Costa Mesa’s Snoopy House holiday display returns with a revamp

Snoopy House, Costa Mesa’s traditional holiday display of Charles Schulz’s “Peanuts” characters, returned to the City Hall lawn Friday evening with a face-lift.

Maintenance staff worked to repaint and fix broken mechanical pieces on the display, which draws 15,000 people annually, according to the city.

Snoopy House runs from 5:30 to 9 p.m. daily through Dec. 22 at 77 Fair Drive. The event also offers free train rides, cider, live performances and photos with Santa Claus, who makes a nightly visit at 6.

The display began in 1966 at the home of Jim and Linda Jordan at 2269 Santa Ana Ave. In 2011, City Hall decided to host Snoopy House after the Jordan home foreclosed. The larger venue came with additions to the event.

Briana Harley, a musician and teacher, first performed at Snoopy House when it was at the Jordan home. She played percussion to the Christmas song “Little Drummer Boy” along with her peers from Davis Elementary School. The past four years, Harley has returned to Snoopy House to perform.

On opening night Friday, she was to play a rendition of “Jingle Bell Rock.” She’s set to return to the stage Dec. 20 along with music students she teaches through private lessons at So Cal Music School in Orange. The students, who range from 7 to 18 years old, will be singing and playing Christmas tunes on guitar and piano.

“It’s really cool for them because they have the same opportunities that I got when I was a kid,” Harley said. “There’s the big stage. They’re performing to the public along with all the lights, Santa Claus and the treats.”

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