Santa lights up Newport Bay with floating Christmas trees

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A family gathers to observe the tallest of the Christmas decorations at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s holiday season kick-off event at dusk on Friday. The event included performances by the O.C. Children’s Song Group, the Corona del Mar High School choir, and a visit by Santa Claus.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Youngsters makes faces with Santa for the camera at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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A lighted Christmas tree light decoration at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Families gather to observe the row of Christmas tree decorations at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

(Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

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Santa Claus makes a funny face for the camera with a local youngster at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort’s holiday season kick-off party at dusk on Friday. (Don Leach / Daily Pilot)

By Hannah FryStaff Writer

Nov. 28, 2015 2:29 PM PT

Newport Bay was brought to life Friday evening as Santa flipped the switch to illuminate lights strung up to resemble floating Christmas trees outside the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort.

Onlookers watched as Santa floated up on a paddleboard to light up more than 50 Christmas trees as part of the Newport Dunes’ 25th annual Lighting of the Bay.

The event kicked off a host of weekend events at the resort, including an ice village snow slide, a craft fair and a screening of the movie “Elf” on Saturday, as well as a visit from Santa on Sunday.