SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — November 11, 2026 — The holiday season is arriving in San Clemente, bringing with it a familiar combination of twinkling lights, ocean breezes, festive storefronts and community celebrations that make the Spanish Village by the Sea an especially inviting place to spend November and December.
While much of the country prepares for snow-covered streets and freezing temperatures, San Clemente residents can look forward to a distinctly Southern California holiday season, where Christmas trees stand against a backdrop of palm trees and families can celebrate with Santa just blocks from the Pacific Ocean.
This year’s festivities include the return of Santa’s Village by the Sea, the popular Puttin’ on the Glitz downtown celebration, holiday tree lightings and opportunities to support the city’s locally owned businesses.
And with several major events already scheduled, the coming weeks promise plenty of opportunities for residents to gather, celebrate and reconnect.
Santa’s Village by the Sea Returns December 5
The centerpiece of San Clemente’s holiday calendar will arrive on Saturday, December 5, when the City of San Clemente and the Downtown Business Association transform Avenida Del Mar and the Community Center into a festive holiday destination.
Santa’s Village by the Sea will bring together families, merchants, musicians and community organizations for an evening of seasonal entertainment.
Santa Claus is scheduled to arrive at 4:30 p.m., making his way down Avenida Del Mar toward the Community Center, where children will have the opportunity to visit with him and take photographs until 8 p.m.
At 4:45 p.m., the mayor and City Council will lead the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, accompanied by a special performance from the South County Handbell Choir.
Families can also enjoy one of the celebration’s most unusual attractions: a snow hill in the middle of coastal Southern California.
Other activities include cookie decorating, holiday crafts, face painting, games, entertainment and festive treats.
Activity wristbands are available in advance for $9 for San Clemente residents and $12 for nonresidents, with higher prices on the day of the event.
Puttin’ on the Glitz Brings Holiday Magic Downtown
Running alongside Santa’s Village on December 5, the Downtown Business Association’s annual Puttin’ on the Glitz celebration will fill Avenida Del Mar with music, decorations and extended holiday shopping hours.
Scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m., the event will feature carolers, street musicians, vendor booths, seasonal treats and a silent disco.
For local merchants, the evening represents an important opportunity to introduce their businesses to residents and visitors during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Unlike a traditional shopping mall, downtown San Clemente offers a walkable collection of independent boutiques, restaurants and specialty stores, many housed within the Spanish Colonial-style buildings that give the city its distinctive character.
The Downtown Business Association is encouraging merchants to decorate their storefronts and extend their hours for the celebration.
For residents, the message is simple: holiday shopping can also be an investment in the community.
A Christmas Tree at the End of the Pier
One of the city’s most picturesque holiday traditions will return Friday, December 4, when the San Clemente Pier Conservancy and the City of San Clemente host a tree-lighting celebration at the end of the historic Pier.
Scheduled from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., the gathering will feature holiday caroling by St. Margaret’s Highlander Choir, complimentary hot chocolate and candy canes.
Few holiday celebrations offer quite the same setting.
As the sun begins to set over the Pacific, families will be able to gather above the water, listen to seasonal music and enjoy the sight of a Christmas tree against the coastline.
The celebration also offers an opportunity to appreciate one of San Clemente’s most recognizable landmarks as the Pier approaches its centennial in 2028.
Holiday Shopping Begins Before Thanksgiving
Residents won’t have to wait until December to begin celebrating.
The Outlets at San Clemente will host a free tree-lighting celebration on Saturday, November 14, beginning at 5 p.m. The program includes a performance by Orange County School of the Arts Montage, music from the Full Circle Boys and an appearance by Santa Claus.
Two weeks later, on Saturday, November 28, San Clemente merchants will participate in Small Business Saturday, encouraging residents to shop locally during the busy Thanksgiving weekend.
Participating businesses will offer seasonal promotions, while some early shoppers may receive complimentary San Clemente canvas tote bags with qualifying purchases.
The occasion provides a reminder that supporting independent businesses helps preserve the character of the downtown district throughout the year.
Gingerbread Houses and the Spirit of Giving
The city’s seventh annual Gingerbread House Contest will also return as part of Santa’s Village by the Sea.
Residents of all ages are invited to participate, with divisions for children, adults and families or groups.
Entries must be submitted by 2 p.m. on Friday, December 4, and the finished creations will be displayed during the December 5 celebration. Winning entries will remain on display at the San Clemente Art Gallery through December 10.
Participation is free, although advance registration is required.
The holiday festivities will also feature the San Clemente Junior Woman’s Club’s Angel Tree program, allowing residents to select gift requests for local children and senior citizens.
The initiative provides a meaningful opportunity for families to incorporate charitable giving into their holiday traditions.
Old Town Celebrates Christmas on December 12
The festivities continue on Saturday, December 12, when Old Town San Clemente hosts its annual Christmas Festival at 111 W. Avenida Palizada.
Scheduled from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., the celebration will feature local vendors, handmade gifts, holiday music, ornament decorating, face painting, balloon animals and a Christmas scavenger hunt.
Live performances from local churches will add to the atmosphere, while participating businesses and food vendors will offer opportunities to shop and dine.
The event emphasizes locally made products and neighborhood participation, providing another opportunity to experience San Clemente’s community-oriented holiday traditions.
Planning Ahead for the Celebrations
Residents attending the December 5 festivities should anticipate significant downtown traffic and parking restrictions.
The city plans to close the 100 and 200 blocks of Avenida Del Mar from 2 to 10 p.m.
To ease congestion, free shuttle service will operate from San Clemente High School between 3 and 10 p.m. The San Clemente Trolley will also provide service from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Visitors can find event information, registration details and transportation updates through the city’s official website.
A Season That Celebrates San Clemente
Beyond the lights, shopping and visits with Santa, the holiday season offers something more enduring: an opportunity for residents to reconnect with the people and places that make San Clemente special.
In a community known for its beaches, surfing heritage and relaxed coastal lifestyle, the holidays provide a chance to celebrate a different kind of local tradition.
Whether watching the sun set behind a Christmas tree at the Pier, sharing hot chocolate with neighbors or browsing the decorated storefronts of Avenida Del Mar, residents will find that some of the season’s most memorable experiences require little more than showing up.
And perhaps that is what makes Christmas in San Clemente distinctive.
There may not be snow on the beaches or frost on the rooftops, but there is no shortage of holiday spirit in the Spanish Village by the Sea.
