Flying Santa And His Reindeer Spotted Nightly Over Winter Fest OC

Winter Fest Returns with a Record-Breaking Opening Weekend and 15 All New Attractions; Continues Now Through January 1

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Dec 21, 2016, 03:41 ET

ORANGE COUNTY, Calif., Dec. 21, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Winter Fest, Southern California's largest winter experience, kicked off with a record-breaking opening weekend, where Santa and his reindeer flew for the first time ever at the OC Fair & Event Center. Now through Christmas Eve at Winter Fest, Santa is the star of a not-to-miss holiday celebration.

Santa and his reindeer flew for the first time ever at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa during Winter Fest OC's opening weekend. Now through Christmas Eve, Santa is the star of a not-to-miss holiday celebration. Enjoy ice skating, ice-tubing, real snow, a two-million-light Festival of Lights walk-through, live shows with kid's favorite characters, Santa's petting zoo, story time with Mrs. Claus and much more at Southern California's largest winter experience!

Flying Santa is just one of the 15 ALL NEW attractions at Winter Fest OC, which also include a two-million-light Festival of Lights walk-through, Snow Play area with real snow blown in daily, an outdoor ice skating rink with VIP cabanas, live shows with kid's favorite characters, fun educational games for kids, the world's largest rocking horse, snow globe photos, Santa's petting zoo and story time with Mrs. Claus.

The nightly Winter Fest celebration begins with a parade of winter characters, featuring Mayor Frost, Mrs. Claus, the Ice Princess, Penny the Penguin, carolers, Toy Soldiers on stilts, and elves. With the Winter Fest characters circled around the 30-foot-tall Christmas tree, Santa will wave from over the fairgrounds thrilling the crowd and spreading enough holiday spirit to light the holiday tree. The nightly pre-Christmas celebration includes fireworks from the top of the Christmas tree and concludes with additional fireworks, falling snow, and a surprise Santa appearance for pictures to conclude the celebration. Parents are encouraged to bring their kids in pajamas on Christmas Eve to catch Santa's last flight of the season.

During the day, Winter Fest features live shows and meet and greets from kid's TV and movie favorites including Barbie, Bob the Builder, Octonauts, Thomas and Friends, Angry Birds, Sid the Science Kid, Care Bears, Buddy from Dinosaur Train, Caillou, plus Jack and Annie from the Magic Tree House. In addition, Winter Fest has partnered with MIND Research Institute to provide fun, educational activities for kids. There are plenty of memorable photo opportunities for the entire family, including the world's largest rocking horse, inside a giant snow globe and of course in Santa's cabin.

New this year will be a New Year's Eve celebration featuring all the magic of Winter Fest plus three additional indoor stages with 11 different tribute bands covering everything from classic rock to today's hits and alternative bands. Entertainment will also include magic shows and dueling pianos. New Year's Eve will be celebrated in New York time and local time with a 3,000 beach-ball ball drop.

Winter Fest is a giant wonderland of immersive wintry fun. Back by popular demand is a 130-foot, eight lane Snowflake Summit ice-tubing slide, strolling carolers, live bands, personal visits in the cabin home of Mr. and Mrs. Claus, trackless train rides, more than 30 carnival rides and games, arcade games, Little Elves Workshop with crafts, bounce houses, and VIP Cabanas to host the perfect holiday party.

Winter Fest takes place now through Jan. 1. Tickets are available online starting at only $10. For more information, visit www.winterfestoc.com and for the latest updates on entertainment, food and fun, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or with #WinterFestOC.

SOURCE Winter Fest