditional ice-skating, ice tubing, holiday entertainment and nightly snowfall, the Orange County event will feature a theater-sized screen playing holiday movies in the background and more than 30 carnival rides and games.  And it would not be complete without seasonal foods such as turkey with stuffing, tamales, and fudge!  Pair those with craft cocktails amidst magical lights and holiday décor (including the world’s largest ornament) and you've got something amazing happening. 

Creators of the event wanted to ensure that the event brought holiday joy to everyone. “We love creating events that instantly engage and delight guests of all ages,” Mark Entner, Absolute Event Solutions CEO, says. “This is an affordable holiday experience that ensures a fantastic adventure rain or shine, for seventeen days and nights during the traditional holiday school break. The fairgrounds are the perfect venue for Winter Fest, offering both indoor and outdoor space. The majority of the main attractions and entertainment are within buildings, essentially making Winter Fest ‘El Nino-proof.’ We’re thrilled to bring a wintry sense of wonder to Orange County, and we’re inviting the community to join us for what is sure to become an annual tradition.”

Winter Fest runs from December 18th  through January 3rd, including limited hours on Christmas.  Tickets are on sale now at www.WinterFestOC.com starting at just $10 and include unlimited access to tube down the 130-foot, six-lane ice slide (available for guests 42” and taller)  and one complimentary carnival ride and game in the midway.  If you're feeling VIP-ish, as I like to say, Winter Fest offers an array of upgrades. Ice skating is available on a first come, first serve basis and is $15 per person, including skates. Skate assists are available for $5. Rink-side VIP cabanas are also available for $99 per session and offer a special menu with holiday foods and cocktails, and a cabana server to attend to your needs.  I'm so there!