Lights, Santa — snow! It’s Winter Fest time
Southern California’s ultimate winter experience is back for a second year at the OC Fair & Event Center starting Dec. 16.
Winter Fest 2016 promises a bigger, immersive winter wonderland experience for the whole family through Jan 1.
Last year’s ticket sales of 40,000 have a chance of being eclipsed with this year’s lure of 15 new attractions — including a 2-million-light Festival of Lights show, a snow play area with real snow, an outdoor ice skating rink, live shows with kids’ favorite characters, what is being called the world’s largest rocking horse, Santa’s petting zoo and story time with Mrs. Claus.
“It’s the ultimate winter experience. We saw last year that this is something people wanted and have interest in, especially in Orange County,” said Kim Coutts of Mirage Entertainment, which put on last year’s Winter Fest and since 1990 has been the force behind worldwide events including the Lantern Festival, which is held at several locations in the country and involves revelers carrying lanterns.
“We’ve exceptionally designed the grounds, and we want people to know that Winter Fest will be exponentially bigger than last year,” Coutts said.
Attractions also include a 130-foot, six-lane Snowflake Summit ice slide, carnival rides, a nightly Christmas parade and tree-lighting ceremony, and holiday food and drink.
For an extra $30 ticket, the wintery, light-filled New Year’s Eve celebration with live entertainment is also available.
“We wanted to make sure there’s more to do, and we are blowing out the entertainment for a great value,” said Coutts.
General admission starts online at $10 for children ages 3 to 12 and $15 for adults. Door prices are $5 more for everyone. Kids ages 2 and under are admitted free. Ride fast passes are $10, and an unlimited-ride wristband costs $15.
An online Platinum Ice Pass includes festival admission, ice skating, unlimited carnival rides and a Snowflake Summit fast pass for $35.
For $60, the Winter Fest Value Pack offers admission and a Snowflake Summit fast pass for four people.
Mirage Entertainment is also offering guests VIP packages that include seasonal food and drink selections and private rink-side cabanas starting at $69. A rentable space on the Winter Fest grounds can also accommodate company holiday parties for up to 1,000 people.
“From high-speed sliding thrills to a special toddler-sized snow hill, to craft cocktails and local bands, there’s truly something for everyone,” said Brad Billington of Mirage Entertainment said in a news release. “Winter Fest is the place to make memories.”
OC Fair & Event Center is at 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. For more information, visit winterfestoc.com.